SOLD! A Practical Guide for Acquired Employees

So your company has been acquired.

What does this mean to you? Will this be a time of growth and opportunity for you? Or one of frustration, confusion, and change? What should you make of all those rumors that are flying about, some of which are outrageous? What is the motivation of the acquirer, and what does it hope to get out of your company? Is it time to get your resume together?

This book won’t answer all of those questions directly, but it will provide you with a sense of what to expect in the next few months. It will discuss the various reasons why companies acquired and the kinds of actions they are likely to take. Most importantly, this book will offer a roadmap for how to navigate your career through this transition, and how to make the best of the opportunities that are presented to you.

This book tells the story if Sammy, an acquired employee, going through the various stages of an acquisition. Through all the highs and all the lows. At each stage the author takes a moment to reflect on Sammy’s reactions and discuss the possible ramifications to Sammy’s career. It points out potential behaviors that will be helpful to Sammy as well as potential pitfalls.

This book can help you understand what goes on behind the curtain. It discusses the motivations of the acquirer and the reasons for certain inevitable actions. It brings a new light to the subject and is written for the employee who wants to do more than just survive.

This is a short book intended for the busy employee. It is based on practical experience, full of concise information, and packed with useful insight. The author, Dennis Fitzgerald, is a former corporate executive who has been involved in scores of acquisitions, functioning as a negotiator, due diligence analyst, and integration manager. He has been involved as both an acquirer as well as the acquireee. Currently he is the Managing Partner of AcquisitionWorks, a consultancy dedicated to helping companies improve the returns they achieve through their acquisitions. He has an MBA from Northeastern University.