Get investment bankers who are really committed to the company. Choose bankers who have longevity. Take control of the process. Don't abdicate to bankers, lawyers or the board.
Lawyers are critical to the process.
Your accounting firm should understand how the process works. Don't move ahead unless the IPO team within the company is in place. The CEO should be involved from the beginning. Don't get greedy when arm-wrestling with your bankers over the stock price, but do go as high as you can. This question was asked of attendees at FEI's recent Current Financial Reporting Issues Conference.