Understanding People in Mergers & Acquisition: Akumen’s Human Lens

Mergers and acquisitions are often seen as smart business moves — a way to grow, save money, or bring in new ideas. But behind every deal are real people dealing with big changes. And that’s where things can go wrong.

At Akumen, we’ve spent over 25 years helping organisations understand people’s experiences. We’ve analysed more than 120 million comments from staff, customers, and service users. What we’ve learned is simple: if you want change to work, you need to listen properly.

That’s why we’ve created People Due Diligence — a way to understand how people are feeling, thinking, and behaving during times of change.

The Problem: Culture Doesn’t Just Fit Together

Most mergers don’t deliver the results they promise. One big reason is culture. You can’t just mix two teams and expect them to work smoothly. People bring habits, expectations, and emotions — and if you ignore that, things can fall apart.

Our Transition Hype Cycle shows the emotional journey people go through during mergers. It’s not a straight line. People move through shock, fear, frustration, acceptance, and eventually breakthrough — but only if they’re supported.

The Solution: Listening to What People Really Say

Akumen’s software doesn’t rely on tick-box surveys. Instead, it reads open comments, interviews, and feedback to find patterns in how people feel and behave. We use a mix of smart technology and human expertise to spot:

• Early signs of worry, resistance, or confusion

• Cultural clashes and risks to integration

• Opportunities to support and reassure people

• Changes in mood and motivation over time

  
  

This isn’t just sentiment analysis. It’s proper listening — built from real-world data and designed to help leaders act.

Real Results: From Global Brands to Local Teams

We’ve helped global companies like DSM-Firmenich bring together 30,000 staff after a merger — replacing long surveys with open-text insights. We have helped many household brand names over the past two decades to navigate risk and protect brand reputation.

Whether it’s a family-run business or a large public organisation, our approach helps leaders understand what’s really going on.

Why It Matters: Empathy Is Good Business

Understanding people isn’t just kind — it’s smart. Our insights help leaders:

• Make better decisions based on real experiences

• Communicate clearly and build trust

• Spot problems early and fix them fast

• Support people through change

  
  

As one partner said: “Trying to merge two companies without understanding their culture is like mixing oil and water — no matter how hard you shake, they don’t just blend.”

Want to Listen Differently?

If your organisation is planning a merger, acquisition, or restructure, Akumen’s People Due Diligence can help you understand the human side of change — and make it work. Email Eross@akumen.co.uk to explore how we can support your organisation to achieve success.