First Call Questions

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August 08, 2025

by a searcher from Temple University - The Fox School of Business in Philadelphia, PA, USA

Lets say you get on a call with a potential acquisition target. What are your favorite questions to ask them? This is specific to an off market deals.
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Reply by a searcher
from North Park University in Orlando, FL, USA
"Why now?" I always learned something interesting when I ask that. Just let that one linger, don't give them any examples of answers. Just "why now?" and wait for them to answer. Everyone asks them why do you want to sell, but I'm not sure they are always asked why now is right the time. So I usually was able to figure out if they were serious or not by how they answered that one. Good luck!
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Reply by a searcher
from INSEAD in Greater London, UK
Who on your team would you promote? (And don't ever ask about firing people, especially not on the first call!...)
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