The BETTR Framework

Uses M&A transaction preparation and associated analyses to improve business performance today, while building investment readiness for the future.

Graphic stating Build BETTR, where BETTR stands for Business Efficiency Through Transaction Readiness

The BETTR Framework

Value-enhancing solutions implemented ahead of a potential investment transaction (M&A or financing) – e.g., when a transaction is expected to take place in the next 1-3 years.

Improve Performance

Gain insights into business issues and implement process improvements that drive better performance.

Prepare in Advance

Give yourself sufficient time to prepare and present your company’s story in the best light.

Play Offense

Streamline due diligence, shorten time to close, and drive preemption.

Enable Optionality

Understand the process and be empowered to select the optimal investment path and the best advisors for you.

Proper Preparation Enhances Value

Commercial Evaluation

Word cloud showing phrases: New Product Development, End Market Attractiveness, Contractual Business, Sales Pipeline Analysis, Recurring Revenue, Cross-Sell Potential, Organic Growth, Customer Relationships
  • Unpack growth drivers
  • Showcase future potential and growth avenues
  • Support with data and tracking across customers, end markets, products, etc.

Operational Initiatives

Word cloud showing phrases: Pricing Optimization, Automation, Sourcing Advantages, Scrap Reduction, Data-Driven Decisions, Operating Leverage, Continuous Improvement
  • Focus on strategies (e.g., pricing, scale, automation) that improve margins
  • Emphasize sustainability of margins with concrete evidence

Business Infrastructure

  • Underscore the underlying structure that supports the strategy and capabilities
  • Leverage cohort analyses to demonstrate tangible results of the strategic plan
Word cloud showing phrases: Sales Force Effectiveness, Footprint Analysis, Intellectual Property, Marketing Enhancements, Technology Assessment, Safety Metrics, KPI Tracking

Market Dynamics

  • Summarize the market and tailwinds: regulatory, societal, technological
  • Be concrete about the M&A strategy (volume, actionability, rationale)
Word cloud showing phrases: Industry Snapshot, M&A Pipeline, Market Penetration, Whitespace Opportunities, Competitive Landscape, Wallet Share Gains, Integration Protocols

Financial Modeling

Word cloud showing phrases: Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Comparables Analysis, Operating Model Development, Projections / Forecasts, Three-Statement Models, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
  • Synthesize logical structure, backed by data, to empower decision-making
  • Gain valuation insights
  • Test assumptions and sensitivities

Presentation Drafting

Word cloud showing phrases: Tailored to Audience, Clear Purpose & Consistency, Emphasis on Takeaways, Visually Engaging, Supported by Data, Logical Organization
  • Tailor content to specific audiences
  • Understand key points that need to stand out
  • Ensure consistency for credibility and impact

Effective Communication

  • Connect takeaways to data and case studies
  • Adapt style to audience
  • Become aware of potential cues you may be inadvertently transmitting
Word cloud showing phrases: Engage in Storytelling, Pacing & Timing, Frequently Asked Questions, What & When to Say It, Speak to the Audience, Practice & Preparation

Team Capabilities

  • Know your gaps – position them as opportunities
  • Learn which roles and what experience to showcase
  • Emphasize growth consistently
Word cloud showing phrases: Cross-Functional Collaboration, Capacity to Scale, Culture, Leadership & Employees, Relevant Experience, Gaps & Positioning

Who Does The BETTR Framework Serve?

Family & Founder-Owned Businesses

Why: Financing and M&A processes are inherently complex – particularly when it comes to timing and project management. Many owners underestimate this complexity and don’t allocate enough time to prepare. By understanding the depth of diligence investors will conduct and preparing accordingly, businesses can improve performance and enable smoother, more successful transactions.

Venture Capital / Private Equity Portfolio Companies

Why: For those looking to pulse check their readiness and better understand potential gaps that could impact a future transaction. The goal is to address any gaps in advance, improve business performance, and make the future transaction more efficient. A range of steps can be taken: put workflows in place to improve the process, scrutinize data to better understand specific trends, draft company materials to streamline the story, coach management to be presentation and due diligence ready. The scope of work can be tailored to meet varying budgets.

Investment Banks

Why: Greater workload, lower bandwidth, increased time constraints all put added pressure on investment bankers who already operate in stressful environments. We provide upfront support that allows investment bankers to excel at the value-added activities of a process (e.g., setting process structure, staging buyer outreach, getting to market quickly) in order to achieve desired outcomes – preemption, shorter time in market, higher closing rates. At the same time, we support those engagements that are out of scope (often due to size) of traditional investment banking firms.

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