High-Level Overview of Plan
Announcement to Day 1
Prepare for integration of Acquirer and Acquiree, including detailed Day 1 planning. Key activities include harmonizing HR tools, preparing a Day 1 communications playbook, and training teams.
Day 1 Activities
Joint Day 1 for Acquiree’s employees focused on welcome and on-boarding. This includes launching the communications program and focusing on HR operations and selection processes.
First 30 Days
Division-specific activities, including kicking-off the implementation phase. Change management will assist teams with the implementation of post-close actions.
Day 1 Preparation Timeline
Agree on key changes and preparations.
Prepare Day 1 comms and get approval.
Complete Day 1-30 planning.
Implement plans on Day 1.
Day 1 Preparation Details
- Review detailed Day 1 action plans and checklists.
- Identify major gaps and interdependencies across teams.
- Identify and resolve tactical issues.
- Prepare final Day 1 checklists for internal communications, external stakeholder management, and operations, categorized by "Must Happen," "Could Happen," and "Will Happen Later."
Day 1 by Workstream
Key focus areas for each functional team on Day 1.
Major Drivers of Readiness
Cross-Cutting Enablers
Focus on business continuity and stability.
Stakeholder Management
Focus on business continuity and external relations.
Three Focus Areas: First Month After Close
1. On-boarding Employees
Kick off the on-boarding process with welcome messages from senior management, conduct events at selected sites, and distribute welcome gifts to Acquiree employees on Day 1.
2. Managing Stakeholders
Communicate changes to key customers, partners, and suppliers. Manage media and the investor community, and initiate discussions with regulatory and government authorities.
3. Smooth Implementation
Ensure business continuity, define organizational structures and reporting lines, and implement quick wins. Ensure control over key assets like email and bank accounts.
Day 1 for Stakeholders & Media
For Employees
Day 1 is focused on "Welcome to Acquirer." This includes a welcome event at selected sites with small gifts, a webcast from the CEO, and distribution of company materials like brochures.
For External Stakeholders
Key external stakeholders will receive a letter signed by leadership explaining the changes. Local media will receive a press release announcing key changes, with an available interview with the CEO.
Division-Specific Activities: First 30 Days
For Acquiree’s employees, Day 2 and onwards will be specific to their respective Division.
- Announcement of key appointments, organizational structures, and reporting lines.
- Communication of site and portfolio decisions.
- Continuation of on-boarding activities.
- Key customers, business partners, and other key external stakeholders will be personally contacted by the appropriate line or key account manager.
Guidelines for Integration Planning
1. Scope and Simplicity
The scope of integration planning is Day 1-30. It should be driven by critical activities with identified milestones. It's important not to overly complicate Day One and to manage the process to optimize positive impact and minimize anxiety.
2. Meeting Needs on Day One
Manage Day One to meet the needs of communication to both external and internal stakeholders, ensure business continuity, announce new management, and begin the overall on-boarding and business transition.
3. Coordinated but Flexible Approach
Coordinate the Day 1–30 approach while recognizing that different groups may have unique circumstances that require specific actions and will move independently.
4. Functional Support
Clearly define the support that enabling functions like Communications, HR, and Change Management will provide to the various functional teams throughout the integration process.
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