16. Investigating the Inc.

So far we have focused primarily on individuals who have engaged in misconduct on some level. But what if you are investing in or acquiring a company? Do you need to do a background check on the company too? Yes.

If you are investing in a company, you have probably looked at the company’s balance sheet, analyzed the revenue stream, and examined other financial aspects of the company. But conducting investigative research on the company is also a critical step. Like the results from our research on management teams, the information we find about a company can also impact a deal.

Some of the issues you need to uncover include a company’s involvement in active lawsuits. If a lawsuit is active at the time of your acquisition ...

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