No one should question that success in M&A is about making the optimal deal. It isn't just a dream – the perfect partner does exist. Some advisers don't believe in the optimal deal, even though it exists by definition. Other advisers strive for it through a combination of finance and negotiation. Sounds good, but the truth is that the optimal transaction requires a combination of those two skills as well as three others: strategy, arbitrage and methodology. We like to call them The 'Three Graces'. Also, we believe in a fully-integrated approach to M&A where everything we do is logically connected to achieve the optimal transaction. In short, we believe that M&A should be done in two stages: thinking, then linking, hence the name of our firm. We normally deliver these through our 12-step methodology which varies depending on whether our client is acquiring or selling. - Evaluation - Strategy - Arbitrage check - Partner scoring model - Partner research - Client attractiveness - Approach partners - Strategic fitness - Economic negotiation - LOI drafting - Post-LOI - Rescue, as needed ThinkingLinking has some specialised departments such as BioLinking (focused on life sciences) and InLinking (focused on cosmetics, food and life sciences ingredients).