"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg cover image

E24: Why Acquisitions Fail, How to Write a Great Memo, and The Fate of ChatGPT Wrappers

"The Riff" with Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg

NOTE

Beware the Winner's Curse in Acquisitions

Acquisitions often carry a negative reputation due to the phenomenon known as the winner's curse, where the acquiring company may overestimate the value of the target firm, leading to poor investment decisions. This mindset extends beyond mergers and acquisitions, manifesting in areas like project scheduling, where the most optimistic estimations can lead to consistent delays. Companies undertaking complex projects may be overly optimistic, believing they can achieve results that others deemed unfeasible. This highlights the interplay of confidence and reality in competitive scenarios, underscoring the risks of overestimation in market activities.

00:00
Transcript
Play full episode

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner