VirtualCDO is known as an industry expert in business advising, mergers and acquisitions, negotiating licensing deals and entrepreneurial efforts. Our coaches have been repeatedly quoted in various trade publications. Below are some published articles written by our coaches.
For your convenience we have also included additional articles containing relevant information.
VirtualCDO Articles
Twenty-two Topics to Include in Your Business Partner Operating Agreement
Mr. Brennan lays out an easy-to-follow 10-step guide to successfully selling your business. No merger or acquisition is simple, but by following these 10 steps, a business owner can make the process less stressful, faster and more financially successful. This is a common sense approach which can be utilized by the business owner selling a small business, the Fortunate 100 executive and anyone in between.
At 932 M&A transactions, the number of healthcare deals fared better than most expected in 2009 given the overall decline in last year's M&A market. Technology, overall led the way, with biotechnology deals up 31% YoY and e-health showing unusual resilience with 171% uptick in dollar volume over 2008. There is a tight coupling between medical device vendor share price and the normal movements of the market. In contrast, there seems to be a lead relationship between application software vendors and the market. The stock group has already surpassed the NASDAQ. The article identifies the hot segments, services and takes a look ahead the healthcare M&A landscape for 2010.
What Thou Shalt Do To Prepare To Sell Thy Business By: James R. Brennan
Mr. Brennan provides the Ten Commandments for selling your business. As a M&A expert, Mr. Brennan knows the importance of taking great care and covering all the basis in order to obtain the best sale deal. His ten commandments are explained in an easy to follow fashion providing the business person seeking a sale with a game plan.
Tips From The Top: Stop Lights in the Fast Lane By: James R. Brennan
Mr. Brennan provides a step-by-step set of instructions for the business person wishing to sell their business. As an expert in mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Brennan recognizes the details and the planning that goes into the sale of business is crucial to the success of the sale. By following the principles outlined, the business owner can effectively obtain the sale they desired with far less stress and issues.
The reasoning given by James Brennan, Head Coach at VirtualCDO, for the increase in Healthcare IT spending is healthcare survives downswings in the economy as people get sick and require care. Given the Democratic-favored political scene, “touchy-feely” sectors such as healthcare will gain a greater spotlight. In the end, the expectation is for more focus on the healthcare industry, making it more enticing to investors.
Shopping for Value: Despite current economic woes, foreign buyers see good opportunities for acquiring U.S. medtech companies By: James R. Brennan
Just as foreign investors are invading Main Street USA, they are also finding the healthcare industry in the US as a very viable market. Three reasons for the burgeoning foreign interest in the American healthcare industry exist: 1) a favorable exchange rate, 2) the cheap dollar makes it more difficult for American companies to invest abroad and 3) foreign investors are convince the American recession will not last long making buying while the market is down attractive.
Podcast: What's holding back foreign direct investment in healthcare providers? By: Vince Galloro
Foreign companies and investors spend billions of dollars investing in US companies. Surprisingly, the healthcare industry often doesn’t benefit from foreign investment. One key reason is that the American healthcare system is vastly different from what exists in much of the rest of the world where healthcare is not competitive and often government run. The author taps James Brennan, Head Coach with VirtualCDO, to identify and explain the issues involved.
Putting Their Money Where The Money Is By: Vince Galloro
Foreign companies and investors spend billions of dollars investing in US companies. Surprisingly, the healthcare industry often doesn’t benefit from foreign investment. One key reason is that the American healthcare system is vastly different from what exists in much of the rest of the world where healthcare is not competitive and often government run. The author taps James Brennan, Head Coach with VirtualCDO, to identify and explain the issues involved.
Evaluating Software Vendors: Is Bigger Better? By: James Brennan
The top three considerations for evaluating healthcare information technology vendors are: 1) product functionality, 2) total cost of ownership and 3) vendor risk/reliability. The answers each facility chooses can help in choosing between best-of-breed solutions and integrated solutions.
Where is the Money Going in Healthcare, and Why? By: Dana Blankenhorn
The author reviews opinions expressed by James Brennan, Managing Director/Head Coach at VirtualCDO. Mr. Brennan feels that HSAs will replace HMOs, more patients will turn to sub-acute care facilities as hospitals are forced into increasing bed turnover and electronic medical records will become increasingly important, which Mr. Brennan refers to as the Katrina effect.
Mr. Brennan dives deep into the healthcare information technology industry and its future. Certain aspects of the healthcare industry are expected to build due to changes in regulation and the economic climate. With careful planning and due diligence, many opportunities in the healthcare information technology arena can prove highly successful and profitable.
Smart Move by Brailer's Health Evolution By: James R. Brennan
When the dot.com industry fell apart, companies included in this arena were stigmatized. One such type of company is the electronic prescriptions companies. Venture Capital firms have shied away from M&A opportunities with such companies. Despite this climate, investing in e-prescription companies can be profitable. New legislation has given the industry a boost and savvy investors are able to follow the changes in the market to a successful end.
Record number of M&A predicted for '08 By: James R. Brennan
Healthcare is considered a relatively recession-proof industry. As a result, many large companies are looking into the potential to succeed in this market space. In order to dive into the healthcare industry, companies are looking for companies to acquire, thus jumpstarting their entry into the healthcare industry.
Merger and Acquisition Market Still Sizzling Despite Credit Crunch, Expert Says
The face of merger and acquisitions has changed. No longer is credit and loans as significant in the process. According to James Brennan, the M&A expert interviewed for this article, more and more deals are being done for cash. This eliminates many issues associated with credit and loans, making mergers and acquisitions much easier to accomplish.
Information Technology Only Works if Staff is Adequately Trained By: Julie Williamson
Successfully implementing a new information technology solution involves a combination of ingredients. First, there must be a solid choice of solutions, something everyone can support especially management. Second, a training program must be implemented. There are many ways to ensure everyone involved gets sufficient training. The more effort is placed on picking the right solution and making sure everyone has training, the more likely a successful result will occur.
Making the Venture Capital Pitch: One Small Company's Experience at HIMSS Health IT Venture Fair
Take a rarely seen trip down the progress of a small company seeking venture capital financing to advance their company. This is the story of a vision and a dream and the tough love imparted on the company to make that dream come true. Will the company learn the necessary lessons? Only time will tell.
Mr. Brennan explores the potential for mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare industry. The potential for larger companies to acquire smaller firms including start-up companies is great. This provides the opportunity for a financially more stable company to move into new markets at a lower cost than building a competing business on their own. In turn, the smaller company’s technology is given greater exposure and opportunity. The final benefit is to the customers who will use these products.
According to a report, small healthcare IT firms are feeling the pressure of being unable to compete with the larger firms. Larger firms are finding easy pickings amongst the niche market smaller companies, allowing them to get into these markets more easily. The firm’s research shows the hottest markets include wellness and disease management, surge planning and emergency preparedness, and consumer-driven healthcare.
IT Acquisitions on the Horizon By: James R. Brennan
Mr. Brennan predicts the future of healthcare IT mergers and acquisitions – big mergers and acquisitions will happen. Along with the formation of larger companies out of multiple companies will still be the best of breed companies who cater to the niche markets particularly with the healthcare specialists.
Healthcare Outlook: A holistic view of the market, its trends and areas for potential M&A deal flow By: James R. Brennan, CHE
There seems to be too many HIS players and too many niche applications in the healthcare industry. This increases the likelihood of mergers and acquisitions. A number of factors are impacting these M&A decisions as the healthcare industry struggles with change and regulation. The issue is complex, but Mr. Brennan breaks it down into bite-sized, digestible pieces.
Contracting Tips: Reducing Risk When Buying from Small Software Vendors
Does buying software from a small vendor make it less attractive? It doesn’t have to be that way. Do your homework/due diligence, get to know the vendor – personally and professionally, and use a team approach in decision-making. A small vendor can provide very focused products created by experts where larger companies may not be able to be so narrow in their focus.
Healthcare IT M&A Activity will Grow in 2007, Brennan Reports
Predictions were that 2007 would surpass 2006 in the overall number of mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare information technology industry, according to Jim Brennan. The investment banking firm also projects three f the hottest sectors will be wellness and disease management programs surge planning and emergency preparedness systems and products supporting consumer driven health.
Interviews: Trends Driving the Health IT Market By: Coleen Egan
iHealth Beat interviews James R. Brennan, an expert in healthcare and technology mergers and acquisitions. The healthcare climate is evolving with the new political climate, where is the future of healthcare IT? It is evident that there will be an increase in the use of information technology in the healthcare field to improve recordkeeping, increase patient information security and ensure timely access to records for those approved to view them.
Stop Lights in the Fast Lane: Preparing for the sale of your business By: James R. Brennan, FACHE
Mr. Brennan provides a point-by-point list of the important items which must be reviewed when considering the sale of a business. Selling a business can be a major change for any business owner or leader. Knowing what needs to be done and how to accomplish the task makes the sale a much easier task.
Related Articles
Seven Deadly Sins The Deal Magazine By: Reed Phillips and Jessica Luterman Naeve The authors provide seven mistakes that harm the sales process: 1) Not understanding how your company will be valued by potential buyers, 2) assuming you know who the buyer of your business will be, 3) not presenting the acquisition opportunity to potential buyers in the best possible light, 4) undervaluing the importance of the founder to the business, 5) creating financial projections that are overly conservative or overly aggressive, 6) having incomplete documentation about your company, and 7) not hiring experienced advisors soon enough. Each topic is explained in depth, enabling the reader to absorb them and put them into practice in their own businesses.
This slide show presents an in-depth overview of the marketplace as of June, 2009. Additionally, it provides advice on how to prepare and survive the tough economic times. Preparation and planning are vital. Making decisions based on thorough planning, forethought and research will help any company and its executives weather the difficult financial times.
An article describing the important role of a CDO Mergers and Acquisitions - a most strategic decision Healthcare Financial Management Magazine By: Mike Laine and David Tyler The authors define the Corporate Development Officer (CDO) role and identify five steps that are essential to successfully choosing to complete a merger / acquisition or not: 1) identify targets, 2) begin with the end in mind, 3) choose a transaction team, 4) perform due diligence, and 5) commit to the deal or to no deal. While the article focuses on the healthcare industry, there are lessons to be learned for any industry.
Employers Tap Executives for Temporary Jobs Wall Street Journal By: Sarah E. Needleman Ms. Needleman makes a strong case for executives to utilize their skills and talents in temporary assignments. The climate is ripe for doing so as the stigma of temporary work has largely been removed. Executive temps provide a much needed service to the companies they serve while the executives get to pick and choose the assignments which most interest them. For those whose goal is permanent employment, working as an executive temp allows both sides to see if the fit is right before an offer is made.
Mr. Anders presents a discussion of the impact of politics, and in particular the 2008 Presidential elections, on the business climate. The focus of this article is on the expected impact of a democratic victory, citing both Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton’s voting record and comments on various issues. In general, Democrats are seen as being anti-trust where Republicans are seen as being more open to allowing bigger mergers. The author contends that one way to offset some of the capital gains impacts of mergers and acquisitions is to utilize payment in stock which is non-taxable rather than payment in cash.
Ms. Starzee presents a broad overview of how to make a merger/acquisition successful. The keys include communication, organization and careful planning. It is in the best interests of all to ensure care is taken regarding the human capital and to maintain the best practices reagrdless of which company they come from.
Engineering client growth and liquidity.
One deal at a time.SM
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