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

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, brand management has never been more important. The messaging and communication — internally to team members and externally to clients, partners and consumers — has pivoted. Shannon Baker, president of PR & marketing firm Gatesman, discusses how those changes are repositioning how companies reach consumers and what they're saying — and why many of these changes might be here to stay.

What corporate lessons will come out of the COVID-19 crisis as it relates to developing talent pipelines and managing supply chains? David Mills, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Definity Partners, a Clark Schaefer Hackett company, shares what he believes will change over the next 12 to 18 months.

What's the state of M&A? Andrew Christian, Clifton Larson Allen's Manager of Private Equity, shares what he's hearing from PE partners, the direction dealmaking has taken during this crisis, as well as what we might expect as the economy restarts.

Many employers have struggled with their business insurance, not sure what was covered and what was not. Bob Klonk, CEO of business insurance broker Oswald Companies, explains how risk mitigation will be a front-of-mind issue as America eases back into work, and why insurance policies may be changing in the future.

Even in uncertain times there's still capital sitting on the sidelines for those industries that can thrive during the COVID-19 crisis. Jerry Johnson, South Central Market Head for UBS in Nashville, explains the top concerns he's hearing from business owners as they look toward the future with their investments and think about M&A.

The COVID-19 crisis has revealed numerous legal issues that entrepreneurs and business leaders hadn't faced before. Chris Farmakis, chairman of law firm Babst Calland, explains what c-suite executives should be thinking about, including giving a new level of scrutiny to contracts.

Where should CEOs focus their time and energy as they scramble to survive the Great Shutdown of 2020? CliftonLarsonAllen Principal Joe Baez discusses the importance of internal reviews — people, operations, and finances — so that as the economy restarts, entrepreneurs are ready to get back to business.

For companies whose primary focus is developing digital or technology solutions for traditional industries, the COVID-19 crisis has led to an increase in business and a new age of innovation. Larry Berran, CEO of iPipeline, which develops digital solutions for the insurance industry, discusses why he's still on the prowl for acquisitions, and how he sees opportunities where others see challenges.

Investment banks are taking a harder look at balance sheets these days as raising capital and selling companies has brought new challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. Joe Wagner, managing director and partner with PMCF, discusses the changes entrepreneurs and CEOs need to consider when looking at deals.