We take a look at the role IMAP’s analysts and associates play in M&A transactions and why the meeting is such an important event on the IMAP calendar

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Meeting since before the outbreak of COVID during
which over 70 IMAP analysts and associates
representing 19 different countries gathered in
Rotterdam. Creating Value takes a look at the
role IMAP’s analysts and associates play in MA
transactions and why the meeting is such an
important event on the IMAP calendar.
Analysts and Associates Crucial
Role in the MA Process
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MAP launched what is now known as the Analyst
Associate (“AA”) Meeting in 2016. Then called
the Hamburger Club, its purpose was for the junior
IMAP members to get to know each other better,
create a tight group, and help each other on leads and
mandates. Playing a crucial role in the MA process,
be it buy-side or sell-side, the analysts and associates
provide crucial support to the team. Working hand-in-
hand with the senior executives, they are involved from
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of the transaction performing a wide range of tasks
including research, targeting companies, competition
assessment, liaison, and due diligence.
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ANALYSTS ASSOCIATES ROLE IN MA
The role demands a combination of specialized hard
and soft skills, with strong interpersonal, relationship
building, and communications skills essential during
what can often be long and complicated MA
processes. Furthermore, with nearly a third of IMAP’s
yearly deals closed now cross-border, fostering
relationships with international counterparts is vital.
With this in mind, and in its commitment to facilitate
training, as well as retain key talent; understanding
that MA analysts and associates are critical to the
company’s overall growth, the IMAP AA Meeting was
born and has been growing in size and importance
ever since.
CLAIRE SMEDLEY
Editor in Chief
IMAP Creating Value

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ANALYSTS ASSOCIATES ROLE IN MA
The meeting kick-offed with a meet greet cocktail,
followed by a welcome address by IMAP Chairman,
Jurgis V. Oniunas, who was in attendance throughout
the sessions. This year’s diverse program was divided
into outward and inward- facing sessions, focusing on
embedding the cultural aspects of IMAP’s strategic
vision across all levels of the organization. Guest
speakers Myrna Nakad and Gemma Hardy from
Spark for Growth led a session devised to develop
effective writing and communication skills, particularly
compelling storytelling, following the Pyramid Principle.
This was followed by internal sessions during which
the attendees from around the world shared best
practices and learnings from their own experiences
during recent MA transaction processes.
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in team building exercises, followed by a private boat
tour through Rotterdam Harbor. Over the course of
the days, attendees also got to discover and enjoy the
great city of Rotterdam.
Rotterdam was IMAP’s largest gathering of analysts and
associates to date. What’s more, it also had the most
female participants ever; 13, hopefully demonstrating
strides in the right direction in the ongoing challenge
to bridge gender disparities from ground level up in an
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“The AA meetings are a unique opportunity to get
to know our colleagues and gain a sense of cohesion
within IMAP – which is especially important for new
colleagues. It was a great pleasure meeting everyone
in Rotterdam and the increasing number of women
in IMAP is hopefully a sign of the industry evolving”
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Senior Associate
IMAP Southeast Europe
iva.pranjkovic@imap.com
“As a person flying 5.728 miles from Bangkok to
Rotterdam to attend my very first AA Meeting,
I can honestly say that this event was worth it on
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a serious and male-dominated industry. I was feeling
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friendly faces both men and women. The number
of women analysts attending the event were more
than I expected showing increasing opportunities
for women entering the field. Meeting other
analysts from all over the world helps me learn new
perspectives and ways of working. Most importantly,
our connections and memories have been built
together through the very well-organized activities
of IMAP.”
KOCHAMON
CHANDARATIP (“STAR”)
Analyst at Discover Management
– IMAP Thailand
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the first ever AA Meeting, called the Hamburger
Club at the time. The contacts and memories made
that weekend still have great value even today. Six
years later, I was delighted to be part of the event’s
host team. The program has been organized by
the analysts, for the analysts, which is extremely
important. It’s great to see that it has grown from
20 participants back then, to 70 this year, which will
strengthen the IMAP partnership and demonstrates
just how important events like these are.
DAAN ZANDBERGEN
IMAP Senior Consultant at IMAP
Netherlands and one of this year’s
AA Meeting organizers