Interesting Conference

I apologize for the lack of posting today, everyone, but I’ve been out of the office all morning at an M&A (that’s mergers and acquisitions for all you non-business minded folks) conference in Hershey.  They managed to cram about 7 presenters between the hours of 8 AM and 12:30 PM, so it was pretty hectic.  One presenter really stuck out, however.

She was a lawyer giving a presentation about how important it is for a buyer to acclimate the targets employees into the new structure.  She explained how many times employees of a purchased business often feel threatened by the incumbent employees and management (no crap, sherlock).  She offered one piece of advice when dealing with this delicate issue that I found particularly erudite.  She suggested that management take a survey to determine which benefits the employees found to be most important in the new company. 

She then finished her idea by saying, “…and just because they suggest something doesn’t mean you actually have to do it.  Your main goal is just to make the employees think that their opinion actually matters.  They’ll be happier that way.”

That, my friends, is neither exaggeration nor hyperbole.  The woman actually said this.  When she did, my collegue and I both burst into audible laughter as the rest of the room sat in horrified silence.  It was classic.

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