COO Forum Presenter Series: Exit Ready: The COO’s Playbook to Maximizing Company Value - Fri, Nov 14 at 10:30 am ET
As the operational backbone of the business, COOs play a pivotal role in ensuring their company is positioned to thrive through change, scale with purpose, and, when the time is right, maximize value in an exit.
In this session, Channing Hamlet, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective Investment Banking & Valuation, will share practical insights into how to avoid common pitfalls and optimize enterprise value when preparing for a transaction.
Attendees will gain insight into:
The four foundational ingredients that underpin every successful M&A transaction
What truly drives or detracts from valuation, viewed through the lens of a sophisticated buyer
The seven-plus streams of diligence, and how to be prepared well beyond the financials
A clear look at the strategic sale process, including key inflection points and preparation timelines
Practical takeaways from case studies illustrating both high-value outcomes and cautionary tales
This session offers a high-level perspective for experienced operators who may not be pursuing a sale today but want to lead with clarity around long-term value creation, optionality, and the difference between reactive and strategic exits. In particular, it will highlight the critical role COOs play in anticipating and addressing diligence-related issues before they become deal risks from operational gaps and compliance concerns to internal process weaknesses and cultural misalignment.
Channing's Bio:
Channing Hamlet is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation, a nationally recognized firm serving middle-market companies with M&A advisory and valuation services. He leads both the Business Services & Life Sciences Practices for Investment Banking and the firm’s Valuation Advisory Services Group.
With two decades plus experience advising business owners on transactions, valuation, and strategic planning, Channing has personally led more than 25 sell-side M&A transactions in the past five years alone. His notable deals include the sale of ProEst to Autodesk, Inc., Kirei to Carnegie Fabrics, and Sterndahl Enterprises to Frontline Road Safety Group, a Sterling Group portfolio company.
Channing is an active member of the Los Angeles advisor and founder ecosystems, serving on the boards of the Exit Planning Institute, the Association for Corporate Growth Los Angeles (ACG LA), and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Los Angeles (EO LA). A frequent speaker and thought leader, he is passionate about educating operators and business owners on how to build enterprise value, prepare for diligence, and navigate strategic transactions.
Known for his integrity and strategic insight, Channing is recognized by LABJ as a Leader of Influence & Top 100 Banker and LA Times as a notable LA Executive. He also serves as Board Member and Development Committee Chair for Reality Changers, a nonprofit helping first-generation college students in Southern California.
Channing holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Operations Research from Cornell University. He is a Registered Representative of BA Securities LLC and holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 79 licenses.