FOCUS Articles

Growing to the Next Level—Rainmaker LISBON Summit 2019

Growing to the Next Level—Rainmaker LISBON Summit 2019

April 26, 2019|Articles, M&A Worldwide|

The 30th M&A Worldwide Rainmaker LISBON Summit, held April 4-5 in Lisbon, Portugal included 278 people from 40 countries—breaking all previous attendance records for the prestigious event.

Like the MIAMI Summit hosted by FOCUS in November 2018—as well as previous Summits in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, New Delhi, Warsaw, and Shanghai—the LISBON Summit united corporate deal makers from across the globe, stimulating discussion around ongoing transactions, as well as the latest trends in research, deal software, and process management.

ESOP from an Adopter’s View

ESOP from an Adopter’s View

April 12, 2019|Articles, ESOP|

It is very likely that you have been approached by advisors over the years suggesting you consider selling your business to an ESOP, an employee stock ownership plan. Interestingly enough, FOCUS recently adopted an ESOP in December 2018 to execute our own long-term transition plans, and we thought our perspective on this ownership structure (as both an advisor and recent adoptee) might be helpful to you.

Is Now the Right Time to Consider an ESOP?

Is Now the Right Time to Consider an ESOP?

March 27, 2019|Articles, ESOP, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures|

FOCUS adopted an ESOP, an employee stock ownership plan, form of corporate structure late last year. We decided to implement an ESOP as it afforded our partners an opportunity to redeem their capital accounts, but kept our existing organization intact without any changes to our culture, organization, benefit plans or management team. In effect, the ESOP allowed us to maintain our business model and procedures exactly the same as prior to the transaction. In so doing, FOCUS joined nearly 7,000 other companies who have made the decision to establish an ESOP.

M&A Action Plan: Full Speed Ahead!

M&A Action Plan: Full Speed Ahead!

February 26, 2019|Articles, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures|

In 2019, we believe the middle market will continue to be a robust, dynamic space for dealmakers, offering buyers and sellers an expanding climate for success. Plus, an impressive number of major surveys and report support our thesis.

Acquiring Controlled Distribution Aids Brand Share Growth

Acquiring Controlled Distribution Aids Brand Share Growth

February 21, 2019|Articles, Automotive Aftermarket, Tire and Service|

Here’s a little history lesson for the young people. Bridgestone ...

Who’s Winning the Battle for Tire-Buying Consumers?

Who’s Winning the Battle for Tire-Buying Consumers?

February 12, 2019|Articles, Automotive Aftermarket, Tire and Service|

It seems like every issue of Modern Tire Dealer has an announcement of a new acquisition by Monro Inc., Icahn Automotive Group LLC, Bridgestone Americas Inc. and the like. One would assume by reading these that what I call the company-owned conglomerates are “winning the war” for the hearts and minds of consumers, but I would disagree. I think tire dealers are winning right now.

2018 YEAR IN REVIEW: A Third Record-Breaking Year!

2018 YEAR IN REVIEW: A Third Record-Breaking Year!

February 5, 2019|Articles, Downloads|

FOCUS just completed its exciting third consecutive record-breaking year in ...

FOCUS Investment Banking Wins M&A Worldwide Deal of the Year

FOCUS Investment Banking Wins M&A Worldwide Deal of the Year

January 6, 2019|Advanced Manufacturing, Articles, M&A Worldwide, Mergers & Acquisitions News, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures|

At the recent M&A Worldwide Rainmaker Summit, the sale of ...

Power of Pricing: Healthy Margins Improve Business Value

Power of Pricing: Healthy Margins Improve Business Value

December 19, 2018|Articles, Automotive Aftermarket, Tire and Service|

My father-in-law, Ed Tuck, was a pretty smart guy. Before becoming a venture-capitalist and founding Magellan GPS, he was a turnaround consultant to failing telecom businesses in the 1980s. (Read “A Sense of Direction,” Ed Tuck and Mike Khaldun, Dog Ear Publishing, 2018.) I once asked him about the first things he did when he took over a failing business. Ed said that first, he’d find the person responsible for the mess and fire that person just to get everyone’s attention. Then once he got their attention, he raised prices.

GETTING MORE: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life

GETTING MORE: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life

December 4, 2018|Articles|

Negotiation is part of every human encounter and most of us do it badly. With insight I’ve gained from some of the 30,000 people I’ve taught over 20 years and in 45 countries, I challenge conventional wisdom...