Joining Forces: Making One Plus One Equal Three in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances

If 75 percent of all mergers fail, what makes the other 25 percent succeed?

Mergers, acquisitions, and alliances are more vital today than ever before in driving business success. This indispensible guide offers proven strategies and sound solutions to the multitude of integration issues that inevitably arise, and shows how to create a combined business that meets its strategic and financial objectives, competes better, and offers personal and organizational enhancements. Dubbed "merger mavens" by Fortune magazine, the authors report lessons learned from their experience in over 100 combinations. Executives, managers, and employees alike—in all industries and sectors—will find useful examples, strategies, and tools here.

Praise for Joining Forces

"This book will help both M&A veterans and those new to the game. The authorsprovide great insights into the human, cultural, organizational, and strategic factors that matter in M&A success."—Richard Kovacevich, chairman and CEO emeritus, Wells Fargo & Co.

"Don't commit to the merger or acquisition without them! I have personally witnessed how hard it is on everyone—employees, shareholders, communities, and especially executives—to work through an improperly managed merger. I have known Marks and Mirvis for almost twenty-five years and the only mistake our organization made was that we did not consult them soon enough. Their new book reflects unequalled experience and intellect. Don't merge, acquire, or be acquired without it!"—Michael R. Losey, CEO (emeritus), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

"Joining Forces is a terrific resource for managers who want to understand thehuman dynamics of mergers and acquisitions, and a must-read for those who have to lead their companies through one. It is based on the latest research and providespractical insights and advice from authors who know M&A inside out." —Edward E. Lawler III, Distinguished Professor of Business, Marshall School ofBusiness, University of Southern California

Mitchell Lee Marks is an internationally recognized expert oncorporate transitions (including mergers, acquisitions, alliances,downsizings, and restructurings), corporate culture, leadershipdevelopment, and executive teambuilding. He is a member of thefaculty of the College of Business at San Francisco StateUniversity and leads JoiningForces.org, a change managementconsulting firm.

Philip H. Mirvis is an organizational psychologist whoseresearch and practice concerns large-scale organizational change,global corporate responsibility, and the changing character of theworkforce and workplace. He has been an advisor to companies onfive continents and has authored ten books and over 100 scholarlyand practitioner articles.

Mitchell Lee Marks is an internationally recognized expert on corporate transitions (including mergers, acquisitions, alliances, downsizings, and restructurings), corporate culture, leadership development, and executive teambuilding. He is a member of the faculty of the College of Business at San Francisco State University and leads JoiningForces.org, a change management consulting firm.

Philip H. Mirvis is an organizational psychologist whose research and practice concerns large-scale organizational change, global corporate responsibility, and the changing character of the workforce and workplace. He has been an advisor to companies on five continents and has authored ten books and over 100 scholarly and practitioner articles.