When companies call me

A New Acquisition Needs a Plan for Its First Year

The deal has closed. Now two organizations with different leaders, systems and habits have to become one business, and the value case depends on getting the first year right.

What's Usually Going On

  • Integration is everyone's second job. Leaders on both sides still run their own businesses, so integration gets whatever hours are left over.
  • Authority is unclear. People know who holds which title but not who decides, so decisions stall or get made twice.
  • Culture is left to sort itself out. Systems and reporting get integrated on schedule while the way people work together is treated as an afterthought.

How I Help

Assess

I review the deal thesis, the integration plan and both leadership teams, and identify where the first year is most at risk.

Plan

We build a first-year plan with clear decision rights, sequenced priorities and measures tied to the value case.

Lead

As an interim executive, I serve as the one accountable leader for the integration, working with both leadership teams day to day.

Hand Off

As the combined business stabilizes, I hand ownership to its permanent leaders.

What You'll Have by Day 90

  • A first-year integration plan with an owner for every priority.
  • Clear decision rights across both leadership teams.
  • A monthly update for the CEO and board on progress against the value case.

Related Reading

Capability Isn't Authority

AI capability does not automatically confer decision-making authority. Leaders must build the judgment, accountability, and organizational design that turn intelligence into lasting value.

5 min read

Leaders in this situation usually bring me in as an interim executive. Backed by private equity?

What's Your Company Working Through?

Share a little about the decision, challenge, or change ahead. We can start there.