Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are complex endeavors that require meticulous planning, strategic foresight, and, above all, comprehensive data. In the contemporary business landscape, where data drives decisions, understanding what information is crucial to the M&A process can significantly influence the outcome. Therefore, the first step in any successful M&A transaction is Data. This article will explore the critical aspects of data in M&A, focusing on identifying the right data, understanding customer and market insights, the role of operational metrics, and the broader scope of data beyond financials. Identifying the Right Data The first step in any successful M&A transaction is identifying and preparing the right data. Sellers often wonder what data buyers need to evaluate the deal and decide whether…
Disrupt or Be Disrupted: How Value Decoupling is Changing the Game In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, value decoupling has emerged as a critical challenge, particularly for established companies facing disruption. This phenomenon occurs when competitors—often digital disruptors—strategically peel away key customer activities, eroding the foundation of traditional business models. In this discussion, we will explore the forces driving decoupling, the strategies digital disruptors use to separate and capture customer interactions, and real-world examples of companies that have suffered as a result. We will also delve into why digital players are often better positioned to leverage this strategy, the common missteps traditional businesses make in response, and the approaches they can adopt to counteract these threats and retain their competitive…
Image by rudall30 via Shutterstock Remember back in 2013, when venture capitalist and founder of Cowboy Ventures, Aileen Lee, coined a specific term to represent a distinctive class of start-ups that were breaking the norms and catching the eye of investors worldwide? That's right, the label 'unicorn' was born. In the world of business, a unicorn isn't a mythical creature fresh out of a fantasy novel. Rather, it is an exceptional title granted to private companies or startups valued over a whopping $1 billion. Just as elusive and awe-inspiring as their fictional namesakes, these companies embark on the adventurous journey from mere concepts to billion-dollar businesses. But the unicorn landscape has dramatically changed. Seeing a startup reach unicorn status is no longer a rare…
According to Exploding Topics (latest data in 2023), 90% of startups fail. Wait, let’s break it down. “Nine out of every ten startups crash and burn. But, hang on! Wasn't the dream to be the next, dare I say it, Elon Musk, or Jeff Bezos?” Surprised? But this is just the start of our harsh and enlightening ride. Think about it. You have your perfect product in mind, the dream team lined up, your business plan readied, investors ready to shower you with their money, and you even have the departmental desk color scheme sorted (we all know that's important). Yet despite all this, you are more likely to fail than to succeed – hard pill to swallow, right? Grit your…
A New Era of Longevity: Living Longer and Working Longer As global life expectancy rises, so will the average retirement age. In many advanced countries, longer lifespans and economic pressures are extending working lives well into the late 60s and beyond. This shift has created a new reality: a growing segment of the workforce is older and highly experienced. Yet these workers are often overlooked, underestimated or made redundant. In a previous article, we explored how stereotypes about Millennials and Gen Z being "entitled" can prevent leaders from fully engaging the potential of younger talent. In calling out such generational stereotypes, we must also acknowledge how older employees are equally subject to bias. Older employees, especially those over 60, face…