7 Secrets of Structured Synergy: Optimizing M&As, Alliances and Strategic Partnerships

The business press consistently reports that Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances have a 50% failure rate. This high failure rate appeared to be inaccurate. After delving into academic journal’s providing valid research into this topic, it was found that this statistic was wrong. The failure rate of 50% was found to be much higher. The M&A failure rate was more than 70 to 80%. Traditionally, business leaders have focused M&A’s, alliances and strategic partnerships using primary expertise from financial, legal, and business advisors. What was missing, causing such a high failure rate? Scientific evidence-based techniques revealed that the crucial missing component was the lack of a formal addressment of the human culture merger in the new organization. The foundation for enabling and structuring the cultural integration to gain synergy, was the missing dynamic. After reviewing over 600 journal articles and case studies of merging company successes and failures, 7 specific leadership practices emerged to optimize M&A, alliance, and strategic partnership success. The research found 7 practices which emphasize bridging human relationships, across operational work groups and divisions. Essentially, focusing the same rigor used for the financial and legal activities on the human cultural merger. Practical leadership skills and tools have been distilled, from effective leaders of M&As and are presented to corporate leaders to optimize successful results, using the 7 Secrets.