Wow! Doesn’t it sound brilliant! In the world of M&A I dream daily of having a clear path. I would say I dream each night, but I’m a classic insomniac so won’t go there. So, anyway…I was listening to a quick Audible of Oprah Winfrey’s A Path Made Clear and something stuck. A small morsel of wisdom by Barbara Brown Taylor where she describes life’s journey like being on a sailboat. Everyday you must check the wind, check the currents + the weather and who is there to help you. The same is true for the journey of M&A whether in due diligence (DD) or post merger integration (PMI). It really is like being on a sailboat! I remember my younger days sailing off the coast of San Diego with friends and the thrill of going beyond the Bay. Many times it was fairly smooth and when all elements were with us it was joyous and harmonious. Other times I was puking off the side. Oh and how the weather can change and you must adjust your plans abruptly.

So in your journey of M&A, I encourage a clear path. Having a methodology to sail upon and the fortitude to check the wind, currents, weather and who is onboard to help you…making adjustments when needed to keep your head up and on the horizon.

Oh, one of my favorite expressions! “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”. So true on life at the Farm, but also true during Post Merger Integration (PMI). The reality of all players getting on board and actively participating in stages of integration doesn’t always happen the way we would like. There is typically at least one horse who won’t drink or better yet one who will pretend he/she is thirsty but when at the watering-hole will absolutely not take part. Or my most favorite horse that desperately needs water but still won’t drink! So, the million-dollar question…what can be done? There are lots of strategies to use, the first being to allow time and space. This of course takes mindful patience. There may not be space for this in an organization, i.e. if this “horse” is disruptive or causing other problems. If time and space doesn’t work, then it’s time to talk to the human of course. Find grace and discuss things openly. Then hopefully all can drink!

“Maturity is the ability to reject good alternatives to pursue even better ones”

A quote from Principles by Ray Dalio has been top of mind lately as we are preparing for more M&A activity. It sounds so profound, so shrewd and indeed it is…but don’t get me wrong…when you are facing the unknown, as we do in the beginning of every deal, the balance of what and when to integrate cannot be too open or chaos breeds quickly. It’s critical to have strong methodology and a roadmap that provides all stakeholders a path.

The challenge here is that we don’t settle, that we continue to push ourselves and our own organizations to do the right thing when we work within the web of M&A activities. Most importantly planning for post merger integration (PMI)…what items are negotiable, which are not? Are there areas that are good, but not great? For both your own company as well as for the acquiree? What are the experiences for all involved?

It’s a fascinating time and the excitement lies in the new that is coming and maybe, just maybe we can make some good things even better! Thank you, Ray Dalio

And then your child walks…After trying for a couple of months, taking an odd step here and there, bouncing down on their butt, mastering the courage to get up and try again, planning, holding, trusting and it happens.

In our world of M&A this happens when our HR counterparts who we have been working with for months, explaining, describing and emphasizing a process, one day get this look of excitement and intelligent questions. Then you know you are heard, and your acquisition begins walking…