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How to Survive an Acquisition

charity.wtf

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Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#91

Post by baconner »

baconner wrote: post #90
HillRat wrote: post #43

In my experience, there's only one rule to surviving an acquisition: find political cover immediately . Upon acquisition, you and your team are an alien entity embedded in BigCo's immune system of political networks and operating rules. They don't know what to do with you, you are a threat to established patterns, and you will lose to the experienced players . So unless you have C-suite cover and a title to match it,…

I've been through 3 acquisitions one very badly done, one well done, and one several years in that im still on the fence about. This is great advice in any case. Even in the case when say one of your side is brought into the c suite it's important to understand that you need to find acceptance and a reason to exist according to the rules of the buyer however bizzare they may be. In the case of my one bad acquisition…

Or of course, just move on! Could be that's the best advice most of the time.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#92

Post by shostack »

ldehaan wrote: post #10

Founder is so far from employee it's ridiculous you even comment. It's sad that most founders don't care or don't understand that sometimes they managed to hire people that actually care about the business, and could have helped make it better. When I see a founder sell his business, all I ever think is (as I'm sure most do), what a selfish asshole.

I don't think you can paint with such broad strokes. While it is important to have a sense of the founder's vision for the business (run for life, IPO, sell eventually, etc.), I can't say I blame them for cashing out if the situation makes business sense and aligns with their goals. It is THEIR business after all.

But I think that just means there is more responsibility on the part of the founder to be transparent and forthright with his employees, particularly those who have equity. It is one thing to sell in a backroom. It is another to sell with the full knowledge and support of the company with the goal of getting as fair an outcome for all parties (including the employees that helped get them there). Believe it or not, there have been plenty of instances where the latter has happened. It isn't always like the founder makes bank and no employees get anything.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#93

Post by marktangotango »

VLM wrote: post #34

The real advice, having been thru many non-coastal telecom mergers: Its just like a merger on that old TV show Survivor, there's 3000 of us, 100 of you, and after "synergy" there's only going to be 3000 positions, so nothing personal but you are all gone. The first meetings with the new bosses are a job interview, treat it as such. Highest priority should be a transfer into the buying company. You want to get on to t…

I experienced an unusual variation of the acquisition. The company wasn't acquired by another company, but sold out a majority interest to a private equity firm. I did as you suggest here, started looming immediately, jumped ship after the next major release. Turned out it was mistake, the company actually did quiet well, and didn't have the mass layoff I feared. I liked the job and regretted leaving out of fear.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#96

Post by cm2012 »

ascagnel_ wrote: post #23
cm2012 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 3 hour commute (by express bus with comfy seats, etc.). Honestly, I just use the commute time as "me time", not too different from hanging out at home. The long commute lets me be close to my parents, in a neighborhood my wife likes, $1100 rent for a 2 bedroom in NYC, etc.

Where the heck do you live that you can get a 2BR in the NY metro area for $1100? Even the scuzziest areas start at $800-900 for a 1BR.

NYC is a big place. I live in Glen Oaks, near the border of Nassau county.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#97

Post by cm2012 »

delazeur wrote: post #42
cm2012 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 3 hour commute (by express bus with comfy seats, etc.). Honestly, I just use the commute time as "me time", not too different from hanging out at home. The long commute lets me be close to my parents, in a neighborhood my wife likes, $1100 rent for a 2 bedroom in NYC, etc.

I am in a similar situation and it's usually just fine, but it becomes difficult on days when I would be better off sacrificing that "me time" to do something else (chores, errands, family obligations, etc.). When that happens, the only thing I can cut back on to meet those obligations is sleep.

Yes, that is what happens. Especially on days with bad traffic.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#98

Post by derefr »

spimmy wrote: post #47
lazzlazzlazz wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have never heard of this as a slogan at Facebook and I have close ties there; this seems like someone venting emotionally.

I am absolutely venting emotionally, I thought that much was clear. :) But I heard a variant of this in dozens or hundreds of meetings, generally when a project was getting shut down or canned or reorg'd, so it's not true to say that it's not true. It's not even a bad slogan. Company priorities should come before territorial interests. This is why it's important to work in a place that shares your values at a high le…

I think people are juxtaposing "what's good for Facebook" not with "what's good for [territorial subunit]", but rather with "what's good for the lives of the people working at Facebook." A slogan like that is sensible in the first case and terrifying in the second case.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#99

Post by chris_wot »

seattle_spring wrote: post #89
chris_wot wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mate, you live and learn. Whilst the experience might have been horrible, I'd say you've probably had positives come from it. For me, the positives were that I learned that I must commit 100% effort into any place I work, but I've got to be able to move on when necessary. I'm afraid I'm still learning how to do this, but it has helped me get out of my last job before I completely burned out.

I hear you, and definitely did learn a lot. Sadly I've got a severe case of burn out at the moment.

It happens. Be kind to yourself and take it easy.

Re: How to Survive an Acquisition

#100

Post by Spooky23 »

ascagnel_ wrote: post #23
cm2012 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 3 hour commute (by express bus with comfy seats, etc.). Honestly, I just use the commute time as "me time", not too different from hanging out at home. The long commute lets me be close to my parents, in a neighborhood my wife likes, $1100 rent for a 2 bedroom in NYC, etc.

Where the heck do you live that you can get a 2BR in the NY metro area for $1100? Even the scuzziest areas start at $800-900 for a 1BR.

3 hours is Albany. I pay about $800/mo for a 4b/3ba house there. When I used to be on the Amtrak a lot there was a fair number of folks doing that commute, mostly lawyers and construction guys.

90 minutes is Rhinebeck/Poughkeepsie. Plenty of country and suburbia places for $1100.

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