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.
Quick. Your company is about to be bought. Or merged. Or otherwise smashed together with a group of strangers. What’s your first thought? Jennifer talks with TJ Bennett and breaks down how companies can avoid the common pitfalls of mergers, acquisitions and large-scale transitions. Read the full transcript here.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.”
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Jennifer talks with Nicole Mahoney about navigating uncertainty and embracing transformation. Jennifer shares best practices for entering into a partnership and explores the similarities between M&A and collaboration and how the principles and processes of both can be applied to achieve success in any transformational journey.
What You Will Learn in this Episode:
What happens when you bring two cultures together after a merger, and how to avoid some of the typical challenges
Why it’s critical to be intentional about your values when planning a partnership
The importance of getting past your ego when making key decisions
Why you have to ensure that customer experience is your North Star to maximize a collaboration’s success
Jennifer shares her wisdom for leaders and teams looking to navigate the complexities of mergers and acquisitions
Helping Partnerships Thrive
Jennifer shares valuable insights for leaders and their teams considering a merger or acquisition, emphasizing the importance of respect for the other company. Drawing on the analogy of a successful marriage, Jennifer highlights that partnerships thrive on both sides bringing out the best in each other and recognizing the value each brings to the partnership.
She stresses the need for humility and respect when entering into a partnership and cautions against letting ego drive decision-making, which can lead to unsuccessful deals. Jennifer’s advice is a must-listen for anyone looking to enter into a successful partnership.
Finding Your North Star
On the podcast, we discuss the importance of being intentional and self-aware of your value when entering into a merger or acquisition. She emphasizes the need to keep the customer at the forefront of any decision-making process, using the example of a successful acquisition where a junior product manager reminded the team to focus on the customer’s needs rather than their own egos.
Jennifer highlights that keeping the customer as the North Star can help diminish the impact of ego in business and keep teams focused on the true reason for their work. She has some great golden nuggets of wisdom that provide valuable guidance for leaders and teams looking to navigate the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.
Unique Opportunities
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of the people piece in M&A; she says that there is no specific playbook for these types of deals, as each one has its unique opportunities and challenges. However, she encourages people to be intentional and contribute to the evolution of their organization.
Jennifer suggests bringing your particular skills to the partnership, embracing uncertainty, and looking for new opportunities. She also talks about the importance of collaboration, letting go of old ways, and contributing to the new vision.
