Table of Contents

Before the Deal

1. Is My Company Ready to Be Acquired?

   The foundation of every successful exit

2. How Do I Find Acquirers for My Company?

   A step-by-step guide to building your buyer list

3. What Are the Biggest Mistakes That Kill Deals?

   Hard-earned lessons from 5 exits

4. How Do I Prepare My Company for Due Diligence?

   What to prep before the deal

5. Who Are My Most Likely Buyers?

   Mapping potential acquirers strategically

6. How Do I Find the Right Person at Each Company?

   Identifying decision makers and influencers

7. How Do I Generate Interest Without Looking Desperate?

   Creating demand for your company

8. How Do I Get My Team Aligned on Selling?

   Getting everyone on the same page

9. What Can't I Control in an Acquisition?

   Market forces, timing, and external factors

10. Should I Hire an Investment Banker?

    When investment banking makes sense

During the Deal

11. What M&A Terminology Should I Know?

    Essential M&A terminology

12. What Terms Should I Negotiate?

    Key deal terms that matter most

13. What Is a Letter of Intent (LOI)?

    Understanding your first formal offer

14. What's in a Purchase Agreement?

    The legal document that closes your deal

15. What Happens During Due Diligence?

    Surviving the buyer's investigation

16. How Do the Wire Transfers Work?

    Closing day mechanics and money movement

17. What Should I Expect on Closing Day?

    The final steps to get your money

18. Who Should I Tell About the Sale and When?

    Managing communication during the process

After the Deal

19. What Happens After I Sell?

    Your first 90 days post-exit

20. How Do I Manage My Earnout?

    Maximizing deferred payments

21. How Do I Not Blow My Money?

    Smart wealth management after exit

22. What Should I Do Next?

    Options for your second act