Operations & Growth
Post-acquisition playbooks - from your first 100 days to digital transformation, revenue growth, and exit planning.
57 articles
Hiring Your First Executive Team Post-Acquisition
Learn when and how to hire your first controller/CFO, VP of operations, and sales leader after acquiring a business - including where to find talent and how to structure compensation.
10 min read
OperationsCompensation & Incentive Design for Acquired Companies
Design modern compensation and incentive structures for acquired businesses - base salary frameworks, performance bonuses, sales comp, and equity/phantom equity plans.
11 min read
OperationsFirst 90 Days as CEO: Actionable Quick Wins After Buying a Business
Discover high-impact, low-risk quick wins for the first 90 days after acquiring a business - financial, operational, customer-facing, and people-focused improvements that build credibility.
11 min read
OperationsWhen to Let People Go: Making Tough Personnel Decisions
Manage the hardest part of being a new CEO - when to terminate underperformers, how to use PIPs effectively, and how to conduct terminations with respect and legal compliance.
11 min read
OperationsMiddle Management: Your Secret Weapon Post-Acquisition
Develop the missing middle management layer in your acquired business - identify hidden leaders, train them in delegation and KPIs, and build the execution capacity to scale.
10 min read
OperationsImplementing a CRM System in Your Acquired Company
A practical guide to CRM selection and implementation for acquired businesses - from HubSpot to Salesforce, with a 12-week implementation roadmap and adoption strategies.
11 min read
OperationsFinancial Reporting Upgrades: From QuickBooks to Controller-Ready
Upgrade your acquired company's financial reporting from basic bookkeeping to controller-ready monthly statements, budget variance analysis, and 13-week cash flow forecasts.
11 min read
OperationsStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Building Documentation
Build standard operating procedures for your acquired business - which processes to document first, SOP templates, efficient documentation methods, and maintenance best practices.
10 min read
OperationsProcess Improvement: Lean & Six Sigma for Acquired Companies
Apply lean and Six Sigma principles to acquired businesses - value stream mapping, eliminating waste (TIMWOODS), DMAIC framework, and quick-win process improvements.
10 min read
OperationsSales Team Development Post-Acquisition
Build a formal sales function in your acquired business - assess the current state, create a sales process, hire your first rep, and explore new sales channels for 20-40% revenue growth.
11 min read
OperationsMarketing Strategy for Acquired Companies
Develop a modern marketing strategy for your acquired business - marketing audit, quick-win investments, the rebranding question, and building in-house vs. agency capabilities.
10 min read
OperationsGeographic Expansion After Acquisition
Expand your acquired business into new markets - organic expansion vs. bolt-on acquisitions, market selection criteria, and practical implementation strategies.
10 min read
OperationsCross-Selling & Upselling in Acquired Companies
Increase revenue per customer through cross-selling and upselling - identify opportunities, practical tactics like bundling and tiered plans, and train your team to sell more.
10 min read
OperationsStrategic Partnerships & Channel Development
Build strategic partnerships for your acquired business - referral partnerships, channel partnerships, co-delivery, vendor relationships, and structuring partner agreements.
10 min read
OperationsExit Preparation Checklist: Getting Your Business Sale-Ready
Start preparing your company for sale 18 months in advance - clean up financials, reduce owner dependency, demonstrate growth, and assemble your advisory team.
11 min read
OperationsDividend Recapitalization: Returning Capital Without Selling
Understand dividend recapitalizations - how they work, when they make sense, typical structures, and risks for search fund companies seeking to return capital without a full exit.
10 min read
OperationsSecondary Sales: Selling to Another PE Firm or Search Fund
Sell your search fund company to a PE firm, independent sponsor, or second-generation search fund - why secondary sales are common, what buyers look for, and CEO role post-sale.
10 min read
OperationsEarnout Structures on the Sell Side: When You're the Seller
Protect your interests when a buyer proposes an earnout - which metrics to accept vs. avoid, key negotiation points, control provisions, and acceleration clauses.
10 min read
OperationsCEO-to-Board Transition: Life After Exiting Your Acquisition
Manage the emotional and practical transition after exiting your search fund company - identity shift, common post-exit paths, and practical tips for life after being CEO.
11 min read
OperationsSearch Fund CEO Performance Reviews: Board Best Practices
Implement effective CEO performance reviews in search fund companies - a balanced framework covering financial performance, strategy, people, and board relations.
10 min read
OperationsMonthly Board Package: Templates & Best Practices
Build an effective monthly board package - CEO letter, financial summary, KPI dashboard, strategic initiatives, and best practices for keeping your board informed.
10 min read
OperationsInvestor Update Templates for Search Fund CEOs
Send effective investor updates - templates for search phase and post-acquisition, update frequency guidelines, common mistakes, and how to engage investors as advisors.
10 min read
OperationsHow to Select & Work with an Investment Banker for Your Exit
Choose the right investment banker for your exit - selection criteria, fee structures, the sell-side process timeline, and how to manage the advisor relationship effectively.
11 min read
OperationsLanguage & Cultural Considerations in European Acquisitions
Manage language barriers, cultural business styles, negotiation norms, and employee relations across European regions when acquiring a business cross-border.
11 min read
OperationsAcquiring Seasonal Businesses: Opportunities & Risks
How to evaluate, value, and operate seasonal businesses - cash flow management, staffing cycles, deal timing, and strategies to build year-round revenue.
11 min read
OperationsBuilding Trust with Teams After Acquisition
How to earn trust from inherited employees - first 30 days, quick wins, long-term relationship building, and overcoming the new owner trust deficit.
11 min read
OperationsCybersecurity in Post-Acquisition Integration
Secure your newly acquired business - access audits, credential resets, MFA implementation, backup verification, and priority security investments for SMEs.
11 min read
OperationsDay 1 Announcement: Scripts, Templates & Best Practices
How to introduce yourself to employees on Day 1: preparation, announcement structure, key messages, what NOT to say, and follow-up actions.
10 min read
OperationsSearch Fund CEO: The First 100 Days
What to do in the critical first 100 days after acquiring a business - from team alignment to quick wins.
12 min read
OperationsInvestor Relations & Reporting Best Practices
Monthly updates, quarterly calls, and post-acquisition reporting - how to keep investors informed and engaged.
12 min read
OperationsBuilding Your Advisory Board & Support Network
Who to recruit, how to compensate them, and how to use the ETA ecosystem for long-term success.
12 min read
OperationsAdd-On Acquisitions & Buy-and-Build Strategy
Platform vs bolt-on, sourcing add-ons, integration playbook, multiple arbitrage, and creating enterprise value through scale.
9 min read
OperationsManagement Transition & Employee Communication
Pre-announcement planning, Day 1 communication, retention strategies, seller transition period, and handling employee anxiety.
12 min read
OperationsBoard Governance for Search Fund Companies
Board composition, meeting cadence, CEO-board dynamics, independent directors, and fiduciary vs advisory roles.
11 min read
OperationsPost-Acquisition Digital Transformation
Legacy system migration, CRM/ERP implementation, e-commerce channels, and realistic budgets for SME digitization.
13 min read
OperationsRevenue Growth Playbook Post-Acquisition
Pricing optimization, sales development, cross-selling, channel expansion, and a 100-day revenue assessment framework.
9 min read
OperationsWorking Capital Management for New CEOs
Cash conversion cycle, accounts receivable management, inventory optimization, supplier terms, and cash flow forecasting.
11 min read
OperationsBuilding Trust with Inherited Teams: A New CEO's Guide
What employees are thinking, first week actions, earning credibility, common new CEO mistakes, and retention strategies for key employees.
14 min read
OperationsQuick Wins in the First 90 Days Post-Acquisition
Financial quick wins (pricing, cost reduction, cash management), operational improvements, sales & marketing upgrades, and people investments for new CEOs.
13 min read
OperationsEmployee Retention After Acquisition: Strategies That Work
Flight risk assessment, pre-closing retention packages, post-closing communication strategies, retention economics, and key employee management.
14 min read
OperationsPricing Optimization: The Fastest Path to Profit Growth
Why pricing is the #1 EBITDA lever post-acquisition, how to diagnose underpricing, implementation strategies, communication best practices, and ongoing pricing discipline.
14 min read
OperationsKey Person Risk: Identifying & Mitigating in Your First Year
How to identify key persons during DD, assess flight risk, implement pre-closing retention agreements, and structurally mitigate dependency over 18 months.
13 min read
OperationsCulture Integration After Acquisition: Dos & Don'ts
How to assess inherited culture, the dos and don'ts of cultural evolution, building professional management practices, and the link between culture and retention.
14 min read
ExitPreparing Your Company for Exit: 18-Month Readiness Plan
Month-by-month exit preparation framework: financial cleanup, operational optimization, legal compliance, advisory team assembly, and going to market.
15 min read
ExitStrategic Sale vs. Financial Sale: Maximizing Exit Value
How strategic and financial buyers value businesses differently, deal structures, employee and brand implications, and running a dual-track sale process.
14 min read
OperationsAI Implementation in Small Businesses Post-Acquisition
Practical AI applications for SMEs: customer service, sales & marketing, financial operations, scheduling, knowledge management, implementation framework, and tool selection.
15 min read
OperationsERP Implementation After Acquisition: A Practical Guide
How to evaluate, select, and implement an ERP system after acquiring an SME - timeline, budget, change management, and common pitfalls.
14 min read
OperationsSeller Transition Period: Structuring the Handover for Success
How to structure and manage the seller transition period after a search fund acquisition - consulting agreements, knowledge transfer, and phased withdrawal.
12 min read
OperationsKPI Dashboard for Post-Acquisition Management
How to build and use a KPI dashboard after acquiring a business - financial metrics, operational indicators, board reporting, and common pitfalls.
13 min read
OperationsEmployee Equity & Incentive Plans After Acquisition
How to design equity and incentive plans for employees after a search fund acquisition - phantom equity, option pools, profit sharing, and tax considerations.
12 min read
OperationsCustomer Retention After Acquisition: Protecting Your Revenue Base
How to prevent customer churn after acquiring a business - announcement playbooks, at-risk identification, relationship transfer, and retention strategies.
12 min read
OperationsTalent Acquisition & Hiring After a Search Fund Acquisition
How to recruit, hire, and onboard key talent after acquiring a business - building a management layer, compensation benchmarking, and fractional executives.
12 min read
OperationsSupply Chain Optimization After Acquisition
How to optimize suppliers, inventory, and procurement after acquiring an SME - vendor negotiation, rationalization, logistics improvements, and group purchasing.
12 min read
OperationsPost-Acquisition Technology Audit: A CEO's Playbook
How to assess and improve technology in an acquired SME - infrastructure audit, cybersecurity, cloud migration, IT budgeting, and build-vs-buy decisions.
12 min read
OperationsCybersecurity for Acquired Businesses: A CEO's Priority List
How to assess and improve cybersecurity in an acquired SME - first 30 days checklist, cyber insurance, employee training, incident response, and compliance requirements.
11 min read
OperationsCulture Change After Acquisition: Leading Transformation Without Losing Trust
How to assess, preserve, and evolve company culture after a search fund acquisition - quick wins, managing resistance, and measuring cultural health.
12 min read
Post-AcquisitionTransition Service Agreements (TSAs) in Business Acquisitions
Understanding transition service agreements - when you need them, key provisions, pricing models, and negotiation strategies for smooth post-closing transitions.
16 min read
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