Selecting a Buyer

The goal of the ASG Partners Process is to receive multiple offers - all in the same timeframe. Offers are submitted in the form of a Letter of Intent, which is detailed enough to allow thorough evaluation of each buyer’s proposed transaction.

Our in-depth marketing phase is structured to give our clients a choice between multiple prospective buyers. As we reach the end of the marketing phase, we call for expressions of interest and/or letters of intent, that require prospective buyers to submit their written proposals.

Your ASG Principal will give prospective buyers a five page letter outlining a list of points to which they are required to respond. This allows us to negotiate all of the fundamental issues of a deal while we still have the leverage of the competitive process. It also minimizes the time and cost associated with getting the transaction closed. The more we negotiate in the Letter of Intent, the easier the closing process becomes, because most of the business terms have already been settled.

Once we have received all prospective buyers’ offers, there are a host of negotiating strategies we can use; this typically depends on the nature of the acquirers and their offers. We will consult closely with you to determine your objectives, in addition to how to respond to offers.

At the end of the day, the decisions about which buyer will prevail, and about price and terms, rest solely with you. We help you to facilitate the transaction and negotiate terms, but you get to make the ultimate choice. It is not at all uncommon to have one or two prospective buyers in a back-up position in the event that anything goes wrong with the prevailing buyer. Having back-up buyers in place also provides pressure for your prevailing buyer to perform in a timely fashion.

When the prevailing acquirer is selected, we move on to the final phase: Closing Activities.