An IPO is an opportunity for a company to define how it is positioned in the market. Even if the company already enjoys a high public profile and may have raised debt in the public market, an IPO represents a different level of disclosure, with a very clear focus on the future prospects and strategy of the company. It sets the tone for all subsequent market interactions by the company and provides criteria against which future performance will be judged. The basis for this positioning in the market is the company’s equity story. There is no set formula as to how this should be laid out but it is, in essence, a very clear and cogent explanation as to why investors should buy the company’s shares.
For most businesses this will include a set of “key performance indicators” or “KPIs” provided to analysts and investors at the time of the IPO which will give a fuller picture on the drivers of the business. It is important to spend time early in the preparation stages to ensure that KPIs are chosen which authentically reflect how the business is managed, and which the company will be happy to continue to disclose publicly once listed.