Merger Week

Creating value through strategic acquisitions and alliances

Blending academic theory with real-world application, this interdisciplinary learning experience will teach you how to take a multifaceted approach to any restructuring deal. Our internationally renowned faculty members — experts in the fields of finance, accounting, management and organizations and organizational change — will take you through the entire M&A process, from assessing strategic fit to considering market trends to making financing decisions.

Your in-depth exploration will also include topics such as the search process, valuation techniques, negotiations, tax-free versus taxable transactions, joint ventures, international M&A and best practices for developing a custom-tailored postmerger integration plan. You’ll leave this program inspired and equipped to seek out and capitalize on new opportunities in the global marketplace.


Incentives available for groups and teams of four or more attending open enrollment programs. Learn more



 

VIDEO: Learn more from Academic Director Artur Raviv

Who Should Attend

  • Executives and managers directly or indirectly involved in acquisition/alliance activities
  • Managers with corporate development, planning and finance responsibilities

Download Past Participant Profile

Key Benefits

  • Determine the shareholder value of a target company
  • Identify and quantify sources of strategic fit
  • Develop new strategies for acquisition and restructuring
  • Develop a high-impact integration plan
  • Manage and derive value from negotiations
  • Test postmerger assumptions
  • Apply new skills in a simulated acquisition

Program Content

Drivers of Acquisition Success

  • Elements of successful acquisition processes
  • Analytical techniques that support acquisition success
  • Steps to manage culture gaps and other behavioral pitfalls

Developing Winning Acquisition Strategies

  • Determine strategic segmentation and segment attractiveness
  • Pressure-test skill, scope and scale benefits
  • Search and screen acquisition targets

Financial Analysis and Valuation

  • Learn alternative valuation approaches
  • Measure and quantify risk
  • Test assumptions and get beneath cash-flow forecasts
  • Determine the optimal bidding range
  • Evaluate international acquisitions

Due Diligence and Negotiation

  • Manage the due diligence process
  • Evaluate target commercial stability and growth prospects
  • Manage internal and external experts
  • Recognize potential deal killers
  • Prepare for and manage the negotiation process

Structuring Winning Deals

  • Strategic alliances versus mergers and acquisitions
  • Costs and benefits of joint ventures, licensing agreements and other strategic alliances
  • Critical legal issues
  • Tax implications of alternative structures
  • Financial reporting considerations of alternative deal structures

Postmerger Integration Best Practices

  • Develop a tailored integration approach
  • Sync action planning and prioritization

Faculty

Artur Raviv - Academic Director; Alan E. Peterson Professor of Finance

Peter Walter - Academic Director; Managing Director in L.E.K. Consulting

Jeanne Brett - Professor Emerita of Management & Organizations

Harry M. Kraemer - Clinical Professor of Management & Organizations; Former Chairman & CEO, Baxter Intl.; Executive Partner, Madison Dearborn Partners

Thomas Lys - Professor Emeritus of Accounting Information & Management

Sergio Rebelo - MUFG Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance; Professor of Finance; Faculty Director, EMBA Program

Edward Zajac - James F. Bere Professor of Management & Organizations

What Participants Say

“This was an excellent program that covered both the strategic and tactical elements of mergers, acquisitions and alliances. Subject matter experts, from both industry and academia, shared theory and current best practices. Highly recommended for those that want to go beyond the quantitative elements of basic M&A course work.”
Director Residential Products, Therma-Stor LLC

“The faculty literally wrote the book on their subjects and the guest speakers were at the top of their field. The program is intensely focused, but that is what you expect from a one-of-a-kind world-class program.”
Program Management Consultant & Operations Lead, Dell Compellent, Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul Area

“This program provided an optimal blend of theory, research-based instruction and practical application. It also afforded me a phenomenal opportunity to interact with the professors and exchange experiences with my classmates.”
Vice President of Acquisition Integration, IDEX Corporation

Personal Consultation

Please contact us to schedule an advising session

2025 Sessions

May 11-16, 2025

Start: May 11 at 3:00 PM

End: May 16 at 12:00 PM


Format: In-Person at Wieboldt Hall on Chicago Campus


Click here for Executive Education's COVID-19 health and safety protocols

$10,700

Fee includes lodging and most meals

October 19-24, 2025

Start: October 19 at 3:00 PM

End: October 24 at 12:00 PM


Format: In-Person at Wieboldt Hall on Chicago Campus


Click here for Executive Education's COVID-19 health and safety protocols

$10,700

Fee includes lodging and most meals

Kellogg School of Management

James L. Allen Center
2169 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Directions
847.467.6018