The Acquisition Conundrum – The Clay Greene

***Original post from 2016 when my company was amidst an acquisition***

Acquisition, corporate takeover, death and rebirth. These are just a few ways of looking at a common occurrence in today’s corporate culture. Whether it is because government regulations have forced companies to come together to survive or if two companies have seen the strengths in each other that would improve them both in the synergies they produce, we are seeing this occurrence more and more. Being acquired is becoming such a popular trend that even podcasts are being created to herald this new happening. Some of the more popular acquisitions over the last few years have been marriages of my favorite companies such as:

Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012
Facebook’s purchase of Instagram in 2012
Disney’s purchase of Pixar in 2006

Image: A yin/yang symbol made from fire and water.

The act of being acquired does not have to be a negative experience. Here are five things you will want to look at as an employee of a company that is being acquired may be the following:

Rise and shine – You are now given an opportunity to truly shine as a devoted employee of the company if you stick around through the transition. Not all acquisitions are negative. A smooth transition and marriage of two companies can create a new company on the other side when all is finished. Working hard through the transition may mean promotion or reward when the process is complete.
Keep your ear to the ground – Watching and listening to the signs of change within your company are highly important. Was there specific strengths that the purchasing company was looking for when they decide to acquire your establishment? Set yourself some Google Alerts for your company and the acquiring company. If the company is purchasing you for a strength within another department you may want to start looking at transferring to that other area if you wish to continue in the company.
Remain positive – The easiest way to make yourself a target for the pink slip is to be the Negative Nancy in the department. The person generating strife in a time of high stress is not providing a service needed for the overall good of the whole. Keeping your head held high and shining through your contribution will show you as a value to the new company which is being born.
Show your value – If ever there was a time for you to show all the talents you have in your tool box it is now. Making it known that you have many talents and are also willing to learn new skills shows that you are a valuable asset. Keep your skills up to date through this process and become the valuable employee the new company has been needing but didn’t know they did.
Walk tall – Even if your employment is to come to an end when the acquisition is complete don’t walk out with your head down and your spirit broken. Remaining positive in knowing that you worked hard and remained loyal in a difficult time proves to your next employer you are loyal and willing to remain even through great stress and difficulties. Leave the career you have been in behind and take it this opportunity to explore all the possibilities that have just been given to you

I leave you with this quote from the movie Up in the Air which starred George Clooney as he was downsizing a company.

“Anybody who ever built an empire or changed the world sat where you are now. And it’s because they sat there that they were able to do it.”