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- G&A: Acquisition Strategy Is Evolving, Are You? The Sosh = Chris Do
G&A: Acquisition Strategy Is Evolving, Are You? The Sosh = Chris Do
Retention, pricing, and post-close integration are reshaping how deals get done. The most valuable operators aren’t chasing noise, they’re reading the signals and leading with precision.
Gia Cilento & Ronald Skelton
July 08, 2025
Overview
It’s easy to focus on velocity. Deals accelerating, markets responding, platforms scaling. But if you slow it down even for a moment, you can sense something else taking shape beneath it all: discernment.
The difference between a deal that sticks and one that bleeds out isn’t in the margin. It’s in the mechanics of culture, clarity, and capacity. Whether you’re acquiring, expanding, or recalibrating, this is the moment where clean signals matter most. The founders and buyers who can spot quality beneath noise, structure under spin, and people behind product will lead the next wave with fewer regrets and stronger returns.
This week’s signal reflects that. We’re seeing founders speak plainly, dealmakers rethink their playbooks, and advisors center their frameworks on actual value. You’ll find evidence of that across the pods, in the legal shifts, and deep inside HR strategy.
If you’re not here to make noise but to move wisely, read on.
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This Week's Signal
by Gia Cilento
FOUNDATIONS THAT STICK
The hidden cost of M&A isn't usually financial. It's human. HR leaders are increasingly being pulled into deal strategy not just as enforcers, but as architects of value continuity. This article lays out five essential moves to stabilize culture during M&A transitions. For owners and buyers alike, this is no longer optional. It’s foundational. Read more…
This piece on JetBlue raises questions that apply far beyond aviation. When market share flatlines and margins compress, strategic buyers must face a hard truth: some brands only survive by surrendering independence. The lesson here isn’t just about airlines. It’s about timing, leverage, and letting go when the window closes. Read more…
Regulatory shifts in Australia point to a broader trend: increasing specificity in deal thresholds, timelines, and cost structures. If you're acquiring across jurisdictions or preparing a deal for 2026+, this is your reminder to tighten your compliance layer and re-scope legal diligence with nuance. Read more…
GROWTH STRATEGY IN TRANSITION
It’s not the tech that hurts you. It’s the delay. BlackLine's latest report shows how stalled finance transformations are quietly eroding competitiveness. For acquisition entrepreneurs and operators, this presents both risk and opportunity: laggards are targets. Just be sure you can rebuild what you buy. Read more…
Culture isn’t window dressing. It’s strategy. In this standout interview, Joycelyn David breaks down why companies that operate without cultural intelligence risk more than just customer churn—they miss entire growth paths. Founders navigating diverse markets should treat this as essential reading. Read more…
Mentorship isn’t soft. It’s leverage. This piece from SCORE draws attention to one of the most underused growth mechanisms: guided experience. When paired with capital or acquisition, aligned mentorship can unlock faster transitions and better decisions. If you’re scaling a portfolio or preparing a successor, pay attention here. Read more…
AI IN THE CAPITAL STACK
AI implementation is growing up. This piece explores how Copilot tuning is becoming a strategic edge for enterprises. For acquirers, this signals a new diligence layer: don’t just ask whether AI is used. Ask how it's being fine-tuned and what data it's trained on. Read more…
Not all AI is additive. This article makes the case for sober scrutiny in how AI tools are rolled out across customer and ops teams. Leaders betting on AI for scale need to pair ambition with precision—and not let vendor decks cloud operational readiness. Read more…
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🧩 In the News
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🎧 In the Pods
Featuring Original Reviews by Ron Skelton and Team
CPO Series | M&A with Jason Dover
Host: Becky Flint
Guest: Jason Dover, CPTO at Fire File Cloud
This episode gets inside what most leaders miss: M&A is a product and people strategy, not just a financial transaction. Dover speaks to the messy realities of integration, power dynamics, and the cultural puzzles that follow close.
Why this matters: If you’re acquiring, this is a sober map of how to retain product value post-deal.
Read Ronald's Team review
Dealmaking in 2025: What’s Next?
Host: The M&A Advisor Team
Guests: EY Analysts
Strong outlook for 2025 with deal activity rising on the back of lower capital costs and tighter strategy. Highlights include shifts in PE behavior, geopolitics in supply chains, and how to spot underpriced innovation.
Why this matters: Reinforces that inorganic growth is back, but not on old terms. The playbook is evolving.
Read Ronald's Team review
M&A Zing | Evaluating a Creative Agency Acquisition
Hosts: Gareth & Alfie
A candid breakdown of a real agency deal with a 30x EBITDA multiple—and why it doesn’t make sense. Also unpacks the role of AI in valuation, recurring revenue, and what makes an agency scalable (or not).
Why this matters: If you're evaluating digital or creative acquisitions, this is a sharp guide to red flags and smart bets.
Read Ronald's Team review
MYM Ep. 8 | Retaining Talent Through M&A
Host: Clint Kendrick
Guest: Andrea Osborne, Head of HR, Instructure
Osborne pulls back the curtain on how to keep top talent through the turbulence of M&A. From term sheet strategy to executive retention planning, it’s a direct look at what actually works.
Why this matters: Culture retention drives value creation. Ignore this and you’ll overpay for underperformance.
Read Ronald's Team review
Founders don’t always know what’s changing until someone sends them the signal. If this issue brought clarity, share it with someone who needs it.
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The Sosh
Who to follow this week: Chris Do
Chris Do is the Founder and CEO of The Futur, an education platform empowering creative entrepreneurs to master the business of design. With over 27 years of experience in brand strategy and consultancy, Chris has worked with global brands like Microsoft, Sony, Nike, and Starbucks. A dynamic speaker and mentor, he shares insights on branding, creativity, and business through his YouTube channel, podcast, and global workshops reaching millions. His mission is to help creatives realize their value, communicate it with confidence, and lead with impact.
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🏢 The Big Guys
Hewlett Packard Enterprise closed its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks Wednesday, days after reaching a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and more than 17 months after the deal was first announced.
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Featured Events
SMB Acquisitions Entrepreneurs (buying / Selling of businesses) Networking - 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT - Event by Ronald Skelton
This is a business networking event, not a presentation. You will be asked to introduce yourself, tell us about what type of business you'd like to buy, grow, or sell, and what help, if any, you need. The objective is to build teams, share ideas and resources, and help each other succeed. Check it out…
The Future of Work - September 2-5, 2025 - 46th Annual Training Event, The Hilton Orlando, Orlando, FL
For over four decades, America’s SBDC has hosted its annual professional development event for its business advisors and SBDC network professionals. This national event brings together over a thousand SBDC professionals and around fifty sponsors and exhibitors for learning, networking, and engagement. Check it out…
2025 Leadership In Dealmaking Summit - September 16 & 17, 2025 – New York, NY
Featuring: International M&A thought leadership sessions, M&A Connects Networking and One-on-One Meetings, 16th Annual International M&A Awards, and 16th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards. Check it out…
3rd Annual M&A Summit - 2025 - September 17, 2025 - JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, Bloomington, MN
From broad perspectives on deal-making to insightful tips on exiting a business, attendees gained a wealth of knowledge. Want in? Don’t miss our 2025 Summit. Check it out…
Start Or Grow Your Dream Business - October 15th & 16th, 2025 - Las Vegas Convention Center & April 29th & 30th, 2026 - Miami Beach Convention Center
For over 20 years, The Business Show has been providing a platform for entrepreneurs looking to start a business or SMBs looking to grow and develop their business, the show has helped thousands of business owners. Whether you're looking to start a business or are currently running a small business, you will find all the advice and guidance you need to take your business to the next level! Check it out…
The Power of the Unpredictable - November 5-6, 2025 - Jacob Javits Convention Center
Since 2004, the World Business Forum New York gathers thousands of senior executives to learn from a program of world-class business thought leaders. Check it out…
2025 Future of Dealmaking Summit - November 18 & 19, 2025 – New York, NY
Featuring: Financing, restructuring, and M&A thought leadership sessions, M&A Connects Networking and One-on-One Meetings, and the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. Check it out…
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🔭 Strategic Throughline
“The firms that hold value are no longer the loudest, they're the ones who build what lasts, connect what matters, and evolve with clarity.”
Each insight this week reflects a steady recalibration: from culture-forward integrations to AI discipline, founder attention is moving away from scale-at-all-costs toward intelligent, infrastructure-first thinking. The future is being built not by those chasing trends, but by those designing systems that hold. Stay steady. Build what holds.. ………………………………………………………………………
If this week’s signal sharpened your lens, send it to a founder, buyer, or advisor who’s ready for the next elevation. The future isn’t hidden. It’s just structured for those who can see it.
Questions, sponsorships, or topics you want us to explore? Reach out:
Gia Cilento on LinkedIn
Ronald Skelton on LinkedIn
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