What’s Ahead for the M&A Market in 2012 and Beyond? - Webinar Recap

Jan 17, 2012 - by Joel Lessem

Today we enjoyed an in-depth outlook of the M&A Market in 2012  with Dennis Roberts, author, Chairman and CEO at The McLean Group. His insights into how cross-border deals, technology, healthcare and an aging baby boomer population are affecting the M&A landscape, were invaluable.

Dennis spoke to the impact of new technologies on business, citing that 40% of S&P 500 companies were not there 10 years ago. He also discussed how an aging baby boomer population has accelerated growth in healthcare, pharma and biotech. He also referenced specific data related to the last year, revealing that in 2011,  one in three M&A transactions in the U.S. were cross border deals.

M&A Master Class Series - Part 4 Recap

Dec 9, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

Today we enjoyed our fourth collaborative Master Class with Andrew J. Sherman, author and Partner at Jones Day.  He led us through his best practices to ensure success in post-close integration with a Buy-Side perspective of M&A.

Andrew spoke to the challenges in post-close integration. Citing at KPMG survey, Sherman agreed that cultural and people issues present the biggest challenge during the post deal period. He also referenced specific data points related to post-deal integration, citing a Deloitte survey Sherman highlighted that although the desired outcome of integration may be to rapidly capture cost & revenue, synergies were not achieved in 70% of cases.

The news wasn't all bad though, Andrew provided tips, tricks and checklists for retaining key employees, overcoming cultural issues, establishing a transition team and more.

‘Power Industry - Power Play’ a PCE Companies’ Perspective

Dec 2, 2011 - by Mike Rosendahl

America's power sector is at a crossroads. Rising demand for clean forms of power is now juxtaposed against the growing need for inexpensive energy, creating a situation that is increasingly conflicted. Recent economic challenges have made decisions even more difficult for electric power producers. In 2009, electricity generation decreased 4.1 percent, settling at its lowest level since 2003, representing the largest decline in six decades. In addition to the recent economic downturn, expanding environmental policy and increasing prices of certain fuels have forced electric power producers to invest in alternatives to coal such as natural gas. Investment decisions also have been impacted by the recent accident at a nuclear power plant in Japan that, at least temporarily, diminished renewed enthusiasm for nuclear power expansion.

M&A Master Class Series - Part 3 Recap

Nov 18, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

Today, we once again enjoyed our third collaborative Master Class with Andrew J. Sherman, author and Partner at Jones Day.  He led us through his due diligence best practices and pitfalls with a Buy-Side perspective of M&A.

Andrew likened the due diligence process in M&A to dating, "Some people like to disclose everything on a first date, most of us reveal information about ourselves on a phased basis as we get to know the other party. The due diligence process in M&A is more akin to that, as long as you're not witholding information that would change the nature of the transaction." Transparency and openness are keys to conducting successful due diligence. Sherman added that, "Those who are successful in due diligence leave their ego at the door."

‘Financial Reporting Valuation - The Market Participant’ a PCE Companies’ Perspective

Nov 14, 2011 - by Brett Cooper

ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures sets forth the definition of Fair Value as "The price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date". Paramount to the definition is the concept of the "Market Participant".

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M&A Master Class Series - Part 2 Recap

Oct 20, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

Today, we once again enjoyed an enthusiastic and collaborative session with Andrew J. Sherman, author and Partner at Jones Day.  He took us through the Buy-Side perspective of M&A and focused on how to qualify your seller and uncover hidden value.

Building on his weather forecast in Part 1 of the series, Andrew alluded to the clouds parting for M&A in 2012.  Using a bullhorn he gave the call to action to Buyers, “Attention K-mart shoppers – deals to be had!”  Companies are sitting on $2.5 trillion and this value will be flowing back into the markets. Buyers need to be prepared to capitalize on the buyer’s market that currently exists but not to rush into acquisitions.  Vigilant due diligence is crucial.

Software Performance Correlates with End User Productivity

Oct 18, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

Over the course of the last year, Firmex has made major investments in our product group.  From deep talent hires to doubling our head count in development, to investing in SOC 2 audits and partnering with a content acceleration provider – we are serious about ensuring our customers enjoy a consistently high experience when it comes to working with Firmex.

4 Tips on Closing a Buyer

Oct 7, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

I have spoken to many entrepreneurs and intermediaries.  Some of my peers in my CEO circle who are approached by a potential acquirer, are at times more focused on “what’s in it for me” versus their buyer’s mindset.  

Bottom line is first you need to qualify your buyer.  Once you’re satisfied you need to make sure you’re easy to deal with.  This should not be a tug of war.  It’s a courtship ending in a marriage! 

M&A Master Class Series - Part 1 Recap

Sep 29, 2011 - by Joel Lessem

Recently I participated in the M&A Master Class webinar alongside Andrew J. Sherman, author and Partner at Jones Day.  What an incredible opportunity to listen to a leading authority on M&A, up close and personal. This session took listeners through not only his views on the current state of the market but also key steps to prepare for selling a company.  The slides to his presentation are posted on the Firmex website, but I thought I would re-iterate his views on the current state of the market, which he took us through in our conversation.

ILTA Conference 2011 Day 1

Aug 23, 2011 - by Elizabeth Caley

Greetings from hot and sunny Nashville!

The first official day of the ILTA 2011 Rev-elation Conference got off to a great start with 1200 participants in attendance.

For those who aren’t familiar, ILTA’s annual conference is a great event that brings together attorneys, legal IT professionals, practice support, litigation and knowledge management experts to share knowledge for developing new for their firm’s success. Best of all, there’s Law2020™, ILTA’s multi-year, multi-platform educational programming initiative focusing on how law firms will have to adapt in order to thrive over the next decade.