Chairman's Message, July 2016
By Jim Jeffries, Chairman, M&A Leadership Council

In our “Art of M&A for HR Leaders” programs, Willis Towers Watson headlines the training content presented by seasoned executives.  This large, global organization is expert in the people issues that relate to value creation or erosion in mergers and acquisitions. Here are some people-related highlights that WTW suggests you think about in three key acquisition phases:

Strategy Phase

• Have you considered the leadership needs in the target selection?
• Have you designated a senior executive to champion the deal effort from start to finish?

Due Diligence Phase

• Have you made it a priority to retain key leadership and staff?
• Make sure you fully evaluate people-related liabilities
• Do you know the impact of certain cultural differences?
• Make sure you understand, predict and manage the employee reactions to the deal
• Plan for senior executive involvement, visibility and continuity
• Don’t launch an unprepared and inexperienced HR diligence team

Integration Phase

• Make sure you deal with conflicting corporate and national cultures early
• Negotiate with management for adequate resourcing, budget and management process, in general and specifically for HR
• Make sure you pay full attention to customers and the employees who will be serving them
• Focus on People and Change

We all know that people are instrumental to successful M&A and the people issues can either create value or destroy it.  I hope you will join us for our next  The Art of M&A for HR Leaders executive training.

Best Regards,