Building on Momentum: Our Second M&A Readiness Seminar with CKP!

Following the positive response to our very first HRDC claimable full-day M&A Readiness Seminar held in May with our accounting partner, Chia, Ka & Partners PLT (CKP), we were delighted to welcome another group of business owners to the programme's second edition on 3 July 2026.

While each participant came from a different industry and business background, many shared a common question: What does the future of my business look like, and how can I best prepare for it?

And that question was what brought together 13 participants representing 10 companies, alongside an accountant running a sole proprietorship and a legal professional. Additionally, what was particularly encouraging was the commitment shown by attendees, with several travelling from outside the Klang Valley to join the programme, including business owners from Johor and Penang.

Even more rewarding was learning that one participant had been referred by an attendee from our first session. For our team, this was a meaningful sign that the programme is delivering value to business owners and that the conversations around M&A readiness are continuing long after the seminar has ended.

A Day of Learning, Discussion and Practical Insights

Much like the first edition, the seminar was designed to give participants a practical understanding of what it means to be M&A-ready, the role M&A can play in long-term business planning, and why a clear understanding of business value and financial readiness is essential when preparing for future opportunities.

The sessions were, again, led by Mr. Ryosuke ‘Rio’ Sakamoto and Jason Chan from Nihon M&A Center Malaysia, together with Jeremy Chia from the CKP team, combining perspectives from both M&A advisory and financial advisory. Throughout the day, participants explored topics including M&A fundamentals, succession planning, business valuation, financial readiness, and the factors that can influence a company's attractiveness and value in a future transaction.

One of the key additions introduced in this second edition was a hands-on valuation exercise, allowing participants to apply some of the concepts discussed during the seminar to a sample business case. The activity sparked lively discussions and thoughtful questions, creating opportunities for participants to share perspectives and learn from one another's experiences.

More importantly, it reinforced a key message that preparing for M&A does not begin when a business owner decides to buy, sell, or exit. It starts much earlier through building a stronger business, understanding its value drivers, and putting the right foundations in place. The better prepared a business is, the more options its owners may have when opportunities arise in the future.

Growing Interest in M&A Readiness

Across the two editions, one thing has become increasingly clear —we are seeing more and more SME owners beginning to view M&A readiness and business valuation as part of broader strategic planning, rather than something to consider only when a transaction is imminent.

Whether the goal is succession planning, business expansion, finding a strategic partner, or simply understanding the value that has been built over the years, business owners are recognising the importance of being prepared before important decisions need to be made.

It is also these conversations that continue to make the programme meaningful. Beyond the presentations themselves, the seminar provides a space for business owners to exchange experiences, ask questions openly, and gain greater clarity on the opportunities available to them.

The strong participation, repeat referrals, and active engagement seen across these two editions also reinforce a growing appetite among Malaysian SMEs for practical and accessible M&A education.

As interest continues to grow, we at Nihon M&A Center Malaysia remain committed to working alongside ecosystem partners such as CKP to support SME business owners with practical knowledge, guidance, and a better understanding of what it takes to prepare for their next chapter.

Looking forward to the next one!