Worldwide mergers are up 30% and the average size of merger deals is more than $100 million. But a two-year study of 115 mergers by three consultants at global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney has found that over half -- or 57% -- of those mergers fail to meet profit expectation. What's more, profits increased at just one-third of the merged companies. The study's findings -- released earlier this month -- were analyzed in the book After the Merger: Seven Rules for Successful Post-Merger Integration. Consultants Max Habeck, Fritz Kroeger, and Michael Traem - authors of the book -- suggest these key rules for merger success:
- A clear and realistic integration vision.
- Make leadership the central issue.
- Focus on growth, not efficiency.
- Make tangible, positive moves early.
- Combine cultures, rather than imposing one.
- Communicate frequently and get feedback.
- Prioritize projects.
