Interviews with experts
In-House vs. External Legal Insights in M&A
M&A When navigating the complex world of M&A, understanding the roles of in-house and external legal counsel can significantly impact the success of a deal. Each type of counsel brings unique strengths to the table, and knowing how to leverage both can help you mitigate risks, negotiate better terms, and ensure smooth integration post-deal. In this article, Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar, discusses optimizing your M&A practice by effectively utilizing in-house and external legal resources.
The Role of CEO in M&A
Mergers and acquisitions are more than just signing deals and shaking hands. For CEOs, M&A is a test of leadership, strategy, and operational expertise. It's about steering a ship through uncharted waters, where the difference between success and failure often hinges on how effectively the CEO navigates the post-deal integration. Kevin Lynch, CEO and Board Member at Optiv, offers valuable insights into what it takes for a CEO to lead a successful M&A. Here’s what we can learn from his experience.
How to Execute Successful M&A as a CEO
Closing an M&A deal might feel like crossing the finish line, but every CEO knows it’s just the beginning. The journey ahead is filled with potential pitfalls—cultural conflicts, integration struggles, and unexpected obstacles that can threaten your strategic goals. Yet, with the right playbook, these challenges can be turned into opportunities for growth. In this episode article, we uncover the strategies every CEO should know to achieve M&A success, featuring Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity.
Dynamic Portfolio Strategy: Rebalancing Using Divestitures
Many companies find themselves burdened with a portfolio of businesses that no longer align with their strategic goals. By shedding non-core or underperforming assets, businesses can redirect resources towards strategic priorities, improve overall efficiency, and create long-term value for shareholders. In this article, Jerome Combes-Knoke, SVP of Strategy and Corporate Development at Dotmatics, discusses how optimizing your portfolio through divestitures reshapes its growth.
How to Run a Successful Cultural Integration
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are often seen through the lens of financial figures and market share. While these are undoubtedly critical, they're just one piece of the puzzle. Cultural integration is at the heart of M&A. It’s the glue that holds a merged company together, yet it’s one of the most challenging aspects. In this article, Court Carruthers, President and CEO at TricorBraun, discusses how to ensure your cultural integration is a success.
Unlocking New M&A Strategies: Uniting Venture Capital Insights and Public Equities in M&A
The dynamic nature of the M&A market makes it difficult to predict future trends and identify suitable targets. Intense competition for attractive acquisitions further complicates the process. These factors make developing and executing successful M&A strategies more complex. To help demystify this process, Thomas Le, Vice President of Corporate Development at Ziff Davis, offers his venture capital-inspired insights to unlock new M&A strategies in this article.
How to Execute a Balanced M&A Integration
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) hold the promise of exponential growth, but realizing this potential hinges on a delicate balance. Successfully combining two companies requires harmonizing cultures, systems, and people; it's more than just paperwork. In this article, Karen Williams, Vice President of Corporate Development at Progress, discusses how to execute a balanced M&A integration.
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Transforming a Company Through Strategic Acquisitions
Strategic acquisitions can be transformative for companies, enabling growth, innovation, and market expansion. However, successfully navigating the complexities of M&A requires a deep understanding of the process and a clear strategy. In this article, Fred Heller, VP of Nuance, Corporate Development and Integration at Microsoft, shares his experience on how to transform a company through strategic acquisitions.
Uncovering Technical Debt For Better Technology Integration
In the world of M&A, understanding and managing technical debt is crucial for seamless technology integration. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of technical debt, its impact on IT infrastructure, and strategies for better integration with Tom Hearn, VP, Architecture at Insight.
How to Handle Global M&A
Executing global M&A deals presents unique and rewarding challenges. Success in these ventures requires a deep understanding of the cultural, economic, and political contexts of the target market. So, how can one address these deals strategically? In this article, Pablo von Siebenthal, Global Head of M&A at Swissport, talks about how to handle global M&A.
The Art of Executing Programmatic M&A
Opportunistic M&A can lead to bad acquisitions that don’t align with the company’s overall strategic goals. This creates a disjointed portfolio and integration challenges that could cause massive value leaks. In this article, Wolfgang Schenk, VP of M&A at Belden, discusses the art of executing programmatic M&A to increase the chances of M&A success.
Executing Transformative M&A to Change Business Models
Transformative M&A is becoming increasingly critical in today's business landscape, especially for industries facing significant regulatory and market pressures. In this article, we will discuss how to execute transformative M&A to change business models, featuring Tobias Gwisdalla, Head of Group M&A at GEA Group.
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How to Do M&A Deals in Germany
M&A processes can vary from country to country, making cross-border deals extremely challenging. Understanding the cultural differences is crucial for a smooth transaction. In this article, we focus on how to do M&A deals in Germany, featuring Frank Tepper-Sawicki, Partner, Corporate M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital at Dentons.
How to Make AI Practical in M&A
Artificial Intelligence has taken the world by storm, and there seems to be no way of stopping it. Every industry in the world has adopted AI, and M&A is no different. The integration of AI is revolutionizing how deals are sourced, evaluated, and executed. In short, AI is becoming an indispensable tool for M&A professionals. In this article, we discuss how to make AI practical in M&A featuring two AI specialists; Michael Bachman, Head of Research, Architecture, and AI Strategy at Boomi, Chris Cappetta, Principal Solutions Architect, at Boomi.
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M&A Deal Sourcing in the Tech Space
The technology industry is currently experiencing significant growth, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence. This trend has not only attracted significant investments but has also intensified the competition among tech companies striving to lead the market. This has made the tech space a prime area for M&A. Boomi is one of those companies who have recently made a significant move via acquisitions. In this article, we will discuss how to source deals in the tech space with Steve Lucas, CEO of Boomi.
Top 10 Things That Make M&A Successful
Here at M&A Science, our goal is to bring the best and most effective techniques to M&A practitioners and improve their practice. In light of our 300th podcast episode, we have compiled the top 10 things that make M&A successful, together with Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital.
How to Close Deals in 30 Days
When it comes to M&A, time is of the essence. As a buyer, it’s best to identify whether to pursue the deal or not as soon as possible, to avoid wasting money and time. Also, if the seller is a good target company, procrastinating could lead to more competition. In this article, Jeremy Segal, Executive Vice President Corporate Development at Progress, shares their strategy on how to close deals in 30 days.
Executing the Roll Up Strategy in the Tech Industry
In a highly fragmented industry, roll ups are a great strategy for growth. But integrating multiple entities can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a proven framework. Ntiva has been successful in their M&A strategy, and has completed 15 acquisitions as of today. In this article, Steven Freidkin, CEO and Founder of Ntiva, Inc. and Christopher Vollmond-Carstens, Chief M&A Officer at Ntiva, Inc., share their strategy on how to execute the roll up strategy in the tech industry
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Building Corporate Development Muscle
Creating a dedicated M&A function can be daunting for non-acquisitive companies. It’s a big commitment that could take away valuable time and resources from top level management. However, when done right, corporate development muscle can be built slowly, and organically. In this article, Kyle Price, Chief of Staff & Corporate Development at Roblox, shares his experience on how to start an M&A function slowly and successfully from scratch.
How to Start Executing the Roll Up Strategy in M&A
Roll ups are a great strategy for highly fragmented industries. It allows the platform company to increase its size, capabilities, and market presence through the acquisition and integration of other businesses. However, it can be challenging without a proper framework. In this article, Ivan Golubic, CFO, Corporate Development M&A at FastLap Group, shares his experience on how to start executing roll up strategy in M&A from scratch.
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How to Create an Executable Integration Plan During Due Diligence
Integration planning is one of the most important aspects of M&A pre-close. Planning after the fact will cause massive delays and value leaks for the entire deal. It is why the integration team must be involved during the due diligence phase. In this article, we will talk about how to create an executable integration plan during the diligence, featuring Jim Buckley, former Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions Integration at VMware.
Uncovering Capital Allocation Strategies
Every company must have a strong capital allocation strategy to maximize its potential. Without it, the company may end up missing opportunities and spending money on things that won't help it grow or become more profitable. In this article, Keith Levy, Operating Partner at Sonoma Brands, shares his experience on successful and unsuccessful capital allocation strategies.
Roll Up Strategy in Private Equity
Private equity firms are established for the sole purpose of generating substantial financial returns for its investors. And one of the most effective ways of maximizing investment returns is the roll up strategy. This involves buying small-sized businesses in a highly fragmented industry and combining them into a larger platform. The goal is to improve efficiency and be sold later for a higher price. In this article, we will discuss roll up strategy in private equity with Gerry Williams, Partner at DLA Piper US LLP.
Corporate Diversification Through M&A
In a world where change is the only constant, businesses are continually seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve. One such method that has gained prominence is the corporate diversification strategy, a multifaceted approach that can lead to new growth avenues and enhanced resilience. In this article, Tyler Rodewald, VP, M&A at EIS Holdings, discusses Corporate diversification through M&A.
Performing Strategic Due Diligence in M&A
Before doing M&A, it is crucial for acquirers to target the right business, in the right market. Otherwise, it could potentially be a costly mistake that would waste the company’s time and money. To prevent this, Andrey Galiuk, Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, shares his expertise on how to perform strategic due diligence in M&A.
How to Stand Up a Venture Capital Arm
In the ever-evolving business world, staying ahead isn't just about what a company does today, but how it prepares for tomorrow. This is where a venture capital arm comes into play. It is a specialized division within a larger company that focuses on investing in emerging startups and innovative projects. In this article, George Kellerman, VP, Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota, and Alexander Baum, Corporate Development Lead at Woven by Toyota, share their experience on how to stand up a venture capital arm.
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How to Achieve Strategic Alignment From Top to Bottom
There is an intimate tie between M&A strategy and corporate strategy. To be truly effective, acquisitions must directly support the overarching goal of the company. But beyond that, there needs to be a strategic alignment with everyone involved. In this article, Camilo Franco, Director, M&A Integration and Operations at Jamf, shares their secrets on how to achieve strategic alignment from top to bottom.
Performing Cultural Due Diligence to Better Understand the Target Company
Most of the biggest M&A failures of all time are caused by culture clashes. Both companies cannot simply co-exist with each other, and instead of creating more value, they destroyed both of their businesses. This is why cultural due diligence is crucial in M&A. In this article, Ken Bond, Head of Corporate Development at Cetera Financial Group, shares his expertise on how to perform cultural due diligence to better understand the target company.
Strategic Alignment Between M&A and Corporate Strategy
Engaging in M&A activities just for the sake of doing them is one of the biggest reasons for failed deals. Without a well-defined purpose, these transactions can distract the business and waste massive amounts of resources. In this article, Baljit Singh, Corporate Development Leader, discusses the importance of strategic alignment between M&A and corporate strategy.
Overcoming M&A Challenges
Problems don’t usually surface at the early stages because it's the honeymoon phase. Both the buyer and the seller would like to see the deal happen, so they work together to build momentum. And often that means postponing dealing with some of the more difficult and contentious issues. However, these M&A challenges are inevitable and will arise as the deal progresses. In this article, Douglas Barnard, former Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Legal Advisor at CF Industries, discusses effective strategies to overcome M&A challenges.
How Business Cycles Affect M&A Valuation
M&A valuation isn’t just about looking at the numbers. There are a lot of different factors that affect and contribute to the volatility of the M&A market. In this article, Allan Marks, Global Project, Energy & Infrastructure Partner at Milbank, discusses how business cycles affect M&A valuation.
Validating the Acquisition Plan
When executing M&A, having a structured approach to validating the acquisition plan is crucial. The worst thing any acquirer can do is to buy a business that doesn’t bring value to the parent company. Adam Harris, CEO of Cloudbeds, shared his insights on the M&A Science Podcast, outlining a meticulous 6-step process his company uses. Here’s a breakdown of these steps to help professionals streamline their M&A strategy.
Mastering M&A Integrations
A lot of times, M&A integration is considered only after closing the deal. It is often treated as an afterthought, and this approach is where many deal failures stem from. If we want to improve our M&A process and get better results from deals, we have to start updating our practices to the most efficient way of doing things. In this article, Seema Nimmagadda, Head of M&A Integration for North America at Woven by Toyota, discusses how to master M&A integration.
Using M&A Best Practices to Get Better Deals
In a highly competitive market, speed is crucial for companies wanting to do M&A. Especially with all the economic and market changes that’s happening, professionals must use M&A best practices to get better deals. In this article, Brent Baxter, Chief Executive Officer at Association for Corporate Growth, and Jeff Giles, VP, Corporate Development at Core & Main, share their strategies and experiences when executing successful M&A.
Connecting Diligence and Integration in M&A
It's common to see due diligence and integration as separate stages in M&A, but combining them can make the M&A process much smoother and more effective. But how exactly can we weave these two critical phases together effectively? In this article, Amy M Weck, VP, M&A and integrations at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, offers practical strategies in connecting diligence and integration in M&A for optimal outcomes.
How to Bridge Valuation Gaps in M&A
In M&A, it’s very common for buyers and sellers to disagree on the value of the business. If both parties cannot agree on the price, the deal could fall apart. However there are certain strategies and tools that both parties can use to compromise and be happy during closing. In this article, John Blair, Partner M&A Attorney at K&L Gates, shares best practices on how to bridge valuation gaps in M&A.
Transforming Existing Staff into M&A Experts
In the dynamic world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), creating an effective team is crucial for success. This process can be complex and demanding, but also immensely rewarding. After all, having an internal team means having the capability of acquiring companies in the future, rather than treating M&A as one-time events. In this article, Birgitta Elfversson, Non-Executive Director at Netlight, shares her experience in transforming existing staff into M&A experts.
Negotiating Cross Border M&A
Navigating cross border M&A is one of the most challenging tasks for deal makers. There are a lot of intricacies involved that are unique to each country, and must be handled delicately. In this article, Jake Lin, Head of Corporate Development at Xendit, shares his best practices when executing cross border M&A, particularly in South East Asia.
Achieving Business Growth Through Strategic M&A
In today’s competitive global market, organizations need to leverage every tool in their arsenal to stay ahead of the curve. One of the best ways to do this is strategic M&A. With the right approach, M&A can drive significant growth, unlock fresh opportunities, and expedite the achievement of strategic business goals. In this article, Yoav Zeif, CEO at Stratasys, shares his experience on achieving business growth through strategic M&A.
The Challenges of Sell-side M&A
Every owner loves their business. This makes selling their company even harder than it already is. But aside from the emotional turmoil that founders go through every exit, there are also a lot of intricacies included in the process. In this article, Russ Heddleston, Co-founder & former CEO of DocSend, discusses the challenges of sell-side M&A and how to navigate them.
Pros and Cons for a Growth Company to Take PE Capital
Partnering with PE firms is a great way to exponentially grow a business and reach new heights. However, there are considerations that must be taken into account, before taking PE capital. Fully understanding them will increase chances of success, in the attempt to unlock the full potential of the business. In this article, Jason Mironov, Managing Director at TA Associates, discusses the pros and cons of taking PE capital.
How to Sell a Small Business Without a Broker
When times are good, big companies tend to ignore their smaller business units, as they operate smoothly on their own. It is only when the economy gets tough that these little businesses get more attention, and often seen as off-strategy or a distraction. That's when the company's leaders decide it's time to sell them, which is not ideal, as the business is no longer in their prime, making it harder to sell. But despite all these, Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital, joins us to share his best practices of selling a small business unit.
How to Create a Positive Sell Side M&A Experience
Selling your business is never easy. Aside from the emotional stress that it provides, it can also be detrimental to the business if it's sold to the wrong company. Oftentimes, during the process, it can also serve as a massive distraction to the operations, harming the business in the process. In this article, we will discuss how to create a positive sell side M&A experience with Swapnil Shinde, CEO at Zeni.
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Realizing Revenue Synergies in M&A
Revenue synergies are often the reason for companies doing acquisitions. However, unlike cost synergies that happen instantly, they are more difficult to achieve and often go unrealized. One of the biggest problems in M&A is that when a company pursues a deal, different departments have varying perspectives on what's essential. This results in massive value leaks in the deal rationale. In this article, Chris Von Bogdandy, Global Lead M&A Solutions at Slalom, discusses his framework for realizing revenue synergies in M&A.
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Focusing on ESG in M&A
While ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a fairly new term, it represents a range of critical issues and priorities that companies have long considered. And despite common beliefs, it doesn’t just apply to non-profit organizations. ESG elements are essential for risk management and maintaining company value even for for-profit organizations. In this article, we will discuss focusing on ESG in M&A, featuring Casey Nault, SVP, General Counsel, and Chief ESG Officer at Coeur Mining, Inc.
M&A Best Practices
M&A is a never-ending web of complexities and challenges. While the potential for growth and transformation is promising, the chances of failure are extremely high. To increase chances of success, acquirers must learn how to be adaptable and work with the target company for alignment. In this article, Brock Blake, Co-Founder and CEO of Lendio, shares his techniques on M&A best practices.
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The Basics of M&A Integration Execution
Value creation in any acquisition relies heavily on how well the integration goes. By focusing on integration, buyers can increase their chances of success in obtaining and realizing their intended synergies. But how well can it go if the company’s integration lead is a first-timer? Learn the basics of M&A integration execution, as Aaron Whiting, Chief of Staff at Crownpeak, explains how to train a first-time M&A integration lead.
ChatGPT Interview: AI's Impact on M&A
This past year, AI has revolutionized the way we do things, and ChatGPT has been a big part of that. Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT can understand and use language like a human, making it extremely useful in a lot of different areas. And now, we can actually talk to it. This article is based on our first-ever ChatGPT interview. We are going to learn its insights on AI’s impact on the world of M&A.
Automation in M&A
In today's digital era, the pervasive influence of technology is felt in every facet of business, and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are no different. The arrival of innovation and automation will soon make their way to the industry, streamlining processes that could bolster productivity and facilitate smoother post-merger integration. In this article, Dr. Karl Michael Popp, Senior Director, Corporate Development at SAP, discusses automation in M&A.
Executing Smaller Deals and Negotiating Key Legal Provisions
M&A comes in varying sizes. However, there’s a common misconception that smaller deals are easier to execute than larger ones. The truth is, that smaller deals come with their own unique set of challenges that could possibly make them even harder to do. In this article, Anthony Krueger, Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP, debunks this myth and discusses how to execute smaller deals and negotiate key legal provisions.
