M&A (Role of HR) - 5. Reaching Out to People

Every company needs to reach out to its people & the role of HR when it comes to sensitizing and familiarizing people is of paramount importance here wr.t. clear 3 steps to work this out –

A.) REACH OUT TO PEOPLE - COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE. A clear, transparent, logical, precise & simple but illustrative “PERSONAL” communication is the only key in such cases. HR shouldn’t make the mistake of shooting mails on the subject. The magic of one to one or one to many dialogue can never be reduced by technology.

Creating Listening Posts, Conduct Employee Forums where everything & anything under the sun can be asked by the people (especially the ones getting impacted or likely to be impacted or presumed to be impacted). Town Halls, Social Gatherings to share with people the future plans.

B.) STATE THE FACTS (In Person) – Face it. You need to acknowledge things might just change now. Rather than letting people over-assume & fantasize, mostly resulting in a loss of productivity & efficiency, we must be open. Don’t hide what is in store w.r.t. these factors that are concerning any employee in general at any level.

If you don’t share it the steam from RUMOURS & GOSSIP might make the environment in trasit too filled with un-necessary smog. It is critical to clearly state what is going to happen sooner or later. Hiding these things wouldn’t help. Infact we must prepare people to embrace & acknowledge the new dimensions. Whose job level will grow (promote), whose job will increase (enlarge), whose job might not be needed (separations) must be shared in person with those concerned with the same.

C.) Share the Future Goals & Vision of the Merged/ Acquired Setup as quickly as possible so that the rumor mills don’t work overtime. Changes or Restructuring in LEADERSHIP, REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS should be prepared parallely before the formal setup changes are ready to be announced. The employees worth retaining must be taken in confidence & made abreast on all developments & how positive it will prove to be for them in future.