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The future of M&As in a climate of change

The Webster Vienna Alumni Association and Webster Vienna invited their alumni, students, faculty and the Austrian business community to a high level panel discussion  focusing on „Mergers & Acquisitions – How to be successful?“ in the Siemens Forum on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.

Panelists Dr. Benjamin Akande, Dean of the School of Business and Technology, Webster University St. Louis, Michael Fortier, Executive Vice President, Erste Group Bank, Dr. Sascha Hödl, Partner, Schönherr Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Wolfgang Horak, Managing Director, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, DDr. Manfred Moschner, Partner, ACS Acquisition Services Moschner & Co GesmbH and Mag. Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Member of the Management Board of Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG discussed the critical factors for success in the M&A business in times of the global financial crises. They all agreed that the structure of M&A deals will change drastically in the future. „Soft Facts“, such as corporate culture, communication with the employees, understanding of the customers‘ needs as well as mutual trust will take top priority. Almost 80% of mergers & acquisitions fail due to a lack of integration of old and new employees. The panelists believed that people, processes, a detailed plan and the creation of value are the ingredients to a successful deal. The best M&A transactions answer the question: Does this deal make sense?

More than 200 guests attended the first Webster Vienna Alumni Symposium and the Networking Reception. Some of the alumni travelled from Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia to participate in the event. This evening would not have been possible without the support of Fujitsu Siemens Computers, CPI Immobilien, Schönherr Rechtsanwälte and the Vienna Marriott Hotel.

From the left; Dr. Arthur Hirsh, Director Webster University Vienna; Stefano Cantini, President of the Vienna Chapter of the Webster Alumni Association; Wolfgang Horak, Managing Director, Fujitsu Siemens Computers; Benjamin Ola. Akande, PhD. Dean, School of Business and Technology, Webster University; Mag. Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Managing Director, Gebrüder Weiss; Angelica Vuzem-de la Rosa, Vice President of the Vienna Alumni Association; Dr. Michael Fembek, Senior Editor, GEWINN Magazine; Michael Fortier, Executive Vice President, Erste Group Bank; Dr. Sascha Hödl, Partner, Schönherr Rechtsanwälte; Manfred Moschner, Managing Partner, ACS Vienna

Moderator; Dr. Michael Fembek, Senior Editor, GEWINN Magazine

Speaker; Benjamin Ola. Akande, PhD.
Dean, School of Business and Technology, Webster University.

Speaker, Wolfgang Horak, Managing Director, Fujitsu Siemens Computers

Speaker; Mag. Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Managing Director, Gebrüder Weiss

Speaker, Michael Fortier, Executive Vice President, Erste Group Bank

Speaker; Dr. Sascha Hödl, Partner, Schönherr Rechtsanwälte

Speaker; Manfred Moschner, Managing Partner, ACS Vienna

Dr. Arthur Hirsh, Director Webster University Vienna

Webster University Vienna, Berchtoldgasse 1, A-1220 Vienna, Austria
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