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cover of episode Harvard Professors Break Down a $6M Legal Consulting Deal

Harvard Professors Break Down a $6M Legal Consulting Deal

2025/4/8
logo of podcast Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
H
Heather
M
Mills Snell
R
Rick
参与谷歌抗议活动被解雇的前员工,反对Project Nimbus合同。
R
Royce
Topics
Mills Snell: 我认为这个生意在合适的价位是可以接受的,但并非我特别喜欢的类型,因为它存在项目制收入、客户忠诚度不确定以及估值过高等问题。 我需要进一步了解其销售流程和客户的稳定性。 如果买家能够理解其销售流程和销售渠道,并且没有客户集中度过高的问题,那么是有可能获得贷款的,但贷款额度可能受限于公司估值。 如果这家公司能够专注于某个细分领域,拥有稳定的、可控规模的项目,并且供应链不集中,那么它将更有吸引力。 由于其远程办公的特性,它对买家的地域限制较小,这对于希望兼顾生活和工作的买家来说是一个优势。 尽管存在一些风险,但我仍然会考虑签署保密协议,进一步了解这个公司的具体情况,因为机会成本较低。 Heather: 我认为合适的买家有可能获得贷款,但贷款额度可能受限于公司估值。 从贷款机构的角度来看,这家公司更像是一家兼具专家证人招聘和诉讼准备服务的公司。 如果买家能够理解其销售流程和销售渠道,并且没有客户集中度过高的问题,那么是有可能获得贷款的,但贷款额度可能受限于公司估值。 我会签署保密协议并获取更多信息,因为这个交易足够吸引人。 Royce: 我不喜欢这个生意,因为它是一个项目制业务,收入质量不高,客户忠诚度低,并且严重依赖少数专家,专家流失风险极高。 这家公司规模太小,无法规避项目制业务带来的风险,并且估值过高。 这家公司缺乏长期稳定的客户关系,收入质量堪忧。 我认为这家公司合理的估值倍数是2.5到3倍的调整后EBITDA,最多愿意出300万美元收购这家公司。 我会投否决票,因为我认为卖家不太可能接受我的报价,并且我认为找到一个合适的细分市场和稳定的客户群的可能性很低。 Rick: 这家公司的最大问题在于它是一个项目制业务,难以管理,项目规模不确定,并且可能中途终止导致资源浪费。 这家公司缺乏长期稳定的客户关系,收入质量堪忧。 这家公司规模过小,估值过高,并且收入不稳定。 为了对这家公司感兴趣,它必须是一个细分领域的业务,拥有稳定的、可控规模的项目,并且供应链不集中。 这个公司提供的资料不够完整,难以做出准确的判断。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The podcast hosts, along with Harvard Business School professors Royce and Rick, analyze a legal consulting firm specializing in expert witness placement. Concerns arise regarding the firm's project-based revenue, lack of recurring customers, and high valuation. The discussion explores the suitability of the business for different buyer profiles and the importance of a strategic fit.
  • Project-based revenue is a key concern
  • High valuation of $6.15M for a $1.3M cash flow business
  • Uncertainty around customer loyalty and repeat business
  • Importance of buyer fit and niche expertise
  • Potential overpricing and need for a lower multiple

Shownotes Transcript

A legal consulting firm for expert witness placement sparks debate among the hosts and special guests from Harvard Business School—would you buy it?Business listing: https://thefirmadv.com/Listing/Expert-Witness-Prep-Placement-for-Law-Firms-For-SaleThanks to our amazing sponsors this week!💼 Capital Pad - Your go-to marketplace to raise capital or invest in small business acquisitions. Check it out at https://www.capitalpad.com💰 Viso Business Capital - Get SBA financing that fits your deal. Sign up for a live Q&A session at https://www.visocap.net and click “Zoom Sign Up” in the top right corner.

In this episode, Mills and Heather are joined by Royce and Rick from Harvard Business School and the “Think Big Buy Small” podcast to break down a unique legal consulting firm focused on expert witness placement and trial prep. Check out the podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-big-buy-small/id1751989991Despite strong profit margins and remote operations, this business raises flags due to its project-based revenue, uncertain customer loyalty, and a hefty valuation. The crew explores whether this is a deal worth pursuing—or passing—and what kind of buyer might actually make it work.Key Highlights:

  • Breakdown of a $1.3M cash flow legal consulting business listed for $6.15M
  • Discussion around project-based revenue and lack of recurring customers
  • Royce and Rick share insight from years teaching ETA at Harvard Business School
  • What kind of buyer would make this work (and how a strategic fit could help)
  • Buyer fit, sales process, and the importance of niche expertise
  • Why this business might be overpriced and what a reasonable multiple looks like
  • The importance of understanding what a teaser really says (and doesn’t)

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