Navigating M&A Like a Pro with Brian Fugere

In this episode, Rina Alexin chats with Brian Fugere, a product veteran who’s led M&A strategies at symplr and beyond. They dive into the good, bad, and downright shocking sides of acquisitions—covering why some deals fail, how to avoid due diligence pitfalls, and tips for making cultural integration actually work. Whether you’ve been through M&A chaos or are bracing for your first, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Key topic #1 The Real Reasons Companies Do M&A: Growth shortcuts, customer acquisition plays, and competitive pressures that drive deal-making. Key topic #2 Why Product Leaders Need a Seat at the M&A Table: How skipping PMs during due diligence leads to expensive surprises post-acquisition. Key topic #3 Cultural Integration—The Silent Deal Killer: Proven tactics to avoid brain drain and create a unified product team post-acquisition. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain:  Battle-tested advice on navigating M&A as a product leader  Red flags to watch for during due diligence  Tips on retaining top talent during acquisitions  Strategies to unify product processes post-M&A If you’re a product leader facing a potential acquisition—or just want to be prepared—this episode is a must-listen. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt:  Productside Resource Library  More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes  Explore Productside Courses