The publication of the Practical Handbook 4.0 also addressed the issue of digitalization in the M&A process. Logically, this was not a flash in the pan, but one of the new developments that the BM&A must address if it wants to be at the forefront of the movement. This is why we invited people to the kick-off meeting of the relevant working group on June 11. In 20-minute slots, the issue of digitalization was examined from a wide variety of perspectives, including standardization, automation and the use of artificial intelligence. It became clear that the digitalization of the M&A process is driven by customers (greater time pressure, increasing complexity, larger amounts of data, expansion of candidates, business and solution models).
The potential for digitalization varies greatly depending on the M&A phase. Several focal points have emerged, for example in the run-up to candidate screening, in the transaction phase during due diligence and during implementation in controlling. But there are also approaches in the areas of legal and change. At the end of the event, the participants voted unanimously to continue and agreed on five working groups dedicated to further development: (1) Digital Business Models, (2) End-to-End M&A Process, (3) Due Diligence & Legal, (4) IT as Facilitator & Backbone and (5) Emerging Technologies, such as Blockchain, IT and Data Infrastructure. The sub-goals are now to be agreed in five separate conference calls.
Towards the end of the year, we are planning another plenary event to present and discuss the interim results and agree on the further process.
Author: Prof. Dr. Kai Lucks
