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By Kison Patel
4.9
114114 ratings
The podcast currently has 425 episodes available.
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.
*******************
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
*******************
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?
******************
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
******************
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
******************
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
******************
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
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