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How can you use this book to best advantage? The following points lend some practical guidance to these and other questions:
Read. It is hard to get the gist of the ideas presented here without some concentration and dedicated effort. To get the maximum benefit, it makes sense to follow the advice of Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter: “Start at the beginning and when you come to the end, stop.”
Test your knowledge. There are some questions and problems for each chapter on the CD-ROM. One could work through these and then examine the suggested solutions given for each on the CD-ROM. A companion, Applied Mergers and Acquisitions Workbook, gives summaries of each chapter and worked-through problems available on the CD-ROM.
Exercise your skills. The spreadsheet programs in the software pack enable the reader to use the tools and concepts discussed in the text—this is a good way to strengthen one’s intuition. Also, the models can be applied to cases or problems with which one is familiar.
Browse intentionally. The use of bullet points facilitates a quick survey of topics so that one can focus in on areas of special interest. Corporate executives will find the sections on strategy, laws, communication, integration, and process management to be meaningful. Front-line analysts will find the chapters on valuation and research to offer direct guidance. The manager who is parachuting into a business development assignment will find the chapters on deal development and process management to offer a kick start to one’s thinking.
Revisit and refer. This book affords a ready reference on specific questions one might have. One could keep this on the shelf as an ongoing resource for questions about terms, tools, concepts, and processes.
Springboard to further study. One could use this book as an embarkation for other readings about M&A.
