Beyond the checklist: keeping people at the center of M&A integration

Successful integrations aren't just about checking boxes and merging systems, they're about people. Investing early to engage teams, build connections, and create sustainable knowledge-sharing practices helps you integrate faster, capture value sooner, and retain top talent for the long term.

Build a conference culture

Conference culture: that energy after a great industry conference when you feel connected with people in your field, inspired by their expertise and project work, and excited to apply new ideas and ways of working. That's what a well-executed integration can feel like for employees. 

Retain top talent

Knowledge loss from key departures is one of the hidden costs of slow integration. Employees who feel uncertain or undervalued during a prolonged transition are more likely to leave, taking institutional knowledge and client connections with them.

Empower seller-doers

AEC is a relationship industry, and seller-doers play a pivotal role in understanding client need and driving growth. Empowering them with a deep understanding of the firm’s combined capabilities, signature project stories, and integrated service offerings helps build new business.

Level-up communication skills

The knowledge sharing required for a successful integration can have far-reaching benefits, like creating low risk, small group opportunities to build communication skills across teams - skills that can be developed over time. It’s a great way to identify next generation leaders in the process. 

Get creative: case in point

There are many opportunities to build connection and value. For a client integrating several firms simultaneously, we created a popular roundtable webcast series that brought together leaders and key staff across firms to share early wins and experiences, with an open Q&A to build trust and offer a real-time view of collaboration in action.