The Synergy Solution

The new M&A bible. Few actions can change the value of a company—and its competitive future—as quickly and dramatically as an acquisition. Yet most companies fail to create shareholder value from these deals, and in many cases they destroy it. It doesn't have to be this way. In The Synergy Solution, Deloitte's Mark Sirower and Jeff Weirens show acquirers how to develop and execute an M&A strategy—end to end—that not only avoids the pitfalls that so many companies fall into but also creates real, long-term shareholder value. This strategy includes how to: Become a prepared "always on" acquirer Test the investment thesis and DCF valuation of a deal Plan for a successful Announcement Day, and properly communicate synergy promises to investors and other stakeholders Realize those promised synergies through integration planning and post-close execution Manage change and build a new, combined organization Sirower and Weirens provide invaluable background to those considering M&A, laying out the issues they have to consider, how to analyze them, and how to plan and execute the deal effectively. They also show those who have already started the process of M&A how to maximize their chances of success. There's an art and a science to getting mergers and acquisitions right, and this powerful book provides the insights and strategies acquirers need to find success at every stage of an often complex and perilous process.

With acquisition activity running into the trillions of dollars, the acquisition alternative continues to be the favorite corporate growth strategy of this generation's executives. Unfortunately, creating shareholder value remains the most elusive outcome of these corporate strategies. After decades of research and billions of dollars paid in advisory fees, why do these major decisions continue to destroy value? Building on his groundbreaking research first cited in Business Week, Mark L. Sirower explains how companies often pay too much -- and predictably never realize the promises of increased performance and competitiveness -- in their quest to acquire other companies. Armed with extensive evidence, Sirower destroys the popular notion that the acquisition premium represents potential value. He provides the first formal and functional definition for synergy -- the specific increases in performance beyond those already expected for companies to achieve independently. Sirower's refreshing nuts-and-bolts analysis of the fundamentals behind acquisition performance cuts sharply through the existing folklore surrounding failed acquisitions, such as lack of "strategic fit" or corporate culture problems, and gives managers the tools to avoid predictable losses in acquisition decisions. Using several detailed examples of recent major acquisitions and through his masterful integration and extension of techniques from finance and business strategy, Sirower reveals: The unique business gamble that acquisitions represent The managerial challenges already embedded in current stock prices The competitive conditions that must be met and the organizational cornerstones that must be in place for any possibility of synergy The precise Required Performance Improvements (RPIs) implicitly embedded in acquisition premiums and the reasons why these RPIs normally dwarf realistic performance gains The seductiveness and danger of sophisticated valuation models so often used by advisers The Synergy Trap is the first exposé of its kind to prove that the tendency of managers to succumb to the "up the ante" philosophy in acquisitions often leads to disastrous ends for their shareholders. Sirower shows that companies must meticulously plan -- and account for huge uncertainties -- before deciding to enter the acquisition game. To date, Sirower's work is the most comprehensive and rigorous, yet practical, analysis of the drivers of acquisition performance. This definitive book will become required reading for managers, corporate directors, consultants, investors, bankers, and academics involved in the mergers and acquisitions arena.

In Business Development, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) have become an increasingly attractive growth opportunity among companies over a long period of time. Nowadays, there is hardly a day where current developments of ongoing M&A transactions or speculations about presumed M&A deals cannot be followed in the daily press.It is proved that a huge number of M&A did not deliver on their promises. The majority of failed M&A are a result of mismanagement during the Post Merger Integration (PMI) when processes have to be adjusted, personnel need to be teamed up and corporate cultures have to be reconciled.This study deals predominantly with aspects of synergy management whereby the main focus is on synergy tracking as a support function of the synergy management. An emphasis is on the analysis of realization efforts that need to be done by the management during the PMI. To provide a solution and ease the aforementioned issues of synergy realization, a synergy tracking tool, which serves as an effective support instrument during the PMI is developed.

Cooperative and synergistic chemical events have attracted significant attention from many researchers engaged in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biological chemistry, polymer chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and other related materials sciences. Synergistic supramolecular systems could be developed to amplify the functions and integration of molecular devices in ways that cannot be achieved by conventional single molecules. This book introduces basic concepts and examples of supramolecular chemistry in terms of cooperation and synergy, and it surveys recent progress in this field.

Train Your Brain to Energize Your Life In The Sharp Solution, Heidi Hanna introduces readers to a brain-based approach to realistic, sustainable energy management that supports a healthier brain, and as a result a healthier, happier body. By engaging our brain, we can strategically re-wire how we operate, creating more energy and improving productivity while simultaneously reducing stress. As a result, we become more focused and productive, flexible and resilient, and able to sustain higher levels of health and performance over time. These critical aspects of "cognitive fitness"—mental strength, flexibility, and endurance—allow us to function at our best and enjoy life to the fullest. Breaks down complicated concepts into easy to understand stories and applications Walks readers through a step-by-step process of designing a personal action plan that can be utilized to decrease stress, balance hormones, increase energy, and improve overall health, happiness, and performance Heidi Hanna, PhD, is a performance coach and keynote speaker who has trained thousands of individuals on practical ways to incorporate positive psychology and wellness strategies to improve productivity and performance We all know what we should be doing to create a more optimal life—eating better, exercising regularly, sleeping more, taking time to relax, and having more balance in our life. But The Sharp Solution enables you to actually make those changes to your habits.

Proven strategies and tactics to manage the integration of acquired and/or merged companies Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Handbook is a comprehensive resource to help companies create a scalable post merger or acquisition integration process and framework that accelerates operating and business benefit goal realization. Includes tools, templates, forms, examples and checklists to provide a no nonsense “handbook” style approach to managing an effective integration. Helps integration managers quickly get up to speed on various integration challenges, including guidance on developing detailed operational and functional integration plans to support flawless execution. Reveals how to avoid integration failure by establishing an in-house integration management office to handle integration projects. Includes a sample integration playbook that can be used to create a core competency within companies to support ongoing integration activity. Botched integration is the number one reason mergers fail. Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Handbook shows you how to develop, execute and implement merger integrations and business strategies to realize your organization's mergers and acquisitions goals.

With so many excellent theories and tools available to educators, why is teaching so challenging in the twenty-first century? The simple reason, according to authors Sherrye Dotson and Joan DellaValle, is that teachers just don't know how or when to use them to create relevant and engaging lessons for today's students. Synergy and Synthesis for Teaching in the 21st Century has the solution. It empowers teachers by showing them how to integrate the most effective new methodologies into their curricula-without abandoning the tried-and-true strategies that work for them. Starting with a high-level overview of P21, designed by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, this handbook guides you through the Core 21 planning model, weaving together the common threads between problem-based/project-based learning and brain research that supports the many models of learning created by the educational experts. It provides students the opportunity to solve problems, connect learning to life experiences, and exhibit the skills necessary to thrive in a global society. And, it can be tailored to your teaching style and needs. Inspired by the work of many educational researchers, Core 21 gives you a flexible framework for creating synergy in the classroom.

Outlines a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving that draws on the techniques of thinkers from a broad range of disciplines to explain how to incorporate diverse viewpoints for win-win solutions.