Mergers and Acquisitions - sometimes self inflicted Chaotic Change

If you need help with using any of these ideas, contact Robert Toogood on +44 (0)1983 617241 or via email at robert_toogood@chaoticchange.com.

Seven Catalysts for Merger Integration Success

In today’s economy, it is easy for managers to lose focus during the risky merger integration process. In fact, the chances are that one in two integrations will fail. Based on research, Accenture has identified seven catalysts that can help managers integrate an acquisition successfully, positioning their companies for financial stability now and high performance when the upturn comes.

http://www.accenture.com/Global/Consulting/Strategy/Corporate_Strategy/R_and_I/Seven-Success.htm

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) in a Downturn

As the global economy enters a significant downturn, companies with strong balance sheets are positioned to take advantage of the opportunities the current conditions create. For these companies, the economic turmoil is producing attractive targets for acquisition. Growing through merger or acquisition is particularly appealing in the current market because lower prices can make it easier to realize value and previously unattainable targets are brought within reach. However, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) still maintain inherent risks and the same criteria for success continue to apply.

http://www.accenture.com/Global/Consulting/CEO/MandAinDownturn.htm

Value leakages in mergers and acquisitions: why they occur and how they can be addressed

It is often wrongly assumed that all the projected synergies of a merger or acquisition will be successfully allocated to the shareholders. Practice, however, is too often disappointing, and the expected increase in value simply does not materialise. What might explain this loss of value during the M&A process?

http://www.sps.org.uk/library_show.php?id=239&type=9

M&A Lies (And Why They're Sometimes True)

Deals, such as mergers, stock swaps or spin-offs (to name a few), have always been an important part of business. Acquisitions are a fast way to expand, and divestitures can free up cash (and time) allowing companies to focus on what matters most. Why, then, do many deals — more than half, according to studies — fail to deliver their expected value? One simple answer is that too many companies shoot from the hip. They often rely on conventional wisdom and guess work instead of hard-nosed analysis and discipline. Deal guys get carried away, expectations get over hyped and soon the deal turns into something that has little chance of achieving its anticipated results. This book takes a hard look at ways companies approach transactions today and teaches us that some things that sound totally outrageous can turn out to be true and others that seem like sure bets can be wrong.

http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,cid%253D210657,00.html

The Five Do's and Don’ts of a Successful Merger

DisplayArticle.asp?ID=16278

How CIOs Can Make Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures Work for Them

Tips for effectively managing IT in a MAD world, from staff support and business expectations to juggling priorities.

http://www.cio.com/article/386013/How_CIOs_Can_Make_Mergers_Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_Work_for_Them

Mergers and acquisitions can catapult CIOs to new career heights

As chaotic and uncertain as a merger and acquisition (M&A) can be for an organization, the tumult doesn't have to be all negative. Career experts interviewed this week in the wave of acquisitions that are reordering the banking landscape said that an M&A experience -- on the buying or bought side -- can lever a CIO's career to new heights. If you let it.

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid182_gci1333093,00.html#

Case Study: Integrating information systems after a merger

http://info.tse.fi/julkaisut/vk/Ae1_2008.pdf

Grab the wheel

Mergers and acquisitions are much like bumper car rides – chaotic and over all too quickly.

http://www.ikmagazine.com/xq/asp/sid.0/articleid.BB4ABA73-EAE1-41A3-948B-88D5D24FD5FD/eTitle.Knowledgeworks_Grab_the_wheel/qx/display.htm

Lead your team through challenging adjustment to a merger

Is your company going through a merger or acquisition? Embrace the fact that your team members are going through a difficult transition, and keep them informed to earn their trust.

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1054532.html

Guide to IT Alignment during Mergers and Acquisitions

Merger and Acquisitions are a business world reality. The activity is supposed to bring greater economies of operation by eliminating duplicate overhead while also increasing market share. But, in order to gain these economies the consolidation of organizations needs to occur.

http://www.rkon.com/docs/italign.pdf

If you need help with using any of these ideas, contact Robert Toogood on +44 (0)1983 617241 or via email at robert_toogood@chaoticchange.com.