The economic turmoil has reshaped the landscape for doing deals of all kinds, presenting new challenges to both organizations and M&A professionals. With M&A activity expected to increase in 2010 and beyond, it is critical for those involved in transactions to stay abreast of the latest developments and trends - and be ready when the opportunity arises.

This is especially true for HR. Human capital continues to play a critical role in the success of every deal. More than ever, HR leaders must ensure that sufficient attention is given to human capital risks and opportunities, and organizations must take full advantage of HR's insights and experiences in order to effectively manage the financial, operational, customer and other implications of human capital.

How Mercer's workshops can help

Mercer M&A Ready^TM workshops are designed specifically to help HR professionals get ready for the challenge of deal work. In an intense, practical learning environment, we provide strategic focus, proven processes and valuable tools. These workshops deliver business, transaction and HR knowledge that allow the HR professional to return to the deal table with confidence and a greater ability to contribute.

We offer two types of workshops for HR professionals.

• Two-day workshops. Our two-day workshops cover each deal phase from strategy and planning through to extended integration, describing the critical processes and HR program management approaches specific to complex transactions. Focusing on strategic approaches to M&A, these workshops blend facilitated discussions with interactive exercises built around a typical deal to illustrate and simulate the M&A principles and processes involved.

• Customized workshops. We also deliver customized workshops for organizations that prefer an approach more tailored to their individual needs. These can be conducted in local languages, with country-specific or global material. These workshops can be customized to the client's specific approach to deals, as a kickoff for the HR team on a specific deal or to address specific deal-related topics in depth.

Mercer M&A Ready^TM workshop facilitators are seasoned Mercer professionals with hands-on deal experience as part of Mercer's global M&A consulting business.

For more information about the specific content and format of our two-day workshops, view our M&A Ready^TM 2010 invitation.

Who should attend

Mercer M&A Ready^TM workshops are intended for HR and other professionals who are responsible for identifying and managing the "people" issues vital to a successful M&A transaction.

2010 schedule of Mercer M&A Ready^TM workshops

Below is the 2010 schedule for Mercer M&A Ready^TM workshops. Registration for all workshops will be available soon. A 20 percent discount is provided for those who register and pay at least six weeks in advance of a workshop. Discounts also are provided for multiple attendees from the same organization. Contact your Mercer consultant for details or email us at mare...@mercer.com.

 Americas

*Register and pay by this date to receive a 20 percent discount on the workshop cost.

Asia Pacific

 *Register and pay by this date to receive a 20 percent discount on the workshop cost.

Europe

*Register and pay by this date to receive a 20 percent discount on the workshop cost.