Current State Assessment
We evaluate the target’s pricing effectiveness and discipline. This means calculating metrics like average discount by customer segment, pocket margin by product (after all discounts/rebates), and identifying any margin leakage points. We often visualize the price waterfall from list price to net price to see where value is leaking (e.g., overly generous rebates, unmanaged freight charges, etc.). In parallel, we compare the target’s pricing structure to industry norms: Are they pricing in line with value? Are they using modern techniques like dynamic pricing or segmentation, or are they simplistic (one-size-fits-all pricing)? We also look at organizational aspects if info permits – e.g., does the company even have a pricing function or is it all sales-driven, which can indicate the level of sophistication.