The next in our series. The planning fallacy is very dear to my heart…it is the world within which I live and breathe…and despite my 25 years of managing complex transformation / M&A Integration programmes, it continues to provide a challenge! Let me know what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/planning-fallacy-the-plan-was-always?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
The latest in our series on the impact of unconscious bias in M&A / Transformation. At the risk of repeating myself (apparently that happens a lot…according to my children / wife!) the issue of overconfidence in deals is a real challenge. When we look mature organisations who use M&A as their primary growth engine, one of their distinguishing features is that at least one person in the decision making room […]
Our latest chapter on unconscious bias in deals. This strikes at the heart of the human condition…where the individual experience is valued much more highly than the anonymous collective, despite all evidence to the contrary. Let us know what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/the-base-rate-fallacy-everyone-thinks?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
Good morning / afternoon all, this is the next chapter in our exploration of unconscious biases in the context of deals and transformation. I find this particularly fascinating. It seems extraordinary that with our supposedly advanced state of evolution, we still do this. Have a read, share widely and let me know what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/anchoring-bias-the-first-number-is?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
Morning my friends, I hope you are all doing well and finding purpose in what you do. This is the next chapter in our book on unconscious bias. It’s one of those where your reaction is likely to be “of course, that’s so obvious”…but perhaps that’s the whole point! Let me know what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/illusion-of-transparency-you-can?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
This one is a little more challenging. Most leaders would genuinely believe that the impact of transformational change on their employees is something that they share and have considered fully before they start the initiative. The reality is a little different. As ever, let me know what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/empathy-gap-why-i-feel-your-pain?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
The start of our journey into the Culture Codex. Here’s everything you need to know about how the Negativity Bias impacts deals, and what you can do about it. Let me know what you think and share widely! https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/negativity-bias-why-the-bad-news?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
A new and exciting project with my friend and partner, David Boyd. Over the past 12 months, we’ve looked at unconscious bias in the context of M&A and transformation. Below our first chapter. I look forward to your comments. https://open.substack.com/pub/acquisitionsunchallenged/p/the-gorilla-in-the-room?r=7687dd&utm_medium=ios
I wanted to share our latest podcast, an interview with Ian Wakeford of the London Stock Exchange Group. LSEG is a serial acquirer of businesses that operate in the ‘weeds’ of the financial services sector, providing technology based solutions for existing challenges, innovating around product set across the capital markets and developing a truly global reach and capability for investors. LSEG has always been acquisitive! Despite a few missteps in […]
Morning all, I had the opportunity to speak with Jacob Orosz from Morgan & Westfield on the challenges and opportunities in the world of M&A. We covered a lot of ground! Have a listen and let me know what you think! hhttps://morganandwestfield.com/podcast/an-experts-views-on-effective-post-merger-integration-strategies/
Our final Agile Gorilla podcast for the year, looking back at the world of M&A in 2023, what happened and what didn’t happen, and a forecast into the market for next year. I hope you enjoy it…many thanks for all your comments, encouragement and support throughout the year. All the best for a wonderful Hogmanay! https://theagilegorilla-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/theagilegorilla.com/podcast/2023/12/29/15-the-world-of-mampa-in-2023?format=amp
Abhay Pande, David Boyd, Paul Siegenthaler and I from The Agile Gorilla collective are joined by David Cox, a business transformation professional with a passion for Customer Experience. For over 15 years, David Cox has worked around Europe, South America and the Middle East helping clients drive revenue growth and customer loyalty.. We talk about who owns customer experience in an organisation, the challenge of keeping an external focus through […]
This week our podcast is all about an interesting convergence between: future strategy in the fossil future sector which has a very limited long term future but continues to make great returns for its shareholders; the challenge of current and future employees and how this might have an impact on employment strategy going forward; and lastly the role of government in determining the future. https://theagilegorilla-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/theagilegorilla.com/podcast/2023/10/6/13-the-mother-of-all-disruptions?format=amp
The latest in our series of Agile Gorilla Podcasts where we talk through a deal of interest. In this episode, we talk through the challenges of leadership in a cross border transaction, dealing with the regulators, and where to focus. Let me know what you think! https://theagilegorilla.com/podcast/2023/9/15/12-style-vs-substance-at-essilorluxottica
Afternoon all, this week Abhay Pande, David Boyd and I talk about some recommended ‘light’ reading for any aspiring transformation director, CEO, or entrepreneur engaging in the Mergers & Acquisition world. We cover everything from applied strategy to behavioural economics and the challenge of change. Have a read, let us know what you’d include on your list, and give us your thoughts. https://theagilegorilla.com/podcast/2023/7/20/11-recommended-reading
The latest in our Agile Gorilla podcast. This week we talk about the recently announced magic circle merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. It’s a fascinating transaction and the first in 20 years that connects the magic circle with a large Wall St firm. For anyone running a professional services business, the challenges of highly mobile clients and employees and a very tight recruitment market are perennial […]
Our latest podcast headed up by our local resident expert, Paul Siegenthaler! We discuss the peculiarities of these amazing organisations, the challenges of integration, and the opportunities which they offer. Let me have your thoughts, experiences in this very specific part of the corporate landscape.
Please indulge me for a moment as I look back at the last year following the publication of my book, ‘Save the Silver Bullet…The small steps to successful transformation’. It has been an extraordinary time for me with opportunities to speak to global and local organisations, industry bodies and at major conferences on the drivers of successful transformation. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time with wonderful people around […]
This week we talk about the wave of forced mergers in the US. Paul Siegenthaler, Abhay Pande and I talk about the drivers for the current transactions, what are the implications from an integration perspective, and what the future holds. As ever, we’d love to hear from you. Please let us know your thoughts, comments and ideas. https://theagilegorilla.com/podcast/2023/5/19/8-buying-out-the-banks
The latest podcast in the Agile Gorilla Collective series. This week Abhay, David and I talk about the dynamics of Deepmind and Google Brain coming together, what the key challenges for Demis Hassabis and Jeff Dean are in terms of leadership and change management, the competitor landscape and the potential pace of change required, It is a fascinating transaction, not only because of the sudden awareness through ChatGPT of the […]
Inarticulate ramblings of a management consultant 