Every deal has an official story.
We’re gathering the real ones.
The narrative of a deal is usually written by the press release. But the leaders who actually carry the risk, the executives navigating the integration and the operating partners watching the deal thesis come under pressure, know the real story never makes it into the deck. This research captures the lived experience of M&A, from multiple seats, across multiple deals. When the patterns are ready, contributors will be the first to see them.
Where were you sitting when it happened?
The friction looks different depending on your seat. It takes about five minutes. If you’ve held multiple roles across deals, you’re welcome to submit more than one.
Each option opens a research instrument hosted on SimpleSurvey. The interface will look different. That’s intentional.
Your story stays anonymous. No names, no identifying details. Stories are interpreted in aggregate. The pattern is across narratives, not your individual story.
When the patterns are ready, we’ll publish them openly. Contributors will be the first to know. To stay informed, follow Sherryl on LinkedIn or Unflocked.
Story data is collected and stored on servers located in Canada, operated by the Canadian research platform SimpleSurvey.
Before you share.
We know the terrain. If you’re sitting in the middle of a deal or an integration, you’re likely bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement. You should be. Here’s how this research is designed to respect that.
This FAQ describes the research methodology and intent of The Real Deal initiative. It does not constitute legal advice regarding your specific Non-Disclosure Agreement. If you are uncertain about your obligations, consult your own legal counsel before participating.
Research platform: SimpleSurvey (Canadian-hosted data).
Unflocked Inc. | The Real Deal Research Initiative
This research initiative is offered in both English and French. Unflocked’s advisory services are delivered in English.