Typically, the senior leadership of the combined organization will be announced at the same time that the merger or acquisition is announced. In some instances, senior positions such as chief financial officer, head of marketing and human resources executive must be decided. Little progress can occur until these senior slots are filled. Care must be exercised to ensure that every decision is bias-free. Incumbents that will be replaced will have questions. Consider the following:

l Are there employment contracts?

l Are there viable options within the combined organization for displaced individuals?

l What is an appropriate severance/outplacement package?

l How can confidentiality be preserved?

As each of the senior slots is finalized, the organizations under each executive may be consolidated. Relocation and distance may be factors. As the organization determines its new structure, there will be greater pressure to determine policy and procedural issues, like relocation benefits, salary administration grades and ranges, and promotion titles. Care must be exercised that actions are not done that will be far outside of the range of possibility under the organization's rules.

93,060, What initial personnel actions must be taken? Typically, the senior leadership of the combined organization will be announced at the same time that the merger or acquisition is announced. In some instances, senior positions such as chief financial officer, head of marketing and human resources exe