Integration is among the most crucial aspects of an acquisition merger. Most companies do not think about it until it is too late, acquisition integration can either be a success or a failure to the deal. Acquisition integration is a massive undertaking that requires dedicated time.

A poor M&A planning and execution has led to many companies not reaping the financial advantages of merging. The biggest reason is a lack of commitment and coordination in the leadership team that facilitates integration processes. The first step is to identify those who have the motivation and expertise to successfully lead integration initiatives. This includes the M&A leadership team as well as functional teams involved in the process such as finance, human resources operations, human resources and more.

Implementing clear tracking mechanisms that link the M&A process to the P&L is a further important aspect. This will help ensure that the appropriate measures are being tracked and the proper targets are set.

An integration director should be involved as soon as possible. This can be done during the diligence process and can help optimize the target's value by identifying synergies not being realized. An experienced integration director will be able see these opportunities before the deal is completed and help ensure they are reflected in the target's value.