Smart Structuring in Uncertain Times: The Rise of the Second Bite
In today’s M&A landscape, uncertainty isn’t a red light—it’s a challenge that calls for sharper thinking. While interest rates remain high, geopolitical tensions linger, and the capital markets continue their slow dance, deal activity hasn’t stopped. It’s simply become more strategic. The strongest buyers in the market aren’t sitting still. They’re just more thoughtful, more […]
What Gives Buyers an Edge in Today’s Competitive M&A Market
The New M&A Landscape We’re seeing a surge in buyers—but not in quality deals. That’s the new normal in today’s M&A market: more capital chasing fewer opportunities. So how do smart buyers stand out? They don’t just chase. They prepare. They connect. They collaborate. Here’s what the best buyers are doing differently. 1. Have Your […]
Mid-Year Business Owner Checklist: 8 Ways to Refocus and Recharge for 2025
We’re officially halfway through 2025—a great time for business owners to hit pause and take stock. Whether you’re scaling up, maintaining steady growth, or starting to consider a future exit, a mid-year review helps you stay proactive and make intentional decisions for the second half of the year. Here’s a checklist I often recommend to […]
The Connection Between Business Strategy and Valuation
I often emphasize to clients that business valuation is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s deeply connected to the strategy of the business. A well-defined and executed business strategy can significantly enhance a company’s value, while a lack of strategy can lead to stagnation or even decline in worth. Here’s how strategy and […]
The Top Mistakes Business Owners Make During the Sales Process
Selling your business is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. It’s a process filled with opportunities but also potential pitfalls. Having worked with countless business owners, I’ve seen how certain missteps can derail even the best-laid plans. To help you navigate this critical journey, here are the top mistakes business owners […]
Smart Exit: The Power of Wealth Management
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen was joined by Ed Lee, Investment Advisor at RBC, to talk about the importance of holistic wealth planning and management now to set business owners and their families up for a successful future. Here are the 5 key takeaways for […]
The M&A Lawyer Leverage
In the latest episode of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Kevin Fernandes, Partner at KMB Law, discussed the critical role M&A lawyers play in rounding out a seller’s comprehensive and competitive deal team. Here are the 5 key takeaways for business owners thinking about or ready to sell. Some […]
Where Do Buyers Come From?
In Episode 4 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen and Portage VP, Thomas Bevilacqua, get together to talk all about buyers – who they are, what drives them and how a proper profiling process can help sellers find their perfect match. Here are 5 key takeaways for business owners thinking […]
A Seller’s Experience: The Right M&A Advisor Makes All The Difference
In Episode 3 of The Selling Successfully Podcast, Portage Founder and Partner Jim Friesen chatted with longtime friend of the firm and former Portage client, Len Hume. Len joined Jim to talk about his experience as a seller interested in finding a buyer who would carry on the legacy he and his wife Annette had […]
M&A Trends: Six-Month Update For 2023
If you follow global M&A news, you may know that larger deals have seen a slowdown these last six months, as rising interest rates and fears of a banking crisis have affected the market. According to data from Dealogic, global M&A deal volume fell by 17% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the […]
