Mergers and Acquisitions

Explore the finances of corporate restructuring, including using M&A deals for competitive advantage and value creation.

Activity: Review the growth strategies, deal structures and performance of three organisations provided in a case study.

Examine key terminology, and traverse the history of M&A transactions through several ‘waves’ of mergers.

Activity: Apply the PEST framework, and learn how it can help businesses capitalise on periods of turbulence. Apply the five-stage model of M&A to understand how M&A impacts a business.

Understand the benefits and challenges of M&A by considering the point of view of every player and the numbers that matter most to both sides.

Activity: Learn how organisations achieve their M&A objectives with an example of merger arbitrage, a hedge fund investment tactic. Prepare a deck or paper on synergies, value creation and factors that lead to M&A successes and failures.

Explore a range of strategic restructuring forms as alternatives to M&A, including alliances, employee stock ownership plans, divestitures, joint ventures, carve-outs and consortiums.

Activity: Reflect on questions leaders should ask themselves when thinking about selling parts of their organisation. Answer questions about the rationale, deal structure, financing and other important aspects.

Identify key differences in the M&A process for the buy-side and the sell-side; examine valuation, pricing and financing issues; and prepare for due diligence in the transaction.

Activity: Build an investment case for a target acquisition by picking an organisation you believe would be a good target acquisition for your organisation. Summarise a variety of possible valuations for an organisation, and consider the valuation range you would choose. Assume the role of a consultant, and perform an exercise in due diligence to assess the value of a hospital chain that is up for sale.

Explore the covert tactics, defences and hostile battles involved in the takeover process.

Activity: Prepare a deck or paper to understand takeover tactics and identify defences against hostile takeovers.

Delve into advanced tactics employed in takeover bids and defences, including the role of activist investors, negotiation and bidding techniques and managing shareholder conflict.

Activity: Study and debate the tactics used by activist investors to achieve their goals. Share an example of a merger or acquisition where hard or soft negotiation techniques were used, and briefly evaluate what made them successful or unsuccessful. Conduct an in-depth analysis of stock market assessment, financing, restructuring and negotiation techniques for a given organisation.

Maximise synergies, and seamlessly combine core business interests post-merger.

Activity: Explain your choice of the takeover candidate for a given organisation, use the viewpoints of different stakeholders and assess post-merger integration.

Focus on specific practices and priorities to seal overseas opportunities and cross-border deals.

Activity: Prepare an essay related to important aspects of a cross-border and emerging market merger.

Learn more about the professionals who participate in the M&A process, from those searching for potential deals to lawyers dealing with documentation.

Activity: Interview a colleague or contact directly involved in M&A. Identify their most important skills and examples where they proved handy.

How much time is required each week?

Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.

How will my time be spent?

We have designed this programme to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:

• Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty

• Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific programme schedule

• Reading or engaging with examples of core topics

• Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities

• Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers

• Completing your final project, if required

The programme is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on programme activities.

What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 per cent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.

How do I interact with other programme participants?

Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the programme. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life.

This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass. Participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.

What type of certificate will I receive?

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.

The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.

Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?

No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.

How long will I have access to the learning materials?

You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and programme materials for 12 months following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

What equipment or technical requirements are there for this programme?

Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts.

Do I need to be online to access the programme content?

Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access programme content from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you can view them later.

Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the programme without missing any of the core programme material or learnings.

What is the programme fee and what forms of payment do you accept?

The programme fee is noted at the top of this programme web page and usually referenced in the programme brochure as well.

• Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this programme web page next to FEE).

• Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org

What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the programme currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your programme adviser or email us for details.

I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

Yes! Please email us with the details of the programme you are interested in, and we will assist you.

How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific programme you’re interested in enroling in.

Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?

Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the programme fee in instalments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.

How can I obtain a W9 form?

Please connect with us via email for assistance.

Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?

Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support, and manages learning platform services.

Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?

Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.

What is the programme refund and deferral policy?

For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.