Smart Business Dealmakers: The Middle-Market M&A Podcast

Investors have been hot and cold as the COVID-19 crisis creates uncertainty across the U.S. economy. Andrew Bishop, a director at AB Bernstein, discusses how investors are looking at wealth management solutions — and why there are greater opportunities than many people believe.

The COVID-19 crisis has put a new emphasis on business interruption and continuity plans, as well as the insurance that covers them. Steven Scolari, partner with the law firm of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young and co-chair of the firm's closely held and family-owned business practice, discusses why what you planned for before requires a new focus — and a new plan — in the new normal.

The COVID-19 era has thrown a monkey wrench into traditional investment paths for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. Matt Hamilton, chairman and CEO of Hamilton Capital, says all does not need to be for naught. He discusses how investors should not only move forward in the current market, but how they should be looking at their greatest asset — their companies.

The massive market disruption and its impact on companies hasn't fundamentally altered how NewSpring Capital looks at deals. Business Development Partner Adam VeVerka discusses the current state of dealmaking and what has buyers' attention as they look for opportunities.

Closely held middle-market businesses are thinking about what's next for their companies as it relates to forecasting cash flow and new business opportunities. Ed Monborne, CEO of RKL, discusses what CEOs should be focused on and how his accounting and consulting firm has repositioned itself and its services to address changing concerns clients are facing during these challenging times.

As CEOs hurtle toward a new normal, banking and finance issues remain top of mind. Jim Geuther, market president for Northern Ohio at SunTrust (which has merged with BB&T to form Truist), discusses why balance sheet management and an ability to recognize the impact the three "A"s — Amazon, Automation and American-made — could have in determining those who struggle and those who thrive heading into 2021.

While the expectation is that many companies' financial metrics will reflect the challenges of operating through a pandemic, how lenders and investors will measure a company's fitness post-COVID-19 is still being considered. Michael Conaton of Cyprium Partners shares where he thinks investors will look when they begin scrutinizing deals as the economy starts to recover, and discusses the concept of EBITDAC — EBITDA before COVID.

As we navigate through a new reality, family dynamics in closely held businesses face a different kind of challenge. Kara Lewis, AB Bernstein's managing director for the state of Ohio, and Heather George, senior vice president and co-head of the firm's family engagement services group, discuss what family-owned companies are doing as they look at potential transactions, as well as why now is a good time to think about succession planning.

As the economy heads toward recovery, M&A activity is again on the rise. Brett Martin, Transaction Advisory Services Director for RSM, discusses how the deal flow pipeline is flowing and what that means for due diligence, valuations and working capital in the era of COVID-19.

Entrepreneurs and CEOs trying to get deals done in 2020 face numerous hurdles — many of them new legal issues. Steven Laabs, a partner with Husch Blackwell, discusses what to expect, why the deal market is evolving and how to navigate through these challenging times.