Fifth Chrome Business Insights Anirvan Sen

In this insightful episode of the Fifth Chrome Podcast, we delve into the often-overlooked aspect of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) – culture. Join us as Lynette Buitt, a seasoned M&A practitioner, shares her extensive experience and perspectives on the pivotal role of culture in successful M&A transactions.

Key Highlights:
🔹 Culture as a Central Element in M&A: Lynette discusses how culture is a crucial, yet frequently neglected component in many M&A deals. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into the early stages of the M&A process.
🔹 The Importance of Onsite Cultural Assessments: Learn about the effectiveness of onsite evaluations in understanding an organization's culture. Lynette explains how observations of office setups, employee interactions, and collaboration methods can offer profound insights into an organization's cultural dynamics.
🔹 The Myth of Merging Best Cultures: Discover why the idea of combining the 'best of both worlds' in terms of culture often fails in practice. Lynette sheds light on the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the integration of different corporate cultures.
🔹 Culture Sidetracked by Competing Priorities: Understand the common scenario where cultural considerations are overshadowed by other urgent priorities in M&A, leading to a lack of attention and resources devoted to cultural integration.

📌 About Lynette Buitt:
Lynette Buitt is a senior M&A practitioner with years of experience in the field. Her expertise encompasses various facets of M&A, with a special focus on the cultural dynamics of merging organizations.
👉 Lynette Buitt's LinkedIn


🎙️ Hosted by:
🎤 Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome 👉 ⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠
🎤 Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts 👉 ⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠

🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisory for M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations. Visit our ⁠⁠website⁠

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Books mentioned:
🔹 Robert E. Quinn: Building the Bridge As You Walk On It: A Guide for Leading Change.
🔹 James Clear: Atomic Habits.
🔹 Marshall Goldsmith: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.

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🔹 For More Insights:
Stay tuned for more episodes from Fifth Chrome, where we explore the intricacies of business strategy, high-performance organizational models, and M&A dynamics. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments!

#FifthChromePodcast #MergersAndAcquisitions #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #LynetteBuitt #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

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🎙️ M&A Stories presents an in-depth interview with Jay Goldman, Co-founder and CEO of Sensei Labs.

In this enlightening conversation, Anirvan Sen delves into the journey and philosophy behind Sensei Labs, a subsidiary of Klick Health, that focuses on data and talent-centric organizational culture. Jay shares how their platform Conductor is revolutionizing the way businesses operate by addressing various organizational needs.

🔹 Key Highlights:

Origins of Sensei Labs: Initially an internal tool within Klick Health, the platform gained immense traction and was brought to market.
🖋️ Global Recognition: Invitations to speak at Google, Harvard, NASA underlines their influence and credibility.
🖋️ Core Principles: Three core tenets guide Sensei Labs - "Technology as a coach," "data as a sixth sense," and "engineered ecosystems."
🖋️ Naming Insight: 'Sensei' reflects mastery in teaching and data sensing, and 'Labs' symbolizes the company's spirit of innovation.
🖋️ Data-Centricity: Born from a technology-focused culture at Klick, Sensei Labs found the critical role of data in improving organizational operations.
🖋️ Platform Evolution: How a ticket-based system for internal communication evolved into a data-rich platform that powers critical decisions.
🖋️ Conductor's Features: This orchestration platform is versatile enough for strategic transformations, M&A, cost reductions, and more, with features like project management, KPI tracking, and collaboration.
🖋️ Managing Complexity: The importance of change management as an explicit process is emphasized, with a unique "enterprise orchestration maturity model" offered to guide transformative work.
🖋️ Post-Merger Integration: Jay explains the critical role of change management in ensuring a smooth hand-off between deal teams and integration management offices.

👉 Learn more about how Sensei Labs is shaping the future of organizational strategy and execution by visiting https://www.senseilabs.com/


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📌 About Jay Goldman:
Jay Goldman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sensei Labs, makers of Conductor, the world’s best Enterprise Orchestration platform. Jay is the co-author of NYT Bestseller The Decoded Company (Portfolio/Penguin), has written for HBR and Forbes, and is a member of the HBR Advisory and Forbes Technology councils. Jay has delivered inspiring talks around the world, including TEDx, NASA, Harvard, Twitter, and Google.

👉 Jay Goldman's LinkedIn Profile

🎙️ Hosted by:
🎤 Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile
🎤 Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts 👉 LinkedIn Profile

🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisory for M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations. Visit our website

#MergersAndAcquisitions #EmployeeLayoffs #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome
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Books mentioned:
📘Jay Goldman: The Decoded Company: Know Your Talent Better Than You Know Your Customers.
📘Andrew Grove: High Output Management.
📘Reed Hastings: No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention.

In our latest episode of Fifth Chrome Business Insights Podcast, we are joined by Summer Hilliard, an advocate for employees facing layoffs during Mergers and Acquisitions. Summer brings a refreshing perspective to a challenging aspect of M&A, offering strategies for both employees and employers to handle layoffs with empathy and effectiveness.

Layoffs during M&A can be an incredibly sensitive issue, often poorly handled by companies. Summer Hilliard delves into common mistakes, such as impersonal email terminations and insufficient communication with remaining staff. She explains how such actions can create a toxic culture of uncertainty and disengagement.

🌟 Key Takeaways:

- The five stages of grief employees experience during layoffs
Strategies for "What's Next": whether to continue in a similar career path or pivot entirely
- The psychological toll of layoffs on retained employees
- The importance of a humane approach to layoffs, especially when the business case is built on headcount-based cost synergies
- Recommended tools like GlobeSmart for navigating these challenges effectively
Summer emphasizes that what employees seek most is to be "seen, heard, and appreciated." She advocates for real conversations between managers and employees being made redundant, ensuring that their transition, however difficult, is handled with the dignity it deserves.

Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice and a compassionate understanding for a process that impacts the human side of business deeply.

Subscribe to our channel for more valuable insights on M&A, Integration, Leadership, and Business Strategy. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest releases.

📌 About Summer Hilliard:
Specialist in budgeting and planning for employees affected by layoffs
Passionate about employee well-being during transitions
Focused on both near-term and long-term strategies for impacted employees
👉 Summer Hilliard's LinkedIn

🎙️ Hosted by:
Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile
Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts 👉 LinkedIn Profile

🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisory for M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations.

#MergersAndAcquisitions #EmployeeLayoffs #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome
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Links mentioned:
- https://www.afterlayoff.com/
- https://www.globesmart.com/
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Books mentioned:
- Stephen R. Covey: The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People.
- Sheryl Sandberg: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
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Podcasts mentioned:
- Chalene Johnson, Build your tribe
- Chalene Johnson, The Chalene Show

In this insightful episode of Fifth Chrome Business Insights Podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Claire-Marie Nasr and Cathy Powers, two seasoned M&A practitioners, for an in-depth discussion on the critical role of culture in Mergers and Acquisitions.

Often underestimated, organizational culture extends beyond simple behavior patterns. It is a broad sphere encompassing leadership styles, organizational values, and individual purpose. Claire-Marie and Cathy delve into the many dimensions of culture - from the spectrum of inward-outward focus to the variance between formal-informal and hierarchical-flatter structures.

They highlight the importance of culture teams stepping into the shoes of leaders and employees from both acquiring and acquired companies to accurately map and bridge cultural gaps. While culture might not be a deal-breaker per se, the preservation of values and seamless transition of the acquired organization's culture are essential for a successful merger.

The conversation is peppered with interesting examples from Claire-Marie, illustrating the influence of national cultures on organizational cultures, and insightful remarks from Cathy on the role of leaders in shaping and driving organizational culture, especially within M&A contexts.

Whether you are on the buyer or seller side of a merger or acquisition, this episode provides valuable perspectives on culture in M&A. Don't miss this chance to learn from the experts.

Subscribe to our channel for more insightful conversations on M&A, Integration, Leadership, and Business Strategy. Don't forget to hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest releases.
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About Claire-Marie Nasr:
• Integration as differentiator and value optimization for M&A
• Works closely with executive stakeholders, Claire-Marie is an experienced change leader
• Led teams in the Financial and Technology Industries.
• Responsible for driving the delivery of strategic and cross-functional initiatives and allowing your teams to overcome challenges.]

About Cathy Powers:
• Certified change management professional, coach, and scrum master helping organizations navigate transformational challenges
• Talent management
• Diversity and Inclusion management, Culture change
• Experience in Energy and mining, Retail, and Banking Industries

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The hosts of the interview are:
Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome
Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts
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This interview is part of a series run by Fifth Chrome (https://www.fifthchrome.com), an business strategy advisory and training company specializing in M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations.
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Links mentioned:
- https://hbr.org/

Books mentioned:
- Simon Sinek: Start with Why.
- Jim Dethmer: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success.

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the world of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) with esteemed guest Mary Cianni, a senior M&A practitioner and seasoned adjunct faculty. The central theme of our discussion orbits around the critical yet sometimes underappreciated role of culture within the M&A landscape.

Despite being a core component of any M&A transaction, culture often finds itself sidelined due to a hyper-focus on financial aspects and pressing timelines. This negligence can lead to significant challenges during the integration phase, particularly when dealing with organizations boasting strong, unique cultures. This becomes particularly emotional for employees who value their workplace culture and are reluctant to relinquish it.

Through various anecdotes and case studies, Mary illuminates the potential complexities of integrating culturally dissimilar companies. One case discussed involves the unification of a top-down, command-and-control company with a consensus-driven organization, which presents unique management dynamics.

Mary also underscores the significance of conducting cultural assessments within organizations. These assessments, she notes, not only offer valuable insights into the company's culture but also reinforce its importance to employees who appreciate their voices being heard. She suggests the use of pulse surveys, executive interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic approaches as effective methods for gaining a comprehensive understanding of a company's culture.

Join us in this compelling conversation as we explore the intricate relationship between culture and M&A transactions, and the crucial role it plays in the success of such ventures.

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About Mary Cianni:
• Experienced Consultant and Educator with a demonstrated history of working in the organization consulting industry and higher education. Expert in Corporate Transactions and Organizational Transformation with a focus on leadership and culture
• Has worked with several well-recognized companies including Korn Ferry, Willis Towers Watson
• Adjunct Faculty at NYU

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Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anirvan Sen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anahita Sen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Co-Facilitator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts

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This interview is part of a series run by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an business strategy advisory, and training company specializing in M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations.

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Books mentioned:


Melissa Swift: Work here now
Anna Tavis and Stela Lupushor: Humans at Work: The Art and Practice of Creating the Hybrid Workplace

In this insightful episode of our podcast, we sit down with seasoned M&A expert Mark Walztoni to delve deep into the significance of culture in mergers and acquisitions. Mark, who has a wealth of practical experience, defines culture as a blend of the ways people work and treat each other, as well as how they interact with customers and vendors. He emphasizes that culture is largely determined by behavioral aspects and serves as an outcome of various other elements.

Mark shares his traditional yet effective approach to assessing culture: communicating directly with individuals, understanding who thrives and who struggles within a specific environment, and pinpointing key factors for successful acquisitions. He also introduces us to his preferred model for cultural assessment, Jay Galbraith’s Star Model, explaining how it offers crucial guidance in answering queries related to organizational culture.

In any M&A, Mark stresses the importance of evaluating not just the culture of the company being acquired but also the acquirer's culture. Further, he underscores the need for a clear vision of the prospective combined culture post-merger. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mark provides various real-world examples of M&A in diverse industries such as IP-centric firms, banks, and medical device manufacturing.

We also delve into the subject of cultural transformation. Mark suggests that change is only effective when the discomfort associated with the change is less than the discomfort of maintaining the status quo. Understanding this principle, he says, is crucial for any long-term, transformative change to stick.

In a unique twist, Mark discusses how his hobby of restoring 18th and 19th-century paintings parallels the process of M&A, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of blending cultures and preserving heritage. Lastly, he talks about the often-overlooked concept of 'change readiness' during M&A cycles, emphasizing its pivotal role in successful integration.

Join us to explore these fascinating insights and learn from Mark Walztoni's vast expertise in the world of M&A.

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About Mark Walztoni:
• Assists clients to plan & execute effective M&A talent integration and business transformation strategies, Top 10 professional services firm consultant, performance coach, and private equity venture partner.
• Mark's career includes 20+ years of experience as senior human resources and M&A leader within American Express, EY, and Thomson Reuters, and 15+ years assisting strategic acquirers and PE firms in HR executive, advisory, and venture partner roles.
• MA in Organizational Psychology and Consulting at Columbia University of New York. Certified executive coach.
• Regular speaker on talent integration and retention topics for leading organizations including the HR M&A Roundtable, Association for Corporate Growth, MergerWare, Hacking HR, Sun Acquisitions, and the Society of Human Resources Management.
• Participated in the development of the AJIL® judgement assessment, which equips leaders with insights to strengthen their judgment and leadership skills.
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Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anirvan Sen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anahita Sen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Co-Facilitator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts

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This interview is part of a series run by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an business strategy advisory, and training company specializing in M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations.

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Books mentioned:


Jay Galbraith. Designing Organizations: Strategy, Structure, and Process at the Business Unit and Enterprise Levels
Willem Bridges. Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Klint C Kendrick. The HR Practitioner’s Guide to Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence: Understanding the People, Leadership, and Culture Risks in M&A
⁠Klint C Kendrick. The HR Practitioner'