Not All Deal Consideration Is Created Equal

Table of Contents

• Welcome to the M&A Mindset!

  • Interesting Infographic

  • M&A Topic Briefing

  • Articles of Interest

  • Educational Resources

  • Spreadsheet Tips & Tricks

  • Good Reads This Week

  • From The Benchmark Blog

  • Industry Associations

  • Friends of the M&A Mindset

  • Lighten Up!

  • M&A Merch

  • Rate This Week's Issue

INTERESTING INFOGRAPHIC

Each week, I feature a visually engaging infographic that distills a key M&A subject area into an easy-to-digest format. These quick reference guides aim to deliver clarity, insight, and practical understanding at a glance.

Not All Deal Consideration Is Created Equal

M&A TOPIC BRIEFING

In this section, I provide a clear, concise overview of a specific topic, trend, or concept within the realm of M&A. The goal is to educate, inform, and spark discussions on relevant subjects, helping you deepen your knowledge and better navigate the complexities of M&A more confidently.

How Buyers Evaluate Risk Post-LOI

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ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• Key Learnings from ACG Deal MAX 2026: Middle-Market M&A Momentum is High - At this PE/Investment Banker conference, a reenergized middle market M&A environment was clearly the topic of discussion.

• Five Steps to Strengthen M&A Capabilities - Companies can improve M&A outcomes by treating dealmaking as a repeatable capability rather than isolated transactions.

• How Do You Know If It's Time To Sell Your Business? Answer These 3 Questions - Before selling, owners should evaluate whether the timing is right, whether they have the bandwidth for the demanding sale process, and what their life and purpose will look like after the transaction.

• How Do I Know If My Business Is Big Enough To Sell - A business does not need to be large to be sellable, but it does need to operate independently, generate reliable cash flow, and have transferable systems and customer relationships.

• Ask These M&A Due Diligence Questions Before Signing a Deal - Effective M&A diligence goes far beyond financials, requiring buyers to evaluate areas like talent retention, technology, cybersecurity, operations, culture, and integration readiness early in the process.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

• Wall Street Oasis: Elite Modeling Course

• Coursera: Introduction to Finance & Accounting (Wharton - UPenn)

• Wall Street Prep: How To Build A 3-Statement Model

• Corporate Finance Institute: Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions

• Data Camp: Financial Modeling in Excel

SPREADSHEET TIPS & TRICKS

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GOOD READS THIS WEEK

FROM THE BENCHMARK BLOG

My firm, Benchmark International, a global, award-winning sell-side M&A company, has a ton of great resources that help anyone considering selling or buying a business get more educated on all aspects of the process. Below is just one helpful article. Check out Benchmark International for many more useful articles, news, and resources.

• Closing Remarks Podcast: Conversations That Shape What's Next

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Trade Associations in the M&A Industry

• Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

• Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AMAA)

• The M&A Advisor

FRIENDS OF THE M&A MINDSET

From time to time, we’ll highlight newsletters and podcasts we genuinely read, listen to, and respect across M&A, PE, and the broader deal ecosystem.
No paid placements. No mass promotions. Just thoughtful, high-quality content that complements the M&A Mindset.

Here’s a few newsletters that I’ve signed up for and found interesting. Thought you might enjoy checking them out.

Have something to suggest that we should know about? Reach out. 

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LIGHTEN UP!

In the fast-paced world of M&A, we can sometimes take things (and ourselves) a bit too seriously, so it’s good to remember to enjoy a lighter moment now and then.

7 Outrageous Ways Retirees Can Invest Their Money in 2026

M&A MERCH

Here’s a find for us finance folks to grab some M&A-inspired swag. Stuff for those of us that speak fluent EBITDA. If you find others that have great deal-themed gear, send them this way so we can let everyone know. Enjoy!

• Merch & Acquisition Co. - Dress Like You Just Closed