Herding Cats: Mastering M&A Transitions

The phrase “herding cats” is often used to describe an impossible task. In the context of M&A transitions, it’s a surprisingly apt metaphor. Transitioning businesses post-merger or acquisition involves aligning diverse teams, cultures, processes, and goals—all while keeping operations running smoothly. It can feel as though you’re trying to coordinate a room full of independent-minded felines, each with their own agenda.

However, successful M&A transitions show us that while herding cats might seem impossible, it can be done with the right strategies and mindset. Here’s how to transform chaos into cohesion.

1. Understand the Cats (a.k.a. Teams and Stakeholders)

Cats are notoriously independent, and so are the people and teams involved in an M&A transition. Each group—whether it’s procurement, IT, finance, or leadership—has its own priorities, concerns, and ways of working.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Start with active listening. Understand the unique needs and fears of each group. Engage stakeholders early to identify their pain points and desired outcomes. By showing empathy and gaining their trust, you’ll encourage alignment without forcing it.

Example:

During a TSA exit, a company held workshops to gather input from both legacy and newly acquired teams, ensuring their workflows were understood and integrated into the transition plan.

2. Establish a Common Goal (or a Shared Laser Pointer)

Just like a laser pointer can bring cats into focus, a clear, compelling goal can unite teams. In an M&A transition, this could be ensuring a successful TSA exit, meeting ERP go-live deadlines, or achieving cost savings.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Communicate the vision frequently and clearly. Explain how each team’s efforts contribute to the bigger picture and celebrate small wins to maintain momentum.

Example:

In a recent carve-out, the leadership team created a visual roadmap showing key milestones and how they tied back to long-term value creation. This helped teams stay focused on the shared goal, even when the details felt overwhelming.

3. Assign Roles (Make Every Cat Feel Special)

Cats thrive when they feel valued, and so do people. In an M&A transition, confusion over roles and responsibilities can lead to stalled progress. Avoid this by assigning clear ownership for tasks and deliverables.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Use a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrix to clarify who does what. Ensure that every team member knows their role and how they contribute to success.

Example:

When renegotiating 145 supplier contracts during a TSA exit, a company assigned each contract to a dedicated owner while providing centralized oversight to ensure consistency.

4. Manage the Noise (Create a Calm Environment)

In a noisy, chaotic room, cats scatter. Similarly, in M&A transitions, too much information, competing priorities, or unclear communication can lead to confusion and disengagement.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Streamline communication by creating a central hub for updates, progress tracking, and documentation. Use dashboards or tools to make key information accessible and actionable.

Example:

In2Edge uses a proprietary dashboard to track progress across contracts and integration activities, ensuring everyone knows what’s happening and where focus is needed.

5. Build Trust (Don’t Startle the Cats)

Cats don’t respond well to sudden changes, and neither do people. M&A transitions often involve significant uncertainty, and building trust is essential to keeping everyone on the same page.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Be transparent about what’s happening and why. Acknowledge challenges, but frame them as opportunities. Trust is built through consistency, honesty, and small wins.

Example:

During an integration, a company held weekly check-ins to update employees on progress, address concerns, and share successes. This open communication fostered trust and reduced resistance to change.

6. Stay Flexible (Cats Have Their Own Ideas)

No matter how well you plan, cats—and M&A transitions—will surprise you. Teams might uncover unexpected roadblocks, such as mismatched cultures or unforeseen legal complexities.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Embrace adaptability. Build contingency plans, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. Flexibility keeps momentum going, even when challenges arise.

Example:

When an automated RFP process was delayed, a company quickly shifted to a manual process to meet critical deadlines without sacrificing quality.

7. Celebrate Success (Reward the Cats)

Cats respond well to positive reinforcement, and so do teams. Recognizing and celebrating achievements keeps morale high and reinforces the behaviors that lead to success.

Skilled Herding Tip:

Acknowledge individual and team contributions throughout the transition. Small gestures of appreciation can go a long way in keeping everyone engaged.

Example:

At the end of a major TSA exit project, leadership organized a virtual celebration and distributed personalized thank-you notes to everyone involved, boosting morale and reinforcing team spirit.

Final Thoughts: Turning Chaos into Strategy

Herding cats in an M&A transition is about understanding and respecting the independence of each team and individual while creating a shared framework for success. With clear goals, structured processes, and a flexible mindset, even the most complex transitions can move from chaos to cohesion.

Remember, it’s not about controlling the cats—it’s about guiding them in a way that lets them thrive while achieving the collective goal. With this approach, M&A transitions become less like herding cats and more like orchestrating a symphony.

Now, who’s ready to lead the herd?

About In2Edge

In2Edge specializes in supporting organizations through complex M&A transitions, including TSA exits, procurement optimization, and integration planning. Our experienced team and proven methodologies deliver results that align with your strategic goals while meeting tight deadlines.