Michael O'Malley will be speaking as the keynote presentation at the upcoming M&A Source conference in Phoenix, AZ.  He will also participate on a panel discussion on emotional due diligence and teach a course.  Here is an excerpt from a "Craines Chicago Business" artricle featuring Michael O'Malley:

While selling their business to a private-equity firm, the two brothers who headed it told investors that they got along beautifully and played to each other's strengths.

Not long after the deal was sealed, it became clear that wasn't the case. The brothers argued constantly, creating turf battles among employees and problems that undercut the value of the business.

Based on experiences like this, some Chicago-area private- equity firms turn to consultant Michael O'Malley for a service he calls “emotional due diligence.” Before a new deal or merger kicks off, or after it has gone bad, Mr. O'Malley interviews key employees, considering how they work together and exploring underlying fault lines within the business.

After three or four days of interviews, Mr. O'Malley offers advice to investors on issues such as whether the chief operating officer they've tagged is the best fit, or which employees help set the tone for the firm. Sometimes, he makes small suggestions, such as holding on to a well-liked office manager who keeps everyone on track. Other possibilities: The management team needs to be closely monitored or the investors have to be more involved than expected after the launch.

“It's a solution to my client's question: In what way will these relationships put our investment at risk? Or in what way will they put our investment to work?” says Mr. O'Malley, 53.

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110507/ISSUE02/305079999/emotional-due-diligence-aims-to-tease-out-the-family-conflicts-that-can-undercut-a-companys-value#ixzz1c5dEsx2V
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