On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail with his crew on 3 ships, the Pinta, Niña and Santa Maria, with the aim of discovering the East Indies. The land is visible on 12 October. Christopher Columbus and his men then meet a people they call “Indians”, convinced they have achieved their goal. Even then, They don’t know it yet but they have just discovered… America! Like Christopher Columbus and the acquisition of a business, the buyer ventures upon an ocean and faces the windsI There are many surprises in store for him.
You will tell us that comparison is not necessary and yet, necessary in this world where upheavals do not deter our projects and force us to take risks.
Of course, before embarking on the adventure, the buyer took care to study all aspects of the company he is handling. He also reads and re-reads various experiences of buyers to see the different scenarios he would face. For example, the buyers who succeeded, the buyers who failed, the buyers who fueled innovative ideas through their ingenuity and allowed the company to make a fresh start.
course to be determined by the buyer
Faithful to the Seneca, to whom no wind is favorable to those who do not know where they are going, Buyer has taken care to set a precise course. His project sheet serves as his compass. It defines the destination (geographical area), the desired funding (sector of activity, size and target profitability), and the means of achieving it (individual contributions and the potential of consortium financiers). The buyer then builds his team. Chartered accountants, lawyers and consultant-buyers would often prevent him from venturing into hostile lands.
Parallel with Christopher Columbus
The capricious winds of business acquisition often lead him to cross unexpected lands, very different from the initial objective. The buyer would then have to support the principle of serendipity, which can be defined as the art of finding something other than what one was looking for.
“Serendipator” is a person who, at a certain point in his project, knows how to take advantage of unforeseen circumstances.
Many Discoveries by Serendipity
In the scientific field, discoveries made by “serendipity” are numerous. Thus, Post-Its, Teflon, Velcro, microwaves, penicillin, the structure of DNA by Alexander Fleming …
We can cite innovations such as:
- Coca-Cola,
- Tatin Pie
- Daughters of Cambrai.
- tea bag
- teflon
- penicillin
All these “accidental” discoveries are the fruit of opportunistic, curious researchers with great qualities of open-mindedness and adaptability.
essential adaptive properties
It is often these qualities of customization that enable buyers to complete their project, away from predetermined acquisition plans, after several concessions and reflections on their original structure.
encountered a case in “uncharted territory”, A buyer who is too rigid will back out without studying the opportunity that presents itself. In contrast, a Christopher Columbus of recovery would advance the investigation on the file without any priority. He can find his Eldorado there.
To take Seneca’s opposite approach, the buyer must be convinced that no destination is suited to those who do not know how to adapt to the winds.