Insight into Business Strategy Consulting

AMR recently developed a pricing strategy on behalf of an events client, which provided some interesting insight into our client's customer base, as well as producing considerable revenue uplift.

An acquisition is incredibly risky. Get it wrong and it will cost a fortune. But get it right and the upside is substantial. Very few of the world’s top businesses have got to where they are without acquisitions, such is the commercial and strategic advantage they can bring. But they are not a quick fix for operational, strategic or even financial problems.

How should executives approach such a decision, where the stakes are high and the prize is so often elusive? How can executives cater for uncertainty about value, synergy and competitor behaviour?

Step-by-step, this book explains the principles and practices of acquisitions that add value, from identifying the target to integrating the acquired business.

Acquisition Essentials written by Denzil Rankine and Peter Howson is here to help you make the critical decisions and meet the critical challenges of M&A with speed and confidence.

Identifying and Minimizing the Strategic Risks from M&A

The high failure rate of acquisitions can be mitigated considerably by dealing with the strategic risks that are present at every stage of the acquisition process.
It is best to start with a well-developed business strategy, a clear idea of the place of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in this strategy, and an acquisition target that furthers strategic aims.

Before embarking on negotiations, acquirers should avoid the risk of overpaying by setting a price above which they are willing to pay. Before negotiating the final details, commercial due diligence should be used as a final confirmation of the strategy and the target’s fit.

The most important thing is to make sure that the post acquisition plan is put together early and in as much detail as possible. Acquirers need to add value, and they can only do this if they are clearly focused on the sources of extra value and how to realize them right from the very start. Read More

M&A is extremely risky. Studies carried out over the last 30 years suggest that the failure rate is above 50% and probably close to 75%. However, by identifying and acting to minimize the strategic risks early on in the process, the rewards can be spectacular.

Read about AMR's insight on the changing landscape - M&A and sector trends in marketing services.