The Role of Leadership in M&A Success

Selling a business is a big change, and times of change can often produce feelings of uncertainty or fear. But with the right messaging, change can also be considered an opportunity for growth and new success. That’s why strong leadership is such a key element of a successful M&A process. Whether selecting the right buyer or creating buy-in among employees, an effective leader can help ensure a merger unfolds smoothly.

At Symmetrical, we have years of experience helping leaders and business owners navigate this challenging process. Here are four key leadership tips we’ve learned while working with business owners.

Remember to Analyze Culture

No two companies have the exact same culture. When beginning the M&A process, a leader needs to make sure their business and the potential buyer align. Does the buyer have a similar long-term vision for your company? Do the two businesses share important employee values? Ensuring synergy between the buyer and seller will make it easier for your employees as they transition, increasing the likelihood that the M&A process will be a long-term success.

Provide Clear Communication

As a leader, your employees will look to you to provide information about a potential merger or acquisition. Business owners should take a proactive approach to communication with employees at all levels of the organization. Employees will inevitably have questions. Knowing they have a strong leader looking out for their own best interests can help ensure buy-in, making the transition easier for everyone involved.

Build and Maintain Relationships

A major change will affect any relationship, whether it’s in the workplace or anywhere else in life. Effective leaders don’t shy away from those changes; they use it to their advantage. A successful leader is someone who continues to invest in their employee relationships, building new levels of trust with important team members. A leader should also take a proactive approach to the relationship with the buyer, helping the buyer understand the company’s nuances.

Set Decisive Goals

Once a leader gets buy-in from employees, he or she can then rely on that team to help make the M&A process as smooth as possible. By setting decisive goals, a leader can tap their existing employee talent to think strategically about how to make the M&A process a success. The more that people have clear goals, the more likely they will work hard to reach them.

There’s no doubt that mergers and acquisitions can be complicated and full of surprises. At Symmetrical, we’ve seen firsthand how to make the M&A process work well for everyone involved. Contact us today to learn more about our M&A expertise and how we can serve your unique business.