DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer Corey Kupfer

In this insightful solocast of the DealQuest Podcast, I delve into the nuances of the dealmaker's mindset, a topic I recently presented at the Entrepreneurs' Organization Global Leadership Conference in Singapore. This episode is a treasure trove for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to expand their horizons beyond the conventional entrepreneurial mindset. I emphasize the often-overlooked mindset of dealmakers and how it can significantly enhance business growth and problem-solving capabilities.


The Entrepreneur vs. Dealmaker Mindset:

While the entrepreneurial mindset is widely recognized for its emphasis on risk-taking, vision creation, and innovation, the dealmaker's mindset remains less explored. Dealmakers utilize strategic tools such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and strategic alliances to drive growth and solve business challenges.


Strategic Deals as a Growth Lever:

The episode illuminates how strategic deals such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances can be potent tools for business expansion.Instead of relying solely on organic growth, businesses can leverage joint ventures, strategic alliances, or even employee-sharing arrangements. For instance, Kupfer shares his experience of his firm temporarily sharing attorneys with another firm to address staffing needs.


The ‘Acqui-hire’ Strategy:

The concept of ‘acqui-hire’, a strategic move to acquire entire teams instead of individual hires, which can revolutionize how businesses tackle talent acquisition. This can benefit entrepreneurs who wish to concentrate on their passions without the administrative burdens of running a business. It can also be useful for established business owners looking to simplify their roles while continuing to contribute meaningfully to their companies through such strategic acquisitions.


Workshop Revelations:

We unpack the dealmaker mindset with practical applications. Participants shared their biggest business challenges and explored potential deals as solutions. Common issues included talent acquisition, market expansion, and overall growth.Here's a powerful shift: just like there's an app for almost everything, there's often a "deal" for business problems. This approach encourages looking beyond traditional organic growth strategies.For example, talent acquisition struggles can be addressed through acquisitions or "acqui-hire" deals. Companies acquire entire companies to secure their talented teams, offering a solution to the challenge of hiring top talent.


Shifting Mindsets:

The key takeaway is the mindset shift from thinking solely as an entrepreneur to also thinking as a dealmaker. Recognize that there's often a deal that can address specific business challenges. By adopting this perspective and exploring various types of deals, businesses can unlock creative solutions, accelerate growth, and thrive in today's dynamic market.Join us in this insightful solocast as I unravel the layers of the dealmaker mindset and its impact on entrepreneurial success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to think outside the box and propel their business forward.Tune in to Episode 295 - Solocast 66 to discover how you can harness the power of deals to overcome your business hurdles and achieve new heights.• • •For a comprehensive exploration of the dealmaker's mindset and practical applications:Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here: https://www.coreykupfer.com/podcasts/dealquest-podcast-with-corey-kupfer • • •FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER:[Corey Kupfer's LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/)[Corey Kupfer's Website](http://coreykupfer.com/)


Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional

On this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting guest Sunny Vanderbeck, sharing his insights on conscious capitalism, the importance of not selling out, and the transformative power of writing down your goals and intentions. As an investor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and former military leader, Sunny is the co-founder of Satori Capital, a multi-strategy investment firm that operates on the principles of conscious capitalism. With over 35 years of experience in deal-driven growth, Sunny has a wealth of knowledge to share with business owners, executives, and leaders looking to expand their businesses and create value without compromising their values. CONSCIOUS CAPITALISMSunny brings up the concept of conscious capitalism in his practices. What is conscious capitalism? It involves prioritizing value creation and extraordinary outcomes for stakeholders over simply chasing profile. At Satori Capital, they are fully committed to the idea of conscious capitalism – and so is Sunny. The approach to conscious capitalism involves ensuring that customers, employees, and suppliers are happy and satisfied, which ultimately leads to more sustainable and successful business outcomes, especially in the event of a sale. Conscious capitalism is the human experience within a deal, and companies have the chance to create more freedom in the world, and leave a positive fingerprint through their commitment to conscious capitalism. SELLING WITHOUT SELLING OUT As the author of Selling Without Selling Out: How to Sell Your Business Without Selling Your Soul, Sunny knows what it’s like to feel like you have to give more of yourself than you’d like when selling your business. Sunny believes in the need for business owners to consider more than just the financial gain when selling their business, and to prioritize the well-being of their team, customers, and community in which the business operates. Business owners should reflect on what they truly care about and write down their intentions and desires for the future of their business. This practice allows for a more holistic and conscious decision-making process when it comes to selling a business. This practice also stresses the importance of finding the right investors who share the same values and visions for the business. Finding a group of like-minded investors who understand and appreciate the long-term value creation and are willing to invest in patient capital allows business owners to ensure that their business is in the hands of the right investors. Specifically ones who align with their values and are committed to maximizing value in a way that resonates with the business owner’s ethos. Sunny's approach to conscious selling resonates with the core principles of ethical entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of considering the impact of a business sale on all stakeholders involved. Through real-life anecdotes and practical advice, he provides a roadmap for business leaders to navigate the challenges and quandaries associated with selling a business or taking on a financial partner while preserving their integrity and values. To learn more about Selling Without Selling Out: How to Sell Your Business Without Selling Your Soul, check it out on Amazon today: https://www.amazon.com/Selling-Without-Out-Sell-Business/dp/1733632700 • • • For my full discussion with Sunny Vanderbeck, and more on this topic and topics not featured on this blog post:Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here• • • FOR MORE ON SUNNY VANDERBECK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnyv/https://www.satoricapital.com/


Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.

In this special remastered episode of the DealQuest Podcast, I’m excited to revisit an early discussion with guest David Kalow. David introduces us to the importance of leveraging strategy for intellectual property (IP) for business success. With more than 35 years of experience as a lawyer working in the science and technology field, David has become one of the leading voices in intellectual property business. LEVERAGING STRATEGY FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYAccording to David, most companies, especially startups and small businesses, are not fully utilizing the potential of their intangible assets. He states that intellectual property – including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets – is crucial for creating value and driving revenues. There is a misconception that IP is exclusively reserved for large corporations. Nothing could be further from the truth: Companies of ANY size can benefit from leveraging IP, as it is often their most valuable asset. Whether it's through licensing agreements, joint ventures, or strategic alliances, businesses can unlock new opportunities and revenue streams by effectively leveraging their IP assets. By doing so, they not only protect their creations but also establish a solid foundation for sustainable growth and expansion. OVERCOMING MISCONCEPTIONS AND MAXIMIZING IP OPPORTUNITIESOne of the largest misconceptions surrounding IP is the cost and complexity of IP protection. Patents may seem expensive, there are cost-effective strategies for startups and small businesses to initiate their IP journey. By aligning IP initiatives with their budget and business goals, companies can embark on a path towards securing their innovations and creating a robust IP portfolio. It’s important to remember there are many forms of IP, including but not limited to:


Trademarks
Copyrights
Trade secrets
Trade dress
Design patents
Database rights

Because of the diversity of forms of IP, David asserts that businesses need to adopt a comprehensive approach to IP protection. By understanding the full spectrum of IP assets available to them, companies can capitalize on a wide range of opportunities, from licensing their technology to safeguarding their brand identity, thereby enhancing their market position and value proposition. NAVIGATING THE IP LANDSCAPE AND EMBRACING DEAL-DRIVEN GROWTHAs with any sector of business, the IP landscape is evolving every single day. As such, companies need to embrace IP for deal-driven growth. IP is not just a legal matter but a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to thrive in a competitive environment. By integrating IP considerations into their deal-making processes, companies can forge mutually beneficial partnerships, expand their market reach, and capitalize on new revenue streams. Because of the transformative potential of IP in driving business growth, entrepreneurs are empowered to harness their creativity and innovation to achieve sustainable success. By embracing a proactive and strategic approach to IP, companies can navigate the complexities of the IP landscape and capitalize on the myriad opportunities available to them, ultimately propelling their growth trajectory and solidifying their position in the market. • • • For my full discussion with David Kalow, and more on this topic and topics not featured on this blog post:Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here• • • FOR MORE ON DAVID KALOW:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kalow-07196b1/ https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/david-kalow


Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.  Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepren