M&A and Corporate Development Strategies
Create Strategic Deal Value through Structure and Implementation
Mergers and acquisitions are an essential component of business growth. Macroeconomic ambiguity and regulatory scrutiny for larger companies have created an environment where deal processes take longer, with more challenging business cases, and require a deeper understanding of the market. Strategic leaders need to bring transformations by identifying timely opportunities and executing well thought-out deals.
The six-week M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program from Wharton Executive Education is designed for executives who aim to use M&A as a key tool for bolstering their business, acquiring companies, and delivering sustained profitable outcomes. With a comprehensive understanding of M&A for corporate development and business growth, you will gain the skills to tackle the entire life cycle of the deal-making process, including corporate development strategy, M&A decisions, due diligence, divestitures, and negotiation strategies.
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What You Will Learn
The scenario-based learning and practical frameworks will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the M&A process. You will:
Gain an understanding of strategically selecting the right growth mode for your company
Learn to navigate various acquisition strategies, including asset-purchase agreements and post-closing formalities, and enhance your decision-making strengths
Acquire due diligence best practices, ensuring effective management of the due diligence process
Equip yourself with a leadership strategy plan for company-level changes
Craft an appropriate integration strategy, ensuring successful post-merger outcomes
Identify the hidden value-creation potential of divestitures to make informed decisions in uncertain times
Who Is This Program For?
The M&A and Corporate Development Strategies program is ideal for business leaders who desire to use M&A to meet strategic goals and steer their company toward long-term growth. This program is also for business unit heads engaged in corporate finance and investment who are looking to deepen their skills in M&A strategy to help their companies grow.
The program is particularly beneficial for:
M&A decision makers looking to navigate challenging market conditions and bolster the strategic and financial goals of their companies using M&A
M&A managers looking to deepen their knowledge on strategic acquisitions and improve their deal-making skills, valuation, and divestitures
Senior advisors and consultants who need to maintain client confidence during a period of reduced deal activity
Curriculum
Program Highlights
Live session with faculty
Experience a live online session with the faculty.
World-renowned faculty
Glean insights from knowledgeable faculty who are at the forefront of innovation.
Self-paced learning
Learn at your own pace with a weekly commitment of four to six hours of sessions and activities.
Global peer group
Interact with accomplished peers from around the world and gain new perspectives.
Try-it activities
Learn from try-it activities that will elevate your strategic impact.
Scenario-based assignments
Consider solutions for real-world challenges and apply the concepts to your company.
Frameworks and Tools
These frameworks will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the M&A process to enable you to identify, evaluate, execute, and integrate M&A.
Attractiveness, better off, and cost of entry (ABC tests)
Identify the right opportunity to pursue M&A by understanding the structural attractiveness of the acquired business, its competitive advantage, and whether the cost of acquiring will allow the business to use the acquiring company's profits.
Better-off and ownership tests
Understand which type of acquisition to pursue and whether the present ownership of the acquired business has a competitive advantage over an alternative arrangement.
Due diligence best practices
Define the scope of the due diligence process by selecting the due diligence team and set the benchmarks for developing the customer, competition, and capabilities.
M&A deal-making and negotiations framework
Identify the objectives of the acquisition; match acquisition needs to target sources of value; avoid pitfalls in bidding and negotiation; select an appropriate acquisition target; and make implementation planning decisions related to focus, scope, and strategy.
Building blocks for successful post-merger integration strategies
Learn how to address post-merger integration strategies related to asset and employee retention, adoption of processes, degree and speed of integration, and knowledge transfer.
Meet the Faculty
Michael L. Tarnopol Professor and Professor of Management at the Wharton School
Emilie R. Feldman’s research focuses on corporate strategy and governance, with interests in the role that divestitures, spin-offs, and M&A play in corporate reconfiguration; ...
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Wharton School.
Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.
This online certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Financing Options
US$2,900
US$2,784
Enroll before June 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM and get upto 4% tuition assistance.
First Payment Of
US$1,052
Receive US$250
For each referral when you invite colleagues to the program.
Upskill with a program from a top university
Leverage cohort-based learning, for high completion rates
Many organizations have historically sponsored their employees for our executive education programs. Please check with your employer if they can cover your fee. We can assist you with the necessary documentation and support.
Preparing Your Pitch
If you require company approval, we offer a customizable email template that you can use to show how the program will contribute to your growth.
Invoice Requirements
An invoice will be issued to you after payment. If you require any customization, our advisory team can assist you.
Part/Full Sponsorship
Our advisors are here to support you throughout the reimbursement process, whether your company covers the fee fully or partially.
Additional Questions
Should your employer require specific information to approve your reimbursement, our advisory team is well-equipped to help you.
FAQs
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG)
Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!
Flexible payment options available.
Starts On June 26, 2025