Change, culture and communications: Keeping people engaged when everything is uncertain

Of all the HR disciplines that determine how well a transaction lands with employees, change management and communications are the most visible — and the most frequently underinvested. The way an organization communicates during a deal shapes how employees experience the transition, how quickly they re-engage with the new entity and how much productive capacity is lost to uncertainty and anxiety in the interim.

In this third session of our Divestitures in a box: The people side of the deal series, we will take a practical look at how to design and deliver a change management and communications program that keeps people informed, engaged and confident — even when much of the deal is still uncertain.

Our session will explore:

• The principles of effective M&A employee communications — what to say, when and through which channels
• How to manage communications when different employee populations know different amounts of information
• Designing the employee experience for the transition period: How to maintain engagement and reduce flight risk from announcement to Day 1
• Change management frameworks adapted for deal timescales — where traditional approaches need to flex
• How to manage small headcount populations and geographically dispersed workforces through a transition, including EOR and PEO bridge solutions
• Post-close: Re-onboarding employees into the new entity's culture, values and ways of working

We'll draw on recent case experience, including transactions involving complex multi-country communications and employee populations with high levels of uncertainty, to illustrate what works and what doesn't.

Who should attend: HR business partners, internal communications leaders, CHROs, people experience leads and anyone responsible for employee engagement during a transaction.

This session is part of a four-part webinar series exploring Divestitures in a box: The people side of the deal. Visit the event page to learn more about the full series and register for the other sessions.

Click here to find out more about Divestitures in a Box, WTW's turnkey, globally scalable HR solution for buyers, sellers and private equity clients.