If you have been appointed as strategic consultant, what measures will you suggest to the management to defend itself against hostile takeover?

Following are some measures that management can adopt to defend itself from hostile takeover. Divestiture - In a divestiture the target company divests or spins off some of its businesses in the form of an independent, subsidiary company. Thus, reducing the attractiveness of the existing business to the acquirer. Crown jewels - When a target company uses the tactic of divestiture it is said to sell the crown jewels. In some countries such as the UK, such tactic is not allowed once the deal becomes known and is unavoidable. Poison pill - The tactics used by the acquiring company to make itself unattractive to a potential bidder is called poison pills. For instance, the acquiring company may issue substantial amount of convertible debentures to its existing shareholders to be converted at a future date when it faces a takeover threat. The task of the bidder would become difficult since the number of shares having voting control of the company increases substantially. Poison Put - In this case the target company issues bonds that encourage the holder to cash in at higher prices. The resultant cash drainage would make the target unattractive. Greenmail - Greenmail refers to an incentive offered by management of the target company to the potential bidder for not pursuing the takeover. The management of the target company may offer the acquirer a higher price for its shares than the market price. White knight - In this a target company offers to be acquired by a friendly company to escape from a hostile takeover. The possible motive for the management of the target company to do so is not to lose the management of the company as the hostile acquirer may change the management. White squire - This strategy is essentially the same as white knight and involves sell out of shares to a company that is not interested in the takeover. Consequently, the management of the company retains its control over the company. Golden parachutes - When a company offers hefty compensations to its managers if they get ousted due to takeover, the company is said to offer golden parachutes. This reduces acquirer's interest for takeover. Pac-man defence - This strategy aims at the target company making a counter bid for the acquirer company. This would force the acquirer to defend itself and consequently may call off its proposal for takeover.