Parallel Planning for Integration

When approaching a deal and assembling the teams involved, always remember: the earlier integration staff are brought into a deal, the more likely the deal is to meet its ultimate objectives. The integration lead’s involvement ideally begins at the earliest strategic meetings outlining the initiative itself and extends through the conclusion of the M&A process. During the pre-close phase of the deal, the role of the integration lead is to (1) provide a tactical perspective to the business development and deal teams, and (2) create a detailed post-merger integration plan to be executed on day one.