Fifth Chrome Business Insights – Details, episodes & analysis

Join ⁠⁠⁠Anirvan Sen⁠⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Nigel Kilpatrick⁠⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠⁠Compassion-in-Business⁠⁠⁠, as they tackle the colossal issue of employee disengagement in this eye-opening episode. Discover why businesses are losing an astonishing $9 trillion annually due to disengaged employees and explore practical solutions to this pervasive problem. Key Episode Highlights: 📌 Magnitude of the Problem: Unpack the staggering $9 trillion annual loss in business productivity globally, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic interventions. 📌 Root Causes of Disengagement: Dive into common workplace hurdles that lead to employee disengagement, including the overwhelming number of IT applications employees are required to manage. 📌 Practical Solutions and Strategies: Learn how businesses can effectively tackle disengagement, increase productivity, and create a more fulfilling work environment for their employees. Expert Insights: Anirvan and Nigel discuss real-world examples and share innovative approaches to boost engagement across various industries. This episode is crucial for business leaders, HR professionals, and managers seeking to understand and mitigate the impacts of employee disengagement. Subscribe to our channel for more insights on creating high-performance, compassionate workplaces. Watch now and take the first step toward transforming your organizational culture and productivity. #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessProductivity #Leadership #HRManagement #HumanResources #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #culturechange #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. 🎙️ Hosted by: ⁠⁠Anirvan Sen, CEO - Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠Nigel Kilpatrick, CEO - Compassion in Business 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠ 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisor for Business Strategy, M&A, and Transformations. Visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ Our partner on this podcast is Compassion-in-Business. Visit their ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ ------- 🔹 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 #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

Join ⁠Anirvan Sen⁠, CEO of ⁠Fifth Chrome⁠, and ⁠Nigel Kilpatrick⁠, CEO of ⁠Compassion-in-Business⁠, in a revealing conversation about the often challenging alignment of company and employee values. This episode delves into the critical gaps that exist between a company’s stated values and the personal values of its employees, exploring how and why these discrepancies occur.

Key Episode Highlights:

📌 Exploration of Value Discrepancies: Anirvan and Nigel discuss why company values can often feel forced or superficial, serving more as vanity metrics rather than guiding principles.

📌 The Importance of Authentic Values: Discover the significance of genuine company values that resonate with both the organization and its people, and why they matter.

📌 Compassion in Action: Learn how embedding compassion into company values can transform them from mere words on a wall to live experiences that drive meaningful engagement.

📌 Real-World Examples: The hosts share specific examples, such as customer-centricity, and discuss how compassion influences the adoption and integration of such values across organizational practices.

This discussion is a must-watch for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone interested in creating a more authentic and compassionate workplace. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from thought leaders in the field of business strategy and organizational development.

Watch, learn, and be inspired to bridge the value gap in your organization with compassion and integrity. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. #CorporateCulture #HumanResources #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #CultureChange 🎙️ Hosted by: ⁠Anirvan Sen, CEO - Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠Nigel Kilpatrick, CEO - Compassion in Business 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠ 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisor for Business Strategy, M&A, and Transformations. Visit our ⁠website⁠ Our partner on this podcast is Compassion-in-Business. Visit their ⁠website⁠ ------- 🔹 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 #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

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. ----- 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. ------- 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.

------- 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's Guide to Cultural Integration in Mergers & Acquisitions: Overcoming Culture Clash to Drive M&A Deal Value⁠

Unraveling the Hidden Impact of Culture on Psychology in M&A: A Deep Dive with Jennifer Fondrevay, a podcast In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked aspect of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) - organizational culture, with Jennifer Fondrevay, Founder and Chief Humanity Officer of M&A consultancy, Day1Ready. Jennifer elucidates how the neglect of cultural assessment during the initial due diligence process can potentially unravel surprising challenges post-deal. By drawing parallels from her personal experiences, Jennifer narrates how her American B2B company's acquisition by a European B2C company exposed stark differences in organizational cultures, proving the significance of cultural considerations in M&A. Taking us through her journey, Jennifer shares the inspiration behind her book, “NOW WHAT?: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions.” The book delves into the experiences and transformations of ten personas during M&A transitions, offering invaluable guidance for navigating such changes. Listen in as we unravel the role of culture in M&A, and why it needs to be at the forefront of any successful merger or acquisition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in M&A or those looking to understand the intricacies of organizational culture in such scenarios. ----- About Jennifer Fondrevay A former C-Suite marketing tech executive, she led teams through three separate multibillion-dollar acquisition deals and authored the best-selling satirical business book, “NOW WHAT? A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving through Mergers & Acquisitions”.

An expert guest quoted on Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS news, and published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc., she is the winner of the Northshore Women in Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Founder and Chief Humanity Officer of M&A consultancy, Day1Ready and the only woman in M&A to routinely have a Dominatrix join her on stage… ------- 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.

------- Books mentioned:

• Jennifer Fondrevay - NOW WHAT?: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions.
• William Bridges – Surviving Corporate Transitions.
• John P. Kotter – Leading Change.
• Dan Heath and Chip Heath – Made to Stick: Why some ideas take hold and others come unstuck.
• Dan Heath - Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen.
• John P. Kotter - Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile Times.

Mastering M&A Culture: Unveiling Expert Insights with Reynaldo Ramirez In this insightful podcast episode, we sit down with Reynaldo Ramirez, founder of Thrive HR Consulting, to discuss the crucial role of culture in M&A transactions. Reynaldo shares his expertise in conducting proper due diligence, particularly related to culture and people management. He elaborates on the importance of interacting with leadership teams, executive sponsors, and other key stakeholders during the M&A process. Reynaldo emphasizes the value of focusing on employee career and professional development as a means to maintain a positive culture and employee engagement. He highlights the significance of rewards and recognition during integration and the need to address compensation and benefit gaps to retain critical talent. We also explore the importance of company transparency regarding promises made to employees, including bonuses, equities, and training. Reynaldo delves into recurring challenges such as executive compensation and performance management integration in HR. Throughout the conversation, we touch upon essential tools and strategies for successful M&A integration, including the use of due diligence reports, weekly updates, robust integration plans, and communication plans. Reynaldo also shares a unique "shot clock" approach for day-one preparations and the value of providing employees with a clear calendar of expectations. As a special bonus for our listeners, Reynaldo offers a free development planning template and a weekly update template to help streamline your M&A process. Don't miss this valuable episode packed with expert advice on navigating culture and people management in M&A! ----- About Reynaldo Ramirez: • Versatile HR Leader with entrepreneurial passion, diverse industry experience, and a strong track record of success in HR. Adept at working in a demanding, fast-paced environment with key strengths in building relationships and delivering results. • Direct experience in managing complex acquisitions & divestitures, start-up organizations, consulting services and fast-growth operations. Specialties: Mergers & Acquisitions, Divestitures, Change Management, Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, Strategy and Execution, and Total Rewards. • Has worked with marquee companies like Cisco, BMC Software, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Deloitte, and Cable and Wireless Communications For the freebies mentioned in the interview, please reach out at Rey@thrivehrconsulting.com ------- 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.

------- Books mentioned: - ⁠⁠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's Guide to Cultural Integration in Mergers & Acquisitions: Overcoming Culture Clash to Drive M&A Deal Value. - Steve Cadigan. Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working.

Mastering the M&A Culture Puzzle: ⁠Klint C. Kendrick⁠ Reveals the Secrets to Successful Integration! - a podcast Show Notes: Season 3, Episode 7 – Interview with ⁠Klint C. Kendrick⁠ Join us in this captivating interview with Klint C. Kendrick, an expert in M&A and culture integration, as he shares his experience and insights on successfully navigating the complex world of organizational culture during mergers and acquisitions. Learn about the five key elements of culture, and how to assess and address cultural differences to ensure a smooth and successful M&A integration. In this episode, you'll discover: - Klint's definition of culture and why it matters in M&A - Examples of deals Klint has been involved in and his roles in those deals - The challenges organizations face when dealing with culture in M&A - A tale of two acquisitions: contrasting experiences where culture played a big role - The five key drivers of culture clash and three deal-related areas to focus on - Advice for practitioners on handling culture during M&A - The importance of honest communication from senior leadership during transformation projects Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert on how to tackle the often-overlooked aspect of culture in mergers and acquisitions. Tune in now and gain valuable insights to enhance your M&A strategy and success! ----- About ⁠Klint C. Kendrick⁠ • Results-oriented Human Resources professional offering 15+ years of experience leading key growth initiatives in diverse industries including manufacturing, aerospace and defense, media, and information technology (IT). • Expert in delivering innovative, high-quality, cost-effective solutions and people strategies to increase profitability and productivity through organizational effectiveness and employee engagement in a fast-paced environment. • Recognized as an authority on people, culture, and leadership issues in M&A who has presented at high-profile events sponsored by Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg BNA, McKinsey, Mercer, Willis Towers Watson, and Chicago Booth. • Acknowledged for providing collaborative solutions in a logical and people-focused manner that provides stability and reassurance during disruptive change. -------

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.

------- Books mentioned: - ⁠Laura Queen. People Economics⁠

- ⁠Dave Bookbinder. The New ROI: Return on Individual⁠

Mastering M&A: The Crucial Role of Culture Podcast with Giovanni Amodeo In this episode of the podcast, Giovanni Amodeo, Chief Data Officer at ION Analytics, shares his insights on the importance of culture in M&A deals. According to Giovanni, engaging and motivating employees is crucial to ensure a successful merger or acquisition. He also highlights the significance of aligning incentives between the two companies involved in the M&A. Often, leaders of the acquired company may have their earn-outs tied to revenue, while the acquiring company's focus is on increasing EBITDA, leading to a disconnect in goals. During the pre-deal stage, it is common to interact only with top management, which may not provide an adequate understanding of the target company's culture. Giovanni suggests that empathy can be a powerful tool in bridging the cultural divide and achieving successful integration. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the importance of culture in M&A deals and how to navigate the challenges that arise during the integration process. ----- Giovanni Amodeo is a C-Level executive with over 20 years of experience in data and news in the financial market. He has public speaking experience (WEF among others), and he has been interviewed on TV (CNBC, Sky News Australia) and quoted in newspapers. He regularly moderates panels and gives presentations about trends at conferences and business schools. ------- 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.

------- Books mentioned: - Backable: Suneel Gupta - Building a Story Brand: Donald Miller - Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: John Maxwell

Why Culture fails in M&A and how to address them - Podcast with Anirvan Sen  

Hello, and welcome to our latest video on M&A integration. Despite the potential benefits of mergers and acquisitions, a large number of companies still fail with their transactions. One of the biggest reasons why they fail is culture.  In fact, there are many reasons why M&As struggle with culture. 

Business leaders often do not give culture the importance it deserves and consider it fluff. It is often delegated to HR instead of being led by the business leaders themselves. And more importantly, companies try to change individual behaviors and beliefs without trying to change the underlying practices and structures.  

But there is a solution. Organizations that have realized this anomaly and have targeted underlying structures instead of just behaviors have been able to create specific interventions that can create extraordinary growth.  

In this episode, Anirvan shares a framework that is exactly based on addressing the underlying structures to create growth. The framework is called PROMISE, where the acronym stands for Professional Development, Rewards and Recognition, Organization Hierarchy and Leadership Styles, Management Systems, Innovation and Critical Thinking, Strategic Future, and Employee Experience.  

If you're interested in learning more about how you can improve your M&A integration and create growth for your organization, listen to this episode now.  

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Anirvan Sen is the CEO and Founder of Fifth Chrome, a business strategy advisory and training company specializing in M&A Integration and business growth.  

Anirvan has experience across the full M&A life-cycle starting from business strategy, deal origination, due diligence, closing and post-acquisition integration. He has a strong record of advising senior business leaders on growth, M&A, and transformation initiatives. He has mentored and trained 300+ professionals, and worked in 70+ countries across the globe. His clients include General Electric, Stryker, AkzoNobel, Coca-Cola, Kuehne + Nagel, Philips, and ManpowerGroup, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, investment firms, and private equities.  

Anirvan is an experienced M&A thought leader who has authored 3 books and is the host of a podcast on “Stories on M&A” by Fifth Chrome Business Insights. Additionally, Fifth Chrome offers integration design scorecards, online M&A integration training, and industry insights research on people and culture-related aspects of M&A.   

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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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References mentioned: • PROMISE framework

How Culture Works in Fintech M&A World - Podcast with Alex Cross  

Show Notes: 

Alex got his bearing around culture when he was in the military. Over the years during his M&A stint, he encountered a lot of failures that prompted him to think hard and reflect on the cultural question. Culture is not about the values that get posted on the walls, it is not about what the CEO or the founder says about their companies, it is not about the annual employee assessment that gets sent out, culture is about “what are the ways of working, how do people work on a day to day basis, and what are the common strings that people can pull from that”.  

There is a lack of respect for the complexity of culture. Leaders think that it is an HR thing to deal with. In reality, it is a leadership thing.  

 Alex shares examples from the eCommerce and financial world where culture played an important role especially around the way sales organizations integrated, how the culture was different, and what sort of challenges came up?  

In M&A integration, there is a tendency to make a lot of promises upfront. Unfortunately, many of them cannot be kept and it destroys trust.   

The biggest mistake companies make is not conducting a cultural assessment during due diligence not just about the target company but also, about themselves. By knowing yourself better through self-assessment, you can create better empathy.  

Alex Cross is an Operations Executive with a track record of creating a vision, leading operational strategy, and producing cross-functional insights for executives to maximize efficiency while inspiring cultural change to transform businesses. As a pragmatic, detail-oriented, and data-driven problem-solver who builds consensus, Alex has successfully introduced disciplines to track objectives against measurable results and led people to meet commitments. He thrives in fast-paced environments and possesses the courage to kickstart change using a proven playbook to achieve strategic goals.  

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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:

• Primal Leadership – Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee 

• Meditations – Marcus Aurelius, Gregory Hays 

• Good to Great – Jim Collins 

How Culture impacts M&A in an International Setting - Podcast with Robert Heaton

Show Notes:

Culture is the whole set of behaviors combined to exhibit themselves as the way the organization behaves both internally as well as externally. In most cases, it is run by the senior leadership at the top, the way they run the business is also strengthened by the way it gets absorbed by the rest of the organization and the way they act.

Culture is made of multiple building blocks. It is a set of behavior styles and principles. Due to FDA regulations, industries like pharma have very stringent requirements and as a result, it takes time for decision-making. On the other hand, engineering industries have little less stringent requirements and that allows quicker decision-making.

Another challenge with culture is that organizations have a director of sales, and a director of HR but do not have a director of culture. Historically, companies have treated this touchy-feely topic as part of the HR (Human Resources) function. And in M&A, functions go about doing functional integrations. And as a function, there are several serious, more important functional topics even for HR that culture gets relegated to a lower priority.

Culture is such an important part of M&A integration but the way modern-day leaders are educated i.e. focus on financial performance and numbers that culture is never given importance. So, unless you are exposed to executive leaders who make culture a central theme like Jack Welch, it is unlikely to feature as one of the central themes of an M&A.

PROMISE framework developed by Fifth Chrome which has 7 elements mentioned. And the importance on how do build a balanced approach to those 7 elements during a cultural integration in M&A.

Robert Heaton is a Technology Industry veteran and Sales Enablement specialist with Tier 1 global experience across EMEA, North America, and APJC. Extensive Post M&A integration and Divestment expertise. Consulting advisory in enabling technology to drive business outcomes, business performance improvement, business incubation, and business systems & process improvement.

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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:

• Jack Welch | Jack: Straight from the Gut
• Jack Welch and Suzy Welch | Winning: The Ultimate Business How-To Book