Owners

Founder Information

Is the current owner the founder? How long have they been involved?

Ownership Structure

What is the owner's role? Are there partners and what are their roles/responsibilities?

Cultural Influence

How has the owner shaped the culture, vision, and core values of the business?

Management & Communication Style

What is the owner's management and communication style (e.g., command and control vs. collaborative)?

Exit Information

Why is the owner selling? What are the defining and distinctive characteristics of the business?

Staff

Staffing & Organizational Structure

Is the business staffed appropriately? What are the formal and informal organizational structures?

Roles and Processes

Are there written job descriptions? Are business processes and workflows documented?

Change Response & Loyalty

How will staff likely respond to a change in ownership? How loyal are they to the owner, each other, and the business?

Customers & Community

Customer Expectations & Concerns

How do customers expect to be treated? What will be their main concerns about the ownership change?

Community Engagement

What community activities has the business been involved in? What community values does it reflect?

Competitors

Competitive Dynamics

Who are the major competitors and what is the nature of the competition (e.g., hostile, friendly)?

Cultural Comparison & Strategic Response

How do competitor cultures differ? How are competitors likely to respond to the acquisition?

Operations

Business Trajectory & Market Conditions

What are the current trend lines, market conditions, and financial pressures facing the business?

Success Factors & Challenges

What is the key to future success? What are the three biggest problems facing the business today?

M&A Readiness & Operational Tempo

What is the business's experience with M&A? What is the pace of business (e.g., fast-paced, slow-paced)?

Value Drivers & Risk Exposure

What does the company do best? Where is it most vulnerable or least effective?

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