Global M&A Advisor to the Residential, Commercial, & Business Services Industries

Choosing the Right Sale Process: Maximizing Confidentiality & Competition | M&A Masterclass Moment

In this Masterclass excerpt, Paul Giannamore breaks down the critical decision of how to structure your sale process—and why it’s one of the most overlooked ways to drive better outcomes in M&A.

Continuing the story of the $200M sale of Nomor AB, Paul compares different auction structures—English auctions, sealed-bid auctions, and direct negotiations—and explains why confidentiality, buyer behavior, and leverage determine which path is best.

🔹 When to use one-on-one direct negotiations (and when to avoid them)
🔹 Why more buyers = more competition = better price
🔹 What Sotheby’s can teach you about structuring an M&A deal
🔹 The power of sealed-bid auctions in confidential transactions
🔹 How the right process creates leverage without sacrificing discretion

If you’re a business owner preparing for a sale—or an advisor guiding one—understanding choice of process is a key strategic edge.

Paul Giannamore is a leading expert in Sell-Side M&A, known for helping business owners execute premium exits through smart process design and sharp buyer positioning.