FACILITATE THE DISCUSSION

We have learned a few lessons from previous deals, including:

• A neutral third-party facilitator is essential to the process.
• Third-parties can ask the tough questions
• Third-parties can answer the tough questions
• Third-parties can arbitrate and can keep the deal on track in terms of direction and timelines.
• Third-Parties can manage funders to be flexible and manage the uncertainty of the process.
• Funders can play a key role in facilitating and funding restructuring opportunities for willing partners.
• The involvement of third-parties with a particular expertise and independent goals often results in multiple, fragmented views of the agreement. Our partners may find it difficult to integrate these perspectives.
• Increasing momentum to close the deal can force premature closure and limit consideration of integration issues.
• Both buyer and seller are often unable to resolve important areas of ambiguity before they complete the agreement.