M&A Science Kison Patel

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
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)
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)
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
 

Joe Metzger, Managing Director at 777 Partners
Craving for fresh, actionable M&A insights? Dive into the M&A Science Fall Summit this Nov 8th! Unlock secrets on integration, valuations, talent retention, and more from top M&A minds. It’s all the ‘how-tos’ you need, and it’s FREE! Secure your spot at mascience.com.
Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro
05:02 Transitioning from Corporate Development to Private Equity
08:59 Corporate Development role vs Private Equity role
12:10 Seeking employment opportunities
16:16 The efficient frontier concept
20:06 Are you happier in private equity than in corporate development?
24:17 How to negotiate employment offers
26:48 Other things to negotiate in employment agreements
30:47 How to land a PE role
33:34 Advice to those considering transitioning between Corp Dev and Private Equity
34:52 How to transition to a PE role from a VC and M&A role
36:03 Craziest thing in M&A
 

Chris Evans, Experienced M&A Leader | ex-Head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon and Scott Boyd, Deputy Director, Strategy Implementation at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | former Head of Integration for AWS. (NASDAQ: AMZN)
Craving for fresh, actionable M&A insights? Dive into the M&A Science Fall Summit this Nov 8th! Unlock secrets on integration, valuations, talent retention, and more from top M&A minds. It’s all the ‘how-tos’ you need, and it’s FREE! Secure your spot at MAscience.com!
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:26 Integration Strategy vs Change Management
06:50 Definition of Change Management
09:55 Dedicated Person for Change Management
14:03 Change Management Planning
16:16 Most Effective Approach to Change Management
19:32 Common Challenges during Change Management
24:25 Practical Tips for Change Management
26:49 Hardest Step in M&A
33:38 Craziest Thing in M&A