Todd Henrich, SVP Head of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG)
Today's M&A market conditions are volatile, regulatory scrutiny is high, and the pressure to find value is greater than ever. The risks of entering a deal without a firm understanding of today’s market dynamics have never been more pronounced. How do you ensure your strategic acquisitions stay on course?
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we explore the best practices for executing strategic M&A in today's market with Todd Henrich, SVP Head of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings.
Things you will learn:
• The ripple effects of regulatory overreach on M&A and investment
• Shaping strategy through M&A setbacks
• Using M&A as a tool, not a strategy
• How global regulatory collaboration is impacting M&A activity
• Key targets and red flags when building an investment thesis
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:02 The impact of changing regulations on M&A deals
08:01 The ripple effects of regulatory overreach on M&A and investment
11:40 Shaping strategy through M&A setbacks
12:49 Using M&A as a tool, not a strategy
15:59 How global regulatory collaboration is impacting M&A activity
18:13 Adapting to regulatory rules
19:21 Ensuring strategic alignment and long-term value in M&A
22:49 Sourcing deals
23:38 The Rocketmiles acquisition success story
26:48 Key targets and red flags when building an investment thesis
30:16 The AI hype
31:38 Managing the hidden costs of M&A
36:08 The importance of an integration team in M&A success
37:39 Balancing valuation and integration costs in M&A
39:19 Other reasons deals can go awry
43:39 Key lessons in M&A: Doing deals that matter
46:59 Handling surprises in M&A deals
53:21 The importance of buyer-led M&A processes for long-term success
55:09 Craziest Thing in M&A
Charles Webb, Lead Antitrust Counsel at FedEx (NYSE: FDX)
When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, everyone loves to talk about synergies, growth, and market share. However, these enticing prospects can quickly dim if regulatory compliance risks are overlooked. While not the most glamorous aspect of M&A, compliance forms the bedrock that ensures deals are legally sound and smoothly executed.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Charles Webb, Lead Antitrust Counsel at FedEx, discusses how to manage regulatory compliance risks in M&A.
Things you will learn:
• Different types of regulatory compliance risks in M&A
• Applicability of antitrust framework to companies
• The evolution of antitrust laws
• The importance of avoiding Gun Jumping
• Increased aggressiveness of antitrust regulators
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:40 Different types of regulatory compliance risks in M&A
14:41 Applicability of antitrust framework to companies
20:47 Impact of HSR filing on the deal timeline
22:43 What does the HSR form look like?
24:56 How to land the narrative in a merger
28:25 The Origins of the Sherman Act
29:47 The Magna Carta of Free Enterprise
30:03 Fast forward 1914
30:36 Amendments and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
31:33 The evolution of antitrust laws
33:47 Risks during the waiting period
39:33 The importance of avoiding Gun Jumping
42:22 Best practices for internal communication during a deal
44:01 Understanding deal review risk in advance
46:11 What happens if a deal is rejected?
50:11 Increased aggressiveness of antitrust regulators
51:41 Real consequences for gun jumping
53:05 Balancing integration planning with gun jumping risks
57:43 The key to preparing for regulatory compliance
58:52 Craziest Thing in M&A
Henry Ward, CEO and Co-founder at Carta,
M&A has become a critical tool for companies to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing market. But success in acquisitions now requires more than just speed—it demands a strategic approach that aligns with long-term goals and adapts to industry shifts.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Henry Ward, CEO and Co-founder of Carta, shares his insights on how businesses can refine their M&A strategies to thrive in an evolving corporate landscape.
Things you will learn:
• Building the case for actionability
• How to convince founders to sell
• Valuing high-growth companies
• Bounded vs. unbounded acquisitions
• Balancing disciplined acquisitions with opportunistic ventures
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
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.
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00:00 Intro
06:30 First failed acquisition story
09:13 Lessons learned during early deals
14:06 Building the case for actionability
16:31 Convincing founders to sell
26:06 Valuing high-growth companies
28:26 Bridging valuation gaps
31:48 Acquihires and product tuck-ins
35:39 Bounded vs. unbounded acquisitions
40:40 Lessons from unbounded M&A deals
44:22 Strategic capital allocation
46:33 Evaluating pipelines and allocating resources
48:10 How to make successful Corp Dev team and CEO relationships
50:25 Integration expectations from stakeholders
53:31 Thoughts on international expansion
56:02 Craziest thing in M&A
Camilo Franco, Director of M&A Integration and Operations and Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf (NASDAQ: JAMF)
Too often in M&A, diligence and integration operate in separate lanes. Diligence focuses on uncovering risks, while integration is left scrambling to make everything fit once the ink is dry. It’s a classic case of working in silos, and it’s leaving value on the table. But there's a way to break down those barriers from the start.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf, and Camilo Franco, Director of M&A Integration and Operations, show us how to transform these silos into synergy by aligning diligence and integration from day one.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Implementing a proactive buyer-led M&A strategy
• Synchronizing diligence and integration planning
• The importance of integration-led diligence
• Building and refining the integration thesis
• Collaborating with sellers to shape a seamless integration plan
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
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.
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00:00 Intro
04:46 Implementing a proactive buyer-led M&A strategy
06:21 Synchronizing diligence and integration planning
09:12 The importance of integration-led diligence
10:25 Early integration planning pre-LOI
13:05 Building and refining the integration thesis
15:58 Balancing due diligence and integration
19:10 Building confidence in early integration planning
21:53 Collaborating with sellers to shape a seamless integration plan
24:48 Measuring success from diligence to integration
27:44 Balancing aggressive integration goals with realistic expectations
29:59 Balancing AI hype with core business strategy in M&A pipelines
32:04 Best practices for evaluating intangible factors in an acquisition
33:52 Craziest thing in M&A
Jann Lau, Senior Director, Corporate Development at PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL)
A well-crafted deal thesis is the cornerstone of any successful M&A transaction. It outlines the strategic rationale and anticipated value creation from the acquisition. However, a strong thesis alone isn't enough. To ensure the deal delivers on its promise, it's crucial to rigorously validate its assumptions and projections.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jann Lau, Senior Director of Corporate Development at PayPal, shares key strategies for validating the deal thesis and mitigating risks associated with M&A.
Things you will learn:
• The importance of validating the deal thesis
• The risks of rushing M&A deals without proper alignment
• How to effectively validate a deal thesis
• Who takes the blame in corporate development for a bad deal?
• Other ways to streamline the M&A process
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This episode is sponsored by Spearhead Corp Dev, a leading buy-side advisory firm. Spearhead combines traditional deal origination and advisory with advanced AI to help corporations and mid-market PE firms find and close more off-market deals with certainty. Their approach supercharges proprietary deal flow, providing a greater choice of opportunities. Elevate your deal sourcing by visiting spearheadcorpdev.com.
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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:36 The Yahoo! acquisition
09:27 The importance of validating the deal thesis
13:42 The risks of rushing M&A deals without proper alignment
16:25 How to effectively validate a deal thesis
20:55 Example on how to effectively validate a deal thesis
26:29 Risks of not validating the deal thesis
29:42 Crafting a deal thesis
33:31 Pitching the deal thesis
36:38 Integration as a deal driver
39:47 Who takes the blame in corporate development for a bad deal?
40:53 Key questions to nail down your deal thesis
42:09 Balancing gut instinct and stakeholder buy-in in M&A decisions
44:20 Lessons from deal surprises
46:13 When to walk away from a deal
48:16 Other ways to streamline the M&A process
50:34 Craziest thing in M&A
Gregg Albert, Managing Partner - Corporate Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at Accenture (NYSE: ACN)
Companies are facing immense pressure to stay agile, seize new opportunities, and maintain a competitive advantage in today's rapidly evolving business environment. One key strategy to achieve this is portfolio rebalancing, a critical initiative that helps businesses optimize their asset mix and drive sustainable growth.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Gregg Albert, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy M&A at Accenture, discusses in-depth, what is portolio rebalancing and how it could help your company.
Things you will learn:
• The difference between an opinionated shareholder and an activist investor
• Companies that attract activist investors
• How to approach portfolio rebalancing
• Addressing integration bottlenecks
• The challenges of divestitures in portfolio rebalancing
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This episode is 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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
08:57 The importance of portfolio rebalancing
11:56 The broader scope of portfolio rebalancing
14:56 Evolving perspectives on portfolio rebalancing: activist investors
16:56 The difference between an opinionated shareholder and an activist
19:11 Companies that attract activist investors
21:38 How to approach portfolio rebalancing
26:24 Key stages in M&A transactions
29:38 Addressing integration bottlenecks
32:34 The challenges of divestitures in portfolio rebalancing
35:21 Portfolio rebalancing example
39:57 How influence works in the boardroom
42:21 How to be an activist investor
44:32 Defending against shareholder activism
47:02 Audience Q&A
47:43 Characteristics of companies with a strong M&A muscle
49:31 Challenges faced by companies with a weaker M&A muscle
51:09 The importance of prioritizing capital allocation in M&A
54:40 Portfolio rebalancing in private equity-owned businesses
58:14 Carve-outs in private equity portfolios
1:00:15 Understanding wargaming in strategic planning
1:04:15 Choosing the right advisor for your business needs
1:07:35 Future trends in M&A and portfolio rebalancing
1:09:31 Advice for companies on portfolio management
1:11:46 Craziest thing in M&A
Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar (SHA:601012)
In M&A, it’s not just about the deal—it’s about who’s at the table. In-house and external counsel both play key roles in a deal, bringing unique expertise and advantages. Knowing how to strategically utilize both can help you manage risks, secure favorable terms, and ensure smooth post-deal integration.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar, shares how to play to the strengths of both sides to optimize your M&A approach.
Things you will learn from this episode:
• Balancing in-house and external legal roles
• Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
• Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
• Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
• Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals
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This episode is 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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:15 Balancing in-house and external legal roles
08:59 The intensity of external legal work
10:06 Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
12:56 Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
15:54 Understanding negotiation perspectives
20:56 Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
23:47 Cross-functional collaboration in risk mitigation
28:19 Assessing law firm culture
29:34 Best and worst-case scenario of M&A deals
36:15 Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals
39:36 Building relationships with legal counsel for future M&A deals
42:57 Managing diligence: pre-term sheet vs. post-term sheet
45:45 Identifying red flags before signing the LOI
48:27 Collaborating with internal stakeholders pre-LOI vs post-LOI
54:46 The Impact of AI on the legal profession
58:29 Craziest thing in M&A
Kevin Lynch, CEO and Board Member at Optiv
Beyond the boardroom battles and billion-dollar deals, mergers and acquisitions present a unique set of challenges and opportunities for CEOs. From strategic planning to post-merger integration, it takes essential skills and qualities for CEOs to excel in this high-stakes arena.
In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Kevin Lynch, CEO and Board Member at Optiv, shares his invaluable insights on the role of a CEO and what it takes to lead a company through successful M&A endeavors.
Things you will learn from this episode:
• Balancing market share and capability in M&A decisions
• Crafting a strategic integration thesis
• When to communicate your vision for the acquisition
• The isolation of the CEO role
• Driving speed and growth with battle rhythm and clear expectations
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Experience the M&A event of the year and gain actionable insights to scale your M&A practice. Register now for the Fall M&A Science Fair here.
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:26 Defining the CEO’s role in M&A
09:49 Shaping the M&A strategy
14:26 Balancing market share and capability in M&A decisions
16:13 Navigating imperfect M&A fits
19:42 Crafting a strategic integration thesis
22:18 When to communicate your vision for the acquisition
28:01 The fundamentals of capital allocation
33:59 Managing complexities in leadership
36:47 Communicating the capital allocation approach
40:41 The isolation of the CEO role
43:10 Fostering cultural fit and addressing cultural concerns
48:04 Evaluating culture during executive conversations
51:39 Convincing companies to sell
1:00:08 Driving speed and growth with battle rhythm and clear expectations
1:03:43 Challenges and best practices in M&A
1:11:28 Craziest Thing in M&A
Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity
M&A isn't just about signing a deal and popping the champagne. Every CEO knows the entire process is a minefield of cultural clashes, integration headaches, and occasional unexpected challenges that could blow up your strategy. But while M&A can be a high-stakes game, it’s also one that can be mastered with the right playbook.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we’re diving into key strategies CEOs should consider to ensure M&A success, featuring Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• The CEO’s approach to M&A integration
• Key considerations in sourcing deals
• Best practices for managing large-scale acquisitions
• The impact of market timing on acquisition strategy
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Experience the M&A event of the year and gain actionable insights to scale your M&A practice. Register now for the Fall M&A Science Fair here.
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:06 Exploring high-impact M&A deals
05:33 Shaping the M&A strategy
07:16 Expanding and innovating through acquisitions
11:18 The CEO’s approach to M&A integration
20:08 Key considerations in sourcing deals
25:25 Cultivating cultural alignment
29:42 Convincing companies to do an M&A deal
36:51 Maintaining key relationships
38:36 Best practices for managing large-scale acquisitions
40:38 Strategic considerations for a global expansion
41:37 The right timing for announcing deals
43:35 The impact of market timing on acquisition strategy
44:53 Advice for CEOs on preparing for a successful IPO post-acquisition
46:47 Craziest thing in M&A
Jerome Combes-Knoke, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Dotmatics (Insight Partners)
Strategic focus is a prerequisite to strong corporate performance. Yet, without proactive efforts to maintain focus, companies can “drift” and become weighed down by misaligned business units.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jerome Combes-Knoke, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Dotmatics (a portfolio company of Insight Partners), shares his broad M&A experience and presents his approach to portfolio strategy and rebalancing through divestitures.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• Strategic focus on acquisitions, using Dotmatics’ approach.
• Portfolio rebalancing and its challenges
• Evaluating divestiture candidates
• Building internal alignment for divestitures
• Best practices for managing key risks
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Experience the M&A event of the year and gain actionable insights to scale your M&A practice. Register now for the Fall M&A Science Fair here.
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:17 Approaching deals in a software-oriented environment
10:11 Preserving brand integrity in M&A go-to-market strategies
12:43 Approaching valuation
15:16 Strategic pitch for acquisitions
20:41 Portfolio rebalancing and its challenges
25:25 When and how to rebalance a company’s portfolio
27:29 Getting buy-in and alignment from the board and key stakeholders
33:24 Key factors in considering divestitures
36:26 Executing a divestiture for portfolio rebalancing
39:09 Best practices in executing divestitures
43:12 Divestiture success metrics
46:29 Example of portfolio rebalancing and its challenges
53:20 Craziest thing in M&A
Court Carruthers, President and CEO at TricorBraun
Cultural integration is the often overlooked key to long-term M&A success. It's about creating a shared identity, values, and purpose that unites employees from different backgrounds. When done right, it can transform a merger from a transactional event into a strategic partnership.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Court Carruthers, President and CEO at TricorBraun, shares his insights on how to successfully integrate two cultures and build a stronger, unified organization.
Things you will learn in the episode:
• The importance of cultural integration in M&A
• The role of culture in M&A and business strategy
• Approaching cultural diligence
• Identifying culture fit in an auction
• Best practices for M&A integration
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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:53 The importance of cultural integration in M&A
05:18 Academic research on cultural integration in M&A
07:32 The role of culture in M&A and business strategy
09:04 A unique M&A strategy focused on family businesses
10:23 Integration strategies for acquired businesses
14:04 Building relationships and structuring deals for long-term success
16:36 Approaching cultural diligence
18:16 Identifying culture fit in an auction
21:46 Assessing cultural fit in M&A
24:20 Walking away from a deal due to cultural differences
26:34 Red flags in cultural fit between LOI and closing
33:05 Building an organization for successful acquisitions
35:19 The importance of seamless handoffs
38:13 Keeping stakeholders comfortable during transitions
40:57 The biggest challenge in dealing with culture
43:02 Best practices for M&A integration
46:25 Working with private equity partners for long-term growth
48:54 Good vs. bad partnerships with PE Firms
50:34 Advice for corporate development practitioners
54:48 Why culture in M&A is important
55:32 Craziest thing in M&A
Thomas Le, Vice President, Corporate Development at Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD)
The M&A landscape is constantly evolving, making it difficult to predict future trends and identify new opportunities. How can companies maintain a competitive advantage? In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Thomas Le, Vice President of Corporate Development at Ziff Davis, Inc., shares his VC-backed strategies for unlocking new M&A strategies.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• Strategic networking for building a pipeline
• The Reverse Coverage method for building a pipeline
• How to craft effective cold outreach emails
• Integrating the Mosaic theory into M&A strategy
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This episode of the M&A Science Podcast is brought to you by Insight.
In today’s rapidly evolving business world, staying ahead means embracing change and leveraging technology to not just meet but exceed your strategic goals. That’s where Insight comes in.
Insight is a comprehensive solutions integrator that helps organizations transform technology, operations, and service delivery to future-proof the business and innovate.
With a client-focused approach to delivery, they combine the power of people and technology to turn the biggest challenges into opportunities.
Learn more at insight.com/leave-legacy.
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This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:40 Venture capital experience in M&A
13:18 Strategic networking for building a pipeline
18:31 Making an effective initial outreach
19:21 How to craft effective cold outreach emails
23:24 Assessing product market fit
29:01 Strategic thinking and culture fit
32:41 Unlocking new M&A strategies
36:02 Leveraging bankers in M&A deals
38:07 Applying the Mosaic theory to M&A due diligence
47:31 Embedding M&A into corporate culture
48:50 Transitioning from public equities and venture capital to M&A
1:07:04 Craziest thing in M&A
Karen Williams, Vice President of Corporate Development at Progress
Achieving exponential growth through M&A requires more than signing agreements. It’s about balancing cultures, systems, and people. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Karen Williams, Vice President of Corporate Development at Progress, provides a roadmap for a balanced M&A integration.
Things you will also learn from this episode:
• Side effects of a forceful integration
• Information crucial to Integration planning
• Measuring integration success
• Biggest challenges when executing an integration
• What is vendor rationalization?
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This episode of the M&A Science Podcast is brought to you by Insight.
In today’s rapidly evolving business world, staying ahead means embracing change and leveraging technology to not just meet but exceed your strategic goals. That’s where Insight comes in.
Insight is a comprehensive solutions integrator that helps organizations transform technology, operations, and service delivery to future-proof the business and innovate.
With a client-focused approach to delivery, they combine the power of people and technology to turn the biggest challenges into opportunities.
Learn more at insight.com/leave-legacy.
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This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
08:07 Importance of balanced integration
09:41 Side effects of a forceful integration
13:16 When to involve the integration lead
17:12 Information crucial to Integration planning
20:06 Integration lead’s role during diligence
21:35 Balancing integration execution
26:27 Working with the seller
29:22 Realization versus timeline
32:42 What makes integration successful
35:42 Tips for effective communication
41:49 Creating and refining M&A Playbooks
43:18 Ensuring a positive employee experience
52:32 Measuring integration success
55:26 Biggest challenges when executing an integration
58:09 What is vendor rationalization
1:01:21 Craziest thing in M&A
Successful M&A is more than just closing deals. To drive growth and achieve strategic goals, companies must have a deep understanding of the process and a clear strategy. Strategic acquisitions are key to unlocking growth, innovation, and market expansion.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Fred Heller, VP of Nuance, Corporate Development and Integration at Microsoft, shares his experience on how to transform a company through strategic acquisitions.
Things you will also learn from this episode:
• Doing transformative deals as a public company
• Saving money on deals
• The hardest thing to negotiate in a strategic deal
• Transformative AI acquisitions
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This episode of the M&A Science Podcast is brought to you by Insight.
In today’s rapidly evolving business world, staying ahead means embracing change and leveraging technology to not just meet but exceed your strategic goals. That’s where Insight comes in.
Insight is a comprehensive solutions integrator that helps organizations transform technology, operations, and service delivery to future-proof the business and innovate.
With a client-focused approach to delivery, they combine the power of people and technology to turn the biggest challenges into opportunities.
Learn more at insight.com/leave-legacy.
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This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:55 Business transformation through acquisition
11:51 Strategy behind the transformation
14:49 Doing transformative deals as a public company
17:53 Changes in market position
23:04 Divestitures
25:46 M&A experience
29:49 Knowledge vs Intuition
31:29 Importance of relationships in M&A
34:25 Saving money on deals
37:20 The hardest thing to negotiate in a strategic deal
44:02 Bad M&A story
48:04 Microsoft deal
52:59 Transformative AI acquisitions
57:04 Challenges during transformation period
58:13 Craziest Thing in M&A
Tom Hearn, VP, Architecture at Insight
In the world of M&A, understanding and managing technical debt is crucial for seamless technology integration.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, 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.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• Technology Integration
• AI and machine learning
• ERP migration
• Synergy assumptions
• Working with Insight
******************
This episode of the M&A Science Podcast is brought to you by Insight.
In today’s rapidly evolving business world, staying ahead means embracing change and leveraging technology to not just meet but exceed your strategic goals. That’s where Insight comes in.
Insight is a comprehensive solutions integrator that helps organizations transform technology, operations, and service delivery to future-proof the business and innovate.
With a client-focused approach to delivery, they combine the power of people and technology to turn the biggest challenges into opportunities.
Learn more at insight.com/leave-legacy.
*******************
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:06 Approaching technical and security integration
10:54 Technology Integration
17:17 AI and machine learning
21:00 ERP migration
25:19 Synergy assumptions
35:25 Working with Insight
37:00 Due diligence
40:05 Managing costs
46:29 Return on investment
49:18 Craziest Thing in M&A
Pablo von Siebenthal, Global Head of M&A at Swissport
The global landscape offers exciting growth opportunities that make business expansion a strategic move. M&A can be a powerful tool for this, but global deals often come with cultural complexities and regulatory intricacies that require a strategic approach.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Pablo von Siebenthal, Global Head of M&A at Swissport, talks about how to handle global M&A.
Things you will also learn from this episode:
• Challenges of executing global deals
• Managing cultural differences in global M&A
• Overcoming cultural misunderstandings
• Playbook - Building cross-cultural relationships
• How to manage coordination between work streams
Join the M&A Science 2 Million Downloads Virtual Meet & Greet here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Gnk1d0
Connect with Kison through email at kison@mascience.com
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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:32 From M&A Advisory to Corporate Development
07:04 Executing M&A in the public environment vs private
08:47 Challenges of executing global M&A deals
13:39 Managing cultural differences in global M&A deals
17:58 Negotiation challenges in the Middle East
20:17 Cultural nuances in Asian M&A deals
26:53 Cultural differences in European M&A
29:58 Handling internal cultural differences
32:13 Negotiating cross-border M&A deals
33:17 Overcoming cultural misunderstandings
37:11 Building global relationships for pipeline
45:59 Other tips for building cross-cultural relationships
48:38 How to manage coordination between global work streams
52:52 Keeping M&A teams aligned on priorities
57:37 Crafting irresistible offers in M&A deals
59:16 Craziest thing in M&A
Wolfgang Schenk, VP of M&A at Belden
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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Wolfgang Schenk, VP of M&A at Belden, discusses the art of executing programmatic M&A to increase chances of M&A success.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• Benefits of programmatic M&A
• Required team for programmatic M&A
• Collaborating with the M&A team
• Transitioning to programmatic M&A
• Achieving team alignment
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:57 Programmatic M&A
10:32 Benefits of programmatic M&A
12:39 Formulating the strategy
15:32 Challenging the strategy
16:24 Required team for programmatic M&A
18:37 Collaborating with the M&A team
24:02 Transitioning to programmatic M&A
26:08 Achieving team alignment
28:23 Success metrics in programmatic M&A
31:32 Pitching deals to executive
32:23 The hardest part of doing programmatic M&A
33:18 AI in M&A
40:45 Craziest thing in M&A
Tobias Gwisdalla, Head of Group M&A at GEA Group (G1A:FRA)
Transformative M&A is becoming increasingly critical in today's business landscape, especially for industries facing significant regulatory and market pressures.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we will discuss how to execute transformative M&A to change business models, featuring Tobias Gwisdalla, Head of Group M&A at GEA Group.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• Transformative M&A
• Employee unions
• Biggest challenges in transformative M&A
• Success metrics
• Transforming business models
This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:20 Transformative M&A
05:00 Governance
05:52 A story of a transformative deal
11:38 Employee unions - germany per history
17:36 Supervisory board
20:35 Biggest challenges in transformative M&A
25:59 Success metrics
28:50 Internal rate of return
35:05 Complexities of deals in Germany
40:48 Transforming business models
43:06 Promoting change as a shareholder
45:01 Craziest thing in M&A
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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, 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.
Things you will learn:
• How dealmaking is different in Germany
• Structuring Deals in Germany
• Letter of Intent in Germany
• Prioritizations during deals in Germany
• Regulatory issues in Germany
This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:49 How dealmaking is different in Germany
05:48 Private Equity Emerging in Germany
07:47 Structuring Deals in Germany
16:33 Letter of Intent in Germany
22:11 Prioritizations during deals in Germany
24:59 Transparency in Germany
26:17 Regulatory issues in Germany
28:17 Laying off people in Germany
30:15 Biggest risk when doing deals in Germany
32:43 M&A culture in Germany
35:00 Dealing with people from Germany
37:28 M&A process in Germany
39:18 Craziest thing 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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, 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.
Things you will learn:
• Retrieval augmented generation
• Large language models
• Discriminative vs Generative AI
• Fine-tuning
• Agents
This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom.
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 https://firmroom.com
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:07 Making AI practical
04:36 Retrieval augmented generation
10:07 Large language models
13:15 Discriminative vs. Generative AI
16:37 Fine tuning
22:14 Agents
28:46 Real-life use cases of AI
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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we will discuss how to source deals in the tech space with Steve Lucas, CEO of Boomi.
Things you will learn:
• Approach on strategy
• Acquiring capabilities
• Deal sourcing in M&A
• Building relationships
• Negotiations during M&A
This episode is sponsored by DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
10:16 Boomi’s approach on strategy
16:32 Acquiring capabilities
18:55 Deal sourcing in M&A
22:12 Building relationships
25:45 Convincing someone to sell their business
30:51 Example of pitch
32:31 Negotiations during M&A
36:08 Tips on negotiating
38:45 M&A at Boomi
41:43 Making integration successful
47:26 AI in M&A
52:44 Boomi’s future
45:26 Craziest thing in M&A
Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital.
Here at M&A Science, our goal is to bring you the best and most effective techniques to improve your M&A 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.
Things you will learn:
Alignment in the shared vision of the end-state
Cultural alignment
Reverse Diligence
Continuous learning and improvement
Empathetic leadership
This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom.
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 https://firmroom.com
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
05:58 Alignment in the shared vision of the end-state
10:51 Cultural alignment
15:03 Joint Go-to-market planning pre-LOI
20:24 Parallel diligence and integration planning
24:33 Reverse Diligence
27:13 Communication strategy with stakeholders
32:37 Continuous learning and improvement
35:16 Anticipate functional challenges
39:52 Empathetic leadership
44:47 Proper preparation
47:56 Craziest thing in M&A
Jeremy Segal, Executive Vice President Corporate Development at Progress (NASDAQ: PRGS)
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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jeremy Segal, Executive Vice President Corporate Development at Progress, shares their strategy on how to close deals in 30 days.
Things you will learn:
• Initial conversations with the target company
• Price negotiations
• Preliminary due diligence list
• Deal specific adjustments
• Confirmatory due diligence
This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
04:16 Initial conversations with the target company
08:56 Price negotiations
12:33 Preliminary due diligence list
17:05 When to ask questions
18:34 People Involved
19:10 Sales and Go-to-Market
21:02 Revenue Synergies
23:43 Customer Journey
24:26 Surprises
27:40 Customer Success
28:46 Financials
32:11 Red flags in people
32:47 Information Technology
34:28 Legal
36:48 Marketing
39:19 Breakdown of COGS
41:30 Benefits Template
42:56 Operating Expenses
43:58 General
44:58 Deal specific adjustments
45:56 Processing the preliminary diligence information
47:11 Confirmatory due diligence
50:40 Craziest thing in M&A
Steven Freidkin, CEO and Founder of Ntiva, Inc. and Christopher Vollmond-Carstens, Chief M&A Officer at Ntiva, Inc.
In a highly fragmented industry, roll-ups are a great growth strategy. But integrating multiple entities can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a proven framework. Ntiva has been successful in its M&A strategy and has completed 15 acquisitions as of today.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, 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.
Things you will learn:
• Creating value using a roll-up strategy
• Evaluating a target company
• Importance of recurring revenue
• Red flags pre-LOI
• Biggest advice for first-timers
This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom.
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 https://dealroom.net
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
08:04 Creating value using roll-up strategy
12:38 Pitching to private equity
18:32 Evaluating a target company
22:30 Importance of recurring revenue
23:35 Customer Concentration
26:42 Challenges of doing roll-ups
30:36 Mismanaging M&A
37:52 Deal Sourcing
43:46 Red flags pre-LOI
46:53 Deal structure on roll-ups
51:52 Biggest advice for first-timers
52:46 Craziest thing in M&A
Kyle Price, Chief of Staff & Corporate Development at Roblox
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 episode of the M&A Science Podcast, 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.
Things you will learn in this episode:
• When to build an M&A function
• Importance of the people side in M&A
• Working with business leaders
• Evolution of corporate development
• Handling biases in the M&A process
This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom.
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 https://firmroom.com
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
04:10 When to build an M&A function
07:40 Challenges of a high-growth company doing M&A
08:45 Lessons learned along the way
10:39 Importance of the people side in M&A
12:57 Integration planning
14:39 Working with business leaders
16:42 Deal sourcing
17:24 Overcoming anti-M&A culture
22:04 Team alignment from functional leads
24:02 M&A surprises
25:59 Setting up new leaders for success
28:07 Evolution of corporate development
33:15 Measuring corporate development activity
34:20 Incentivizing the team
35:03 Handling biases in the M&A process
43:33 Craziest thing in M&A