Merge Ahead: Mastering the Five Enduring Trends of Artful M&A

Prior to the economic downturn of 2008–2009, thenumber of mergers and acquisitions reached anhistoric high. Whatever happens next, one thing isclear: mergers, acquisitions, and growth will bemore important than ever. Those who preparetheir organizations for a multifaceted growthstrategy―integrating acquisitions, organic growth,and alliances―will be the ones most likely tosurvive the difficult years and seize the opportunitiesin tomorrow’s restructured industries. Ifyou’re a corporate leader―of a company large orsmall―there’s a merge ahead in your future.

With Merge Ahead, corporate leaders and M&Aprofessionals across the deal-making spectrumwill have at their fingertips an insightful, accessibleguide to the forces driving today’s deal environmentand the most effective strategic andtactical responses for managing them.

Merge Ahead provides key advice on managing thefive major M&A trends that are shaping the corporatelandscape:

• Creating the relevant scale and coherence acompany needs for profitable growth
• Using deliberate speed to manage increasingvelocity and stakeholder impatience
• Coping with increased competition as the newblue chip companies from emerging marketspursue deals globally
• Competing with a host of agile and deeppocketedfinancial buyers, including privateequity and sovereign wealth funds
• Managing growing waves and bubbles ofM&A activity that can drive valuations tounsustainable heights

Merge Ahead contains the most up-to-date informationavailable on recent mergers and trends inthe world of M&A. It conveys critical information inconcise and fast-paced language, providing busyexecutives a hands-on resource that won’t bogthem down.

All signs point to M&A as one of the most usefulvehicles of growth now and in the future. LetMerge Ahead be your guide through the sometimesrocky but ultimately fruitful and excitingnew landscape of mergers and acquisitions.

Justin Pettit is a partner with Booz &Company. Based in New York, hespecializes in corporate finance andshareholder value.

Gerald Adolph is a New York-basedsenior partner with Booz & Company.He leads the firm’s work for mergersand restructuring clients.
Justin Pettit is a partner with Booz &Company. Based in New York, hespecializes in corporate finance andshareholder value.

Michael Sisk is a New York-based business writer and editor who has covered the financial markets and business management issues for 15 years, including stints as the investor editor at Red herring and editor-at-large at US Banker