Firms actively pursue better performance with mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances

Merger. Acquisition. Strategic alliance. Firms of all sizes in all kinds of markets across the country are doing deals. If you haven't already, this is a business strategy you should consider. Simply getting involved in the process helps your firm because you will have reviewed what you must do to

The most common healthy reasons for merging include adding new services, penetrating a new market or creating a larger in the same marketplace. Firms also merge, or sell out, to solve problems (i.e., retirement obligations, leadership, capital resources). Doing any deal should help you accomplish your long term strategy.

In recent combinations, Springfield, Mo.-based Baird Kurtz & Dobson merged in two local firms to create a competitive practice in a new market. The two firms - White Petrov McHone and McGee, Wheeler & Co. --