The integration looks good on paper. But people don’t work together on paper.
Integrating hardware, software, and real estate post-merger is a walk in the park compared to integrating people.
I know. I still suffer PTSD from screwing up the people integration when I bought a company. It was the most costly mistake I ever made.
Working Genius didn’t exist when I blundered my merger, but you can avoid cluster f’ing the people integration during yours.
Here’s a quick review of the model:
There are six types of Working Genius: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity.
Everyone has two that are their “geniuses,” two that are “competencies,” and two that are their “frustrations” Each of these maps to how every project gets done.
If you assess the employees at each company and create a unified team map, everyone can start talking about how to integrate their natural talents into the new company.
Here’s why it’s great:
•Simple to understand and remember.
•Non-judgemental.
•Inexpensive.
•Shared language across the integrated team.
•Reveals gaps and redundancies
•It’s a precious data set for managers to build new teams and workflows.
•It’s an excellent tool for employees to understand their new coworkers quickly.
Here’s how to use it:
•Get a certified facilitator (Self-promo alert: You could hire me.) Or, DIY if you want.
•Employees take a 10-minute assessment
•Create a team map
•Conduct a 2-hour or 4-hour workshop with teams
•Follow-up
I guarantee this will improve not only your integrations but the ongoing operation of the new business.