M&A Ready Academy, Global

The changing number and type of assignments drive the need for a proven mobility management technology. Managing international HR and global mobility processes via spreadsheets and emails may open the door to inefficiencies, risks and costly assignment failure. Yet, many employers still rely on Excel and Word to manage their programmes. Why?

Too many organizations believe global mobility software to be out of their reach for three main reasons: budget, resources, and time.

Here's the good news: A tech implementation doesn't need to eat up your entire budget and engage your entire team for months!

By establishing clear team governance, defined roles and responsibilities, and a practical framework for the full deal lifecycle, M&A Ready enables HR and deal teams to move quickly, make informed decisions, and manage issues as they arise. Customizable playbooks, process guides, templates, and functional workstream resources help create consistency across transactions while still reflecting each organization's unique priorities and operating model.

The M&A Ready program also strengthens capability through touch points that equips teams to manage the human capital side of transactions from due diligence through integration. Through a blend of M&A fundamentals, real-world case studies, and hands-on learning, the program helps HR, corporate development, business leaders, and functional teams understand their role across the deal lifecycle, identify people-related risks, and focus on the human capital priorities that drive transaction value. The result is a more prepared, aligned, and agile team that can support better deal outcomes.

HR M&A Strategy and Readiness

People issues are among the leading causes of deal failure. Mercer's M&A Ready program gives HR and deal teams the framework, structure, and tools to manage the human capital side of transactions with confidence - from due diligence through integration. Designed to flex across deal types - acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and joint ventures - our program prepares your team before a deal is ever announced.

HR Deal Team Design & Governance

Deals demand swift action and clear decisions from HR, often with little notice. Mercer helps you define the structure before a deal starts - so when one is live, your team can mobilize immediately.

We work with you to establish:

• Team structure, roles, and responsibilities across the deal lifecycle
• Decision-making authority and escalation paths within HR and across Finance, Legal, IT, and Communications
• Connectivity between your HR deal team, leadership, and ownership structure

The result is a governance model that activates on day one and scales to the complexity of any transaction.

Customized Core Playbook and HR Workstream Chapters

Mercer develops a customized HR M&A playbook - including process guides, templates, and workstream resources - that serves as your team's practical guide from due diligence through integration execution. Organized around the full deal lifecycle with milestones, decision gates, and owner assignments, our playbook can include dedicated chapters across key HR workstreams, customized to your organization:

• Compensation
• Benefits
• Culture
• Organization Design
• Talent Retention
• HR Systems & Payroll
• Communications & Change Management

Built as a living document, the playbook strengthens your organization's M&A capability with every deal.

HR M&A Ready Training

Our HR M&A Ready training program builds deal capability through M&A fundamentals, real-world case studies, and hands-on learning - giving HR, Corporate Development, and business leaders a shared framework for managing people matters across the full deal lifecycle.

We take a two-pronged approach through foundational sessions and MasterClasses. Foundational sessions establish common language and role clarity across teams. For those who want to go deeper, MasterClasses offer advanced, topic-specific sessions across key areas including retention, culture, and talent.