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M&A Science

M&A Science, hosted by Kison Patel (Founder & CEO of DealRoom), is your go-to podcast for mastering the art of mergers and acquisitions. Each week, Kison and his expert guests from leading brands like Xerox, FastLap, and Cisco dig deep into real-world M&A strategies, offering actionable insights to optimize your M&A practice. Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to the field, M&A Science provides practical advice on key topics like sourcing, due diligence, integration, divestitures, and more. With over 300 episodes, this podcast is the premier thought leadership resource designed to streamline your deal-making process. Start listening today and visit mascience.com/podcast to access over 300 episodes. Brought to you by DealRoom, the leading M&A optimization platform used by the best M&A teams around the world
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Now displaying: December, 2023
Dec 25, 2023

Aaron Whiting, Chief of Staff at Crownpeak

Value creation in any acquisition relies heavily on how well the M&A 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? 

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Learn the basics of M&A integration execution, with Aaron Whiting, Chief of Staff at Crownpeak.

You will learn:

  • How to coach a first-time integration leader

  • Getting ready for day one

  • Kickoff meeting strategies

  • Challenges during integration

  • Setting alignment for kickoff meetings

____________________________________________________________________________

This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. 

To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit  www.mascience.com/academy. 

Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at www.dealroom.net.

FirmRoom provides 80% cost savings over VDRs that bill by page and delivers a far better user experience. Sign up in under 2 minutes by going to www.firmroom.com

Episode Bookmark

00:00 Intro
05:09 Coaching an integration lead
06:33 Involving the Integration Lead
12:42 Integration on Day one
17:49 Getting ready for Day one
22:31 M&A teams to pull in for integration
25:41 Kickoff meeting strategies
31:12 Maintaining regular cadence for good progress
35:53 Umbrella track
37:47 How to track integration activities
42:38 Challenges during integration
47:55 Mechanical things that could go wrong during integration
52:59 Setting alignment for kickoff meetings
56:26 What success looks like through stories
01:01:50 How to know when the integration is complete
01:03:42 Advice for first timers
01:07:48 Craziest thing in M&A

Dec 20, 2023

ChatGPT Voice, powered by OpenAI

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. 

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we are introducing our first-ever ChatGPT interview. We are going to learn its insights on AI’s impact on the world of M&A. 

You will learn more about:

  • AI’s role in deal sourcing

  • Streamlining due diligence using AI

  • Future of M&A

  • Limitations of AI

  • ChatGPT’s advice on integrating AI into M&A

____________________________________________________________________________

This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. 

To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit  www.mascience.com/academy. 

Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at www.dealroom.net.

FirmRoom provides 80% cost savings over VDRs that bill by page and delivers a far better user experience. Sign up in under 2 minutes by going to www.firmroom.com

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Intro

03:06 Revolutionizing M&A with AI

03:53 AI’s role in Deal sourcing

08:08 AI’s role in deal valuation process

12:41 Limitations of ChatGPT

14:05 Streamlining due diligence

18:00 AI’s impact on M&A integration

22:10 Case Study: Daimler Chrysler merger

25:15 Case Study: Amazon acquiring Whole Foods

28:14 Future of M&A

30:23 DealRoom

32:40 How to incorporate AI into DealRoom

35:57 Positive business outcomes using DealRoom

37:41 Ethical Considerations Using AI

39:28 Limitations of AI

41:04 Advice on integrating AI into M&A

43:10 Craziest thing in M&A

 

Dec 18, 2023

Dr. Karl-Michael Popp, Senior Director, Corporate Development at SAP (FRA: SAP)

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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Dr. Karl Michael Popp, Senior Director, Corporate Development at SAP, discusses in detail automation in M&A.

Things you will learn:

  • Measuring Strategy during automation

  • Strategic Fit Analysis

  • Identifying Targets

  • Quantifying culture in M&A

  • Impact of new emerging technologies in M&A

____________________________________________________________________________

This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. 

To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit  www.mascience.com/academy. 

Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at www.dealroom.net. 

FirmRoom provides 80% cost savings over VDRs that bill by page and delivers a far better user experience to boot. Sign up in under 2 minutes by going to www.firmroom.com 

Episode Bookmarks

00:00 Intro

07:10 Measuring Strategy

10:00 Structuring Strategies

13:53 Quantifying Metadata

16:24 Breaking it down into details to complete the strategy

18:49 Strategic Fit Analysis

20:06 Identifying Targets

22:40 Cascading of Strategy

25:33 Changing the strategy

27:11 Learning from the target company

31:18 Quantifying culture in M&A

32:47 Impact of new emerging technologies in M&A

34:50 Automation in M&A

39:27 The late evolution of M&A

40:51 Craziest thing in M&A

 

Dec 11, 2023

Anthony Krueger, Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP

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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Anthony Krueger, Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP, debunks this myth and discusses how to execute smaller deals and negotiate key legal provisions.

You will learn:

•The complexities of smaller deals

•Executing earnouts

•Reps and warranties insurance for smaller deals

•Working capital adjustments and its effect on smaller deals

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This episode is sponsored by the  M&A Science Academy. If you’re looking to improve your in-house training, we have corporate training plans provided. Give your team members access to the best-in-class courses, templates, and networking opportunities in the industry. It’s also a great way to show your support for M&A Science.  If you’re interested in learning more about individual or team plans, visit this page.

Episode Bookmarks

00:00 Intro

04:36 Smaller deals vs bigger deals

06:35 Complexities of smaller deals

06:52 Other layers of complexities

10:10 Earnouts

18:03 Reps and warranties

24:08 Fundamental vs General Reps and Warranties

25:35 Indemnities

28:40 Disclosure schedules

32:34 Caps and Baskets

35:52 Carve-out

36:44 Working capital adjustments

40:47 Deferred revenue

42:01 Accrued bonuses and vacations

44:12 Advice to those doing small deals

45:12 Craziest thing in M&A

 

Dec 4, 2023

Rajive Dhar, VP, Head of Corporate Development at NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP)

For first-time acquirers, M&A can be challenging, as it comes with strenuous processes with many complexities that can turn the dream into a nightmare. However, with proper guidance, acquirers can have a smooth transaction and an amicable negotiation. 

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast. We discuss the intricacies of M&A from start to finish with Rajive Dhar, VP, Head of Corporate Development at NetApp, to help us navigate our first deal.

____________________________________________________________________________

This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. 

To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit www.mascience.com/academy. 

Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at www.dealroom.net

FirmRoom provides 80% cost savings over VDRs that bill by page and delivers a far better user experience to boot. Sign up in under 2 minutes by going to www.firmroom.com

Episode Bookmarks

00:00 Intro

05:58 Different types of M&A

09:49 Corporate Strategy for M&A

12:37 Dealing with new customers

14:49 Acquiring competitors 

17:13 Target screening

22:19 Opening up conversations with the target company

23:55 Initial Due Diligence

25:59 Diligence list

30:17 Sunsetting competitors product

33:02 Assessing culture

34:52 Putting an LOI together

39:58 Negotiating deal structure

46:41 Earnouts

55:44 Keeping relationships

1:00:13 Best advice for practitioners

 

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