The M&A Playbook
From strategy and deal types to financial diligence, legal review, and post-merger integration—the complete M&A framework.
Complete Series Progress
10 parts • Hover to view individual progress
★Key Takeaways
About This Series
M&A is one of the highest-risk activities in business. This 10-part series provides a complete framework from strategic intent through closing and integration. Learn deal types (strategic, acqui-hire, platform), deal structure mechanics, financial and legal diligence, purchase agreement negotiation, and post-merger integration strategy.
All Parts
The M&A Playbook (Part 1): It's Not Shopping, It's Strategy
Most M&A failures are not failures of negotiation—they are failures of strategy. Learn how to define your 'why' and assemble the right team before making an offer.
The M&A Playbook (Part 2): Horizontal, Vertical, or Conglomerate?
The type of M&A deal you pursue dictates the risks you will face, the rewards you can achieve, and the intensity of regulatory scrutiny you will attract.
The M&A Playbook (Part 3): Asset Purchase vs. Stock Purchase
This decision dictates what you buy, what liabilities you inherit, and how you pay tax. Learn why buyers prefer asset purchases while sellers demand stock purchases.
The M&A Playbook (Part 4): The Letter of Intent (LOI)
From the NDA to the LOI—learn how to protect your interests while setting the rules of engagement. Get this phase wrong and watch your target get shopped to competitors.
The M&A Playbook (Part 5): The Diligence Gauntlet (Part 1 - Financial & Commercial)
Due diligence is not a check-the-box exercise—it's an active investigation to discover the risks the seller didn't tell you about. Learn how to hunt for the real earnings.
The M&A Playbook (Part 6): The Diligence Gauntlet (Part 2 - The Legal Deep Dive)
The legal team's 'landmine sweep'—hunting for Change of Control clauses, IP skeletons, and litigation time bombs that your QoE report won't see.
The M&A Playbook (Part 7): The Diligence Gauntlet (Part 3 - People, Compliance, & Regulatory)
You're not just buying assets—you're inheriting a workforce, culture, and compliance history. A mistake here leads to lawsuits, fines, and talent exodus.
The M&A Playbook (Part 8): Forging the Purchase Agreement
The 100-page fortress that dictates every aspect of the transaction. Learn how to translate diligence findings into legal protections.
The M&A Playbook (Part 9): The 'What If You Lied?' Clauses
Reps & Warranties, Indemnification, and the 'hostage' escrow. Learn how to protect yourself from post-closing surprises when the seller lied.
The M&A Playbook (Part 10): Closing the Deal & The First 100 Days
The deal is closed—but this is the starting gun, not the finish line. Learn how to execute post-merger integration and avoid the talent exodus that destroys deals.