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Breaking the News: How to Communicate a ...

West, June A., Bou...

Technical Note

Breaking the News: How to Communicate a Merger to Employees

West, June A.; Bourgeois, L. J. III; Yemen, Gerry

BC-0180 | Published January 30, 2001 | 8 pages. Technical Note

Collection: Darden School of Business

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The mere mention of the term "merger and acquisition" (M&A) can send messages of misinformation or half-truths. Clarity about motives and intent, as well as timing the release of information during a merger, requires strategic information management. But when is the right time to tell employees about a pending merger? Who should make the announcement, and what communication channels should they use? A recent survey of managers conducted by the Darden Graduate School of Business explored communication practices that companies use to communicate internally during their firms' merger or acquisition. This note reveals the findings and makes communication recommendations.

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