Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Handbook, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 1Introduction

Welcome to the Mergers & Acquisitions Integration Handbook, Second Edition.

The first edition was published back in 2012, and over the years the book has received praise as a pragmatic reference for those undertaking an M&A-related integration project. This second edition follows the same approach but has been updated with more examples, approaches, wisdom, and lessons learned from my experience as an integration practitioner over the past 20+ years.

If you are picking up this book, you have most likely been tasked with leading some integration-related endeavor for your company and are quickly trying to get up to speed and answer the call. Integration responsibilities are typically given to executives with a proven track record and a reputation for getting things done. If that’s you, congratulations. But don’t celebrate just yet. Now comes the hard part!

Integration takes many forms. It is defined as all the activities involved in bringing two corporate entities together after they have officially merged or after an acquisition by one company of another (or more). While your current or perhaps future integration project may still be somewhat undefined, it is imperative that integration work be effectively planned and managed to preserve value and not disrupt business continuity, and that’s what integration managers are typically tasked to accomplish.

This book provides a no-nonsense handbook-style approach to manage an effective integration and to help ...