The Art of M&A® Integration: Live-Online with M&A Direct℠ / Online / Nov 2020

Course Summary

Based on and adapted from our premier three-day on-site workshops, this ONLINE seminar will help you and your organization plan, launch and execute a successful M&A integration via primarily remote and virtual engagement methods.

Each module provides an overview of essential learning, processes and best practices necessary for success in every integration, then through discussion, case examples and virtual small group breakouts, key principles and practices will be adapted for optimal success and effectiveness in primarily remote or virtual integration scenarios.

The course is a total of 9 hours, conducted over three, 3-hour modules on successive days.

Online Platform

Our events are held on the Zoom platform. Please check with your IT department to verify your ability to use this platform. Please note that all training programs will be password protected. You can learn more about the system requirements and download the latest Zoom Security White Paper for more detailed information.

Tuition and Discounts

Standard Price: $1500

Payment is accepted by credit card or ACH (invoice available at registration; payment is due prior to providing access credential).

*Only one discount per person per event; must be applied at time of registration

Key Topics include:

Module 1 – Integration Strategy, Capabilities and Readiness

• Adapting Your Integration to the Remote-Only Environment. This discussion explores the most pervasive and challenging integration failure factors and success principles, then highlights additional “watch-outs” and essentials for success when operating in a remote-only environment.
• The M&A Lifecycle. Participants will learn a simple, yet highly effective “end-to-end” M&A lifecycle that defines the typical business process for growth through acquisition, and highlights when the integration leader and IMO should be initially engaged and key requirements, deliverables and milestones throughout each phase of the M&A lifecycle.
• Deal Strategy Implications for Integration. Based on the deal’s strategic objectives and desired business results, participants will learn to differentiate different types of integration strategies and priorities for different deal-types, and key components for a comprehensive and effective Integration Strategy Framework.
• Internal M&A Capabilities, Readiness and Playbooks. Starting with a discussion of integration resourcing and budgeting, this session will highlight concrete actions organizations can take to achieve the internal capabilities needed to tackle a major highly complex global deal, or multiple, smaller but ongoing transactions, including, essential components to include in your internal Playbook and core requirements for effective use of purpose-built M&A software solutions.
• Application Exercises and Homework. To fully leverage our live online seminar, participants will be assigned periodic discussion points, application exercises and virtual small group break out discussions, including a brief offline homework assignment to complete prior to the next day’s module.

Module 2 – Establishing & Optimizing Your Integration Management Office (IMO)

• Defining the Integration Executive and IMO Roles. What skills, criteria and experience makes the ideal Integration Executive (e.g. “principal lead?”); How is that role different from the Integration Program Manager and how should the Integration Management Office be structured, staffed and established? In addition, this session will identify common ways to scale these principles to your anticipated deal size / volume.
• Establishing and Launching the Integration Process. Starting with a discussion of the role of effective program governance and roles / responsibilities throughout the enterprise, this discussion will provide samples of several common integration governance models. Participants will learn current standards for what and how to conduct pre-close integration planning considering legal constraints such as anti-trust, privacy and anti-competition statutes. Two key integration requirements for every deal will be discussed including launching the joint integration planning process and conducting an effective integration discovery.
• From Planning to Execution – Running the IMO Cadence Process. This essential session will provide insights and process recommendations beginning with planning and approving the Integration Plan of Record; managing the ongoing RAID process (e.g. risks, action items, issues and decisions needed); statusing and reporting against key deal and business metrics and integration-specific KPIs; collaboration tools for remote integration and best practices for deploying and using a purpose-built M&A software solution.
• Application Exercises and Homework. To fully leverage our live online seminar, participants will be assigned periodic discussion points, application exercises and virtual small group break out discussions, including a brief offline homework assignment to complete prior to the next day’s module.

Module 3 – Winning Hearts & Minds: Culture, Communications and Change Management

• Leading Culture Across the M&A Lifecycle. While culture is typically cited as both a top integration failure factor and capability required for success, most organizations have not yet developed their M&A skill set to effectively and constructively deliver meaningful culture actions throughout the M&A lifecycle. Participants will learn how to build-in and execute on actionable culture strategies at every phase of M&A.
• Improving Your Integration Communications and Change Management Effectiveness. This invaluable session presents best practices and immediately applicable insights for turning “ho-hum” integration communications and change management (CCM) into “game-winning” understanding, alignment and engagement. Participants will learn key foundations of success including M&A-specific change dynamics to overcome and brain science realities of how M&A impacts individuals and organizations. Three key strategies for improved CCM will be provided along with three mission critical tactical litmus test standards every organization must apply.
• Application Exercises. To fully leverage our live online seminar, participants will be assigned periodic discussion points, application exercises and virtual small group break out discussions, including a brief capstone case study or panel discussion to maximize peer insights, networking, lessons learned and next steps for continuous improvement in M&A integration.

Course Materials

Each registered participant will receive a summary of the seminar content for each module in a watermarked PDF document at the time of each module along with all exercises, small group breakout instructions and case studies to support the overall learning experience of each course.

 

Participants of this course will receive 30 CMAS credits