Mastering Business Acquisitions: Due Diligence and Strategic Insights

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan delves into the psychology and expectations of both buyers and sellers in the business acquisition process. He emphasises the importance of having a structured system and understanding the emotional dynamics at play.   The episode also features insights from Andrew, who scaled his business by acquiring five others and discusses best practices for managing acquisitions. The discussion also highlights the critical post-acquisition phase, detailing strategies for smooth transitions and maintaining business value.   Key moments   01:36 Understanding Buyer and Seller Psychology 02:44 Emotions in Business Deals 04:21 Seller's Fears and Hopes 06:03 Buyer's Fears and Hopes 06:47 Motivations Behind Business Sales 13:16 Andrew's Acquisition Journey 15:48 The Importance of Deal Flow 24:14 Post-Acquisition Challenges   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan discusses strategies for eliminating personal risk when purchasing a business. Key points include not using personal finances or guarantees, structuring acquisitions correctly, and understanding the seller's motivations. The episode also covers common business buying mistakes, such as not having the right advisors, insufficient cash, and buying distressed businesses. Additionally, guest Daniel shares his experiences with business consolidation, highlighting the challenges of integrating acquired companies and the importance of cultural alignment.  Key moments 01:24 Eliminating Personal Risk in Business Acquisitions 03:01 The Importance of No Personal Guarantees 04:45 Protecting Mental Health in Business Deals 08:00 Advanced Methods for De-risking Acquisitions 10:46 12 Business Buying Mistakes: Part 2 10:55 Mistake 7: Not Getting the Right Advisors 12:46 Mistake 8: Insufficient Cash Flow 15:38 Mistake 9: Buying Distressed Businesses 18:22 Mistake 10: Understanding Seller's Motivation 21:09 Mistake 11: Company Reputation 22:58 Mistake 12: Insufficient Due Diligence 25:25 Interview with Daniel: Challenges in Business Consolidation 25:47 Daniel's Experience with Roll-ups and Exits 31:37 Structuring and Financing Deals 33:34 Private Schools Acquisition Strategy   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this week's episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan's focus is on purchasing businesses off-market and avoiding common mistakes that new business buyers often make.   Jonathan highlights six of the twelve most common mistakes, including the risks of using personal money, buying businesses you don't understand, overpaying, and quitting your job too soon.   The episode also features Nick, who successfully bought a poultry business by leveraging creative financing and avoiding the usual pitfalls. Nick talks about strategies for financing acquisitions without personal money, the importance of buying larger businesses to avoid effectively purchasing a job, and the value of negotiating a fair price.   In a conversation with podcast producer, Ed, Jonathan advises new dealmakers to look for off-market businesses rather than going through brokers to avoid overpaying and the complications of dealing with experienced brokers.   Key moments   01:24 Common Mistakes in Business Buying 02:59 Financing Your Business Acquisition 05:04 Avoiding the Job Trap 06:08 Negotiation and Valuation Tips 09:02 Understanding the Business You Buy 11:01 Balancing Business Buying with a Day Job 13:10 Thinking Big in Business Buying 15:22 The Importance of Off-Market Deals 26:11 Case Study: Buying a Poultry Business 34:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, we talk about insights on smart business acquisitions without risking personal capital. Jonathan shares key strategies from a presentation at the Marbella business retreat, emphasising the importance of getting corporate structures right and de-risking leases.   The episode features a discussion with Ed on the effectiveness of the buy and build, or roll-up strategy, and an in-depth interview with David, a successful mastermind client who combined multiple business acquisitions to win a substantial local authority contract.   The episode concludes with practical tips on avoiding personal guarantees, linking business payments to performance, and the integration challenges in buy and build strategies.   Key moments   01:42 The Importance of Corporate Structure 04:23 Avoiding Personal Guarantees 07:45 De-risking Leases in Business Acquisitions 11:40 Linking Payment to Business Performance 15:03 Success Story: David's Multi-Business Acquisition 25:57 The Benefits of a Buy and Build Strategy 34:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of Business Buying Strategies, we learn six innovative methods for acquiring a business without using personal cash or capital. Jonathan talks with former Dragon James Caan about ways to minimise risks in acquisitions. And Jonathan and Ed discuss the limitations of relying solely on internet resources for learning about business acquisitions.   Key moments:   00:00 Introduction to Business Buying Strategies 01:38 Six Ways to Buy a Business Without Using Your Own Cash 10:43 Interview with James Kahn: Mitigating Risks in Acquisitions 19:04 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Acquisitions 23:11 Why Learning Business Acquisition from the Internet is Not Enough 30:48 Final Thoughts and Next Steps   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan Jay discusses the traits of an ideal dealmaker, emphasising the importance of courage, determination, and a positive outlook.    He shares insights into why buying an existing business can accelerate success compared to starting from scratch. He also talks about strategies for deciding what type of business to buy, including purchasing companies within your existing sector, supply chain, or distribution chain. Additionally, he highlights the value of surrounding yourself with a strong deal team and the benefits of clarity and focus when developing a business acquisition strategy.   The episode concludes with insights from a discussion with Ian on the challenges of balancing work and personal life and how to determine financial goals.   Key moments   00:00 Introduction to Business Buying Strategies 01:03 Who Makes an Ideal Dealmaker? 04:13 The Courage and Determination Needed 08:38 The Importance of Strategy and Focus 11:37 Part Two: Discussion with Ian 14:48 The Role of a Deal Team 17:54 Advice for Aspiring Business Buyers 20:45 What Type of Business Should You Buy? 26:45 Benefits and Risks of Buying Different Businesses 29:57 Conclusion and Key Takeaways   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast Jonathan delves into the crucial aspect of due diligence when buying a business. He introduces the three main types of due diligence: financial, legal, and commercial, and provides practical advice on what documents to examine for a comprehensive understanding of the target acquisition.    The episode also features Ian, an experienced deal maker, who shares his journey from redundancy to starting and acquiring businesses. He and Jonathan discuss the distinctions between buying small and large businesses and the benefits of aiming for larger acquisitions from the get-go.   Learn valuable insights on mitigating risks, understanding financial records, and the importance of taking decisive action.    Key moments   01:03 Understanding Due Diligence 02:38 Financial Due Diligence Explained 09:07 Legal Due Diligence Insights 11:43 Commercial Due Diligence Overview 13:55 Meet Ian: A Deal Maker's Journey 25:27 Big vs Small Business Acquisitions   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies podcast, Jonathan discusses several key aspects of acquiring businesses, including a success story from Alison, who saved £100,000 by leveraging group advice from the Dealmaker's Academy Mastermind students.    Jonathan covers the buy-and-build strategy, integrating multiple businesses into a larger entity, and also about overcoming mental blocks in purchasing a business.   Key moments   01:06 Alison's Success Story: Saving £100,000 10:10 The Buy and Build Strategy Explained 16:36 Overcoming Mental Blocks in Business Acquisition 29:28 The Importance of Cash Flow and Financial Management 31:48 Building a Strong Team and Effective Systems 34:25 Branding and Integration in Business Acquisition 35:55 Final Tips and Personal Well-being   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan presents insights from asset protection expert Michael, who discusses key points about inheritance tax and effective wealth management for future generations.   Jonathan also shares negotiation techniques for acquiring businesses from a live seminar. Podcast producer Ed joins to discuss the importance and methods of deal sourcing, emphasising the need for continuous deal flow and strategic evaluation. This episode is filled with practical advice for anyone interested in buying businesses and securing their financial legacy.   Key moments   02:02 Understanding Inheritance Tax 04:33 Generational Inheritance Tax Explained 08:48 Mitigating Inheritance Tax 13:20 Negotiation Strategies for Buying a Business 19:00 Reacting to Price Proposals 22:41 Avoiding the Valuation Trap 25:05 Leading the Conversation 29:14 The Importance of Deal Flow 32:25 Identifying and Securing Good Deals 37:30 Avoiding Emotional Decisions 39:43 Summary and Key Takeaways   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.

In this episode of the Business Buying Strategies Podcast, Jonathan delves into advanced negotiation techniques for buying businesses.   The discussion covers handling unrealistic sellers with insights from Andy Doyle, understanding seller motivations from a Dubai seminar, and crucial negotiation advice from Jonathan and Ed.    Key topics include why you should never make the first offer, managing emotional detachment, and the importance of deal flow. The episode also touches on the value of buying larger businesses and integrating commercial property portfolios. Jonathan emphasises having multiple options and building credibility when dealing with sellers.   Key moments   01:56 Key Considerations in Business Negotiation 02:32 The Pitfalls of Making the First Offer 03:36 Strategies to Lower the Asking Price 08:15 Handling Stalemates in Negotiations 10:06 Avoiding Emotional Attachment in Deals 10:58 Real-Life Negotiation Examples 13:31 The Importance of Deal Flow 15:22 Evaluating Business Opportunities 17:15 The Value of Bigger Businesses 23:37 Building a Commercial Property Portfolio 25:00 The Power of Networking and Mindset 26:09 Engaging with Business Owners Effectively 30:18 Mastering the Power Dynamic in Negotiations   ** Looking for a great acquisition lawyer in the UK? Use mine! ** If you are looking for a lawyer in the UK to help you get the deal over the line, then use my own lawyer, John Andrews. You can phone his office at (0345) 2412494 or email him at [email protected]. Ready to get started? Here’s how you can start your business buying journey… Download our free Business Buying Toolkit https://dealmakers.co.uk/business-buying-toolkit Join our Business Acquisition FastTrack programme https://www.dealmakers.co.uk/fast Already bought a business? if you've already bought a business, you should be part of my Inner Circle group where we discuss raising capital, integration management, and exiting. Email Maria on [email protected] for more information.