The McKinsey Podcast Time to revisit your M&A strategy
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May 22, 2025 
Jake Henry, a McKinsey Senior Partner, reveals insights from the 2025 M&A report, discussing how companies can still find growth in an uncertain M&A landscape. Mieke Van Oostende, also a McKinsey Senior Partner, emphasizes the critical role of organizational culture in successful mergers and integrations. They explore the recent slowdown in M&A activity, triggered by geopolitical tensions, and stress the necessity for firms to enhance their acquisition strategies while understanding their unique capabilities.
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Key Drivers of M&A Activity
- M&A activity concentrates in sectors facing regulatory shocks and need for scale.
- Capability-driven acquisitions and tuck-ins dominate recent M&A intents.
Refresh M&A Capabilities Now
- Refresh your M&A capabilities if you haven't done deals recently.
- Strengthen integration skills as value creation depends on smooth execution post-deal.
Culture's Critical Role in M&A
- Culture influences M&A success more than pure financial metrics.
- Management practices and working norms are where cultural clashes often occur.