Some of you may remember a December 2009 news story about how Essex County Council have called in IBM to look at practical ways to save money across 
its operations. My own interpretation of the story was that it represented the start of a process that could leave councils run as private entities.
With this in mind, it became a part influence for the subject of March’s meetup. This will look at the role of Communication in a Merger / Acquisition situation whether in the private or public sector. The session will be run by Doug Ross and Phoebe Dunn of award winning consultancy, Square Peg International.
Special thanks to Adam Hibbert of Aviva for hosting this event.
Location: Aviva, St. Helens, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ - (Enter by the revolving door nearest the Gherkin (North East corner of the Aviva Tower)
Closest tube: Liverpool Street
Map: http://bit.ly/d0OXXc
Time: Arrive at 6:30pm, Tuesday 9th March. 7.00 – 8.00pm main session.
Event synopsis:
Sex and Turkeys - Are you ready to manage a merger, acquisition or joint venture?
Your organisation is for sale. All organisations are for sale – it is just a matter of price. And when it happens it is the communications functions who will feel the pain as they are often faced with managing the issues of transition with respect to often-declining productivity, performance and morale during times of change.
Traditionally, the legal, financial and operational aspects of M&A deals and joint ventures have received the greatest attention, but executives who have been through the merger process recognise that managing the communications, cultural, and human side of change is critical to maximising deal value.
Doug will address this topic by providing participants with theory, research, and best practice examples and will balance these views with real world case studies, and personal insight. He will explore the role of communications in M&A operations by using personal relationships as an analogy and explaining the role that turkeys have played in a number of case examples.
In short, he will bring alive the dynamics of a deal and his energetic style is sure to entertain even the most drained communicator after a day at the office.
http://www.modcommslimited.com will be organiser and sponsor of the food / drink this month.
Drop me a line if you’d like to come along.