M&A Day 1

M&A Day 1 is the business day ownership is transferred.

How well Day 1 is managed sets the tone for the rest of the M&A integration. The first day should inspire stakeholders' confidence in the acquirer. It is a statement about the acquirer's ability to execute. 

This section features many plans, presentations, checklists, and playbooks to help acquirers prepare for Day 1 and educate their people on how to effectively communicate with employees, customers, and vendors about the acquisition.

The Power of "Opening Moves"

Day 1 Plans and Presentations

Day 1 Checklists

Day 1 Playbooks

The Power of "Opening Moves

M&A Day 1: The Power of Opening Moves

M&A Day 1: The Power of Opening Moves

So the deal closes. It’s “Day 1.” Are you ready for one of management’s big moments …
Onboarding in Post-Merger Integration

Most Onboarding in M&A: Too Little Too Late

Acquiring and merging a company is like hiring en masse. You spend a ton of money on the deal, and your payroll immediately explodes because of this huge new batch of employees ...

Day 1 Plans and Presentations

M&A Day 1 Readiness: Dry Run Session

M&A Day 1 Readiness: Dry Run Session

Agenda

  • Meeting Objectives
  • Expectations
  • Drive Run Rolls Detailed Process for Scenario Dry Runs
  • Exit Criteria
  • 2nd Day Feedback Session
  • Process Flow  - The Path of The Scenario
  • Variables Description
  • Framework - Defining the Scenarios
  • Additional Scenarios to Test . . .
Post-Merger Integration Communications Plan for Day 1

Post-Merger Integration Communications Plan for Day 1

Content

  • Communications Plan
  • Pre-Close Communications Meeting
  • Pre-Close Communications Meeting Agenda
  • Key Events
  • Day1 Town Hall Webcast
  • Week 1 Onwards - Group Function Engagement. . .
M&A Day 1 Mandatory Initiatives by Work Stream

M&A Day 1 Mandatory Initiatives by Work Stream

Agenda

  • Day 1 Mandatories Summary
  • Day One Mandatories
  • IT
  • IT Day 1 Status
  • Finance
  • Communications
  • Legal
  • HR
  • East Operations
  • West Operations
  • Real Estate
  • Corporate

 
M&A Day 1 Answers to Employee Frequently Asked Questions

M&A Day 1 Answers to Employee Frequently Asked Questions

Excerpt from Answers to Employees FAQs

  1. Is the purchase/sale of Acquiree to Acquirer finalized?
    Yes. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Acquirer have entered into an agreement which permitted the acquisition to proceed. The Acquirer and Acquiree have both received Board and Shareholder approval and we have officially closed the deal.
     
  2. What Acquiree offices are included in the sale?
    All Acquiree’s operations in North America, Europe, and Asia are included in the deal..
M&A Day 1 Onboarding Guide

M&A Day 1 Onboarding Guide

DAY 1 

Today, marks the beginning of our new organization. This Day 1 Onboarding Guide is designed to help you understand changes that are taking place (or will take place) and any actions you may need to take.

The purpose of this guide is to explain:

  • What you need to know now (Now: this week)
  • What you'll need to know and do in the very near future
  • When other changes will take place and when you can expect to hear more about them
M&A Integration Day 1 Plan

M&A Integration Day 1 Plan

Content

  • Key Milestones
  • Timeline
  • April 19 Is the Day We Are One
  • Event Schedule April 20 And 21
  • Agenda for Global Town Hall
  • Guidance for Field Force and Shift Workers
  • Day One Employee Kits for Local Implementation
  • Day One Employee Welcome Package for All Employees . . .
M&A Communications Timelines

M&A Communications Timelines

Day 1 M&A Communications Objectives
   –    Mark the completion of the transaction as an opportunity to honor the past and recognize the contributions of the employees 
   –    Promote the strengths and benefits of the new company, its brand and growth strategy …
Acquisition Signing Day Communications Schedule

Acquisition Signing Day Communications Schedule

Events

  • Steering Committee Call to Review Communication Plan
  • Signing
  • Acquirer Press Release Distribution
  • Acquired Co. Press Release Distribution
  • Send BU Meeting Invites
  • BU Employee Calls
  • BU Customer Calls
  • BU Customer Email
  • Supplier Calls …
Day 3 Through Day 1 M&A Communications Plan

Day -3 Through Day 1 M&A Communications Plan

Day -3

  • FTC gives indication that clearance is likely
  • Confirm all final communication documents are uploaded to SmartSheet

Day -2

  • FTC Clears transaction to close
  • Press release related to HSR completion
  • Issue Corporate Acquired Co Investors Press Release ...
M&A Day 1 Communications

Day 1 M&A Communications

Deliverable and Spokespeople

  • Employee Playbook - Managers (Acquirer & Acquired Co.)
  • Customer Playbook - Sales & Marketing Organizations (Acquirer & Acq. Co.)
  • Supplier Playbook - Supplier-Facing Teams (Acquirer & Acq. Co.)
  • Welcome Week Playbook - Welcome Week Teams …
Day One Post Merger Integration Overview

Day One Post Merger Integration Overview

Day 1 Welcome Packets
Message from CEO | Safety Overview | Basic FAQs | New Company Infographic | Company Vision | Email structure | FAQ process | Acquirer Swag | Pay & Benefits reminder | Checklist | What to expect soon | IT Access …
 

Day 1 Checklists

IT Post-Merger Integration Checklist - Day 1 Initiatives

IT Post-Merger Integration Checklist - Day 1 Initiatives

IT checklist covers more than 50 tasks and defines which are to be completed by Day 1.
Day 1 M&A Checklist

Day 1 M&A Checklist

The checklist covers the schedule of activities for Day 1 and the tasks in preparation of Day 1.
Post M&A Integration Checklist

Post M&A Integration Checklist

5-page post M&A integration checklist that covers IT, HR, Operations, Finance, Facilities, Day 1, Operations, and Communications.
M&A Day 1 Readiness Checklist

M&A Day 1 Readiness Checklist

Checklist of 270 tasks. 

Status Preparation Completed by Day 1
On Track Playbooks: SC Review
On Track Corporate communications / IR review
Escalate Customer-facing Webcast
On Track Supplier-facing Webcast
On Track Employee-facing webcast with HR professionals
On Track Day 1 Timeline Completed
On Track Meet with Heads and Leads to incorporate "alignment" tactics for Day 1
Post-Merger Integration Day 1 Checklist: Over 500 Tasks by Work Stream

Post-Merger Integration Day 1 Checklist: Over 500 Tasks by Work Stream

Workstreams include: Finance, Communications, Human Resources, Safety, Information Technology, R&D, and Procurement

Day 1 Finance:

  • Coordinate with IT and business units regarding closing of periods and end of period processing
  • Ensure Acquired Co. Letters of Credit remain in place under new banking arrangements
  • Communicate Acquirer limits of authority to Acquired Co.
  • Execute funds transfer at close. . .

 
Day 1 M&A Integration Checklist

Day 1 M&A Integration Checklist

Day 1 Checklist in Excel of 131 tasks for:

  • Financial System Integration 
  • Human Resources
  • It Infrastructure
  • Legal
  • Purchasing /Supply Chain Management
  • Sales and Business Development
  • Project Operations 
  • Real Estate 
  • PMO
Day 1 Deliverables

Post-Merger Integration Day 1 Deliverables Checklist

Workstream

Day 1 Deliverables

Day 1 Preparation

Finance

Organization Structure

Detailed employee census, access to Acquired Co. leadership

Finance

Seamless day 1

Access to Acquired Co. systems and analysis of how they do things, review change in control

Finance

 

Change in control

All change in control issues and potential challenges resolved (Banking, Insurance, etc). . .

Day 1 Playbooks

Day 1 Employee Communications M&A Playbook

Day 1 M&A Playbook: Employee Communications

Sixteen page document that includes answers to seventy-five employee FAQs, plus communication guidelines, and important talking points and messages.

Contents Page
Communication Guidance 3
Key Messages for Employee 4
Employee Talking Points 5
Employee FAQs 7
Integration Approach 10
Day 1 Human Resources M&A Integration Playbook

Day 1 Human Resources M&A Integration Playbook

Covers 36 HR workstreams and more than 200 actions. Plus, includes key risks and interdependencies.

  • Compensation
  • Severance
  • Workers Comp.
  • Health and Dental
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • 401k
  • Pension
  • Payroll
  • Safety ...
Day 1 M&A Playbook Template

Day 1 M&A Playbook: The Content

Presentation provides the ground rules for Day 1 playbooks and the content they should cover:

  • Company profile/fact sheet
  • Day 1 hour-by-hour activities
  • Communication schedule/plan for Week 1
  • Key events for Day 1-5
  • Core messages for customers, employees, vendors, partners
  • What’s changing and what isn’t