Mastering Mergers and Acquisitions: The Art of Creating Value with Steven Kuhn - Watch Here
Sponsor:
Reconciled provides industry-leading virtual bookkeeping and accounting services for busy business owners and entrepreneurs across the US. Their team is experienced in M&A, and they hire the best talent available. Reconciled sets the standard for consistency and quality that you can count on.
Visit https://www.reconciled.com/
___________________________________________________________________________________________
About The Guest(s): Steven Kuhn is a mergers and acquisitions expert, turnaround expert, and coach. He has been involved in the M&A space for many years and has closed deals with numerous companies. Steven is also the co-author of the book "Humble Alpha: Own Your Presence and Find Your Edge in Life."
Summary: Ronald Skelton interviews Steven Kuhn, a mergers and acquisitions expert and turnaround expert. Steven shares his background and how he got into the M&A space. He emphasizes the importance of building rapport and creating space in conversations with potential buyers or sellers. Steven also discusses the power of certainty and authenticity in business dealings and how it can lead to successful deals. He shares personal stories and examples to illustrate his points. The conversation also touches on the topic of cryptocurrency and NFTs, with Steven highlighting the opportunities for veterans in the digital economy.
Key Takeaways:
- Building rapport and creating space in conversations is crucial in the M&A space.
- The best offer in a deal is not always the one with the highest price, but the one that solves the seller's problems and meets their desires.
- Certainty and authenticity are key in business dealings and can lead to successful deals.
- It is important to listen actively and genuinely care about the person in front of you in order to build trust and create value.
- Focusing on what you want and finding good meaning in everything can lead to a more positive and successful mindset.
- Veterans have the opportunity to enter the digital economy through cryptocurrency and NFTs, which are still relatively untapped markets.
Quotes:
- "Certainty allows you to let go of the how. If you're certain of what you're doing, you don't have to worry about how you're going to get there because your certainty will carry you there."
- "People buy into your certainty, they don't buy your product or service."
- "Creating space is the most powerful concept in any deal."
- "Focus on what you want, not on what you don't want."
- "The inside is where the power lies. When you know who you are, your true identity, and your purpose, you become unstoppable."
- "Join us at HAVENFT.io. It's a great community to be in, really, really is."
Article:
How to Succeed in Mergers and Acquisitions: The Power of Authenticity, Human Connection, and Blockchain Technology
Introduction
In the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), success is not just about numbers and deals. It's about building authentic relationships, understanding the needs and desires of the people involved, and creating value. In this thought-provoking discussion with Steven Kuhn, a mergers and acquisitions expert and turnaround specialist, we delve into the power of authenticity and human connection in the M&A space. Steven shares his personal journey and insights, highlighting the importance of truly listening to others, understanding their pain points, and finding creative solutions that meet their needs. Through his experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complex world of M&A and create meaningful and successful deals.
Building Rapport and Creating Space
Steven emphasizes the significance of building rapport and creating space in any M&A negotiation. He believes that the most important part of any deal is the conversation that happens before the numbers are discussed. By genuinely caring about the person in front of you and understanding their challenges and desires, you can create a space where meaningful solutions can be found. Steven's approach is not about following a script or using manipulative techniques, but rather about showing up as your authentic self and truly listening to the other person. He believes that people buy into your certainty and your ability to solve their problems, rather than the specific details of the deal itself.
According to Steven, "You don't have to be Joe slick from the block or whatever, you don't have to be the good sounding good dress kind of person, you know, always meet people where they are, of course, right? Don't show up in a disgruntled veteran t-shirt to a meeting with suits and ties, you know, but be yourself and be authentic."
Understanding the True Needs of the Seller
One of the key insights Steven shares is the importance of understanding the true needs of the seller. He believes that many business owners don't take the highest and best offer when selling their business because they are looking for more than just money. They want a solution that solves their problems and meets their desires. Steven recounts a story of a business owner who wanted to retire and travel with his wife, but it turned out that his wife was forcing him to retire. By understanding the personal dynamics at play, Steven was able to strike a deal that allowed the owner to continue working part-time while appeasing his wife's desire for retirement. This example highlights the importance of digging deeper and understanding the personal motivations and challenges of the seller.
Steven emphasizes, "Be yourself and be authentic. Simple as that. It's not about being someone you're not. It's about meeting people where they are and genuinely caring about their needs."
The Power of Certainty and Authenticity
Steven believes that certainty is the key to success in any negotiation. When you are certain of your intentions and your ability to solve the other person's problems, you exude an energy that is attractive and compelling. People buy into your certainty and your authenticity, rather than the specific details of the deal. Steven shares his own experiences of closing deals by simply showing up as his authentic self and genuinely caring about the other person. He emphasizes the importance of leading your own mind and understanding your true identity and purpose. When you have this level of self-awareness and certainty, you become unstoppable and can navigate any negotiation with ease.
According to Steven, "There's a difference between power and force. It's all about the power that you radiate, not force that you're pushing. You don't want to push people, you want to radiate power and they're like, whoa, that's what we're talking about. Humbling on the outside, alpha on the inside."
The Integration of Life and Business
Steven highlights the importance of integrating your personal and professional life. He believes that there should be no difference in how you treat your spouse or your business partners. Authenticity and genuine care should be present in all aspects of your life. Steven encourages people to focus on what they want, rather than what they don't want, and to find good meaning in everything. By leading your mind and focusing on the positive, you can create a powerful presence that attracts success and positive outcomes.
Steven states, "Be yourself and be authentic. It's about meeting people where they are and genuinely caring about their needs. It's about radiating power and leading with certainty."
The Future of M&A and the Power of Blockchain
In the rapidly evolving world of M&A, Steven sees great potential in the use of blockchain technology. He is currently involved in a passion project called HAVENFT, which aims to create a veteran-based NFT ecosystem. Through the use of blockchain, HAVENFT is consolidating the fragmented veteran support space and providing a platform for veterans to access resources and support. Steven believes that blockchain technology can revolutionize the M&A space by providing irrefutable evidence of transactions and creating more efficient and transparent processes.
Steven shares, "Join us at HAVENFT.io. Join the discord chat and get on the waitlist. It's a great community to be in. We're opening up the path for veterans to move into the digital economy as some of the first movers."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the power of authenticity and human connection cannot be underestimated in the world of mergers and acquisitions. Steven Kuhn's insights and experiences highlight the importance of truly listening to others, understanding their needs and desires, and finding creative solutions that meet their needs. By leading with authenticity, certainty, and genuine care, you can build meaningful relationships and create successful deals. As the M&A landscape continues to evolve, embracing new technologies like blockchain can further enhance the efficiency and transparency of the process. Ultimately, success in M&A is not just about the numbers, but about the people and the relationships that drive the deals forward.
Steven's final words resonate deeply, "Be yourself and be authentic. It's about meeting people where they are and genuinely caring about their needs. It's about radiating power and leading with certainty. Embrace new technologies and stay ahead of the curve. The future of M&A is bright, and it's up to us to shape it."
Contact Info:
havenft.io
humblealpha.com
---- MORE COOL STUFF ---
Are you ready to take your podcast listening to the next level? Subscribe to "DEEPER by How2Exit" newsletter and never miss out on our latest episodes. Join our newsletter HERE
Want to stay in touch with what's happening in the Main Street M&A Space? Subscribe to The Hub - Acquisitions Hub
