

M&A Science
Kison Patel
M&A Science, hosted by Kison Patel (Founder & CEO of DealRoom), is your go-to podcast for mastering the art of mergers and acquisitions. Each week, Kison and his expert guests from leading brands like Xerox, FastLap, and Cisco dig deep into real-world M&A strategies, offering actionable insights to optimize your M&A practice.
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to the field, M&A Science provides practical advice on key topics like sourcing, due diligence, integration, divestitures, and more. With over 300 episodes, this podcast is the premier thought leadership resource designed to streamline your deal-making process.
Start listening today and visit mascience.com/podcast to access over 300 episodes. Brought to you by DealRoom, the leading M&A optimization platform used by the best M&A teams around the world
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to the field, M&A Science provides practical advice on key topics like sourcing, due diligence, integration, divestitures, and more. With over 300 episodes, this podcast is the premier thought leadership resource designed to streamline your deal-making process.
Start listening today and visit mascience.com/podcast to access over 300 episodes. Brought to you by DealRoom, the leading M&A optimization platform used by the best M&A teams around the world
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 22, 2022 • 48min
How to Transition Roles in M&A
Kerry Perez, VP of Enterprise Strategy at AMN Healthcare (NYSE: AMN) Corporate development and integration roles consist of different responsibilities. Yet, understanding both roles can help practitioners become more effective at deal execution. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Kerry Perez, VP of Enterprise Strategy at AMN Healthcare, will discuss her fascinating journey to M&A, during which she experienced a variety of roles. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com.

Dec 19, 2022 • 42min
Accelerating M&A Integration
Caroline Jones, Senior Director - Acquisition Success at Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) Integrating an acquired company is always challenging. Acquirers must execute quickly and efficiently, navigate changes, and preserve the target company's value. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Caroline Jones, Senior Director - Acquisition Success at Cisco, discusses how to accelerate M&A integration. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com.

Dec 15, 2022 • 42min
Tying Up M&A Strategy With Integration
Darrell Heaps, CEO at Q4 Inc. (TSE: QFOR) A strong deal strategy doesn't guarantee success. Integration is where value is created and must be prioritized from the very beginning of a deal. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Darrell Heaps, CEO at Q4 Inc., discusses how to tie M&A strategy and integration together. This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy. Check out corporate training plans to connect your team with M&A knowledge straight from the best in the industry. They'll also gain access to the entire M&A Science community. For information on group plans, email marsha@mascience.com.

Dec 12, 2022 • 52min
How to Get Alignment From Both Teams During M&A Integration
Don Yakulis, Global Head of M&A Integration, Light and Wonder, (NASDAQ: LNW) formerly Scientific Games Integrating an acquired company is one of the most daunting tasks in M&A. Integration never goes as planned, but there are things that teams can do to make it much easier for everyone involved. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Don Yakulis, Global Head of M&A Integration at Light and Wonder, discusses the importance of achieving alignment from both teams during M&A integration. This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy. Check out corporate training plans to connect your team with M&A knowledge straight from the best in the industry. They'll also gain access to the entire M&A Science community. For information on group plans, email marsha@mascience.com.

Dec 8, 2022 • 38min
Go-To-Market Integration Planning Part 2
James Harris, Principal, Corporate Development Integration at Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Achieving revenue synergies should always be a transaction’s top priority. By leveraging the combined customer base of both companies, and combining the marketing and sales efforts, companies can become a much more powerful force in the marketplace. In this two-part M&A Science Podcast episode, James Harris, Principal, Corporate Development Integration at Google, discusses go-to-market integration planning. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com. This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to https://firmroom.com/

5 snips
Dec 5, 2022 • 41min
Go-To-Market Integration Planning Part 1
James Harris, Principal, Corporate Development Integration at Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) When two businesses merge, the new company's success often depends on how well the go-to-market plan is executed. The combined company inherits the two businesses’ customers, products, and respective sales and marketing channels. If not planned properly, the combined efforts can lead to customer confusion and lost sales. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, James Harris, Principal, of Corporate Development Integration at Google, discusses go-to-market integration planning. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com. This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom, the fastest virtual data room used to get deals done. Leave the pay-per-page world behind by going to https://firmroom.com/

Dec 1, 2022 • 47min
The Corporate Venture Strategy
Larry Forman, Senior Manager and Head of the Ecosystem for Deloitte’s New Venture Accelerator There are different ways to create and grow a business: build up from scratch, acquire another company, or gain strategic alignment with other companies through partnerships. Through a parternship, a business can leverage someone else's technology for faster growth. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Larry Forman, Senior Manager and Head of the Ecosystem for Deloitte's New Venture Accelerator, discusses corporate venture strategy. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com.

Nov 28, 2022 • 45min
How to Run an Accelerated Deal Process
Kirti Gavri, Head of Corporate Development for Wizeline, discusses strategies to accelerate M&A, navigating auction processes, and the importance of integration management. Learn about standardized processes, identifying stakeholders, and evaluating participation in auctions.

Nov 24, 2022 • 51min
Strategizing and Executing your Exit for the Greater Good of your Team
Tim Wentworth, Retired CEO, Evernorth Selling a business can be challenging for a founder. Regardless of the reasons behind an exit, there are ways to ensure a company's continuity and success. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Tim Wentworth, Retired CEO of Cigna, formerly known as Express Scripts, discusses how to strategize and execute an exit for a team's greater good. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com. This episode is sponsored by DealRoom: faster diligence and integration in one combined process. See how DealRoom produces more value in less time by going to www.dealroom.net

Nov 21, 2022 • 39min
Successful End-to-End M&A
Hannah Elsakr, Vice President, Corporate Development, M&A Integration at Adobe Creating value through M&A takes work. There are many steps to take during targeting, diligence, and integration in order to achieve a transaction’s intended synergies. So. how can teams increase a deal’s chances of success? In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Hannah Elsakr, Vice President, Corporate Development, M&A Integration at Adobe, discusses executing successful end-to-end M&A. Liked today's episode? Unlock over 60 courses taught by top-tier M&A practitioners by joining the M&A Science Academy. Use code “academy20%” on the sign-up page for a 20% discount, available on either monthly or annual plans. https://www.mascience.com/academy Want to learn about upcoming interviews, events, and industry trends? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. https://www.mascience.com/newsletter-signup If you’re a head of corporate development and looking to build up a world-class M&A team, reach out to me at kison@mascience.com. This episode is sponsored by DealRoom: faster diligence and integration in one combined process. See how DealRoom produces more value in less time by going to www.dealroom.net