It's well known that M&A deals are more likely to succeed if the executive leadership is engaged in the entire process from beginning to end. This means that multiple members of the C-suite are actively involved in the whole deal life cycle.

Every organization must address the human element of cybersecurity.
Submitted by Willis Towers Watson, a partner organization of the M&A Leadership Council

Willis Towers Watson recently analyzed data from 225 cyber insurance claims it reported on behalf of clients in 2017. The resulting Reported Claims Index revealed that HR leaders must take an active role in cyber security: 58% of claims last year were directly attributable to employee negligence and/or malfeasance. 

Denying or delaying change can cause significant deal value erosion.
By Jack Prouty, President of the M&A Leadership Council

Even if the near-term changes will be relatively minor, your message needs to be, "There will be change within both organizations. We will effectively communicate changes and be smart about it, etc." Effective mergers and acquisitions are all about managing people through the change process.

Time and again, research demonstrates that effective culture assessment and management drive better integration results. Yet most organizations fail to sufficiently address culture, leaving them vulnerable to deal value erosion. By incorporating culture assessment into every phase of the M&A deal cycle, your organization can maximize deal value by choosing Targets more effectively. The earlier companies identify cultural issues that might impact valuation, the earlier they can mitigate or eliminate issues and design appropriate solutions. 

Forums will offer insights on M&A opportunities, trends and challenges.
Submitted by Mergermarket, an M&A Leadership Council partner organization

Two upcoming forums hosted by Mergermarket will dive into the latest developments in M&A, along with providing a platform to meet with industry leaders.

Deal teams must understand implications for the due diligence and transaction processes.
By Tom Allen of Midaxo,an M&A Leadership Council partner organization

On May 25th, 2018, the major data privacy legislation known as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect. GDPR introduces substantial changes to existing European Union privacy laws and provides a regulatory framework for the treatment of personal data belonging to EU citizens. Given the linkage between personal data exchange and M&A transaction activity, teams engaged in deal making need to understand the implications to their due diligence and transaction processes.

Focusing on a few key areas will ensure a successful transaction.
By Mary Chico, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for Willis Towers Watson, an M&A Leadership Council partner organization

I was recently at a conference featuring a CEO who had just completed a corporate spin-off. He was asked what, if anything, he would have done differently. His response? “More decision-making; much earlier.” His answer was pretty telling, and aligned with what I’ve seen through our experiences helping hundreds of clients through mergers, acquisitions and divestitures of all types.

Here's a look at navigating national security regulations in the data economy.
Submitted by BDO, an M&A Leadership Council partner organization

Dynamic compliance strategies have become an imperative in deal consideration for foreign direct investment (FDI) in critical infrastructure as the United States seeks to modernize the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process, protect national security from emerging risk, and maintain an open investment policy. The rapidly shifting global economy, disruptive innovation, dual-use technologies, and the weaponization of information have become an unrelenting combination of force stimulating change and creating risk as billions of dollars of foreign investment surge into the U.S. economy.

The US political climate could impact deal activity in the near term.
Submitted by Mergermarket, an M&A Leadership Council partner organization

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Attendees from past workshops learned that success is truly in the details.
By Jack Prouty, President of the M&A Leadership Council

Our executive training program The Art of M&A Program Management doesn’t just focus on the details, like what should be included in team status reports and how to establish functional meeting cadences. It places M&A program management in the greater context of the priorities and objectives at each stage in the M&A life cycle.