Exploring the Human Element of M&A
Three years after entering the professional world of mergers and acquisitions, Jeanet van Erp wanted to enhance her technical skills at Delta Lloyd, a Netherlands-based financial company. In order to fulfill a long-held goal of attending Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education, she decided to apply to the Mergers and Acquisitions program. In this interview, she discusses her thoughts about the program, the HBS learning environment, and the way she now approaches her professional responsibilities.
Why did you choose to apply to the Mergers and Acquisitions program?
I've had a strong desire for a long time to attend Harvard Business School because of the school's reputation for having outstanding professors and programs. I'm relatively new to M&A, having started only three years ago, so I wanted to boost my expertise with a renowned business school program. I know that running all aspects of the M&A process can involve much more than just valuation, so I was drawn to this program's broad scope.
Did you find the learning experience to be worthwhile?
Absolutely. The faculty did an excellent job creating an amazing and complete experience. The professors were all outstanding in their areas of expertise, offering real-life examples and universal takeaways. In addition, my fellow classmates offered contributions and interactions that were invaluable to the experience, and we made true connections in a short amount of time.
How did the program influence your view of mergers and acquisitions?
It was very interesting to be with highly professional people from the same discipline whose views and angles were very different from my own—as a result, I gained a much broader perspective on M&A. I learned that although approaches, thoughts, calculations, interests, and feelings may differ, the one who best understands and anticipates the process will be the most successful. In this program, the professors and participants shared insights that underpin the multiskilled and human aspects of this profession. As a result, gaining and sharing trust has become an even more important aspect of doing deals.
What do you consider the most important takeaway from the program?
This program stressed the importance of structuring the process correctly and spending the necessary time creating a professional atmosphere based on trust—that was the major takeaway. In addition, I learned to be very well prepared and to think carefully before accepting a first offer.