What’s Made the Biggest Difference After You Closed?

July 28, 2025

by a searcher from Ohio State University in Los Angeles, CA, USA

Have you worked with a coach, advisor, or industry mentor post-acquisition that made a real difference? Also curious—any tools, routines, or support systems you’ve put in place that helped you lead more effectively? Would appreciate any insights from those a little further down the path.

2 Likes

22 Replies

333 Views

Replies

Reply by a searcher
in New York, NY, USA

I recommend you give yourself###-###-#### days to focus primarily on learning the business. Who are the people, both employees and customers? What drives them? What did not you learn during diligence that you're now learning while putting out fires? In that time, I recommend looking to join a peer group. The best way to learn is from mistakes -- but they don't have to be yours. As you start to understand the business, I think it can be helpful to process things through the lens of the operating system you are going to implement. EOS is popular but there are dozens of others. What is important is the regular communication of goals and a regimented process to ensure you know whether your whole team is rowing towards the same goal. I always encourage searchers to have a board or group of mentors they can tap for help in navigating those stressful months. At my first acquisition, the weekly meeting (which we adapted from the L10 meetings in EOS) were probably the biggest way I built credibility with the team. It gave me a chance to say what we were going to do, a scorecard to keep us on track, and a forum to say "we did it".

Reply by a searcher
from Harvard University in Fort Wayne, IN, USA

Ryan - I'd start w/ understanding yourself and what best moves / motivates you. Where do you need to most help? Do you know the industry already or are you a total newbee? Ever led a business (or business unit) before or your first time? Are you great w/ Ops and terrible at Sales or vice versa? Find your gaps first and then search out those who are truly excellent in those areas to help stretch you. Re: Systems/Tools - I'd start w/ evaluating your new team's current tools. Do they have them already? Are they any good? Are they being utilized? Often you can start by improving what they are currently doing (helps them stay comfortable early on), then you can begin pushing for the best possible tools when you understand the context and exactly what you need to best serve you and your new team for whatever strategy you're looking to execute on.

+20 more replies.

Join the discussion