Delivering the Deal
M&A risks: The unrealized potential of people in deal value creation
M&A transactions are on the upswing as businesses undergo transformations to adapt to a post-pandemic world. How do people risks factor into your deal process?
Of all the capital and resources a company has, people remain the most important asset. The rise of new work ecosystems that support a mobile and decentralized workforce emphasizes how essential an agile and resilient workforce is to most bottom lines. The importance of people also holds true in deals.
Dealmakers’ top priorities are bespoke value creation, operational stability and client retention. These cannot be achieved without proactively anticipating and addressing people acquisition risks, such as leadership effectiveness, organizational culture alignment, and retention and attraction of key talent.
See how companies are leveraging M&As to transform business and focus on people-related acquisition risks throughout the deal life cycle to drive success.
of failed deals are the result of poor strategic people-risk planning.
of survey respondents indicate an increasing appetite for M&As over the next 12 to 24 months.
Listen to our Delivering the Deal interview series
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People in M&AJune 25, 2025 | 22 | 13:58In this episode of Delivering the Deal, Mercer experts discuss recent changes in the UK Defined Benefit pension landscape and how these developments are reshaping M&A strategies and what new opportunities they present for investors worldwide.
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Talent & transformation
Creating Divestiture Deal Value—Tales from the Sell and Buy Side
August 28, 2024 | 21 | 18:38Discover the secrets to creating divestiture deal value in Mercer's M&A Delivering the Deal podcast. Gain valuable strategies and learn from experts in the field to maximize the value of your divestiture deals. Tune in now for actionable advice and success stories. -
People in M&A
Decoding the M&A Market: Insider Insights for Today's Deal-Makers
June 18, 2024 | 20 | 19:00Tune into Mercer's M&A Advisory Services' latest episode of "Delivering the Deal" where we discuss the latest trends, disruptive forces, and transformative shifts that are revolutionizing the deal-making arena. -
People in M&A
New Trends in M&A Retention
January 15, 2024 | 19 | 10:39Listen to Mercer’s latest Delivering the Deal episode to find out New Trends in M&A Retention. -
People in M&A
M&A 2024 Deal Perspectives in the European Union and the UK
November 10, 2023 | Episode 18 | 10:21Listen to Mercer’s latest Delivering the Deal episode to find out 2024 perspectives for the European Union and U.K. M&A deal market. -
People in M&A
Female retention in private equity
August 31, 2023 | Episode 17 | 19:11In this episode of Mercer’s Delivering the Deal, we are discussing the challenges facing the private equity industry regarding the attraction and retention of female talent, and some of the key levers to pull to make progress. -
People in M&A
M&A environment in Brazil Perspectives for 2023
July 18, 2023 | Episode 16 | 19:11Find out Mercer’s 2023 perspectives for the M&A environment in Brazil. -
People in M&A
Nearshoring in Mexico Considerations for deal professionals
June 10, 2023 | Episode 15 | 24:00Find out the M&A opportunities and challenges of nearshoring in Mexico. -
Future of work
Podcast | Managing the risk of retirement plans on M&A deals
March 28, 2023 | Episode 14 | 14:52In this podcast episode we share ideas to properly manage define benefits and defined contribution retirement plans so they do not disrupt your M&A deal. -
People in M&A
Creating effective change management during M&A deals
November 21, 2022 | Episode 13 | 09:40In this episode, we are speaking with Jason Jaross, a Partner in Mercer’s M&A Advisory Services Business. Given that we view effective change management as one of the keys to delivering on your deal thesis, we wanted him to share some of his experiences and lessons that may help your next deal. -
People in M&A
Aligning HRs role in deal making
October 04, 2022 | Episode 12 | 09:46In this episode, Scott Gardiner shares his 20+ years of deal experience to highlight his observations about the M&A landscape and the importance of aligning HR for successful deal-making. -
People in M&A
Talent retention strategy during an M&A
August 30, 2022 | Episode 11 | 17:00What is the focus area on deal professionals minds? Retention in deals. We discuss how to plan for retention during a deal and how to execute effectively to retain critical talent and protect their deal thesis. -
People in M&A
How talent can influence deal insights
July 8, 2022 | Episode 10 | 11:43In this episode, we uncover how talent is integral to all M&A deals and how business leaders can use talent data to strategize pre-day 1 to ensure their deal will succeed. -
People in M&A
Driving deal value in the auto industry
May 23, 2022 | Episode 9 | 11:40A shift to electric and autonomous vehicles creates new talent challenges for the auto industry, and they're only amplified by accelerating M&A activity. Explore how leaders can manage these challenges in our latest episode. -
People in M&A
What’s top of mind for business leaders?
April 26, 2022 | Episode 8 | 14:42What are the pressing topics facing global business leaders in 2022 and beyond? Mercer's CCO shares his experience and perspective related to organizations' challenges and opportunities. -
People in M&A
Highlighting M&A talent trends in the technology industry
April 13, 2022 | Episode 7 | 12:07What are the key M&A people trends in the tech space, and how can other industries leverage this approach? Check out this episode to find out. -
People in M&A
M&A Global Reflections for 2022
March 02, 2022 | Episode 6 | 19:00Tune into this episode to hear from Mercer’s M&A consultants from across the globe to find out what is on the horizon for deals in 2022. -
People in M&A
Reconsidering health risks in deals
January 17, 2022 | Episode 5 | 10:30Find out how a company’s mental health affects the health of an M&A deal. -
People in M&A
Diving deep on divestitures
December 17, 2021 | Episode 4 | 11:56In this episode, we discuss divesture trends and insights around an area that many business leaders mistakenly think is easier than a merger or acquisition. -
People in M&A
Going Public IPO vs SPACs What leaders should anticipate to ensure deal success
November 09, 2021 | Episode 3 | 09:08In this episode of Delivering the Deal, we discuss current SPAC and IPO trends and uncover the HR and compensation issues that arise when a company goes public through a SPAC or an IPO.
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