Decide what you want to buy before following an introduction.
Before reviewing the presentation, write down how an acquisition or investment should support your growth objectives. Which sectors, transaction sizes, ownership positions and time horizons fit? Which constraints would rule it out? A warm introduction does not resolve a mismatch.
Get the right people around the information.
Agree with the seller or other counterparties what information can be shared, who can answer questions and which specialists need to be involved. Work through what is supported, what is missing and what that means for the proposed transaction.
Agree the next piece of work.
A first conversation can lead to an agreed piece of work: obtaining records, exploring funding or working through proposed terms. Give that work an owner and bring the findings back to the parties before taking the next step.
General discussion only. This article is not an assessment or recommendation of any transaction and does not replace engagement-specific professional work.