Dealmakers Podcast

People and Culture Issues When Merging Businesses

Andy Doyle explains what really happens after completion, from merging teams and changing offices to building management discipline, retaining staff, and preparing a stronger platform for future acquisitions.

Listen to the Episode

Episode 210  |  Runtime: 26:24  |  Audio Episode

Listen to the Episode

Hear Andy Doyle discuss post acquisition integration, culture clashes, staff communication, management teams, operational process, and using acquisitions to scale a group.

Episode 210
Runtime 26:24
Topic Post Acquisition Integration
Format Founder Interview

Key Takeaways

Three practical lessons on integrating acquired businesses without losing control, momentum, or staff confidence.

Similar Businesses Can Have Very Different Cultures

Even companies doing almost identical work can use different language, tools, expectations, habits, and informal rules. Buyers need to diagnose those differences before forcing integration.

Staff Hear Every Promise After Completion

Small comments from a new owner can become fixed expectations. Clear communication, quick follow through, and visible improvements help prevent avoidable staff frustration.

A Strong Management Team Protects Growth

Integration becomes easier when a capable MD or senior operator owns process, accountability, recruitment, reporting, and day to day execution while the buyer focuses on future deals.

Episode Breakdown

In this episode, Jonathan Jay continues his conversation with Andy Doyle, who joined Jonathan's first acquisition mastermind programme in 2018 and went on to build through acquisitions. The focus is not how to buy the business, but what happens after completion when the buyer has to integrate people, systems, expectations, and culture.

Andy explains why merging two apparently similar website businesses was more difficult than expected. The teams used different terminology, worked in different ways, and initially carried old habits into the new group. He shares how office moves, pay rises, improved working policies, better equipment, and careful staff communication helped shift the group away from two separate identities and toward one operating business.

The conversation also covers the need for process, CRM discipline, measurement, and a stronger management team. Andy describes bringing in an MD, using a 100 day plan, creating accountability, and setting a target to acquire at least two businesses a year. For acquisition entrepreneurs, the episode is a clear lesson in why integration, management structure, and culture can determine whether a buy and build strategy compounds or stalls.

Best For

  • Business buyers planning their first post acquisition integration.
  • Acquisition entrepreneurs merging teams after a bolt on deal.
  • Buyers concerned about culture clashes, staff retention, and internal resistance.
  • Operators building a management team to support a buy and build strategy.
  • Dealmakers using off market outreach to acquire more companies during uncertain trading conditions.

Questions Answered In This Episode

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