M&A Science

Brock Blake, Co-Founder and CEO at Lendio, shares insights on avoiding M&A disasters, covering challenges, deal approach, culture, assumptions, and earnouts. They discuss budget allocation, driving the first deal, and strategizing acquisitions.

Aaron Whiting, Chief of Staff at Crownpeak, shares tips for coaching a first-time integration leader, getting ready for day one, kickoff meeting strategies, challenges during integration, and setting alignment for kickoff meetings. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the company's thesis and the value of cadence in M&A integration execution. The podcast also discusses the role of umbrella tracks, tracking milestones for momentum, simplifying acquisition integration, and finding a partner in M&A integration.

AI's impact on M&A is explored in this episode where ChatGPT shares insights. Topics covered include AI's role in deal sourcing, streamlining due diligence, limitations of AI, and integrating AI into M&A. Case studies on Daimler Chrysler merger and Amazon acquiring Whole Foods are discussed. The future of M&A and lessons from the AOL Time Warner merger are also explored. The podcast highlights the potential of AI in revolutionizing the M&A field and explores how Dealroom incorporates AI to streamline the M&A process.

Dr. Karl-Michael Popp, Senior Director, Corporate Development at SAP, discusses automation in M&A. Topics include measuring strategy, strategic fit analysis, identifying targets, quantifying culture, and the impact of new emerging technologies.

Anthony Krueger, Associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP M&A debunks the misconception that smaller deals are easier to execute. Topics covered include executing earnouts, reps and warranties insurance for smaller deals, and working capital adjustments. The podcast also explores important legal provisions in M&A and the significance of involving accountants and lawyers early in the process.

Rajive Dhar, VP, Head of Corporate Development at NetApp, discusses the intricacies of M&A from start to finish. Topics covered include types of M&A, corporate strategy, dealing with new customers, acquiring competitors, target screening, initial due diligence, assessing culture, negotiating deal structure, earnouts, and maintaining relationships.

Jim Ackerman, recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex; Steve Coghlan, Semi-recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex. Every deal is different, which means each and everyone will present unique challenges that teams have to overcome. Especially when dealing with smaller companies. There is no such thing as a perfect deal. However, with the right mindset and approach, deals can still close and bring value to both parties involved.  In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jim Ackerman, recent Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex, and Steve Coghlan, former Vice President of Corporate Development at Flex, discuss their experiences on M&A surprises and horror stories. 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 www.firmroom.com Episode Bookmarks 00:00 Intro 05:06 Sourcing deals 08:24 Key things to ask during the first meeting 11:49 How to get exclusivity 15:01 How the governance works 16:41 Due diligence red flags 17:21 Cultural integration 19:46 Working with the board 23:54 Best way to pitch a deal to the board 24:34 Stakeholder management in the board 25:40 Managing M&A surprises 29:30 Good M&A Surprises 34:37 Accounting surprises 36:30 Private deal surprises 40:39 IT surprises 42:33 Surprises between signing and closing 45:38 How to mitigate risks and surprises 46:13 What trap currency is 48:04 Integration surprises 50:40 Mitigating surprises from integration 54:25 Instilling clear and purposeful communication 55:23 Hardest step to do in M&A 56:10 Worst deal ever done 59:11 Best advice 1:00:12 Craziest thing in M&A  

Nicole Markowski, Manager and Corporate Development at Wipfli LLP More than the numbers, relationships can make or break a deal. Regardless of the deal rationale, strong, trusting connections between parties can lead to smoother negotiations, clearer communication, and a greater likelihood of mutual satisfaction in the end result.  In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Nicole Markowski, Manager and Corporate Development at Wipfli LLP, delves into the importance of cultivating positive relationships to drive M&A success. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom.  To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit www.mascience.com/academy.  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 www.dealroom.net. 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 www.firmroom.com Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 07:04 The importance of relationships in M&A 09:25 Key people to build relationships with 15:55 How to foster and develop relationships 23:03 How to engage with key people 25:27 Approach to build relationships 28:30 People assignment for developing relationships 30:47 Delegating tasks in building relationships 34:22 Key acquired company people to build relationships with 36:31 Handling resistant groups 39:25 People problems and how to address them 45:57 Advice to first-time practitioners 47:45 Craziest thing in M&A  

Samuel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at 8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT) In the grand scheme of things, every M&A must make financial sense. Whether it’s cutting cost, increasing revenue, or achieving operational efficiencies, it all boils down to the numbers. After all, every company’s main goal is to grow and increase profit for its shareholders. It is why the Chief Financial Officers play an integral role in M&A.  In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we will explore M&A from a CFO’s perspective, featuring Samuel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at 8x8. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the DealRoom and FirmRoom.  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 www.dealroom.net 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  www.firmroom.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 07:55 The Role of CFO 11:39 Risk Management 14:39 Integration aspect 15:54 Alignment on assumptions 18:14 Managing people 19:28 Best integration practices 21:25 Working with the CEO 22:52 Walking away from a deal 27:10 Getting involved in the deal 29:50 Tying the Strategy 33:36 Integration Budgeting 39:43 Working with corporate development 40:54 Advice for first time acquirers 44:04 Craziest thing in M&A  

David Barnes, Chief Financial Officer at Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ:TRMB) Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of strategic ventures. Beyond their traditional financial responsibilities, these financial architects hold the key to unlocking the full potential of mergers and acquisitions.  In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we explore M&A from a CFO’s perspective with David Barnes, Chief Financial Officer at Trimble Inc. ____________________________________________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by the M&A Science Academy, DealRoom, and FirmRoom.  To join our growing online community of M&A practitioners, visit mascience.com/academy.  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 dealroom.net. 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 firmroom.com. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:29 The Role of CFO 05:14 How the CFO’s roles differs from the CEO 06:24 Decision-making process and approvals workflow 09:43 Communicating opportunities 11:15 Prioritization 14:18 Balancing the allocation of budgets 16:42 How equity compensation works 18:14 How aligned investment analysts are when evaluating a company 20:08 Forecasting deals 22:53 Priorities when looking at deals 26:49 Balancing priorities when structuring earnouts 28:31 Understanding a company’s culture 31:08 Integration from a CFO’s perspective 33:49 How the speed of integration impacts value realization 37:05 Biggest lessons learned as a CFO 39:23 How to pitch deals to the CFO 41:38 Craziest thing in M&A