How to Buy a Company Cheaply
A wonderful contribution from a friend of mine, reproduced below (hope he doesn't mind!):
How to buy an aircraft manufacturer very cheaply.....
1. Create great expectations that you want a close operating relationship with the manufacturer
2. Agree exclusive distribution rights – the manufacturer is now totally dependent on you.
3. Try to buy the company.
4. The private owners want too much money.
5. Break the exclusive distribution agreement. The manufacturer was dependent on you and is now left high-and-dry.
6. Manufacturer goes bankrupt (or nearly does).
7. Step in and buy the company for next-to-nothing.
8. Be hailed as a great hero for saving many jobs.
9. Be hailed by your shareholders as a genius for buying a superb aircraft production line for next-to-nothing
10. Take over managing the factory, improve efficiency, customer care and response times.
11. You now own a world-beating product with no start up costs and little risk for your shareholders.
As they say across the pond, "go figure".......