What really happens when one company buys another? It’s not just about numbers—it’s about people, purpose, and power.
In this eye-opening conversation, M&A expert Thomas Kessler reveals the emotional and strategic layers behind 46 global mergers. From integrating 25,000 employees under one brand to navigating cultural clashes in billion-dollar deals, Thomas shares stories you won’t find in finance textbooks.
🔍 Inside the Episode
(00:00) Why “What’s your purpose?” is the question that changes everything
(01:42) The surprising power behind buying, not building, a business
(03:51) Mergers aren’t just for giants: why small businesses need to listen
(06:03) What actually gives a business its value? (It’s simpler than you think)
(09:45) From medicine to M&A: how a hip implant company launched his career
(13:10) The billion-dollar mistake companies make during integration
(16:25) The real reason most mergers fail (hint: it’s not the financials)
(19:48) What 25,000 employees taught him about purpose-led leadership
(23:12) How to unite two completely different cultures under one brand
(26:30) The Golden Circle in business: applying purpose beyond TED talks
(30:01) When “What’s in it for me?” derails an entire deal
(34:15) A peek inside one of the world’s most complex tire mergers
(37:20) What startups and Fortune 500s both get wrong in M&A
(40:43) Why “defense tech” is shaping the future of innovation in Europe
(45:08) How data privacy and culture clash in global acquisitions(48:56) His advice to anyone stepping into M&A for the first time
(52:33) The Oxford Class: 74 videos, 20 lessons, and what you’ll learn
(56:10) One book that transformed his thinking—and might change yours
Whether you’re a startup founder, executive, or curious mind, this episode will change the way you see business forever.
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🎧 Tune in on the Oxford Talks Podcast on Youtube: https://youtu.be/z5H2FGMQYo0
