When I speak with managed service providers and VARs, the conversations often involve so-called “exit strategies.” How can an MSP get acquired? What are the secrets to attracting a buyer? I asked Gary Pica, general managed of mindSHIFT Technologies, those very questions this morning.
Pica will be a guest speaker on our next MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange. In 2005, Pica sold his company (Dynamic Digital Services Inc.) to mindSHIFT — one of the world’s best-known managed service providers. How did Pica attract a buyer? His answer was rather simple.
Back in 2005 mindSHIFT was seeking to get into the Philadephia-area market. So, Dynamic Digital Services was “lucky” to be in the right place (headquartered in Philadelphia) at the right time (focused on managed services).
But was this really luck? Actually, no. Pica’s team spent three years focused on building a recurring revenue managed services practice. That’s the key point: So many VARs think about their strategy to get sold. Instead, they should focus on building value and recurring revenue.
Dynamic Digital Services was “in the right place” (geography) at “the right time” because they were heads-down building their business. The lesson for MSPs: Build your recurring revenue practice and keep your financial house in order. Take those steps, and “luck” will with you.
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Posted In: Finance | Mergers & Acquisions
Tags: Dynamic Digital Services | Managed Services | Managed Services Summit | mindSHIFT Technologies | MSP | MSPmentor Live: CEO Exchange
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Good point Joe. Although luck is nice, luck is hardly a strategy for getting the best price for your business. I think the best book I’ve read on the subject is Selling Your Business for a Premium by Tom McKaskill. It can be purchased at http://www.gazelles.com.
Mike Cooch
http://www.everonit.com
http://www.smbitpros.com
Mike: Thanks for the perspective.
Readers: Mike’s company, Everon Technology Services, was ranked among the 5000 fastest growing privately held US companies by Inc. magazine.
Hi Joe. I personally think the best way to be purcahsed is to approach every day like the company is not for sale - like its your baby, but run it as though its always for sale by maximizing earnings. In this case, if you build it - they will come.
Jmamon: Absolutely. Build the asset, grow the asset, promote the asset and manage cots. The rest will take care of itself. Buyers will find you if you have a stellar brand, stellar asset and clean financial books.