Don Scales is the Global CEO of Investis Digital, an award-winning digital communications company that makes businesses more successful by sharing their brand stories with target audiences such as shareholders, investors, employees, customers, and influencers. Don has more than 30 years of award-winning digital experience. He joined Investis Digital as a CEO of US operations in March of 2016 and became Global CEO in January 2017. He previously led global operations at interactive agencies iCrossing and Agency.com
Don is also an author, and his first book, How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm, was co-written with Fran Biderman-Gross and released in 2020. His next title, The M&A Solution: A Values-Based Approach to Integrate Companies, is set for a release in May 2021 with ForbesBooks. Don has dual undergraduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Mathematical Physics, and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University; he also has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Don Scales, the Global CEO of Investis Digital, is John Corcoran’s guest in this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast where they talk about preparing for successful mergers and acquisitions. Don explains why most mergers and acquisitions fail and talks about common red flags to watch out for when evaluating a potential deal. He also discusses the importance of value alignment and finding the right time to close a deal.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Hear:
- Don Scales explains why 70-90% of mergers and acquisitions fail
- Questions companies should ask themselves before entering into mergers and acquisitions
- Common red flags to watch out for when evaluating deals and how Don helped prepare the acquisition of Spannerworks by iCrossing
- How can you find the right company to acquire, and what should you do to prepare for an acquisition?
- Building trust between potential acquirers and acquirees—and ensuring that values are aligned
- What Don wishes he knew before his first M&A deal
- Don talks about the right timing for an acquisition, how to discuss values with the acquiree, and what to do after closing an M&A deal
- The people who inspire Don inside and outside of the industry
- Don’s new book—and where you can get it
Resources Mentioned:
- Investis Digital
- Don Scales on LinkedIn
- The M&A Solution: A Values-Based Approach to Integrate Companies by Don Scales
- How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm: 3 Keys to Unlock Purpose and Profit by Don Scales and Fran Biderman-Gross
- Fran Biderman-Gross on LinkedIn
- Advantages
- iCrossing
- Sirius XM
- 360i
- Will Margiloff on LinkedIn
- David Williams on LinkedIn
- Mike Jackson on LinkedIn
- Randall Weisenburger on LinkedIn
- John Corcoran’s interview with Adam Witty
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Episode Transcript
Intro 0:14
Welcome to the revolution, the Smart Business Revolution Podcast where we ask today’s most successful entrepreneurs to share the tools and strategies they use to build relationships and connections to grow their revenue. Now, your host for the revolution, John Corcoran.