The tool I am choosing for the assignment is Visualization

Challenge: Take-over of our company by a Big Four.

It was in September of 2006 when the COO of my previous company took me into confidence and  informed that one of the Big 4’s is prospecting the possibility to acquire the business unit with which I was  associated. I was leading the HR function however due to the fact that I the most tenured employee and  lots of institutional knowledge rested with me and therefore I was to front end the transaction at business  unit level.

I understood that I will be working with multiple stake holders, internal and external and transaction will  get complex as it heads towards finish line. I had never been part of M&A activity and hence everything  was new. I knew from beginning that I need to have a very clear picture about how the transaction will  proceed. I call it mental picture. I started with simple board work. Putting the larger picture on board.

1) Due diligence process.  2) Internal stake holders.  3) External stake holders.  4) Communication.

To compound the challenge, I had to work in complete secrecy as per signed terms and conditions. I had  to gather all relevant information, data points from various other functions within the organization  without raising any alarm. A tough ask if you are not creative in your approach.

I visualized the entire transaction with what will happen over the next 5 months. Month by month. This  visualization helped me putting up a micro level plan in action.

1) BU level finance details.   2) Asset details.  3) HR details.  4) MSA with existing clients.  5) Infrastructure details.

This micro level plan helped me stay ahead of the curve and be ready with most of the information/data  points I will be asked for. I was able to provide raw and processed information no sooner than it was asked  for. This helped in expediting the process and in building confidence for the acquirer. The visualization  which helped me in keeping information and data points ready also helped me providing run time  information.

Post finalization of the deal I was got tightly integrated with the acquirer. Again visualization helped me  laying a timeline wise plan which led to seamless cutover. My visualization was around:

1) Breaking the news on the floor.  2) Introduction of key members of acquiring team with the members of team that got acquired.  3) Distribution of offer letters.

4) Acceptance of offer letter. (100% retention of staff)  5) Induction of employees who had cutover to the new company.  6) Final cutover.

Had it not been for visualization It would have been a gargantuan task for me successfully complete the  entire transaction.

