In mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the difference between a successful exit and a missed opportunity often comes down to information. Clear communication, credible data and the ability to act quickly are essential to maximizing business value and completing deals with confidence.
For Premier Sales, a business brokerage and M&A advisory firm working closely with privately held businesses, IBISWorld’s industry intelligence and Phil’s AI-powered capabilities have become key to achieving those outcomes. Together, they give the firm the insight and speed it needs to benchmark performance, strengthen valuations, and deliver better results for clients.
Building stronger foundations with credible industry data
Preparing a business for sale is rarely straightforward. Many smaller companies underestimate their value or don’t fully understand how they compare to their competitors. Without reliable market context, owners risk setting unrealistic expectations or overlooking opportunities to improve.
IBISWorld’s comprehensive industry data provides the foundation Premier Sales needs to guide clients through this stage. Benchmarking tools allow the firm to clearly show where a business is underperforming, highlight areas for improvement and map out the steps needed to maximize its market potential.
With third-party intelligence backing their recommendations, Premier Sales can deliver strategic advice that resonates with owners and builds confidence in their path forward.
Accelerating deal preparation with Phil
One of the most time-consuming steps in the M&A process is preparing a Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM). Producing it typically takes days of manual data gathering and synthesis.
Phil, IBISWorld’s AI economist, has transformed this process. By consolidating large volumes of industry research into relevant, client-specific insights, Phil allows the Premier Sales team to produce high-quality CIMs in a fraction of the time. This means more team members can contribute to the process, output is more consistent, and clients receive a polished, data-backed product faster than ever before.
“What used to take a week can be done inside of a day. It’s gotten to the point where our clients are all commenting, ‘wow, this is outstanding.’” – Diane Thomas, President and Designated Broker.
But speed is only part of the equation. Once the documents are ready, Premier Sales still needs to help clients understand what the data means and how they can act on it.
Turning complex data into actionable insight
Many business owners entering the M&A process for the first time are unfamiliar with industry terminology, valuation metrics or market dynamics. Phil simplifies that complexity by translating dense reports into plain, actionable language.
With IBISWorld and Phil, Premier Sales can:
- Benchmark company performance against industry peers with precision
- Surface key drivers and competitive factors in minutes
- Communicate complex market data in clear, actionable language
- Accelerate CIM production from days to hours
“Phil has the ability to put it in layman’s terms. That’s probably the single most valuable thing we do as a firm.” – Diane Thomas, President and Designated Broker.
That clearer communication also sets the stage for one of the most sensitive parts of any deal: the valuation itself.
Informing better valuation strategies
Valuation is one of the most sensitive and strategic parts of any M&A transaction. Business owners often overestimate their worth, but IBISWorld’s benchmarking data gives Premier Sales the evidence to set realistic expectations and chart a clear path to improvement.
Downloadable performance data shows where competitors are achieving stronger margins and how those results are possible. This evidence-based approach often shifts perceptions, helping clients see what’s achievable and where they need to focus their efforts. It also positions businesses to respond quickly to opportunities, ensuring they are always ready for a potential exit.
“I really appreciate IBISWorld and Phil. Phil is the big, nice surprise in my life.” – Diane Thomas, President and Designated Broker
This approach also extends the same level of insight to smaller companies that might not otherwise have access to it.
Final Word
For Premier Sales, IBISWorld and Phil are more than research tools, they’re essential drivers of better outcomes. By combining trusted industry intelligence with AI-powered analysis, the firm delivers faster deal preparation, clearer communication, stronger valuations and more confident client decisions.
From early benchmarking and valuation strategy to final negotiations, IBISWorld and Phil provide the insight and agility businesses need to navigate the M&A process. And as Premier Sales’ experience shows, when every decision is grounded in credible data, the path to sustainable growth and successful exits becomes far clearer.
