3 Phases to a Transaction: How to Maximize the Sale

The executive managing director of Watermark Advisors, Hagen Rogers tells me about his approach to M&A (mergers and acquisitions) counseling. He discusses the common issues he saw in the M&A process with is his clients. We explore how these issues changed his approach to M&A and what lead to Watermark’s service model.

During today’s episode, we explain why M&A is like a bridge and how Watermark helps their clients across. The “bridge” model is a great visual and simplifies how the M&A process works. Tune in to learn how to cross the bridge and come out on the other side with a great deal and solid business relationship.

What you will learn:

• Hagen’s background in corporate banking.
• What Watermark Advisors does for their clients.
• The problems buyers have during the M&A process.
• The problems sellers have during the M&A process.
• What are contingency fees?
• How to avoid these fees.
• Why people agree to contingencies.
• What is “the bridge?”
• The ulterior motives of small investment banking firms.
• The 3 phases of the bridge.
• How to make your company a “top athlete.”
• The 8 items that make a top athlete company.
• Why strategy is the most important.
• What is marketing positioning?
• Why timing is everything.
• The things that go wrong during the integration phase.
• How buyers erode a company’s potential.
• Why M&A is NOT like a marriage.
• Hagen’s parting words for the audience.

Takeaway:

Your company is like an athlete. You need to train for your company exit and you need a coach to get you through the process. That’s what Watermark Advisors or someone like them can do for you.

Links and Resources

GEXP Collaborative
February Training (mentioned during the episode)
Watermark Advisors
Watermark Advisors on LinkedIn

About Hagen:

The more than 100 client assignments that Hagen Rogers has successfully completed in his 21-year investment banking career include sell-side, buy-side mergers and acquisitions, public and private capital financings, valuations, expert witness testimony, and fairness opinions. Prior to directing Watermark, Mr. Rogers served investment banking clients as Vice President at Wachovia Securities. He began his career with NationsBank in corporate banking and with Chase Securities in investment banking. He is a member of the Financial Executives Network Group. In addition, since 2007 Mr. Rogers has spoken nationally to hundreds of CEOs on the topic of “How to Win in Investment Banking Transactions,” in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greenville, Knoxville, Los Angeles, Louisville, Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle. Mr. Rogers started Watermark Advisors in 2002.