What programmatic acquirers do differently

McKinsey findings bolster the case for programmatic M&A. But beyond doing more deals, what gives programmatic acquirers an edge—and how does their dealmaking translate to value creation?

How to Get Results Quickly After a Merger or Acquisition

Delayed and ineffective commercial integration can turn a good deal into a loser, because sales growth ultimately determines whether a merger achieves its value-creation goals. To create value, mergers need top-line gains: More sales to more customers, expansion into new territories or market adjacencies, new products and services to sell to existing customers. But compared to other areas of post-merger activity, the commercial engine starts … [ Read more ]

Gen AI: Opportunities in M&A

Generative AI is already making its way into the day-to-day world of M&A, and more use cases are emerging. How should companies approach the opportunity?

The portfolio management imperative and its M&A implications

Several trends are creating a new imperative for strong portfolio management of businesses. Companies need six capabilities to build and manage a winning portfolio, using M&A strategically.

The seven habits of programmatic acquirers

Decades of research show the efficacy of programmatic M&A—and our latest findings make it even more clear. Whether external conditions are favorable or challenging, programmatic acquirers continue to invest in their M&A capabilities and demonstrably outperform companies that take a less strategic approach to M&A.

The culture compass: Using early insights to guide integration planning

The huge impact of culture on M&A performance means that culture should be factored into integration planning from the start. We recommend focusing on five cultural attributes.

Ten Lessons from 20 Years of BCG’s M&A Report

What does it take to succeed in M&A? For the past two decades, BCG’s annual M&A reports have explored the answers to this question. One constant in our studies is an emphasis on the elements that drive genuine, long-lasting deal success.

To mark the 20th anniversary of our M&A Report, we looked back at our rich history of analyses related to deal value creation. We refreshed … [ Read more ]

How Private Equity Has Evolved to Compete in Global M&A

PE firms have shed old skin and in recent decades become bigger, smarter, and more relevant in M&A and markets than ever before, argues a new paper co-authored by Wharton’s Paul Nary.

How to Get Mergers and Acquisitions Right

Companies can get their M&A act right if they pick their targets wisely, avoid overstating expectations of synergies, and manage cultural dynamics correctly, says Wharton’s Emilie Feldman.

Signing to close: using the M&A golden period to your advantage

If the time between the signing and close of M&A deals feels like it’s taking longer, it’s not just you. However, companies can use this time to their advantage. The M&A golden period provides an opportunity to prepare for the combination. In doing so, executives can better ensure a smooth transition and help the future entity be more successful.

Post-close excellence in large-deal M&A

The most successful large-deal transactions follow four key practices during integration execution.

Organization Design Will Make or Break a Deal

Only about half of companies that undergo organization design during a post-merger integration say it was successful. Leaders can flip those odds by focusing on five imperatives.

Take these four actions to help prepare your workforce for hypergrowth

The success of serial dealmakers depends on how well their workforces can absorb and integrate new employees. Helping people embrace change eases this challenge and supports hypergrowth better. Here are four actions you can take today to get to that goal.

Doing the Right Deals

How corporate leaders can avoid value-destroying M&A.

How one approach to M&A is more likely to create value than all others

Two decades of research show that, while large deals still have their place, programmatic M&A strategies continue to create gains in excess total returns to shareholders, at lower levels of risk.

Talent Retention and Selection in M&A

Retaining critical talent and ensuring the right people are in key roles are essential to a successful merger.

How Serial Acquirers Retain Talent

As M&A activity heats up, new research highlights best practices for retention post-merger. The short answer? Plan to pay.

Everybody Into the Pool

How employee transition pools can generate serious benefits for companies—and reduce job losses—during mergers and other moments of transition.

Divesting with Agility

Research shows that active, efficient reallocation of resources creates better returns for companies than simply standing pat does. Here’s how to make portfolio decisions faster.

Divesting to Win: How Organizations Create Value from Divestitures

Companies divest assets for a variety of reasons, but many miss the boat when it comes to creating value from such events. In fact, more companies lose value than create value following a divestiture. Kearney’s ongoing research focuses on what separates the value creators from the value destroyers.