The Art of M&A Due Diligence [Hardcover]

Alexandra Reed Lajoux (Author), Charles M. Elson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786311509 | ISBN-13: 978-0786311507 | Publication Date: July 10, 2000 | Edition: 1

The coauthor of the bestselling The Art of M&A: A Merger Acquisition Buyout Guide is back with a question and answer resource that focuses on the msot critical steps in the M&A process. Drawing on the experience of 100 experts, Lajoux shows non-lawyers how to navigate due diligence and how to uncover data that can break a deal. Featuring global perspectives and special insights for small businesses, manufacturers, and service companies, this primer is essential for everyone involved in M&As.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Strategies to Foresee- and Keep a Tight Rein On- The Risks Inherent to Every Merger or Acquisition. A merger and acquisition (M&A) deal can be a profitable springboard from which an organization builds tremendous long-term success - or a costly, difficult-to-absorb disaster. The key to experiencing the former, and preventing the latter, is a sound, effective due diligence process. The Art of M&A Due diligence is today's most useful guidebook for uncovering problems and inconsistencies while they are still manageable. For professionals considering a merger or an acquisition, this concise yet complete overview of the due diligence process can help any acquirer control all types of acquisition risk: Financial (key ratios, red flags, Statement 82) Operational (background checks, on-site visits, regular versus irregular threats) Transactional (verification, the data room, checking warranties and reps at closing) Legal (topics in antitrust, trade, intellectual property, consumer laws, environmental law, employment law) - And more! Written in the easy-tounderstand question-and-answer style that has distinguished McGraw-Hill's bestselling Art of M&A series, and featuring helpful checklists and legal cases, The Art of M&A Due Diligence is an indispensable primer for anyone involved, or considering becoming involved, in M&A activity.

About the Author

Alexandra Reed Lajoux is the president of Alexis and Company, an editorial services firm that specializes in providing state-of-the-art textual materials for business and professional use. Her byline appears regularly in Director's Monthly, the official newsletter of the National Association of Corporate Directors and in North American International Business, a magazine for small businesses engaged in international trade.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 477 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786311509
• ISBN-13: 978-0786311507
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, this is a very focused topic, but it is a great book!, July 3, 2002

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of M&A Due Diligence (Hardcover)

When purchasing a company you need to know what to look for and where to look for it and what it is you are looking at when you get the information you asked for.

If you are selling your company you need to know what someone SHOULD be looking for, where they will look for it, and the kinds of conclusions they should be drawing from what they are seeing.

This book is an incredibly valuable resource in this process. It is organized very logically and is a series of questions and answers so you can hop around to the information you need for the moment. However, it is also written in such a lively manner that it is easy to read from beginning to end. I happen to be fascinated by this topic and think this is an incredibly helpful handbook.

I think that the way you conduct due dilligence says a lot about your chances of success with an acquisition. And I also think that if someone is trying to buy you, you can tell a lot about them by what they want to know and the conclusions they draw from what they see. In either case it behooves you to invest time and a couple of books in a book like this. Well, in this book.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book is an excellent resource for anyone serious about M&A., September 28, 2000

By 

Jeffrey K Possinger (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of M&A Due Diligence (Hardcover)

Alexandra Reed LaJoux has done it again. Her most recent book on "The Art of M&A Due Diligence" is a valuable tool for the seasoned practitioner as well as the neophyte. She and her co-author Charles Elson effectively combine the big picture with relevant detail so that the reader has a clear understanding of not only the critical concepts but of the process of "due diligence." I found the chapter dedicated to "transactional due diligence" particularly useful. I would recommend this book to anyone serious about transactional work, either as a lawyer, investment banker, or businessperson.

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book is an excellent resource for anyone serious about M&A., September 28, 2000

By 

Jeffrey K Possinger (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of M&A Due Diligence (Hardcover)

Alexandra Reed LaJoux has done it again. Her most recent book on "The Art of M&A Due Diligence" is a valuable tool for the seasoned practitioner as well as the neophyte. She and her co-author Charles Elson effectively combine the big picture with relevant detail so that the reader has a clear understanding of not only the critical concepts but of the process of "due diligence." I found the chapter dedicated to "transactional due diligence" particularly useful. I would recommend this book to anyone serious about transactional work, either as a lawyer, investment banker, or businessperson.