Q&A with David Zimmer

Aaron Morgan Group provides a full range of high quality business related services to middle market sized companies. Our objective is to maximize the intrinsic value of the companies we work with in a highly ethical and professionally manner.

What services do you offer?
Primarily, we match companies with buyers and/or sources of capital for investment or sale in addition to providing strategic management consulting and reorganization services. We are able to build most any company we can get our arms around because, at heart, we are a business consulting, strategic planning and marketing company. Please explore our website (www.aaronmorgangroup.com) to get a better understanding of the services we provide.

What size of business do you typically represent?
We will represent businesses valued up to $500 million.

Does your firm focus on a particular industry or sector?
Generally not, but our areas of specialty revolve around the consumer non-durables, retail, manufacturing, internet and technology sectors.

What geographic region does your firm cover?
We have no geographic restrictions. We will work within the United States and Worldwide.

What are the components to your compensation for your service?
Compensation depends totally on the type of transaction. It could range from 100% front-end to 100% performance-based, depending upon what types of services are provided.

Tell us about the team at Aaron Morgan Group.
We do not maintain a staff. The world is a limitless place to find qualified individuals on an as-needed basis. We are able to provide services equal, if not better than our competition, at rates they could only hope to offer, because we manage the process better. Remember, our primary function is one of “matchmaking” where we put together buyers and sellers. No one does it better and we utilize outside sources for support as necessary.

What have you found to be the single largest factor in getting the highest price and terms for your client?
Start with a client who wants to enter the business or has a specific need within a business segment. Then, find them a company that fits their needs. On the opposite side, start with a company with market/product leading characteristics whose management understands what it takes to find a buyer.

What is a common misconception that you find among your clients?
That what we do takes less time that it does.

Describe a tense moment at the closing table.
We have not experienced anything of this nature as to get to the closing table all the pieces must be firmly in place. The only commodity you cannot replace is your time. We are well past the problems and hiccups related to the services we offer well before we get to the closing table.

Have you ever saved a client of yours from a fraudulent buyer?
We never let something of that nature get that far. We’ve known our buyers for years. On the sell side, I am the person you have to get by and if there are any characteristics relating to your business that cause concern or that cannot be “fixed” we do not take the project on.

What can a client do to maximize their company’s valuation or enhance the business sales experience?
Maximize cash flow and make sure the books are in order. In other words, do what you do best and run the business. Listen to us as a member of the team and together we can maximize the value of your entity.

What should a business owner do if they are potentially interested in using the services of your firm?
If you are planning on selling your business start doing what is necessary to maximize the amount you expect to receive two years or more in advance. That is usually the amount of time it takes to do it right.