Acquisition Metrics for Company Mergers

When we say acquisition in the corporate world, it means that a larger company buys off a smaller company. The acquisition can be of two ways, a friendly one, or a hostile one. When we say that it is a friendly acquisition, the two companies are mutually helping each other and have decided to grow together as a single business unit resulting in a merge. When we say it is a hostile acquisition, it means the takeover is forcibly made and that the buying company (that is, the larger company) has purposes that could range from monopolizing the market to attempts of building an empire. What happens here is that the money taken from the buying company will be divided appropriately among the shareholders of the bought company and the smaller company ceases to exist. Either way, acquisition metrics are needed in the process.Since hostility is a possibility in acquisitions, a perfect way to protect the target company, or the company that is going be bought, is to set up certain agreements before the acquisition. This gives the management of the target company peace of mind from having to be taken over by a larger company.First, the target company could communicate with the buying company. They can talk about goals, the current assets and liabilities of their respective companies, and other relevant things before any suspicious move is done by the buying company. And then from there, they can at least determine what the reasons are of the buying company for deciding to acquire them. Should they find hints of a takeover, then at least they can prepare themselves this early to defend their company against the larger one.Another way is by checking the historical background. Check if there are conspicuous relations between some of the members of the management of each company. Maybe there are some hidden grudges that could spring well back into your high school years or the like. This may be farfetched, but it never hurts to investigate.Also, the uncertainty of an acquisition can hamper current business transactions. And when this happens, you can only turn to your employees and ask why the sudden decline in performance. Well, here is your answer. In an ordinary employee’s point of view, a possible acquisition could end up with him being jobless if things do not go well. Having this in mind, the employee will eventually lose zest towards his/her work and probably find a new and more stable job. Having all these into consideration, therefore it is also important to give the employees assurance that upon acquisition, their tenure in the company is not jeopardized.In formulating acquisition metrics to ensure a merge, and not a hostile takeover, the employees, the company itself, and the relations from both the past and present between the two engaging companies should be the main factors to consider. Remember, transactions like these are serious and one unplanned move can cause detrimental damages. Being cautious is the main lesson to remember here.