“ If the values , culture , and priorities are aligned , everything goes smoothly , and you avoid the disruption of losing employees and clients .”
— Joanna Mirov , Senior Advisor of M & A at Ntiva
Sellers should review all aspects of their business that could derail a deal . For instance , are customer and vendor contracts assignable ? If not , a potential seller should change those terms before even starting the M & A process . Other areas to “ clean up ,” says Wagner , include separating items such as charities and vehicles from business accounts . And don ’ t forget payroll . Wagner has seen some unusual arrangements , including having a nanny on the payroll .
Sellers also need an accurate picture of the buyer . Early on , Mirov and Ntiva ’ s leadership did a joint presentation for the staff . “ People were super-excited about the new opportunities and joining a company that had a lot of potential for growth ,” she says . Only two of her staff of 40 opted out .
Beware Of Three Huge Red Flags !
Red flags for a buyer include if leadership teams from previous acquisitions don ’ t stay on post-sale and turnover is high , says Mirov . Also watch how a potential acquirer treats the M & A process . “ It was important to me that the CEO of the company interested in buying my MSP would spend the time with me in person , getting to know me , my company , and my goals ,” she says .
Also beware of potential buyers who send letters-of-intent to tie up a company , says Neil Medwed , vice president of corporate development and M & A at Meriplex , a managed IT and cybersecurity provider with offices across the country . “ Then , after the seller ’ s CEO has invested a great deal of effort and energy to close the deal , the buyer lowers the offer significantly ,” explains Medwed , who has overseen 11 MSP acquisitions since selling his own MSP to Meriplex .
The Key To A Prosperous Future
Meriplex understands the importance of long-term relationships . “ We want the new teammates to be able to go home to their families on acquisition day excited ,” Medwed says , “ to be able to look into their loved ones ’ eyes and say , ‘ This is good for me , good for our family , and [ for ] our future .”
Buy Or Sell With Confidence With Kaseya ’ s M & A Concierge Platform
Are you thinking about selling your MSP business but worried that a savvy buyer will take you for a sucker ? Are you a buyer on the prowl for a profitable , well-run MSP and want to avoid wasting time vetting companies that turn out to be lemons ?
With so much money changing hands and so many lives affected , no one can afford to mess this up .
Enter Kaseya ’ s groundbreaking M & A Concierge Platform , which is revolutionizing the way MSPs navigate mergers and acquisitions .
Led by industry visionary Frank DeBenedetto , the Kaseya GM spearheading the M & A Concierge Platform , alongside the audIT and Secure Payments divisions , this innovative platform aims to put your fears to rest .
“ At Kaseya , we understand the complexities of M & A in the MSP realm , and our mission is clear : to facilitate seamless transactions while maximizing value for all parties involved ,” says DeBenedetto , who leads with the experience of having sold his own MSP . “ Kaseya is not a broker , and we offer this indispensable service at absolutely no cost to buyers or sellers .”
It ’ s the ultimate guide to seamless M & A , making sure you ’ re choosing the right partner , that visions are aligned , and that values and goals on both sides are considered .
Kaseya uses exclusive joint training and carefully targeted invitations to provide a secure environment for MSPs to explore potential partnerships without compromising sensitive information until they ’ re ready to transact .
Kaseya has also curated a wealth of educational resources to help MSP sellers prepare their businesses for a successful transition , whether they ’ re 12 months or 36 months or even years away from selling .
For buyers , Kaseya streamlines the acquisition process , saving valuable time and effort by identifying and vetting potential targets on their behalf . By assisting MSP sellers in readiness , buyers have a pool of high-quality prospects and can seize opportunities with confidence .
Kaseya ’ s M & A Concierge Platform is a game changer , offering unparalleled support and expertise to both buyers and sellers for every step of the M & A process .
If an M & A is what you want , this program is what you need .
The M & A Concierge Platform for MSPs is a free service that facilitates the M & A process for MSP buyers and sellers to maximize transaction value . Learn more and apply at MSP . Kaseya . com / MA-Concierge