In a typical M&A deal, the business buyer will perform due diligence in order to fully gain knowledge of the inner workings of the target company. The due diligence process allows the buyer to confirm financial statements, unearth possible liabilities, and determine an appropriate purchase price for the business.

Buyers and sellers often are trepid towards the negotiation portion of an M&A deal, especially when they have little experience with M&A or no professional advisor. An M&A intermediary can be quite beneficial at this point in the deal, as they are well-versed in a variety of negotiation tactics that will be favorable for both the buyer and the seller.

While the buyer may desire to restructure post-closing, they will also want to retain the key staff members that have played a large part in helping the business be successful up to this point. Preparing an exit plan early will arm the business owner with the correct tools for when the time comes to sell.