Most companies spend millions buying a business, then try to save $50K on integration help. That's what Steve Nunn calls "stepping over dollars to pick up nickels." In this episode, Scott Brickler sits down with Steve Nunn—CEO of Intista and the expert who guided CADTALK through the acquisition and integration of Elmo Solutions. This isn't your typical M&A success story about financial engineering and cost savings. It's about what actually happens after you sign the papers—and why most acquisitions fail at exactly that point.Steve specializes in small-to-mid-sized business acquisitions (up to $1B) where success isn't measured by layoffs and synergies, but by whether your people stay, your culture survives, and your company can actually grow.What You'll Learn:- Why small business acquisitions need a fundamentally different approach than the airline mergers you see on the news- The hidden costs sellers DON'T prepare for (spoiler: old computers are just the beginning)- How to keep key employees engaged when they're expecting pink slips- Why cultural differences matter more than you think (especially with Canadian/Quebec acquisitions)- The "one word" that determines integration success- When to bring in outside help vs. trying to DIY your integration- Real talk about whether Scott would do it again (and what he'd do differently)Key Insight:The real work—and the real value—of an acquisition happens AFTER the signing. Most buyers focus on "can we afford this company?" when they should be asking "can we afford NOT to integrate it properly?"Whether you're considering your first acquisition, you're a serial acquirer, or you're just curious about how businesses grow through M&A, this conversation reveals the reality behind the spreadsheets.🔗 Connect with Steve Nunn: https://intista.com🔗 Learn more about CADTALK: https://cadtalk.com📧 Subscribe to our newsletter for more strategic insights📋 Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 02:18 - How Steve Found His Calling in M&A Integration 07:14 - Small vs. Large Business Acquisitions: Why They're Different 11:16 - Scott's Decision to Hire an Integration Expert 16:38 - What to Expect: Planning the Elmo Integration 22:32 - Focus on People, Not Spreadsheets 27:26 - Cost vs. Value: The Nickels & Dollars Problem 33:21 - Cultural Challenges & What Surprised Scott 40:32 - Lessons Learned & Would They Do It Again? 46:00 - What's Next for Steve & Intista #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessAcquisitions #SmallBusiness #BusinessIntegration #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #MAStrategy #EntrepreneurPodcast

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