Wharton Tech Toks LinkedIn: Corporate Development
15 snips
Apr 25, 2024 
Benjamin Orthlieb, VP of Corporate Development at LinkedIn, dives deep into the world of corporate strategy. He discusses the critical build vs. buy decision-making framework and how corporate development shapes LinkedIn's strategy. Orthlieb emphasizes the importance of cultural fit during acquisitions and shares insights on Gen AI and emerging tech trends. He also provides advice on navigating careers in tech and the significance of concise communication. Finally, he highlights the qualities that make founders stand out in angel investing.
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Joining LinkedIn Through Business Ops
- Benjamin Orthlieb joined LinkedIn from consulting because he wanted less travel and liked the team he met there.
- He started in business operations and later moved into corporate development, which matched his finance and strategy background.
Corp Dev Is Strategy Plus Execution
- LinkedIn's corporate development mixes strategy, market intelligence, investments, M&A, and integration oversight.
- The team actively tracks competitors, publishes internal newsletters, and partners with product and engineering.
Be Close To Product Roadmaps
- Stay close to product and engineering leaders to identify strategic acquisition opportunities.
- Use those relationships to propose ideas, flag companies, and engage early for potential M&A or investments.
