Connecting Diligence and Integration in M&A

Amy M. Weck, VP, M&A and integrations at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, LLC

It's common to see due diligence and integration as separate stages, but combining them can make the M&A process much smoother and more effective. But how exactly can we weave these two critical phases together effectively? 

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Amy M. Weck, VP, M&A and integrations at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, offers practical strategies to align integration and diligence for optimal outcomes.

Things you will learn in the episode:

• Merging separate integration departments

• How to connect diligence and integration

• Fostering a ‘One Team’ Mindset

• Maintaining Team Rhythm in High-Volume Acquisitions

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.

Episode Bookmarks

00:00 Intro

04:26 Getting into M&A

06:12 Evolving into integration

07:55 Transitioning from deal team to integration team

09:26 Pre-LOI considerations in M&A

10:40 Merging Corp Dev and Integration Team

13:26 The impact of mindset during transition

15:26 Connecting the two functions

18:42 Keeping teams and workflows aligned

22:14 Biggest challenge in the transition

24:05 The challenge of change management

26:11 Managing new hires in key roles

27:29 Key advice for managing the end-to-end M&A process

34:37 Optimizing the M&A function for a roll-up

36:21 Practical Tips for Learning from Past Due Diligence

38:16 Maintaining Team Rhythm in High-Volume Acquisitions

40:05 Key Strategies to Avoid Failing in Your Integrations

42:02 Key Questions to Ask Before the LOI

43:17 Evaluating Cultural Fit and Red Flags

48:15 Ideal candidate for an M&A role

59:44 Advice to first-time M&A practitioners

1:01:02 Craziest thing in M&A