Merger Communication Essentials
Finding the right flow for merger and change communication

Communication is the life-blood of productive workplaces and good relationships with customers, and mergers, acquisitions, and large-scale change initiatives can wreak havoc on the normal flow of communication within a company.

In the early stages of organizational transition, everyone knows change is coming, but the direction isn't always clear. Employees become suspicious and wary. Seeds of isolation begin to sprout, and employees feel threatened by change and stop sharing information because they don't know whom to trust. Too often, communication grinds to a halt just when it's needed most. Communications that do go out are likely to be highly filtered and stripped of information that allows employees to continue working productively and customers to continue buying confidently.

This article reviews reasons why a deliberate, thoughtful communication strategy is a must for any successful merger or organizational change initiative, and offers practical suggestions about merger-related communication priorities.