Wolfgang Schenk, VP of M&A at Belden, shares insights on programmatic M&A, team collaboration, achieving alignment, and the role of AI in M&A. The episode emphasizes benefits of structured processes, collaboration, and success metrics, as well as discussing challenges and transitioning strategies.
Opportunistic M&A risks misalignment with strategic goals, causing integration challenges.
Programmatic M&A benefits include increased chances of success and value preservation.
Effective collaboration, team alignment, and AI integration are crucial for successful programmatic M&A execution.
Deep dives
Standardizing Processes with Deal Room and PitchBook
The use of Deal Room and PitchBook at Belden aims to streamline processes and provide a centralized source of information for pipeline tracking, due diligence, and integration. These tools facilitate reporting and dashboard creation, enhancing efficiency and information accessibility within the organization.
Facilitating Collaboration in Cross-Border Transactions
Challenges in cross-border deals at Belden include managing different time zones and navigating diverse cultural practices across regions. Communication and alignment become crucial to ensure coordinated efforts and meet deadlines effectively despite global operational complexities.
Motivation through Appreciation and Continuous Learning
Oleg Kottridge emphasizes the importance of feeling appreciated in motivating team members to grow and excel in their M &A roles. Continuous learning, exposure to diverse teams, and leveraging AI technologies to enhance M &A processes drive his personal development goals and commitment to ongoing improvement.
Efficiency and Standardization in M &A Processes
A focus on standardizing processes, encouraging documentation, and providing sufficient training and support enable effective integration of newly acquired companies at Belden. Timely collaboration, clear communication, and standardized workflows contribute to seamless M &A transactions and successful cross-functional integration.
Harnessing AI for Improved Due Diligence and Integration
The integration of AI technologies, such as automated document drafting and redundancy checks in due diligence requests, holds great potential for enhancing M &A processes at Belden. AI-driven process enhancements aim to improve efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and optimize collaboration between teams and external partners.
Engagement and Enablement as Keys to Success
Engaging employees through training, appreciation, and seamless communication fosters efficient collaboration and drives successful M &A transactions at Belden. Prioritizing team enablement, standardized processes, and the utilization of advanced technologies underpin efforts to achieve strategic M &A objectives and enhance operational effectiveness.
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
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