How To Navigate the Human Element of M&A Integration

About the Episode

Geoff Coltman, Senior VP at Catena Solutions, discusses M&A integration in the food and beverage sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element and the “why” behind decisions. Geoff highlights the challenges of maintaining regular communication and the need for open communication and partnership with organizations to ensure successful change management. He also discusses the importance of starting with the end goal in mind and ensuring alignment and communication throughout the integration process.

“I think the start [of integration] comes from understanding first what the end wants to look like. You have to start with the end first.”

Geoff Coltman

What You’ll Learn

• Skills Required for Successful Integration: Geoff offers insights into how to gain confidence in integration issues and the value of starting with the end goal in mind and working backward to understand the current state.
• Tips for Communication: Geoff discusses the role of active listening and open communication between companies throughout the integration process and the importance of maintaining regular communication and a partnership mindset with integration stakeholders.
• Strategies for Successful Integration: The toughest part of integration is the human element, and there are clear challenges in balancing data-driven decisions with the realities of organizational culture and psychology.
• Importance of Change Management: The discussion delves into the need to dig deep into the “why” behind processes, policies, and behaviors to drive meaningful change and successful integration.

Topics Covered

Want More? Related Resources: 

• M&A University
• Art of the Exit
• Acquired
• M&A Basics: Building a Sellable Business

Meet Our Guest

Geoff Coltman

Senior Vice President, Catena Solutions | Vernon Hills, Illinois

Geoff Coltman is the Senior Vice President of Catena Solutions, a consultancy that specializes in supporting food and beverage organizations with their strategic business initiatives in the areas of strategy, optimization, people, and regulation. Geoff has over 19+ years of experience helping food and CPG companies solve business problems and is a frequent thought leader across various food & beverage topics, appearing both in online articles and on podcasts across the industry.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffcoltman/