Due diligence is an imperative verifying, analyzing, and gathering information process before making an investment decision in private equity. If you are a shark tank viewer, you must have heard this term used by venture capitalists. Due diligence helps the buyer to understand the whole business thoroughly and evaluate the offer from the seller on whether to move forward with the acquisition, merger, or exit.
Due diligence gives the data and information a buyer needs to determine if the transaction is right for them or not. Both parties must get a good deal for their business. So, the following are some practices that you must include in due diligence.
- A thorough process
You should always take due diligence seriously. Entering the process of due diligence without a structure and strategy will likely lead to missed information and have negative consequences for the whole transaction.
A good due diligence process must include project deadlines, tasks, responsibilities, a list of the questions you want to ask, and documents both sides will need. You should also hold an internal meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page.
The team that follows the process is the only thing that is more consequential than due diligence. Every team member must understand their role in this process and commit to fulfilling their responsibilities accurately.
- Cross-functional process
While due diligence primarily focuses on finances, many departments within a firm should play a vital role in contributing their expertise and insights. For example, the due diligence process often fails to consider the cultures and people of the organization and how they work in harmony in a combined organization. Although culture people and culture are not quantifiable as other parts of the process, an experienced professional in human resources can help identify the issue.
You can also bring a communication consultant to review and compare structure or evaluate how social and digital properties align. Buyers’ concerns about post-acquisition integration can also result in comparing communication styles.
- Transparent and open communication
Due diligence requires a culture of honesty and trust on each side. Ineffective open communication can result in problems in the transaction. In some cases lead to a misunderstanding that may sink the deal altogether.
Start establishing expectations and norms around communication when beginning the process of due diligence. It should include who will be accountable for scheduling the meetings, what conversation to hold virtually, which to hold in person, where to store the information, and who will share the information.
There might be many intense and strenuous conversations throughout the process, with tonnes of information moving back and forth. A lot of intangibles are there in the process of due diligence. However, effective communication from each side can make the transaction a greater success.
Final Takeaway
With the above explanation, you must have understood that you should never take the due diligence process lightly. Remember, it requires a lot of attention to detail and can be a long process. So ensure you have audited everything and verified it to offer accuracy and validity. Developing a robust procedure will make it as smooth as possible and get a good deal for your business.