Why should one engage Timeline Advisers?
Our review, assessment, counseling, and advisory services help improve the likelihood of achieving maximum value for one’s company, minimizing escrows and hold-backs, and assuring that a transaction will close and within a reasonable time frame. Take the evaluation for companies that may be sold or acquired to see if you need us.

How does Timeline Advisers help reduce the inefficiency of the M&A process?
There are four factors to our success in assisting owners prepare for the sale or acquisition of their companies: objectivity, perspective, thoroughness, and persistence.

For what size of companies does Timeline Advisers advise and counsel companies?
Our firm offers services to companies generally with annual revenues ranging from $5 million to $50 million, but exceptions apply on both sides of that range.

How soon prior to the expected sale or acquisition of a company should one engage with Timeline Advisers?
The earlier the better. Those experienced with M&A transactions recommend that preparation for ultimate sale of a company begin from inception. More realistically, one should contact Timeline Advisers as soon as the initial thoughts about possible sale of a company occur.

Would Timeline Advisers provide assistance in finding an M&A investment banker?
Yes. We can refer other specialists as needed, such as CPAs and attorneys.

Does Timeline Advisers counsel companies in all industries?
Yes, but our strengths lie in: information technology (hardware, software, telecom, and semiconductors), service providers, and manufacturing.

Does Timeline Advisers have a geographic focus?
Yes, our firm currently serves the western half of the United States.

What is the Timeline Advisers’ review process?
Our Process is comprised of elements of review, assessment, comment, advice, and counseling related to preparing a client for sale or acquisition.

The Process is iterative and cyclical, with the inherent objective of identifying risks and actionable items that can affect valuation, post-closing liabilities, and closing timelines. The initial part of the Process is designed to identify key issues, risks, and business drivers that will provide the framework for a thorough pre-sale preparation action plan. Based on that plan, there follows a series of pro-forma due diligence reviews, assessments, and revised action plans until the ultimate objective of thorough preparation is achieved.

We collaborate with our clients to discuss, review, and question every aspect of their business to raise management’s awareness of issues and risks that may affect an M&A transaction and to identify items that require correction or improvement. Upon completion, we prepare a clear, concise statement of a company’s elements of value from which management can negotiate with strength and confidence.

Does Timeline Advisers develop strategies related to the sale or acquisition of a business or perform related research and analysis?
No. Work of this type is normally done by investment banking firms that engage with a selling company. On the other hand, we can work with investment bankers and assist them based on our findings and recommendations.

Does Timeline Advisers develop business strategies and perform the research and analysis for developing a strategy?
No. Our firm reviews what has been done by management and others. If necessary, we can recommend resources for strategic planning and research.

What are the deliverables from Timeline Advisers?
During the course of a review and assessment, the client will receive feedback, reports (including a final report), and a debriefing outlining findings and recommending actions that will:

• Recommend a complete plan for pre-sale or pre-acquisition preparation;
• Perform a risk assessment of each primary area or element of the client’s business from the perspective of a potential buyer or acquirer;
• Identify key issues and risks that may impact the company’s valuation, escrows or hold-backs, deal closing, and closing timelines;
• Recommend the form and method for creating special due diligence files and binders;
• Recommend corrective actions to ameliorate problematic risks, issues, and findings;
• Create a plan to allow for ongoing and current maintenance of pre-sale preparation;
• Create a clear, concise statement of elements of value;
• If appropriate, make recommendations pertaining to strategy, staffing, matters of execution, and operations.

Will Timeline Advisers guarantee that a client will be sold or acquired or if so at a valuation satisfactory to the client?
No, we do not accept success fees. Maintaining objectivity is vitally important to our work. Stock, options, or warrants are not accepted to protect the objectivity of our opinion.

What is Timeline Advisers’ fee structure?
Timeline Advisers works with a fixed fee, which is based on a pre-determined set of objectives and deliverables as agreed upon in advance with the client.

Does Timeline Advisers offer a free consultation?
A preliminary consultation is available, free of charge, for the purpose of discussing (1) whether there is a fit between the prospective client and Timeline Advisers, (2) the scope of a prospective engagement, (3) clearly identified deliverables and expectations, and (4) a proposed fixed fee.