M&A Science

Jim Ackerman, recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex; Steve Coghlan, Semi-recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex. Every deal is different, which means each and everyone will present unique challenges that teams have to overcome. Especially when dealing with smaller companies. There is no such thing as a perfect deal. However, with the right mindset and approach, deals can still close and bring value to both parties involved. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jim Ackerman, recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex, and Steve Coghlan, former Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex, discuss their experiences on M&A surprises and horror stories. This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to www.firmroom.com Episode Bookmarks 00:00 Intro 05:06 Sourcing deals 08:24 Key things to ask during the first meeting 11:49 How to get exclusivity 15:01 How the governance works 16:41 Due diligence red flags 17:21 Cultural integration 19:46 Working with the board 23:54 Best way to pitch a deal to the board 24:34 Stakeholder management in the board 25:40 Managing M&A surprises 29:30 Good M&A Surprises 34:37 Accounting surprises 36:30 Private deal surprises 40:39 IT surprises 42:33 Surprises between signing and closing 45:38 How to mitigate risks and surprises 46:13 What trap currency is 48:04 Integration surprises 50:40 Mitigating surprises from integration 54:25 Instilling clear and purposeful communication 55:23 Hardest step to do in M&A 56:10 Worst deal ever done 59:11 Best advice 1:00:12 Craziest thing in M&A

Nicole Markowski, Manager and Corporate Development at Wipfli LLP More than the numbers, relationships can make or break a deal. Regardless of the deal rationale, strong, trusting connections between parties can lead to smoother negotiations, clearer communication, and a greater likelihood of mutual satisfaction in the end result. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Nicole Markowski, Manager and Corporate Development at Wipfli LLP, delves into the importance of cultivating positive relationships to drive M&A success. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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 Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 07:04 The importance of relationships in M&A 09:25 Key people to build relationships with 15:55 How to foster and develop relationships 23:03 How to engage with key people 25:27 Approach to build relationships 28:30 People assignment for developing relationships 30:47 Delegating tasks in building relationships 34:22 Key acquired company people to build relationships with 36:31 Handling resistant groups 39:25 People problems and how to address them 45:57 Advice to first-time practitioners 47:45 Craziest thing in M&A

Samuel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at 8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT) In the grand scheme of things, every M&A must make financial sense. Whether it's cutting cost, increasing revenue, or achieving operational efficiencies, it all boils down to the numbers. After all, every company's main goal is to grow and increase profit for its shareholders. It is why the Chief Financial Officers play an integral role in M&A. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we will explore M&A from a CFO's perspective, featuring Samuel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at 8x8. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom and FirmRoom. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 07:55 The Role of CFO 11:39 Risk Management 14:39 Integration aspect 15:54 Alignment on assumptions 18:14 Managing people 19:28 Best integration practices 21:25 Working with the CEO 22:52 Walking away from a deal 27:10 Getting involved in the deal 29:50 Tying the Strategy 33:36 Integration Budgeting 39:43 Working with corporate development 40:54 Advice for first time acquirers 44:04 Craziest thing in M&A

David Barnes, Chief Financial Officer at Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB) Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of strategic ventures. Beyond their traditional financial responsibilities, these financial architects hold the key to unlocking the full potential of mergers and acquisitions. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we explore M&A from a CFO's perspective with David Barnes, Chief Financial Officer at Trimble Inc. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit 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 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 firmroom.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:29 The Role of CFO 05:14 How the CFO's roles differs from the CEO 06:24 Decision-making process and approvals workflow 09:43 Communicating opportunities 11:15 Prioritization 14:18 Balancing the allocation of budgets 16:42 How equity compensation works 18:14 How aligned investment analysts are when evaluating a company 20:08 Forecasting deals 22:53 Priorities when looking at deals 26:49 Balancing priorities when structuring earnouts 28:31 Understanding a company's culture 31:08 Integration from a CFO's perspective 33:49 How the speed of integration impacts value realization 37:05 Biggest lessons learned as a CFO 39:23 How to pitch deals to the CFO 41:38 Craziest thing in M&A

Joe Metzger, Managing Director at 777 Partners Navigating a career shift can be a transformative experience, unlocking new opportunities and challenges. For Joe Metzger, Managing Director at 777 Partners, diving into the world of private equity was an exciting path to explore. It's a chance to grow expertise, collaborate with diverse entities, and embrace strategic growth. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Joe shares his amazing journey shifting from corporate development to private equity. ____________________________________________________________________________ Craving for fresh, actionable M&A insights? Dive into the M&A Science Fall Summit this Nov 8th! Unlock secrets on integration, valuations, talent retention, and more from top M&A minds. It's all the 'how-tos' you need, and it's FREE! Secure your spot at mascience.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:02 Transitioning from Corporate Development to Private Equity 08:59 Corporate Development role vs Private Equity role 12:10 Seeking employment opportunities 16:16 The efficient frontier concept 20:06 Are you happier in private equity than in corporate development? 24:17 How to negotiate employment offers 26:48 Other things to negotiate in employment agreements 30:47 How to land a PE role 33:34 Advice to those considering transitioning between Corp Dev and Private Equity 34:52 How to transition to a PE role from a VC and M&A role 36:03 Craziest thing in M&A

Chris Evans, Experienced M&A Leader | former Head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon and Scott Boyd, Deputy Director, Strategy Implementation at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | former Head of Integration for AWS. (NASDAQ: AMZN) Change management is one of the most crucial aspects of M&A. While integration involves multiple facets, from supply chains to customers, change management is solely focused on the employees. This can make or break a deal, as employee retention is one of the main ingredients to achieving synergies in a timely manner. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Chris Evans, former Head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon and Scott Boyd, former Head of Integration for AWS, discusses integration strategies change management person. particularly the nuisances of change management. ____________________________________________________________________________ Craving for fresh, actionable M&A insights? Dive into the M&A Science Fall Summit this Nov 8th! Unlock secrets on integration, valuations, talent retention, and more from top M&A minds. It's all the 'how-tos' you need, and it's FREE! Secure your spot at MAscience.com! Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:26 Integration Strategy vs Change Management 06:50 Definition of Change Management 09:55 Dedicated Person for Change Management 14:03 Change Management Planning 16:16 Most Effective Approach to Change Management 19:32 Common Challenges during Change Management 24:25 Practical Tips for Change Management 26:49 Hardest Step in M&A 33:38 Craziest Thing in M&A

Chris Evans, Experienced M&A Leader | former head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon and Scott Boyd, Deputy Director, Strategy Implementation at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | former Head of Integration for AWS. (NASDAQ: AMZN) In the complex world of M&A, the difference between a successful deal and a failed one often hinges on integration. Proper integration, driven by a harmonious fusion of strategy and execution, ensures that the merging entities can effectively combine their strengths and navigate potential pitfalls. In this two-part episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we dive deep into the heart of integration strategies and underscores the pivotal role of the integration team during the due diligence process, featuring Chris Evans, ex-Head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon and Scott Boyd, former Head of Integration for AWS. ____________________________________________________________________________ Craving for fresh, actionable M&A insights? Dive into the M&A Science Fall Summit this Nov 8th! Unlock secrets on integration, valuations, talent retention, and more from top M&A minds. It's all the 'how-tos' you need, and it's FREE! Secure your spot at mascience.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:11 Types of Integration Strategies 09:14 Transformative Integration 11:39 Deals Easy to Integrate 13:24 Most difficult thing to Integrate 15:40 Timeline of integration planning 20:26 Benefits of Integration teams running diligence 25:49 Integration Teams' Diligence Execution 28:46 Structuring the M&A Function 34:39 Consistency vs. agility 40:10 Understanding culture pre LOI 44:34 Working with inexperienced business leaders 46:59 Questions to ask pre-LOI as an Integration leader

Roy Schoenberg, President & Co-CEO at Amwell - American Well Corporation (NYSE:AMWL) The healthcare industry is a complex and rigid space where change is often rejected. Any evolution in this sector not only signifies business decisions but also influences the overall quality and accessibility of patient care. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Roy Schoenberg, President & Co-CEO at Amwell, delves into the intricacies of navigating M&A in the healthcare industry. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:26 Evolving from a medical background to M&A 07:27 What makes the healthcare space distinct 09:36 What drove Amwell to do acquisitions 13:03 Shaping the acquisition strategy 16:59 Amwell's first acquisition 22:29 Integrating the new company 24:50 Retaining key people 28:33 First acquisition lessons learned 31:03 Dealing with transaction surprises 34:03 Approaching deals as one of the main principal 38:01 Deal sourcing 39:49 Managing relationships with the counterparty 41:30 Communication during diligence 43:14 Craziest thing in M&A

Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America (EPA: SGO) and CertainTeed Integration is not just about combining processes and systems. It is about bridging cultures and creating a shared identity. However, integrating two organizations can be complex, especially when it comes to managing major cultural differences. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we explore key strategies for effectively balancing culture during an integration, featuring Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:50 Culture in M&A 09:59 Acquiring a competitor 11:18 Team Alignment 13:24 Understanding culture 15:45 Difficulties of Culture 16:52 Improving decision-making 18:55 Challenges for smaller companies 20:37 Lessons learned from acquisitions 24:58 Establishing strong communication 27:14 Advice on Integration 31:08 Retaining lessons learned 32:49 Ensuring deal value 34:40 Governance and M&A activities 37:20 Success metrics 38:59 Messaging with key investors 40:20 Non-core acquisitions 41:19 Cultural aspect of non-core acquisition 43:02 Craziest thing in M&A

Dr. Irit Yaniv, Founding Partner and CEO at Almeda Ventures (TLV: AMDA) While most investors have a passive role in their portfolio company, some investors are active in shaping and contributing to its success. For venture capitalists, one of the best scenarios is for the portfolio company to be acquired to maximize investment returns. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Dr. Irit Yaniv, Founding Partner and CEO at Almada Ventures, discusses what investors can do when planning and executing the exit. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:26 M&A in the medical device industry 04:49 Minority position during Investment 05:35 When to think about an exit 06:59 Getting involved in the exit 09:57 Working with the CEO 12:03 Keeping track of potential acquisitions 14:34 Finding the right buyer 17:55 Managing exit planning disagreements 20:34 Who controls exit decisions 22:23 Negotiation 25:37 When to engage with a banker 36:51 Advice on planning an exit 38:11 Bad exits 40:29 Other takeaways 42:35 Craziest thing in M&A

Barak Routhenstein, Vice President of Corporate Development at Profile Products The collaboration between a Private Equity (PE) firm and a portfolio company during an acquisition is a powerful partnership. Together, they create a synergistic environment where growth and value thrive. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we will explore insights from Barak Routhenstein, Vice President Corporate Development at Profile Products, on how PE firms can provide invaluable support to portfolio companies during the acquisition process, setting the stage for success and maximizing value creation. ____________________________________________________________________________ Join us on October 5th, 2023, in New York City for the M&A Science Fair 2023. Dive into a transformative M&A experience that not only emphasizes participant-driven topics but also offers an unparalleled opportunity to network with the industry's top minds. You can elevate your M&A practice with actionable insights and top-tier networking. The event is invitation-only to ensure a curated experience. Secure your invite today! Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:57 Changes in the M&A landscape 04:39 Changes in private equity acquisitions 08:14 Go-to-market 10:48 Deal origination 12:19 International deals 14:25 How PE firms look at acquisitions 15:48 Bad cultural fit 18:40 Relationship with PE firms 20:20 Ideal PE-sponsor relationship 21:45 Managing deal sourcing conflicts 22:38 Approval process 24:44 Sustaining support from PE firms 27:08 Reporting structure 29:54 Advice for PE firms in supporting portfolio companies 32:54 Staging productive meetings 35:01 Keys to pitching a deal 38:46 Approaching target company relationships 41:28 Managing underperforming acquired companies 42:18 PE firms buying other PE firms 43:26 Craziest thing in M&A

Glenn Sanford, CEO eXp World Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPI) For high-growth companies, M&A is almost inevitable. If done right, it could speed up growth and open new opportunities for the acquiring entity. However, it's not without challenges, as it can also be destructive and destroy both companies involved. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Glenn Sanford, CEO eXp World Holdings, Inc., discusses the art of M&A, and striking the right balance between integration and autonomy. ____________________________________________________________________________ Join us on October 5th, 2023, in New York City for the M&A Science Fair 2023. Dive into a transformative M&A experience that not only emphasizes participant-driven topics but also offers an unparalleled opportunity to network with the industry's top minds. You can elevate your M&A practice with actionable insights and top-tier networking. The event is invitation-only to ensure a curated experience. Secure your invite today! Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:51 EXP's acquisition history 05:31 Reasons behind EXP's acquisitions 10:12 Acquiring Success Magazine 14:22 Factors to consider when looking at potential targets 17:49 Understanding a company's culture 20:13 Reverse merger 24:38 Capital structure evolution 27:05 Managing relationships with the board of directors and shareholders 31:19 Managing integration 36:47 Other lessons and takeaways 39:03 Craziest thing in M&A

Andrew Bilbao, current CFO of Noble Education Acquisition Corp. M&A is a massive undertaking that calls for collaboration among numerous individuals. Ensuring alignment with everyone involved is essential for the success of a deal. Yet, with a variety of opinions and personalities at play, achieving alignment can be quite a challenge. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Andrew Bilbao, CFO of Noble Education Acquisition Corp, shares valuable insights on how to guarantee alignment for deal success, paving the way for a smooth and fruitful M&A process. ____________________________________________________________________________ Join us on October 5th, 2023, in New York City for the M&A Science Fair 2023. Dive into a transformative M&A experience that not only emphasizes participant-driven topics but also offers an unparalleled opportunity to network with the industry's top minds. You can elevate your M&A practice with actionable insights and top-tier networking. The event is invitation-only to ensure a curated experience. Secure your invite today! Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:47 Areas where alignment is important 07:03 Approach to Alignment 11:19 Prioritizing the pipeline 14:11 Identifying an opportunity to LOI 15:56 Target Market Competitiveness 19:50 Evolving from first conversations 20:59 Go/No-go decision 25:47 Bidding process 28:45 Things to not do when dealing with the Board 29:55 Working with functional leads 33:41 Alignment with functional leads 35:53 Keeping alignment to strategy 38:16 The hardest part of achieving alignment 39:10 How do you not fall in love with your deal? 46:41 Craziest thing in M&A

Greg Stein, Vice President, M&A and Strategy at Xerox (NASDAQ: XRX) For public equity analysts, M&A is nothing new. One of their main jobs is to conduct financial analyses of companies and other potential investments. However, M&A execution is another story. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Greg Stein, Vice President of M&A and Ventures at Xerox, shares his experience as a public equity analyst and how his role evolved to executing M&A. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to https://firmroom.com/ Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:42 From public equity analyst to doing deals 07:32 Executing M&A against the strategy 10:49 Assessing M&A processes of companies 13:58 Trends between announcement of a deal and stock price 15:50 Transition from PE analyst role into corp dev 17:48 How to evaluate a business 19:26 Walking away from a deal 21:11 Integration aspects 24:09 Potential pitfalls in a deal 25:25 Prioritizing diligence 26:54 Guiding principles 28:08 Deal timeline and who gets involved 30:52 People overlap 32:25 Preliminary diligence as a Public Equity Analyst 35:59 Tips for negotiations 38:09 Advice for people transitioning from public equity role to M&A 40:10 Craziest thing in M&A

Clifford Felig, Partner at Meitar | Law Offices. International business transactions often present unique challenges that are vastly different from local ones. The complexity increases exponentially when these transactions involve mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Clifford Felig, Partner at Meitar Law Offices, discusses the challenges of cross-border deals, particularly in Isreal, where he had most of his experiences. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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. Our academy was designed to lead practitioners with the outdo with the M&A practices. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:44 Finding an attorney for cross-border deals 08:01 Challenges of cross-border deals 14:55 Being mindful of the time difference 16:21 Key differences in local laws 19:18 Nature of deals in Isreal 21:40 Mitigating Risks 25:19 Differences in Negotiations 28:10 Difference in presenting LOI 29:56 Key differences in price negotiations 33:33 The American stereotype 36:59 Indemnification issues 39:40 Confidentiality 43:20 Differences in diligence 46:43 The importance of an attorney's experience 48:09 Negotiating legal fees 52:22 Integrating Cross-Border Deals 53:32 Signs of a bad counsel

Lesley Adamo, Vice Chair of the Tax Group at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, The intricacies of tax considerations in a merger or acquisition (M&A) transaction cannot be overstated. These considerations play a crucial role in shaping the overall economics and structure of the deal and can significantly impact the outcome for all parties involved. With expert tax planning and structuring, it is possible to mitigate the tax burden and maximize the benefits of the transaction. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Lesley Adamo, Vice Chair of the Tax Group at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, delves into the importance of tax considerations in M&A and provides valuable insights on navigating this complex landscape. Things you will learn in this episode: Tax complexities in M&A Buyer's tax considerations Seller's tax considerations Gross-up in negotiations Net-operating losses ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by The M&A Science Fair, the exclusive event for the industry-leading M&A corporate practitioners. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:49 Tax Complexities 07:34 Considering Tax 15:05 Start-up Tax liabilities 18:33 Minimizing Risks 21:42 Stock vs. Asset sale 22:58 Net Operating Losses 27:00 Buyer's Benefits 28:24 Creating a Holding Company 30:00 Equity Compensation 31:33 Efficient Tax Structuring for Sellers 36:59 Negotiations 39:38 Tax Considerations in LOI 43:40 Qualified small business stock 48:59 Relocation for Tax Savings 50:41 Tax considerations during diligence 52:21 Lessons Learned

Juan Guillermo Castaneda, former Senior Advisor to SKG CEO (LSEG: SKG) 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 https://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 Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:13 Difference of M&A in the US vs Latin America 10:14 Mitigating Risks 14:31 Culture 17:54 Deal sourcing 19:41 Approaching companies 21:02 Getting companies interested 22:46 Dealing with Legacies 25:06 Red Flags in deals 29:59 Integration 33:11 Alignment before closing 34:01 Lessons Learned 35:37 Negotiations 36:27 Craziest thing in M&A

Scott Crofton, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Too often, M&A involves a larger entity acquiring a smaller business. Only a few believe that a merger of equal can be possible, especially considering the power struggle between the two companies. However, a merger of equals can be a powerful strategy that could unlock tremendous value and opportunities for growth if done right. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Scott Crofton, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, discusses the path to a successful equal merger. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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. Our academy was designed to lead practitioners with the outdo with the M&A practices. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:27 Mergers of equal 07:05 Managing mergers of equal 09:13 Private deals 12:55 The management team under mergers of equals 14:33 Board of directors composition 16:12 The process of mergers of equals 19:27 Diligence process 20:55 The impact of mergers of equal 23:06 Real-life story of Hostile Bids 25:13 Poison pill defense 28:51 Fairness Analysis 31:31 Litigation 33:18 Pros and Cons of Mergers of Equal 35:06 Time frame of mergers of equal 35:57 Best Advice 36:59 Craziest thing in M&A

Brian Matthews, CEO at ITEL In today's highly competitive business landscape, companies are constantly looking for ways to enhance their capabilities and maintain their edge. With so many competitors in the market, how can a company stand out and reduce customer churn? In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Brian Matthews, CEO at ITEL, discusses his value chain ecosystem approach that can drive stability and growth to businesses. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, 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 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 firmroom.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:20 Value chain ecosystem approach 08:23 Real-life example of a value chain ecosystem 12:05 Emphasis on the exit planning 13:51 Traditional bank exit 16:50 Benefits of an ecosystem approach 18:47 Bringing fresh perspectives 21:56 Ecosystem Playbook 23:58 How to create a value chain ecosystem 30:22 Considering the maturity of partner ecosystems of companies 37:19 Valuation 38:32 Best practices on deal execution 40:14 Transparency rules 42:18 Reading between the lines 43:09 Craziest thing in M&A

Joe Covey, a serial CEO and acquirer, and investor since 1992. Matthew Davidge, the co-owner of the NBC Affiliate WVNC (Watertown, NY) and several other stations around the country. In big companies, some business units may not perform well and might be overlooked. It can be helpful for the company to find a more suitable owner for these units. At the same time, buyers can take advantage of these opportunities to improve the businesses and maximize their potential. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, we will explore the experiences of Josh Covey, a successful CEO, acquirer, and investor, and Matthew Davidge, co-owner of NBC Affiliate WVNC, as they buy and develop these businesses with the goal of exiting in the future. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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. Our academy was designed to lead practitioners to outdo M&A practices. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:43 Buy-side carve-out deals 10:35 Key approach to due diligence 11:52 Unbinding a company 13:51 Why carve-outs are difficult 15:41 Conversations with the right people 19:05 Key things to consider when doing a carve-out 22:58 Walking away from a deal 23:59 Considerations in the carve-out model 26:32 Challenges on the buy-side of carve-outs 27:58 You have to surround yourself 30:21 Evolving the operating model 34:37 The right time to exit 35:55 How working with an investment bank is different 37:48 Bank process vs. Proprietary deals 39:21 Key lessons 40:55 Timing 42:14 Communications 43:34 Alignment on post-close operations 45:27 Advice for first-time sellers 47:57 Negotiation considerations 49:59 Craziest thing in M&A

Andrew Morbitzer, VP/Head of Corporate Development at Typeform There are many different reasons why companies buy other entities. Traditionally, acquirers have focused more on the financial aspect of the target company. However, experience have shown that not all acquisitions are the same, and must be executed properly against their strategy. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Andrew Morbitzer, VP/Head of Corporate Development at Typeform, discusses how to execute product-based acquisitions. ______________________________________________________________________________ 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. Our academy was designed to lead practitioners with the outdo with the M&A practices. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:35 From engineering product to M&A 09:21 Difference of Product based acquisition 16:04 Gauging Product Market fit 22:07 Direct Observation 26:15 Permission from the company 28:21 Overlap analysis during product-based acquisition 31:35 Key elements for deal success 36:16 Agile M&A 37:51 Integrating engineering teams 40:53 Tips for product acquisition 42:41 Integrating competing products 47:00 Craziest thing in M&A

Nate Lemmerman, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at Cast & Crew To perform M&A at the highest level, an ever-evolving M&A function is necessary. Organizations must focus on refining their strategies, processes, and team dynamics to ensure they can effectively navigate the complexities of each deal. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Nate Lemmerman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Cast & Crew, shares his experience and tips on how to build your M&A muscle. ____________________________________________________________________ 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. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:10 Building an M&A function from scratch 09:05 Steps to building an M&A muscle 12:17 The strategy 15:38 Process and execution structure 22:16 Critical things to consider before signing a deal 26:04 Hiring people for the M&A team 28:30 Building the diligence muscle 30:01 People alignment in M&A 32:20 Building the integration muscle 35:39 Best practices when doing deals 37:55 Craziest thing in M&A

Ritika Butani, Head of Corporate Development at Toast This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:22 Secrets to overcoming hurdles 05:51 Challenges in M&A 09:58 Complexities of smaller deals 12:43 Handling people in a smaller company 13:50 Cultural assessment 15:24 Culture ends up killing the deal 17:03 Tax Issues 18:58 HR issues 20:44 Contractual Issues 23:41 Change of control and assignment 25:05 Risks Mitigation 26:58 Finding good lawyers 28:34 Integration planning 30:05 Integration planning vs. hypothesis 32:44 No dedicated integration lead 34:34 Principles of doing deals 37:31 Non-negotiables 39:40 Dealing with issues 41:44 Surprise Issues 44:08 Craziest thing in M&A

Finn Haley, SVP, Corporate Development at Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 08:53 Option structure 14:04 Exit cap 16:11 Drivers for the structure 18:28 Alignment with the strategy 20:35 Monitoring progress and milestones 22:16 Moving fast 24:08 Failed startups 26:16 Risks 30:09 Exercising the option 33:54 Why deals don't push through 38:53 Innovation 40:13 Approaching a company for the buy-to-build option structure 43:20 Craziest thing in M&A

Mark Legaspi, Director, Legal - Corporate at LinkedIn Hello M&A Friends, if you're looking to improve your in-house training, we have corporate training plans provided through M&A Science Academy. Give your team members access to the best in class courses, templates, and networking opportunities in the industry. Our academy was designed to lead practitioners with the outdo with the M&A practices. If you're interested in learning more about individual or team plans, go to www.mascience.com/academy. It's also a great way to show your support for M&A Science. Again, that's mascience.com/academy. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:53 Key Considerations for M&A in 2023 05:22 Regulatory Challenges 09:41 Effect of Regulatory on Negotiations 15:43 Managing Value 17:51 Other Considerations Regarding Regulatory Risks 20:38 Suing the Regulatory Bodies 32:18 Regulatory Effects on Employees 34:08 Other Deal Killers in M&A 38:04 Trademarks Killing Deals 40:30 Market situation with IPs 42:22 Deal Breaks Due to IP 43:48 Advice for Deal Teams 46:39 Craziest thing in M&A

David Hindley, VP of Corp Dev at Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use the code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:00 The Evolution of M&A Functions 06:48 Deal experience as a Banker vs. Corp Dev 15:04 Leading an evolving M&A function 16:13 How the strategy evolved 18:07 Scoring opportunities 19:28 Speeding up the evolution for efficiency 21:31 Working with functional leads 22:29 Aligning the functions 24:10 Business Units 25:08 Corporate Development structure 27:57 Accountability 29:11 Working with integration folks 32:41 Evolution of the governance model 33:56 Success metrics 35:42 Retaining deal learnings 37:04 The hiring process 40:19 Lessons learned 41:26 Craziest thing in M&A

Staci van Schagen, Head of M&A Integration & Disentanglement at Philips This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to https://firmroom.com/ Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:40 Running global Integrations 08:08 Adapting to different cultures 09:37 Fostering safety in IMO 11:31 Continuous Improvement 13:57 Delivering integration outcomes 18:16 Dealing with uncertainties during integration planning 20:52 Threshold for mistakes during integration 24:56 Using reflections to run integration 28:57 Deal sizes affecting preparations 31:51 Upskilling scenario planning 32:53 Craziest thing in M&A

Jeff Wald, Co-founder of Bento Engine This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:44 Best practices during exits 04:41 Thinking about an exit 09:54 Engaging with investors 14:13 The path to being acquired 18:24 Tips for Outreach 19:49 First conversation 25:11 Key people when executing deals 29:00 Negotiating Law firm prices 30:16 Negotiating LOI 34:37 Confirmatory due diligence 37:06 Communicating with employees 39:13 Announce day 44:55 Integration 47:46 Craziest thing in M&A

Brent Campbell, Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Alight Solutions (NYSE: ALIT) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use the code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:46 Importance of Integration 07:38 Gaining integration perspective 10:12 Negative consequences of neglecting integration 12:53 How corporate development can focus on integration 15:38 Challenges in integration 18:22 Challenges in aligning stakeholders 21:04 HSR restrictions 22:27 Integration structure 24:19 Building the integration muscle 32:06 Business sponsor 34:02 How to measure integration success 37:13 Craziest thing in M&A

Klint Kendrick, HR and M&A Leader | Keynote Speaker | Author of the HR Practitioners Guides to Mergers & Acquisitions This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com. EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 05:30 The role of HR in M&A 09:55 Importance of identifying a potential culture clash 12:40 Cultural due diligence 17:27 Pre-LOI cultural diligence 22:09 Finding culture fit 24:48 Five Areas of culture clash 49:39 Deal-specific considerations 59:48 Taking findings that impact the deal terms 1:02:55 Assessing the level of cultural diligence 1:05:40 Transformative deals 1:09:44 The secret sauce to overcoming culture clash 1:12:44 Craziest thing in M&A

PJ Patel, Co-CEO & Senior Managing Director at Valuation Research Corporation (VRC) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 08:37 Market Trends 11:15 Maximizing your company's valuation 12:24 Growth vs Cash flow 13:35 The effect of Storytelling on valuations 14:27 Investor's Influence on Valuation 17:14 Things to avoid as an operator 19:14 Common Mistakes in Valuation 20:53 Impairment 23:42 Implications of impairment 25:49 Purchase price allocation 29:05 Earnout structures 32:34 Length of earnouts 32:51 Computing for Earnouts 38:33 Negotiating Earnouts 41:06 Craziest thing in M&A

Sam Youssef, Founder and CEO at Valsoft Corporation This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 05:44 Looking at business through a different lens 09:19 Distinguishing good acquirers 11:17 Identifying the right segment and deal size 15:07 Platform play acquisition 19:57 Approaching target companies 23:16 Financial structure 26:09 Challenges in building an M&A muscle 29:42 Driving value from synergies 30:56 Getting the right people 32:49 Sharing learnings 38:39 Craziest thing in M&A

Kevin Griffin, Executive Director, Corporate Development at JLL (NYSE: JLL) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://www.firmroom.com EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 04:15 Focusing on smaller deals 06:48 Sourcing deals 08:10 Pros and cons of a competitive auction process 15:47 Cons of doing a proprietary deal 18:35 Benefits of doing a proprietary deal 22:15 Relationship problems 23:24 Proprietary deals vs auctions 25:32 Educating founders on the deal process 26:13 Working with lawyers 27:40 Biggest challenge when educating founders 29:42 Valuation 31:09 Negotiation 34:49 Earnouts 41:45 Making earnouts successful 43:19 Retention with smaller companies 44:17 Best Practices to retain people 46:08 Craziest thing in M&A

Marilyne H. O'Hara, Global Head of M&A Integration at Block (NYSE: SQ) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://firmroom.com If you're a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at [email protected] EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 05:20 What is People-Focused Integration 06:02 Ideal Integration Process 08:46 Strong Partnerships With Deal Leads 12:25 Consequences of Late Integration 14:53 Building the Integration Team 20:41 Involving the Integration Team 22:29 Integration Led Diligence 24:07 Building an Agile Team 28:30 Understanding Culture 30:49 Culture Shaping Integration 31:44 Red Flags in Culture Fit 32:46 Best Practices When Onboarding People 39:06 Working with Vendors for People-Focused Integration 40:12 Biggest Challenge 40:36 Advice for First Timer 41:23 Craziest thing in M&A

Nadia Gil, Chief of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development at Brady (NYSE:BRC) This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom. To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit https://www.mascience.com/academy. Don't forget to use code "podcast" at checkout. 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://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 https://firmroom.com EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 04:01 Why large companies are focusing on acquiring startups 10:36 Why startups don't thrive in a larger company 13:15 Factors to consider when acquiring a startup 17:28 Factors that make startups unacquirable 21:35 Preserving startups in the larger company 24:41 Joint planning approach 26:35 Keys to a strong relationship 29:44 How can large companies protect the acquired small company 32:19 Integration 34:13 Compensation 38:49 How startups can protect themselves 40:48 When to walk away 46:29 How to mitigate the risk of destroying a small company 48:06 Craziest thing in M&A

Michael Farlekas is the CEO at E2open Have someone in mind that would be perfect to help build out a new on-demand talent service line at M&A Science? Reach out to Kison at [email protected] EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Background 04:58 14 transactions without a dedicated Corp Dev team 08:47 Networking and scoring the deals 14:34 The hunting part 20:45 Restructuring the business for faster integration 22:04 Approach to due diligence 24:10 Key things to look at pre and post-LOI 25:15 Considering the culture and the people aspect 27:34 Integration 30:20 Budgeting Integration cost 32:19 Go-to-Market Integration 34:14 Acquiring away from the core 36:13 Keys to success 37:38 Go-To-Market Framework 39:54 Advice for first-time acquirers 44:33 Craziest thing in M&A

Chris Evans is the former Head of Corporate Development Integration at Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Have someone in mind that would be perfect to help build out a new on-demand talent service line at M&A Science? Reach out to Kison at [email protected] EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 5:32 How Important is Day One 10:40 What happens on Day One 14:59 Integration North Star 16:25 What Success on Day One looks like 21:00 Introducing the Integration Manager 25:43 Engaging the managers 31:08 Keeping the big picture alignment 35:30 Identifying the faces of the acquiring company 37:34 Sharing the Integration Plan 40:45 Connecting the value drivers to integration 45: 20 The biggest challenge on Day One 48:34 What is Day One of Day One in Amazon 52: 28 Craziest thing in M&A

Sarah Thuo, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Sustainability Services As the business world shifts towards a more environmentally and socially conscious approach, the significance of sustainability in M&A has become increasingly prominent. In light of this, companies are now considering the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives of their target companies before making any acquisitions. In this article, we explore the importance of sustainability in M&A and how to perform sustainability diligence, with insights from Sarah Thuo, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Sustainability Services. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function.Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Michael Nov, Head of Corporate Development & Chief of Staff to the CTO at OwnBackup M&A is a game-changing tool that can propel a company's growth several years ahead of schedule. However, for hyper-growth companies, M&A can also be a double-edged sword that leads to attrition and detracts from the core business objectives. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Michael Nov, Head of Corporate Development & Chief of Staff to the CTO at OwnBackup, discusses how to set up M&A for hyper-growth companies. This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy. Check out corporate training plans to connect your team with M&A knowledge straight from the best in the industry. They'll also gain access to the entire M&A Science community. For information on group plans, visit https://ma-science.webflow.io/podcast-commercial

Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk. The go-to-market (GTM) integration strategy has a large impact on revenue generation and overall deal success. Integration can be very disruptive to the customers, but if done right, it can enhance the customer experience and acquisition results. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk, delves into the intricacies of GTM integration and offers valuable insights on how to approach it. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function. Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk M&A integration in tech has changed quite a bit over the last twenty years. Integration has evolved from integration volunteers, to large teams with detailed tracking, to dedicated teams and Agile approaches. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk, delves into the evolution of integration. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function. Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Windy Nicholson, Technology Leader | Mergers and Acquisitions at Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) Acquisitions present unique challenges, but deal lifecycle processes can still be optimized for efficiency. Timeliness is a crucial factor in M&A, and the quicker a deal closes and integration is completed, the faster deal synergies can be achieved. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Windy Nicholson, the Technology Leader for Mergers and Acquisitions at Salesforce, discusses how to improve an IMO for efficiency. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function.Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Andy Wijaya, Senior Director, M&A at KLA (NASDAQ: KLAC) Managing a deal from start to finish requires a strategic approach and the ability to navigate the nuances of each phase. In this 2-part episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Andy Wijaya, Senior Director, M&A at KLA, talks about managing deals from strategy to closing, and dives deep into key stages of acquisition. "This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy. Check out corporate training plans to connect your team with M&A knowledge straight from the best in the industry. They'll also gain access to the entire M&A Science community. For information on group plans, visit https://ma-science.webflow.io/podcast-commercial

Andy Wijaya, Senior Director, M&A at KLA (NASDAQ: KLAC) Managing the multi-faceted process of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be a daunting task, especially for those in charge of overseeing the entire process. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Andy Wijaya, Senior Director of M&A at KLA, discusses how to manage deals from strategy to closing. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function. Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Yvanna Perez-Morel, Sr. Director of Corporate Development at Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) | Managing Director at Prisma Ventures Acquisitions are not the only way companies can achieve growth. Partnerships are a great way for organizations to grow their organic growth capabilities. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Yvanna Perez-Morel, Sr. Director of Corporate Development at Ulta Beauty | Managing Director at Prisma Ventures, discusses alternative strategies to accelerate growth. This episode is sponsored by our new publication: How to Stand Up an M&A Function. Topics include the order of hiring, establishing your operating model, developing your organization's integration muscle, and more. Find it on Amazon: shorturl.at/jBCW1

Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital Establishing strong connections with a target company is essential in M&A. Securing deals can be challenging, but a strategic approach can result in mutually beneficial outcomes. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital, shares his approach to deal-making from first conversations to LOI. We want to feature our listeners over the coming months on social media. If you're a big fan, we'd love to hear about your favorite episode or something valuable you learned from M&A Science. You can send me an email directly at [email protected]

Guy Fisher, Head of Corporate Development at Suncorp Group (ASX: SUN) In order for an M&A process to be successful, there must be effective governance in place. Governance is used to manage risks, and ensure that key stakeholders are well-informed and able to provide appropriate oversight throughout a transaction. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Guy Fisher, Head of Corporate Development at Suncorp Group, shares his expertise in setting M&A governance up for efficiency. "Speed and efficiency create better outcomes. It reduces confusion and the time for external factors to impact the value of the deal and increases certainty." – Guy Fisher We want to feature our listeners over the coming months on social media. If you're a big fan, we'd love to hear about your favorite episode or something valuable you learned from M&A Science. You can send me an email directly at [email protected]

Thomas Gorman, Strategy & Corporate Development at Pantheon Platform Mark Khavkin, CFO at Pantheon Platform Acquiring a company is complex and challenging, and in some instances, unnecessary. If buyers only need the people inside of a target company, they can do an acquihire instead of a traditional acquisition. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Thomas Gorman, Strategy & Corporate Development at Pantheon Platform, and Mark Khavkin, CFO at Pantheon Platform, discusses executing acquihires. We want to feature our listeners over the coming months on social media. If you're a big fan, we'd love to hear about your favorite episode or something valuable you learned from M&A Science. You can send me an email directly at [email protected]

Josh Holleman, Partner at Cooley LLP In recent years, there has been a surge in using reps & warranty insurance in M&A, especially in private deals. Buyers and sellers can save significant time and money using reps and warranties insurance. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Josh Holleman, Partner at Cooley LLP, discusses how to approach reps and warranties insurance. This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to https://firmroom.com/

Ken Bond, Head of Corporate Development at Cetera Financial Group Before buyers and sellers agree to an LOI, there are many informal conversations that happen in the background. Buyers must carefully approach any informal conversations to avoid turning a buyer off while still securing the deal. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ken Bond, Head of Corporate Development at Cetera Financial Group, discusses the key things to consider during pre-LOI conversations. We want to feature our listeners over the coming months on social media. If you're a big fan, we'd love to hear about your favorite episode or something valuable you learned from M&A Science. You can send me an email directly at [email protected]