On June 13, Jayne Juvan and Ludgy LaRochelle spoke at the Smart Business 2024 Dealmakers Conference in Cleveland, “The Evolving M&A Landscape.” Ludgy introduced an accomplished group of dealmakers who explored “Navigating the Deal Life Cycle on the Buy Side.” Moderated by Jayne, the panelists discussed from a buyer’s perspective the importance of being strategic and adaptable in all phases of the deal life cycle, including selecting the right target, negotiating favorable terms, and ultimately achieving a successful close and integration. The panelists shared stories of determination, resilience, and lessons learned from their experiences in traversing transactions and offered practical tips and best practices, including how to maximize value while mitigating risks.