Buy Then Build
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| Author | Walker Deibel |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Roger Wayne |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Finance |
| Publisher | Lioncrest Publishing |
Publication date | October 20, 2018 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hard & paperback), e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 312 pages |
| Awards | Amazon Best Seller:
No. 1 in Valuation (Books) No. 1 in Consolidation & Merger Wall Street Journal Best Seller USA Today Best Seller |
| ISBN | 978-1-544-53566-1 |
Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game is a 2018 finance book by Walker Deibel. Build Then Buy is a roadmap for prospective business buyers, emphasizing the advantages of acquiring existing businesses over starting one from scratch.[1]
Deibel offers his advice on every stage of the acquisition process, from researching to understanding financial metrics, negotiating with sellers, the role of transaction brokers, and navigating deal structures. He emphasizes the importance of trust and understanding the seller's perspective, outlines the significance of creating a solid business plan, and provides insights into managing emotions and communication throughout the acquisition and transition phases.[2][1]
Summary
Deibel starts his book advising that “the startup phase is a company killer” and proposes "a path that could bypass the startup phase altogether.”[3] The book is divided into four parts, Opportunity, Evaluation, Analysis, and Execution, explaining how to go about finding a company to buy, negotiating the deal, purchasing the business, and transitioning ownership. Deibel uses his own experiences co-founding seven businesses, supplemented by research and interviews, to present a case for his entrepreneurial method.[4][1]
On the tactical side, this book goes through the specifics of how to pinpoint an ideal company by identifying an “opportunity profile” and creating a “target statement.” In the section on analyzing a potential acquisition, the author's expertise as an investor is showcased as he walks readers through the basics of analyzing financial statements, evaluating a business, and valuing a company. The book also delves into the neurological side of things, talking about the mindset of the seller. Deibel provides several techniques for the buyer to engage in non-threatening and meaningful conversations with the seller.[1][4]
References
- ^ a b c d Deibel, Walker (2018). Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game. Lioncrest Publishing. ISBN 978-1-544-53566-1.
- ^ Hislop, Scott. "What We Are Reading: "Buy Then Build"". Transworld NorthStar. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Book Review : Buy Then Build By Walker Deibel | OpenGrowth | OpenGrowth". www.opengrowth.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ a b "BUY THEN BUILD, HOW ACQUISITION ENTREPRENEURS OUTSMART THE STARTUP GAME: A deftly written, exceedingly thorough, and highly informative business guide". Kirkus Reviews. January 3, 2019. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2024.