With all the talk about mergers and acquisitions, it can be easy to forget the numerous steps required for a company in order to successfully pursue and complete an acquisition. A successful M&A requires careful planning, effective communication and a meticulous execution.

Start with a strategy. Many companies advance myriad reasons for pursuing an acquisition–purchasing international http://dataroomplace.blog/top-10-finance-bloggers scale, filling portfolio gaps, building a third leg of the business–but the most successful acquirers have specific and well-articulated ideas about how their acquisitions will create value.

Establish a team. The M&A team should comprise members of the executive management and board of directors of both the target and acquiring businesses, as well as external experts who are experienced in acquisitions. This group will determine the goals of the sale, identify potential targets, and screen candidates.

Conduct an in-depth due diligence. Buyers often ask for extensive documentation and will interview a number of people before finalizing the deal. The buyer’s evaluation could take a long time and sellers must be prepared to provide the details as soon as they can and to facilitate the process. As soon as the due diligence process has been completed the seller must request the final approval of the board to move forward with the deal.

Create plans for integration. It is critical that the buyer has the support of a team leader who will devote a lot of time and effort to the integration of the acquired company. The person in charge should possess the appropriate skills and the resources to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and is successful.