NOW WHAT?: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions

by Jennifer J. Fondrevay

Companies around the globe are increasingly pursuing M&A as a growth strategy. Odds are, at some point in your career, your company will be one of them.
Jennifer J. Fondrevay , an M&A expert who has led teams and brands through three separate multibillion-dollar acquisitions, reveals that these transitions are as stressful as a major loss or moving to another country. The normal human reactions of fear, anger, anxiety, and denial can make the experience hellish, make leading change overwhelming, and keep you from capitalizing on opportunities.
To help you navigate the chaos and your emotions and see how M&A can, in fact, further your career, she has written NOW WHAT? the guide she wished for years ago. Based on 60 interviews with M&A integration survivors and practitioners, NOW WHAT? :

NOW WHAT? helps anybody in the middle of it all, from C-suite executives to team leaders and players, come out stronger on the other side to help their companies do the same.
********Jennifer J Fondrevay is the Founder and Chief Humanity Officer of Day1 Ready™, a consultancy that advises forward-thinking business leaders, owners, entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives on how to prepare for the human capital challenges of M&A. As a Fortune 500 C-Suite “survivor” of three multibillion-dollar acquisitions, Jennifer has been on all sides of the deal equation. She saw countless growth strategies fail due to a workforce that couldn’t pivot and adapt as quickly as leadership anticipated. When her Harvard Business Review (HBR) article, “After a Merger, Don’t Let ‘Us vs. Them’ Thinking Ruin the Company” went viral, Jennifer recognized the power and interest in a human-centric approach to business transformation, where employees are at the heart of the change and not on the sidelines. She shares her expertise as a contributor Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Thrive Global, American Marketing Association, Middle Market Growth ; and as a frequent podcast guest and keynote speaker for HR conferences, associations and Fortune 500 companies.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2019

Reviews

[Gina M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying this is a really interesting book and would be perfect for anyone (particularly small and medium sized enterprise owners) who are embarking on an M&A journey for the first time. I would highly recommend it in this case.

The book analyses the different operational aspects of M&A's - from examining the reasons that they occur, to addressing change management issues which may arise from changes in business culture among employees, and covering the feelings of loss which may arise from someone whose organisation is being taken over. In all of these aspects the book is written in an easily understandable manner and would be brilliant for anyone going through the processes themselves.

But, when I bought this book, I was hoping for a little more information on the nuts-and-bolts elements of mergers and acquisitions. The first three Chapters were really informative on some of the general rationale behind M&A as a business device - but I had hoped for additional information surrounding the actual process and some legal concerns which might arise when in the middle of an M&A. Approaching this book from a legal perspective, though, that was my only reservation.

Overall this is a good book if you want to understand the practical operational issues which may arise through a business undergoing an M&A (but perhaps not if you were after more thorough guidance on legal processes behind it).

[David Susler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific How To M&A Guide for Lawyers and Business Leaders

NOW WHAT? is a great read with a lot of important lessons for those businesses which are contemplating transition or are working through post deal integration issues. Fondrevay effectively frames the key issues, pressure points and takeaways in a unique, memorable and thought-provoking way. She also brings fun, humor and levity to these significant inflection points in the lifecycles of organizations, and to those who lead, advise and work for them. I highly recommend it!

[Deborah Vyskocil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an amazing way of making you feel like you are not alone in this major disruption in your life and work. It also helps you feel like you aren't losing your mind. Jennifer has a very humanistic way of explaining what many experience when they are caught in a merger or acquisition, through the eyes of someone who went through this process. It is written in plain English to help those at every level. Definitely a book to buy for your entire team to help them survive and come out healthy on the other side.

[Jenny Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the realities of the human element of M&A (and general org change). Entertaining and easy to find yourself in the mix! Includes practical tips to navigate.

[Tim Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book “Now What – A survivor’s guide for thriving through mergers and acquisitions” Jennifer Fondrevay talks about the fact that M&A happen, you can be going along nicely in your career and then you get hit with the change and upheaval that M&A provides. So what will you do?

She then shares the 8 stages of grief that people go through from denial to acceptance and the stages in between

She then explains the post M&A characters you will come across

1. The former rock star
2. The great unifier
3. The know it-all
4. The know nothing
5. The black widow
6. The missing-in-action
7. The specialist
8. The opportunist
9. The ostrich
10. The dominatrix

By understanding this, you are more likely going to, not only survive, but thrive

[Carolyn Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting nuggets to think about with the people side of integration. I think more helpful as an employee of an acquired company -- the four stages of grief comparison is more likely the emotional journey you'll have being acquired.