ma-playbooklisted

# M&A Playbook Frameworks for both sides of M&A: acquiring companies and being acquired. Every M&A decision starts with strategic rationale -- without it, you are buying problems. ## Keywords M&A, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, acquisition, acqui-hire, integration, deal structure, valuation, LOI, term sheet, earnout, data room, strategic rationale, post-merger integration, buyer, seller, exit --- ## Acquiring: Decision Framework ### Strategic Rationale Decision Tree ``` START: Acquisition opportunity identified | v [What are you really buying?] | +-- TALENT (acqui-hire) | Cost: $1-3M per key engineer | Timeline: 1-3 months | Risk: Key people leave after lockup | +-- TECHNOLOGY (product/IP) | Cost: Revenue multiple or technology valuation | Timeline: 3-6 months | Risk: Technology doesn't integrate, team leaves | +-- CUSTOMERS (market share) | Cost: Revenue multiple (higher for sticky customers) | Timeline: 3-6 months | Risk: Customers churn during transition | +-- MARKET ACCESS (geographic or vertical) Cost: Strategic premium Timeline: 6-12 months Risk: Market assumptions wrong, cultural clash For ALL types, ask: "Can we build this faster and cheaper?" If YES --> Don't acquire. "Is integration complexity worth the shortcut?" If NO --> Don't acquire. ``` ### Buy vs. Build Analysis | Factor | Buy | Build | |--------|-----|-------| | Time to market | Fast (mon