Category: Blog

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Podcast: Virtual Campfire

Embrace change: it’s the key to not just surviving mergers and acquisitions but thriving and showing true leadership. In this episode, Jennifer joins Tony Martignetti to discuss the power of people in Mergers & Acquisitions. Discover the unexpected journey of an accidental entrepreneur, who transforms the daunting topic of M&A into a relatable, engaging conversation. Jennifer shares the human side of mergers and acquisitions, explaining how embracing change becomes the key to not just surviving but thriving in times of transition. She also touches on change management, courageous writing, and more.

See the full transcript here.

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Forbes: Create Certainty During Mergers And Acquisitions With One Exercise

While M&A deal volume normalized and progressively improved throughout 2023, for CEOs and boards, considerable uncertainty remains in today’s market….. There is a simple exercise I employ with companies pursuing a deal to address these questions and bring more certainty to the deal’s unknowns: a premortem analysis.

Click here to learn how to implement my premortem exercise and its benefits for leadership before heading into an M&A conversation.

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Podcast: Relationships at Work with Russel Lolacher

Jennifer joined Russel Lolacher to talk about how to ease the pain of mergers and acquisitions. See the full transcript here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

  • Mergers and acquisition complexities and challenges.
  • First hand employee experience during a M&A.
  • The importance of effective and adaptive leadership during M&A.
  • The critical role of communication.
  • How early involvement of frontline leaders is crucial.
  • Steps to overcome an “us vs them’ mentality.

“Leaders need to be better prepared for what happens to people in times of change and uncertainty… You need to allow people to adapt to that, but you also need to prepare your leaders for how to lead people when they’re dealing with a whole new process, potentially.”

Jennifer Fondrevay

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Podcast: Mindset Zone

Jennifer recently spoke with Ana Melikian, Ph.D., of Mindset Zone. They discuss the importance of drawing upon unique talents, directing effort wisely, and adopting an appropriate attitude. Ana emphasizes the need for mental fitness, and Jennifer reinforces how crucial it is to identify what one can control in uncertain environments. 

See the full piece at Mindset Zone.

* [00:00] Introduction and Personal Struggles with Burnout

* [00:42] Meet the Host: Ana Melikian

* [01:24] Introducing Special Guest: Jennifer Fondrevay

* [02:53] Jennifer’s Expertise: Embracing Uncertainty

* [03:18] Jennifer’s Journey: From Certainty to Uncertainty

* [05:02] The Role of Control in Embracing Uncertainty

* [05:57] Jennifer’s TEA Framework: Talent, Effort, Attitude

* [06:54] The Importance of Data and Information

* [08:02] The Human Factor in Business Transformation

* [09:05] The Power of Choosing Our Response

* [09:51] Learning from Mistakes: Jennifer’s Personal Experience

* [11:48] The TEA Framework in Detail: Talent

* [16:48] The TEA Framework in Detail: Effort

* [25:03] The TEA Framework in Detail: Attitude

* [31:40] Conclusion and Contact Information

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No Man Left Behind: The Practical Optimist with Ken Schmitt

She is often hailed as the M&A whisperer, while she playfully identifies herself as the next French Ambassador. A survivor of three multibillion-dollar acquisitions, Jennifer Fondrevay sheds light on how transitions don’t just change the business, it also changes the story for the people in it. She will shift your viewpoint on the inner workings of mergers and acquisitions and remind us that things are not always what they appear from the outside. There is always more to the story……. so get ready for some good advice on how to not just survive, but thrive.

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Unraveling the Hidden Impact of Culture on Psychology in M&A

In this insightful episode, Anirvan Sen and Jennifer dive deep into the often-overlooked aspect of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) – organizational culture.

Jennifer elucidates how the neglect of cultural assessment during the initial due diligence process can potentially unravel surprising challenges post-deal. By drawing parallels from her personal experiences, Jennifer narrates how her American B2B company’s acquisition by a European B2C company exposed stark differences in organizational cultures, proving the significance of cultural considerations in M&A.

Taking us through her journey, Jennifer shares the inspiration behind her book, “NOW WHAT?: A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions.” The book delves into the experiences and transformations of ten personas during M&A transitions, offering invaluable guidance for navigating such changes.

Listen in as we unravel the role of culture in M&A, and why it needs to be at the forefront of any successful merger or acquisition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in M&A or those looking to understand the intricacies of organizational culture in such scenarios.

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Podcast: Thriving Through M&A: It Starts at the Top (with Growth Igniters® Radio)

It’s tempting to focus primarily on the transactional side of the deal; but there’s also an emotional journey post-acquisition that can impact success of the deal. Knowing what to look for can help you and your organization thrive despite the uncertainty and challenges of the transition.  Thriving Through M&A starts at the top.

Jennifer joins Growth Igniters Radio with Pam Harper & Scott Harper® to discuss the emotional journey of thriving through M&A. This episode dives into:

  • How Jennifer’s experiences led her to write her book
  • Exploring some of the tongue-in-cheek “Personas” that Jennifer says can emerge at any level of an organization during an M&A transformation, and how they can affect success
  • The importance of top leaders’ awareness of these dynamics in successfully leading others through integration
  • Immediately useful ideas for leading to thrive through M&A, starting at the top

The people you thought you knew can show a different side of themselves when they’re uncertain of the future. (Jennifer J Fondrevay)

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Podcast: Death of a Workaholic | Know Your Worth

Jennifer joined Jenny Lynne to talk about being valued and recognized at work, what is your own personal value, and how serving others is part of her journey. Hear the full podcast here.

Key Takeaways

  • You do have to work hard to achieve success, but you also have to find a balance that works for you.
  • Finding purpose and value in your own work requires a willingness to let go of distractions and noise.
  • If you’re feeling unsure of how to make a change in your life, focus on the mark you want to leave behind. What is your purpose in your work?

Key Moments
{03:51} “I think I just got into my head at that point. You gotta always be working at this, like you can never let up.”

{05:53} “But it came from that really painful moment of realizing I was exhausting myself and no one was caring.”

{10:05} “You become less fixated on holding onto the past because you’re okay with the future, you know your value. So anything that comes your way, you got it. You’re good.”

{21:28} “I remember just saying to my husband,  I don’t want my obituary to say, you know, ‘oh, she was a great chief marketing officer,’ right? I thought, man, if my legacy was about helping businesses do better by their people and to improve the success rate, that could be something I’d be proud of.”