Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss the stressful and complex nature of M&A negotiations, illustrated through the story of a seller named Laura and a buyer named Dave, highlighting the unusual dynamics and missteps in their interaction. Despite Dave's low initial offer and unconventional tactics, Laura, with guidance, navigated the process by understanding her bottom line and being willing to walk away, ultimately aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. The importance of advisor involvement, clear communication, and understanding both financial and non-financial aspects of a deal were emphasized for sellers. The total inside story, and more importantly, the lessons learned. Don't miss this one!

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss Wrexham AFC's unprecedented promotion due to smart hiring and strategic growth, comparing it to the "Moneyball" approach in business and sports. They emphasize the "people, process, and product" framework as essential for business success, highlighting that Exit Engine applies these principles to help entrepreneurs understand business growth and exit planning. The speakers explained that exit planning is crucial for all businesses as an insurance policy and a form of good business planning, which creates options and encourages owners to work "on" their business rather than "in" it. Excellent real perspectives on what it takes to prepare for and execute a business sale.

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss strategies for business owners to understand and improve their company's value for a future exit, emphasizing the importance of measuring current value and setting a target trajectory. They outline key value drivers including revenue growth, cost efficiency, and the EBITDA multiple, along with qualitative factors like clean financials and consistent performance. Jo Stapleton introduces the Exit Engine podcast and their resources, such as the total exit value calculator and webinars, to aid business owners in this process of planning their exit. And don't throw away those old baseball cards!