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Initiating Mergers and Acquisitions

Learn about early processes in a merger or acquisition.
Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 6 lessons.
Course: On-Demand
Advanced Provider Wayne Durr  6 Lessons ·  19m  in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese 

Course Description

Why do businesses look to merge and acquire other businesses? How do they go about picking a target business to merge with or acquire? In this course, you will learn about the initial steps taken when a business is looking to merge with or acquire a target. After the business has identified a target based on its needs, it performs a market analysis and a competitive analysis of the target. This course will also explore the common types of mergers and why a business might choose each type.

These common types of analysis, alongside the common types of mergers, will help you understand how businesses pick targets and choose a type of merger to pursue. This course also breaks down potential strategies that businesses might use when pursuing an M&A transaction to fulfill specific objectives. Does the business wish to expand product lines, or simply want access to new markets? These goals can help a business understand how to prepare for a merger or acquisition. This course explores preparation strategies, like Porter’s Three Tests, that businesses can use in their preparations for an M&A transaction. You will also learn about the many factors that could potentially impact a deal, so you and your business know what to expect.

What You'll Learn

  • Determine suitable merger and acquisition targets based on a business's needs
  • Perform market analysis and competitive analysis of a target business
  • Identify the common types of mergers and why a business might choose each
  • Apply M&A strategies that fulfill specific objectives, such as expanding product lines or accessing new markets
  • Use preparation strategies like Porter's Three Tests when preparing for an M&A transaction
  • Recognize the many factors that could potentially impact a deal

Key Takeaways

  • Businesses begin an M&A process by identifying a target based on their needs, then performing market and competitive analyses of that target.
  • Understanding the common types of mergers helps a business choose which type to pursue.
  • Strategic goals, such as expanding product lines or gaining access to new markets, shape how a business prepares for a merger or acquisition.
  • Preparation strategies like Porter's Three Tests can be used to prepare for an M&A transaction.
  • Many factors can potentially impact a deal, so businesses should know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It covers the initial steps a business takes when looking to merge with or acquire a target, including market analysis, competitive analysis, M&A targeting, common types of mergers, M&A strategies, and preparing for an M&A transaction.

What skills will I gain from this course?

The course develops skills in acquisition processes, business acquisition, business analysis, merger integration, mergers and acquisitions, and target acquisition.

How is the course structured?

The course is organized into lessons: Introduction; Market and Competition Analysis; Merger and Acquisition Targeting; Merger and Acquisition Strategies; Preparing for Mergers and Acquisitions; and a Test Your Knowledge section.

What preparation strategies does the course explore?

It explores preparation strategies such as Porter's Three Tests that businesses can use when preparing for an M&A transaction.

Why do businesses choose a particular type of merger?

The course explains the common types of mergers and the goals behind them, such as wanting to expand product lines or gain access to new markets, which help a business choose the type of merger to pursue.