We just signed our Letter of Intent and the ninety-day exclusivity clock is ticking. What are the operational and financial milestones we must hit week by week to ensure we actually reach the closing table without the deal falling apart?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The period between signing a Letter of Intent, or LOI, and reaching the closing table is where most deals go to die. To maintain momentum, you must treat the transaction process as your company primary corporate priority. This requires a dedicated, structured timeline with weekly milestones.

During the first thirty days, focus on the disclosure of your virtual data room. This includes tax returns, material contracts, and employee records. The next thirty days must focus on the Quality of Earnings review and drafting the main purchase agreement. The final thirty days are reserved for disclosure schedules, third party consents, and final working capital negotiations.

Do not let this process distract you from running the business. Use your EOS structure to manage the workload. Assign the due diligence process as a specific corporate Rock to your Integrator or Chief Financial Officer. Review progress weekly in your Level 10 Meeting. By keeping the leadership team focused on operational execution, you ensure your performance does not slip, which prevents the buyer from using a bad month to re-trade the price before closing.