Post-acquisition: sense of security among employees?

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April 28, 2026

by a searcher from Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management in Philadelphia, PA, USA

I was checking out this research paper that shows the three best practices for a new acquisition entrepreneur are the following: 1. Convey a "feeling of security" amongst employees 2. Don't change things too quickly 3. Keep lines of communication open. 2 and 3 seem relatively straightforward. What have people seen as effective for #1 getting employee buy-in during that early period post-acquisition? Research: https://link.springer.com/article/###-###-#### /s11301###-###-####
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Reply by a professional
in Colorado, USA
I've been able to solve #1 in many cases by violating #2. Change early is actually good- when you're solving problems that they've been frustrated with for a long time. Feeling of security starts with feeling trust that they are being TRULY heard and that your direction has common sense not just a standard acquisition playbook.
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Reply by a searcher
from Harvard University in New York, NY, USA
Meet with all employees. Very possible to do with fewer than 100. Ask them what's working, what's not and take notes. Then implement some of what they said needs to be changed. Helps show you listen and can drive quick wins.
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