IVS Investment Banking, a leading provider of merger and acquisition (M&A), recapitalization, management-led buyout, private placement, and consulting services, recently held a webinar titled “Let’s Make a Deal!” The webinar covered a variety of topics and lessons learned in M&A. Participating in the webinar were panelists Tanner Moran, managing director at Hastings Equity Partners; Robert Viguet, partner at Porter Hedges LLP; and John Zapalac, managing director at IVS Investment Banking. IVS President Thomas Brinsko moderated the session.

The webinar focused on the following areas of interest:

• How to best prepare your company for a sale
• Who should be on your “deal team”
• A review of the common deal process
• Most frequently used valuation methods (and what your business is really worth)
• Typical deal structures and when to use them
• Identifying buyers for your business
• Confidentiality issues and how to deal with them

“Most business owners are reluctant to enter a seminar setting with a large group that might disclose they are considering a sale,” said Brinsko. “We are proud to offer a webinar wherein business owners can learn the information they need and also ask confidential questions from behind a computer screen.”

A recorded version of the webinar is now available on-demand for any executives who were unable to tune in for the live program. To view, visit BICwebinars.com. A podcast of the panel is also available for listeners to download.

To learn “how to make a deal,” viewers listened to the experts on when and how to prepare company management structure, processes, financials and data; how owners are involved after a sale; considerations for family/partners and staff; and how to time your exit. Viewers had the opportunity to learn about EBITDA, how businesses are valued, who makes up the “deal team” of a merger or acquisition, the variety of deal structures and details about each, how to buy or sell a business, and what to do to make it to the closing.

The speakers also discussed their “war stories” with viewers, sharing personal testimonials and what they wish they had known before. Coming from a variety of business backgrounds, the speakers each offered a unique perspective that can help viewers understand the many intricacies of M&A.

For more information or to watch the webinar on-demand, visit BICwebinars.com. To listen to the podcast, visit bicpodcasts.com.