The information below is based on the prior program session and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. For a list of upcoming programs, visit our program finder.
Summary
Across the globe, mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the corporate and competitive
landscape. To help companies gain a strategic advantage and expand market share, this
M&A program takes you inside the process—from strategy and valuation to execution
and post-merger management. Whether your company is private or public, or looking
to buy or to sell, you will emerge with new ability to broker powerful deals and create
shareholder value.
Across the globe, mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the corporate and competitive
landscape. To help companies gain a strategic advantage and expand market share, this
M&A program takes you inside the process—from strategy and valuation to execution
and post-merger management. Whether your company is private or public, or looking
to buy or to sell, you will emerge with new ability to broker powerful deals and create
shareholder value.
Key Benefits
Completing a successful merger or acquisition is a multifaceted project that involves
managing major teams across the organization. In this M&A course, you will acquire
a critical cross-functional perspective of the mergers and acquisitions process. Through
global case studies on the best practices of leading companies, you will learn how
to forge strategic partnerships, navigate complex negotiations, and drive corporate
growth.
Completing a successful merger or acquisition is a multifaceted project that involves
managing major teams across the organization. In this M&A course, you will acquire
a critical cross-functional perspective of the mergers and acquisitions process. Through
global case studies on the best practices of leading companies, you will learn how
to forge strategic partnerships, navigate complex negotiations, and drive corporate
growth.
Details
Enable growth through an effective M&A process
Build stronger M&A strategies
Identify the right targets, assess business value accurately, and perform meaningful
due diligence
Negotiate complex multi-party, multi-issue deals that boost corporate performance
Integrate new acquisitions efficiently and effectively
Expand your personal and professional network
Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various
backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights
into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
This mergers and acquisitions course is designed for senior executives involved in
M&A activity who want to broaden their knowledge of financial business valuation methods,
negotiation strategies, and deal process design.
The Mergers and Acquisition program is of particular interest to:
Senior executives in the C-Suite
Directors of public and private companies
Board chairs and directors
Heads of strategy and corporate development
Key executives involved in integration, such as heads of human resources or information
technology
Founders and CEOs of established startups
Investment bankers, transactional lawyers, and private equity investors
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the
impact of the Mergers and Acquisitions program across your organization.
This mergers and acquisitions course is designed for senior executives involved in
M&A activity who want to broaden their knowledge of financial business valuation methods,
negotiation strategies, and deal process design.
The Mergers and Acquisition program is of particular interest to:
Senior executives in the C-Suite
Directors of public and private companies
Board chairs and directors
Heads of strategy and corporate development
Key executives involved in integration, such as heads of human resources or information
technology
Founders and CEOs of established startups
Investment bankers, transactional lawyers, and private equity investors
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the
impact of the Mergers and Acquisitions program across your organization.
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place
on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned
HBS case method.
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place
on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned
HBS case method.
Admissions Criteria and Process
We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and
encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal
educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional
achievement and organizational responsibilities.
Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting
with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals.
Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).
Application Submission
We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You
may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application
information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via
email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email
us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.
Application Review
To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions
Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current
responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad
range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications
monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to
the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit
your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive
a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start
of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received
within 14 days are subject to full payment.
We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and
encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal
educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional
achievement and organizational responsibilities.
Answering Your Questions
Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting
with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals.
Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).
Application Submission
We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You
may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application
information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via
email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email
us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.
Application Review
To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions
Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current
responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad
range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications
monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to
the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit
your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive
a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start
of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received
within 14 days are subject to full payment.
What You Will 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.
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.
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
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely
recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors.
Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address
the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely
recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors.
Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address
the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject
to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School
does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual
orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political
beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or
employment in its programs and activities.
"Our overall goal was to show that the negotiation is bigger than just the bargaining table."
