Russ Hartz, VP of Corporate Development at Ansys, and Carey Pugh, Director of Corporate Integrations at Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS)
The fastest way to sabotage an M&A deal is to let the deal team and integration team work in silos. Too often, companies nail the transaction only to fumble on execution because the people closing the deal and those delivering the value aren’t aligned.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Russ Hartz, VP of Corporate Development at Ansys, and Carey Pugh, Director of Corporate Integrations at Ansys, unpack how keeping deal and integration teams synchronized can make or break an M&A deal's outcomes.
Things you will learn:
The positive business outcomes of early integration
Managing integration planning milestones
Kickoff meeting structure
Adapting integration approaches to cultural differences
Building a strong partnership between deal and integration teams
*******************
This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
DealRoom AI also sponsors this episode. DealRoom AI accelerates the due diligence process by automating the extraction and analysis of key information from M&A documents, reducing contract analysis time by up to 80%. Trusted by leading M&A practitioners, this tool streamlines reviews, minimizes risk, and saves legal costs significantly. For more details, visit the DealRoom AI page today.
*******************
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:49 Integration planning starts early
07:55 The positive business outcomes of early integration
15:22 Balancing strategy with practicality in early integration planning
21:50 Proactive integration planning
23:58 Managing integration planning milestones
25:11 Kickoff meeting structure
33:07 Adapting integration approaches to cultural differences
30:29 Key factors considered during diligence
44:31 Building a strong partnership between deal and integration teams
46:50 Key traits to look for in an integration partner
49:36 Aligning the deal and integration teams
52:18 Best practices for synchronizing the deal team and integration team
58:52 The power of buyer-led M&A - When you get to the point
1:04:23 Creating a seamless people experience in buyer-led M&A
1:06:43 Craziest thing in M&A
Jason Lippert, CEO of LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII)
M&A integration is notoriously challenging—cultural misalignment, disengaged leaders, and high turnover often derail even the best-laid plans. How do you overcome these obstacles and ensure a seamless integration that drives long-term success?
In this episode, Jason Lippert, CEO of LCI Industries, shares his proven playbook for mastering M&A integration through leadership development and cultural alignment.
Things you will learn:
Correlating culture metrics with financial performance
Investing in leadership development for a stronger frontline
Proactive culture development for new team members
Exploring AI to enhance customer service
Identifying strong leadership during diligence
*******************
This episode is sponsored by S&P Global. S&P Global Market Intelligence has private companies covered. Whether you’re looking for your next investment or M&A target, conducting peer comparisons, assessing counterparty credit risk, or monitoring your supply chain, S&P Capital IQ Pro's extensive private company data can give you the insights you need for a competitive edge. Uncover tangible insights on private companies by visiting spglobal.com/privatecompanydata
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom. Harness the power of Buyer-Led M&A™ with DealRoom's proven framework. Streamline your acquisitions, from sourcing to integration, for smarter, more strategic deal-making that drives growth and value. Visit DealRoom.net to learn more.
*******************
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
07:37 Evolving from seller-led to buyer-led M&A strategies
10:43 Capital allocation and acquisition strategy in a public company
13:08 Defining and measuring company culture through core values
15:56 Culture as a driver of value in M&A integration
19:50 Assessing and transforming culture in M&A pre-LOI
21:45 Leveraging culture as a competitive advantage post-LOI
22:52 Building a playbook for culture and leadership integration
25:25 Fostering personal and professional growth plans for employees
33:23 Measuring success through culture and leadership metrics
37:30 Using culture to build trust and drive post-acquisition success
40:31 Correlating culture metrics with financial performance
42:14 Proactive culture development for new team members
43:53 Identifying strong leadership
Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group
Many M&A deals fail to deliver their promised value due to gaps in deal sourcing, diligence, and integration. Without a clear strategy and the right tools, even the best opportunities can turn into liabilities.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, hear all the expert insights from Adam Coffey, Founding Partner at The Chairman Group, on how to source the right targets, structure deals for sustainability, and integrate acquisitions seamlessly. Get your blueprint for building an empire through strategic M&A.
Things you will learn:
• How to find and close proprietary deals for business growth
• Building relationships and effective outreach strategies
• Structuring deals with financial levers for sustainable growth
• Mastering integration and building M&A expertise through experience
• Strategic exit points and the value of partnering for growth
*******************
This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
DealRoom AI also sponsors this episode. DealRoom AI accelerates the due diligence process by automating the extraction and analysis of key information from M&A documents, reducing contract analysis time by up to 80%. Trusted by leading M&A practitioners, this tool streamlines reviews, minimizes risk, and saves legal costs significantly. For more details, visit the DealRoom AI page today.
*******************
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:13 How to find and close proprietary deals for business growth
10:28 Building relationships and effective outreach strategies
23:14 Structuring deals with financial levers for sustainable growth
28:34 Mastering integration and building M&A expertise through experience
35:01 Strategic exit points and the value of partnering for growth
45:20 How to perform diligence on private equity buyers as a seller
48:23 Craziest thing in M&A
Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group
Scaling a business from good to great often feels like an uphill battle. Organic growth alone can be painfully slow, leaving you far from achieving your dream of building an empire. But how do you supercharge growth without losing control or falling into costly traps? Building an empire takes more than just passion—it requires a clear, strategic playbook.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group, shares his proven framework for transforming businesses into empires, from meticulous buyer-led diligence to flawless integration strategies.
Things you will learn:
• The framework for building a resilient and profitable business empire
• The strategic role of software in scaling M&A operations
• The power of buy and build for exponential business growth
• Building relationships and effective outreach strategies
• Structuring deals with financial levers for sustainable growth
*******************
This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom's BI Reporting tool. DealRoom's BI Reporting tool revolutionizes M&A reporting with real-time, interactive data management. Utilize Looker BI to customize, automate, and export detailed M&A lifecycle reports, enhancing strategic decision-making. For more details, check out the DealRoom BI Reporting page.
*******************
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
08:09 Simplifying business growth and private equity for everyone
11:48 The framework for building a resilient and profitable business empire
19:11 The strategic role of software in scaling M&A operations
24:11 Building a scalable business through smart acquisitions
30:00 The power of buy and build for exponential business growth
39:23 Strategically structuring growth and valuation for maximum exit potential
Art Papas, CEO at Bullhorn
Growth through M&A is about strategy, timing, and bold leadership. The stakes are high, but the rewards are transformative for those who get it right. In this episode, Art Papas, CEO of Bullhorn, shares his journey from tech founder to M&A leader, and how he turned acquisitions into engines of growth.
Things you will learn:
• The role evolution from tech lead to CEO
• The case for buyer-led M&A
• Leveraging customer insights to identify strategic opportunities
• Balancing control and growth with private equity sponsorship
• Building M&A strategies and handling private equity transitions
*******************
This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
*******************
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:29 The role evolution from tech lead to CEO
10:21 Lessons in Discipline and Growth
16:27 The case for buyer-led M&A - We were buyer-led
20:30 Leveraging customer insights to identify strategic opportunities
25:27 Balancing control and growth with private equity sponsorship
31:30 Building M&A strategies and handling private equity transitions
32:31 The right way to integrate acquired businesses
40:22 Ensuring smooth M&A integration through detailed planning
43:48 Integration and risk planning post-LOI
46:07 Best practices for handling overlapping products in M&A
49:53 First M&A deal with Vista
54:14 Evaluating deal timing and product-market fit early
55:32 Staying close to core competencies in M&A
58:55 Expanding internationally with organic growth and M&A
1:00:43 Building relationships in early M&A conversations
1:02:14 Craziest thing in M&A