You will delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by hedge fund activism, hostile takeovers, cross-border deals, corporate inversions, earn-outs, spin-offs, restructurings, and corporate governance.

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What you'll learn

This mergers and acquisitions program provides a holistic view of the M&A process—from front-end target selection and search processes to approach strategies and execution to post-merger integration and management. Your rich learning experience will include faculty presentations, global case studies, valuation exercises, negotiation simulations, small group projects, and dynamic discussions.

In the process, you will delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by hedge fund activism, hostile takeovers, cross-border deals, corporate inversions, earn-outs, spin-offs, restructurings, and corporate governance. You also will examine different strategic approaches suited to private versus public companies in developed, emerging, and distressed economies.

Key Topics

Valuation

Considering valuation through the lens of a consumer rather than a producer
Understanding the discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation
Applying comparable company analysis (CCA)
Analyzing financial statements and financial plans
Evaluating corporate and management performance

Negotiation

Building a negotiation toolkit around interest and option generation
Using the Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) assessment to achieve a better bottom line
Managing the complexities and cultural aspects of negotiation in cross-border deals
Considering the ethical and legal repercussions to ensure a win-win outcome

Finance

Optimizing tax benefits
Structuring earn-outs in private company deals
Identifying the right context for using earn-outs
Examining government influence and legal issues
Exploring regulatory and cultural barriers

Strategy

Achieving strategic clarity
Understanding deal process design
Managing auction processes
Using sell-side and buy-side strategies
Stress-testing the business model

Post-merger management

Ensuring the best operational and cultural fit
Managing the integration of accounting systems
Structuring reporting lines and responsibilities
Selecting the right person to lead the integration team

Valuation 101 (Optional)

Understanding financial accounting principles and valuation techniques