What's (Not So) Hot for Outsourced Business Services Companies

This post is excerpted from the Kaulkin Ginsberg Q3 2011 M&A Report. To read the full article and learn much more about the current environment for mergers and acquisitions in the outsourced business services (OBS) industry, click here to download the complete, free report now.

Yesterday I shared a few insights on what’s hot right now for outsourced business services (OBS) firms. In order to ensure that there’s harmony in the universe, it’s right and proper that today we talk about what’s not so hot for these same service providers.

Coincidentally, the DC metro-area weather forecast for this Halloween weekend is calling for some (likely) to a good amount (doubtful) of snow. In October! This means two things: the entire region’s roadways will be impassible about 10 minutes after the first flakes fall on Saturday because–Holy Mother of Big Bird!!–it’s snowing; and grocery store shelves will be empty of all essential (Depends undergarments, bottled water, toilet paper) and non-essential (sugary juice drinks, Twinkies, sweetened condensed milk) items. I don’t mean low stock. I mean sold out. Barren. Nada. And why? Because when an inch of snow falls in DC, most folks here are immediately thrown into a tizzy, driven by the irrational fear that the only source of potable water for the next, I dunno, 6-8 hours following a light snowfall might be:

You know what Frank Zappa said about certain kinds of snow

Anyhow, check out the infographic below for some clues to trends in OBS that are colder than my little whippet’s bony feet in the photo above.

Want to know more? Download your free copy of the Kaulkin Ginsberg Q3 2011 M&A Report today!

Michael Lamm oversees all types of M&A and related advisory assignments for Kaulkin Ginsberg Company, including buy-side and sell-side representation, joint venture/strategic partnership arrangements, valuations and operational assessments. He also has extensive experience assisting clients recruit executive talent, and develop and implement strategic growth plans. Follow him on Twitter @mlammkgc

Michael Klozotsky is the managing editor of insideARM.com. He was born and raised in the wilds of Wisconsin, where typical Washington D.C. winters are known as the Fourth of July.