- Know yourself, your market, your competitors, and your buyers
- Choose the right time do not miss the consolidation wave in your sub-sector
- If you sell software then demonstrate strong revenue growth & upside
- If you sell software services then demonstrate solid earnings and staff utilisation
- Maintain a strong cash position during the M&A process
- Have loyal customers
- Secure strong recurring revenues
- Do not miss your forecast numbers
- Confront any skeletons-in-the-cupboard early
- Be future proof in your technology platform and business model
- Demonstrate depth in the management team and show succession planning
- Dominate a sector or geographic territory
- Run a competitive, global M&A auction - managed by an M&A advisor J