Post-Merger Integration: The 10 Most Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common Post-Merger Integration Mistakes

1. Little or No Pre-Close Planning:
   When planning does not start before close, an integration starts more slowly and takes longer.
    
2. Unclear Integration Strategy:
   Acquirers should define a clear integration strategy early and before their teams begin to develop plans.
    
3. Poor Prioritization:
   Without effective prioritization, high-payback activities receive too little attention.
    
4. Disengaged Leadership:
   The Steering Committee and Integration Management Office should make sure integration work is prioritized and issues are resolved quickly.
    
5. Inadequate Communication Planning:
   Communication is usually the worst managed aspect of integrations. People are often left out of the loop or receive mixed messages.
    
6. Weak Synergy Program Management:
   Synergies should be validated, and then rigorously tracked and reported.
    
7. Underestimation of Resource Needs
   Poorly resourced integrations take longer, cost more, delay synergy realization, and often burn people out.
    
8. Slow Organizational Planning
   Slow decision making on organizational design leaves employees in limbo and damages productivity and morale.
    
9. No End-State Transition Process
   The process for handing off integration work (when the end state is near) should be well defined and communicated.
    
10. No Documentation of Lessons Learned
    Feedback from stakeholder groups should be captured to improve the integration process.
     

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