Consulting & Mergers - Acquisitions
Onboarding
One of the key steps for success of a new hire is the onboarding process. We work with our clients to develop a detailed onboarding plan that emphasizes the mission and culture of your organization. The onboarding plan will provide an organized, detailed and action oriented way of integrating a new hire into the organization, and will emphasize the need for developing relationships that will be needed to be successful, as well as understanding all of the expectations of their new role.
Auxiliary Strategic Programs
Our firm develops strategies with our clients for Strategic Auxiliary Programs.
Audit & Program Review & Planning
Our organization will work with your School to conduct an Audit and Auxiliary Program Review, and create a strategic plan in order to ensure that you are maximizing the following:
• Generate non-tuition revenue – financial viability/potential of the program
• Develop admissions-driving programming
• Further the school’s mission & brand
• Create efficiencies & proper expense allocation and savings
Risk Management
Our organization will work with your School to conduct an external School Safety and Risk Assessment.
Our school-specific Safety and Risk Assessment is designed to identify risks in four (4) major areas that have historically (and continue to) create issues for private-independent schools. With safety as a constant theme running through each of these, they are: People, Facilities, Activities and Current Policies, Practices and Protocols.
Mergers & Acquisitions
The K-12 Independent School landscape is changing considerably, and schools are facing significant financial realities. Market trends and statistics have shown that schools fall into two categories: the “Haves” (acquirer) and the “Have Nots.” (acquired). Certainly, financial distress and leadership vacuums top the list of initial drivers to consider mergers. However, there are strategic reasons to consider merging two or more private schools. Ultimately, the decision to merge must produce a new, mission- consumed, effective, cost-efficient organization with expanded reach.
Leveraging our combined +50 years of M&A experience within the “for profit” space, and a deep K-12 Education expertise and knowledge base, we provide a deep understanding of each client School’s needs in order to seek out the right strategic partner School to enhance their capabilities or strategic objectives. From an execution perspective, we assume much of the “heavy lifting” so that our clients can continue to focus on operating and growing their Schools. We work closely with our client School to obtain the best combination of strategic fit, deal terms and cultural compatibility while minimizing business disruption and dedicating our senior resources to streamline the transaction process for our clients. Moreover, we often can help secure equity and/or debt financing to fund the acquisition.
Mergers & Acquisitions - Acquirer
When representing clients on the “Acquiring” side, we often provide the following client support:
Identifying potential acquisition targets and facilitating initial outreach
Engaging in strategic dialogue and performing initial diligence with a prioritized group of prospects
Constructing a valuation framework and facilitating submission of offer letters
Deal structuring and negotiations and preparation for closing
Post merger/acquisition integration planning
Mergers & Acquisitions - Acquired
When representing clients on the to be “Acquired” side, we often provide the following client support:
Conducting thorough pre-process financial and business due diligence
Crafting a compelling business narrative corroborated by both financial data and operational information
Preparing comprehensive marketing materials and relevant buyer/investor documents
Curating a client-specific list of potential “buyer” partner schools
Distributing marketing materials, soliciting buyer proposals and navigating the client throughout the remainder of the process