The Critical Role of Culture in Mergers and Acquisitions feat. Aaron Falcione (Organon) | S4S11

Aaron Falcione emphasizes the importance of culture in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and in day-to-day business operations. He shares his experience in guiding companies through the people-related issues that arise during M&A transactions and highlights the critical role of HR in ensuring the success of a deal. Aaron also discusses the significance of aligning values and behaviors, and the need for continuous communication and decision-making during a transaction. He further explores the challenges of returning to the office post-pandemic and the importance of treating employees like adults. About The Guest: Aaron Falcione is the Chief HR Officer at Organon and has over 28 years of experience in leadership and M&A. He has worked with companies like PWC, Siemens, and Merck, and has extensive knowledge in integrating cultures during mergers and acquisitions. Key Takeaways:People make or break a deal in M&A transactions.Addressing urgent people issues is crucial for successful integration.Communication is a catalyst for decision-making during a transaction.Retaining top talent is essential during times of uncertainty.The culture of an organization plays a significant role in the success of a deal.Treating employees like adults and giving them agency is important for unlocking value.Leaders should not walk past aberrant behavior and must reinforce the company"s values.Return-to-work policies should consider individual circumstances and show solidarity with essential workers.Companies should have a sense of communal obligation and consider the impact on diversity and inclusion. ________________________________________________________________________________ If you enjoyed this episode or any of our episodes, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a review in the podcast app. We"d love to hear from you. Connect with us on LinkedIn to leave feedback. Watch the episode, clips, and other bonus content on YouTube. To access bonus content, information about the guest, and links to materials discussed, go to our website: https://www.gybwp.com Special thanks to all those who encouraged me to do this podcast, with a special thanks to my son Jeffrey who challenged/inspired me to do this podcast, Vinnie and Emmett who have helped to post and promote it, and Aubrey who has provided me with good, constructive feedback along the way! Love, Dad