23 Insights from The 2019 Corporate Development Conference

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23 Insights from The 2019 Corporate Development Conference

January 21, 2020 | Brief

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.”

Ginni Rometty, president and CEO of IBM

Pivot to Prepare: Transforming Business Models through Dealmaking

If recent deals—LVMH buying Tiffany & Co., Charles Schwab snapping up TD Ameritrade, and Novartis acquiring The Medicines Company—are any indication, M&As were in full swing as 2019 came to a close. This “shopping spree,” to quote the Financial Times, indicates that deal making is still a booming business, and that low confidence and slowdown fears are on the wane. Corporate development executives will continue to be very busy. And data and culture will continue to be essential to deal success.

When 132 practitioners and experts met to discuss corporate development, we took notes. Here are the highlights: