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Eight Greatest Ideas for Growing by Acquisition • 149

just before the deed is done. One of the family mottos of the impresario Grade
family is, 'If you want an answer today, the answer is no.' Up to a point. Lord
Grade. In the takeover business an answer tomorrow is too late. So work hard and
fast.

In this regard two entrepreneurs who had worked together for a while gave an
unusual demonstration of the totally complementary skills and attitudes that had
made their partnership so successful. At the end of a particularly difficult deal they
were cloistered with their legal and financial advisers all night. To allow them to
face the new day with no sleep they needed to freshen up and change their under-
wear and shirts. One of them went out to buy these and came back with Marks and
Spencer goods to the value of less than £55 for the two of them.

Some months later the same situation occurred with another deal. The other of
the two went shopping this time and came back having shopped at Gucci; total cost
- the thick edge of £150. But what the hell, he had the underpants of his dreams.