Where Deals Succeed—or Fail

Most executives believe the hardest work in M&A happens before the deal closes. Negotiations, due diligence, financing—it all feels like climbing the mountain. But in reality, the true test begins after the champagne glasses are cleared. Post-closing integration is where value is either created or lost, and too often, it’s where even the most promising transactions fall apart.

The M&A Integration Handbook is written for leaders who refuse to let their deal become another statistic. Drawing on more than two decades of international CFO and M&A experience, I take you inside the boardroom, the integration office, and the factory floor to show you what really drives post-merger success.

This book is not theory for theory’s sake. It’s a playbook of actionable strategies, proven frameworks, and practical checklists designed to help you:

• Navigate the critical first days with confidence.

• Align strategy, culture, and operations to capture true synergies.

• Manage stakeholders—employees, customers, vendors, and investors—through change.

• Build repeatable integration capabilities that give your company a long-term competitive edge.

I wrote this handbook for CEOs, CFOs, integration leaders, and rising executives who want to make integration a core capability, not just a project. If you want your next deal to succeed where so many fail, this book will help you raise the bar.