Because mergers are fraught with heartbreak and can be disempowering experiences. My intention is that technical communicators thrive in the mergers with which they are confronted. Mergers and acquisitions are commonplace in today’s business world. If you haven’t faced one yet, you might face one in the future. The more you understand about them, the more effective you can be in communicating the importance of your role in the transition process.
Depending upon the type of merger, roles could be duplicated, in which case layoffs ensue. There can be differing or conflicting management structures and styles. This too can cause layoffs. It can seem chaotic and sometimes nonsensical. The abilities you have developed during your career to simplify the complex and clearly communicate will serve you very well during this time.
The more you understand about mergers and acquisitions, the better you can serve the teams who have grown to rely on you. As the management and employee challenges are resolved (which will likely take years), it is important for a technical communicator to understand their significance and possibly the expanded role they might play in the organization. Oh, and by the way, self-promotion will be critical here. For your own sake and the sake of your team, you can’t sit this one out.
You can be a critical resource leading to the success multiple migration projects by:
Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency
There will be ample opportunities for the technical communicator to create, edit and update technical documentation and training materials. During a merger, they can ensure that the information they provide is accurate and consistent across all areas of the new business. This is the time to make it your business to be informed of any changes in processes, systems, and technologies that may result from the merger. Communication is not always top of mind, but a technical communicator must keep it top of mind to ensure the documentation reflects the changes. They can also assist in documenting new policies surrounding the technical information, its organization, its distribution and storage.
Supporting Change Management
Mergers often involve significant changes in processes, systems, and technologies. Who better than a technical communicator to support change management? After all, a technical communicator is an expert in creating training materials that help employees understand the changes and adapt to new processes and systems. Technical communicators head off of any potential resistance to change by creating materials that address employee concerns.
Ensuring Compliance with Regulations and Standards
Mergers can have legal and financial implications. Technical communicators can ensure that the company’s technical documentation and training materials comply with regulations and standards. This can help reduce potential legal and financial risks for the companies involved in the merger.
Enhancing the Customer Experience
Mergers can also have an impact on customers. Technical communicators can create informative and engaging customer-facing documentation that clearly communicates any changes or disruptions resulting from the merger. This can help maintain customer loyalty and minimize any negative impacts on the customer experience.
Streamlining Processes and Procedures
Mergers can also provide an opportunity to streamline processes and procedures. Technical communicators can work with other their teams to develop streamlined processes and procedures for creating, updating and organizing technical documentation and training materials. This can help ensure that the integration process is completed quickly and efficiently.
If a merger or acquisition is on the horizon where you are working, prepare yourself for the ride by understanding as much as you can about how they work. Define a role for yourself. Do some self-promotion and find a way on the change management team. Your expertise, critical thinking skills and all the rest of your skills are needed now.