Waypoint Partners M&A Survey July 2019

We've created this quick 5 minute survey as we're keen to find out where you are on your growth journey. Whether you're in a high growth phase, looking to exit in a few years, thinking about opening an office in New York or even considering driving growth by an acquisition, we'd love to hear it hear all about it. As growth and M&A advisors who have also led big companies in the marketing, creative services and tech space, we've walked in your shoes and we understand what it takes to run a successful business.

Please note: your details will not be shared. By completing our survey you are giving us permission for the high-level data to be analysed for internal purposes only.

Questions can be answered using the multiple choice selection available, please feel free to select as many options as are relevant. There is also an 'other' box provided that will allow for more detail to be provided.

If you'd like to discuss your plans growth and the M&A market trends in more detail over a coffee, please get in touch.

Angela Lurssen, Business Development Director
Angela@waypointpartners.co.uk

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* 1. Depending where you are on your journey, which activities are you considering in the next 12 months?

Organic growth

Growth by acquisition

International expansion

New services

New sectors

Tech/IP creation

Preparing for an exit

Selling a part or all of the business

Fundraising (debt/equity/other)

Shareholder reorganisation (MBO/EMI scheme)

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What are the current obstacles to driving growth in your business?

Lack of sales capability or weak pipeline

Difficult in finding or retaining talent

Lack of time/headspace to focus on growth

Business too dependent on the founder

Unclear proposition and brand awareness

Weak operations and delivery

Lack of long term vision and strategy

Lacking key roles or managment team

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What are your timelines for realising shareholder value through some kind of exit event?

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* 4. If you are considering an exit, what are you looking for from a potential buyer?

Capital injection for growth

International footprint

Plug gaps in my leadership team

Access to bigger clients and budgets

Centralised operations

Complementary or new services

Technology

Shared vision and culture

Support and advice

N/A

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Do you feel you know enough about the M&A market to make positive decisions to plan for an exit?

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* 6. If you are looking to acquire a business, which factors would be important to you?

Good profit margin

Geography

Sales or commercial ability

Technology or IP in the business

Complementary or new services

Client mix/sectors

No client over dependency

Multiple award winning

Aligned culture

A leadership team that can complement mine

N/A

Other (please specify)

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* 7. If you are looking to acquire a business, how would you be looking to fund it?

Through our own reserves/cash

Using equity

Equity/cash mix

Bank debt

Angels or personal network

Venture capital

Growth capital

Private equity

N/A

Other (please specify)

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* 8. If you've been through a transaction, please share your story with us. We'd love to hear about your key learnings on what made it a success or not and importantly, what you'd do differently.

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* 9. Are there any recent M&A deals in your sector that you particularly admire or would like to comment on?

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* 10. Your details

Name

Company

Email Address