Smart Business Magazine, November 2017

FRED KOURY FROM THE CEO Dealmakers newsletter Our new digital newsletter will take you inside how deals get done FRED KOURY President and CEO Smart Business Network Inc is the publisher of Smart Business magazine and operates Convero a customer and employee engagement firm Fred is committed to focusing on relationships not transactions in everything he does 800 988 4726 fkoury@ sbnonline com www sbnonline com www converoinc com 8 Smart Business Cleveland November 2017 W ell also check in with influential Cleveland business leaders who are often involved in M A activity and tap into their expertise on how these deals get done Additionally there will be a video component to each newsletter providing a more direct channel into the minds of these dealmakers and how they approach their craft Finally each newsletter will include a story from off the beaten path about a person or organization who approaches life from a unique perspective This newsletter which will come out on Sunday mornings is a nod to the important role that dealmaking continues to play in the advancement of our region The tide has turned from the malaise that followed the Great Recession and the economy is growing once again The market is flush with capital and private equity firms are paying big multiples New construction and development is taking place both downtown and across Northeast Ohio Local real estate professionals are getting calls from investors across the country who are asking questions and looking at the Cleveland market for potential expansion opportunities The bottom line is there are deals out there to be made Its up to business owners to identify the right move for their company and then develop a strategy to make it happen You have to be ready to spring into action at any moment when you get a chance to strengthen your business Its undeniable that one of the factors in Clevelands economic comeback is the willingness of the regions business leaders to step out and take risks by making big business deals This includes people like Doug Price who led K D Management LLC to purchase the Terminal Tower and breathe new life into this Cleveland landmark Its Bill Priemer who as president and CEO at Hyland guided his already very successful business to an acquisition that adds more than 700 employees 17 global office locations and new breadth to its service offerings The momentum was built by people like Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan who has transformed the Tribe and led the ballclub to a recordbreaking 2017 season at Progressive Field and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert who was willing to spend whatever it took to end the citys championship drought in 2016 And then there is David Gilbert who as president and CEO of Destination Cleveland helped the city land the 2016 Republican National Convention There are deals you plan for and there are deals that come at you in unexpected ways When you are ready for either scenario you give yourself a chance to do something great We look forward to sharing these stories with you in the Dealmakers newsletter This fall marks the launch of Smart Business Dealmakers a new digital newsletter that takes readers inside the world of business mergers and acquisitions Each week well talk to leaders who recently completed a deal and learn the details of how it happened and what it means for their business facebook com SmartBusiness http on fb me 1RseSyO @ FredKoury linkedin com in fredkoury