(Fifth in a series of posts about doing HR M&A right. The previous one is Due Diligence: It's Not Just About Liabilities Anymore.)

4 Critical Steps HR Leaders Should Consider Before Embarking on a Successful Integration
Submitted by Willis Towers Watson, a Partner of the M&A Leadership Council 

So, the boss just told you that your company has entered into an agreement to buy another company. The transaction is expected to close in 60 days, and you need to prepare to bring all the people onto your systems and programs.

Be Mad at Who Sold You, Not at Who Bought You!
By Jack Prouty, President of the M&A Leadership Council

The management of the acquired company, even if they personally will be exiting soon after close, care about their business and their people. They know who the valuable players are, as well as where the issues and challenges are in their business.

(Fourth in a series of posts about doing HR M&A right. The previous one is Designing Your HR Model for Integration Success.)

Making Training the New Tradition
by Jim Jeffries, Chairman of the M&A Leadership Council

After all these years, the ability of most organizations to quickly and effectively digest mergers and acquisitions remains fragile, risky and evasive. Even the biggest and brightest companies must admit that the majority of transactions failed to deliver on the promises made when the deal was crafted.

Global & Regional M&A Report
Submitted by Mergermarket, an Acuris Company and partner of the M&A Leadership Council

Mergermarket, an Acuris company, has released its Global M&A roundup for Q1 – Q3 of 2018, including its financial advisors league tables, and Q3 saw subdued M&A activity as growing geopolitical tensions, trade wars and protectionism dampened spirits and caused corporates to pause over the summer.

Race for Poke Bowl Dominace
By Dayna Fields with Mergermarket/Acuris, a partner of the M&A Leadership Council

The race for global dominance among Hawaiian-inspired poke bowl restaurants is heating up as major players emerge and attract interest from both buyers and sellers, industry executives say.

High Performance Integration
By Jim Jeffries, Chairman of The M&A Leadership Council and a member of the Board of M&A Standards

When I established my consulting organization in hopes of improving the Integration practices of corporate buyers, extensive research made it clear that poor results in mergers and acquisitions were because of the lack of one or more key elements.

Do You Have Executive Commitment in M&A or Just Some High-Level Involvement?
By Jack Prouty, President of the M&A Leadership Council

Have you heard the story of the chicken and the pig?

The chicken comes and visits the pig and in conversation says, “you know Farmer Brown has been great to all of us animals and I think we should do something for him.” The pig says, “I agree, what do you propose?” The chicken says, “I think we should fix him breakfast. ..."

Finish 2018 Strong
By Jim Jeffries, Chairman of the M&A Leadership Council

The M&A Leadership Council has enjoyed a stellar year, enabling us to reach the milestone of 3,000 attendees to our training events. We’ve already posted the training calendar for next year and opened registrations for a few select courses, including The Art of M&A Divestitures and Carve-Outs. This event is designed to equip C-level executives for the unique complication of divestitures. It will only be offered once next year so don’t miss out on this opportunity.