Integrating acquisitions to drive unified operations for a cloud solutions distributor in EMEA
A rapidly growing cloud solution distributor had acquired three organisations as part of their expansion in EMEA. However, the integration of these acquisitions had stalled, with each business operating independently or only partially integrated. To fully realise the benefits of the acquisitions, the client needed a clear pathway to integration, alignment across the C-suite, and delivery support. We collaborated with the leadership team to define a strategic roadmap for each acquisition, aligning the objectives and creating a unified approach for future integration.
Service
Sector
"To fully realise the benefits of the acquisitions, the client needed a clear pathway to integration, alignment across the C-suite, and delivery support."
The Challenge
The client faced the challenge of bringing three acquired organisations together under one operational model, while maintaining their growth trajectory.
Key challenges included:
- Aligning C-suite priorities and strategies across multiple countries.
- Developing a comprehensive integration plan to ensure the acquisitions no longer functioned as independent entities.
- Coordinating business leads and SMEs across six countries to drive consistent, effective execution of the integration strategy.
The Solution
To address these challenges, we delivered four critical activities:
- Strategic Alignment: We worked closely with the C-suite to clarify and prioritise high-level integration objectives, ensuring strategic cohesion across the business.
- Backlog Prioritisation: By identifying and prioritising a backlog of activities, we focused the organisation on what was needed to achieve full integration.
- Integration Plan Development: We collaborated with business leads and SMEs to create a detailed, phased integration plan that addressed outstanding activities across the acquired entities.
- Programme Delivery: Leading the programme across six countries, we managed the execution of the integration plan, ensuring alignment and accountability at every stage.
The Impact
The successful execution of this project resulted in the following outcomes:
- Operational Integration: Within nine months, we achieved 92% completion of the integration plan, and all three acquisitions were fully integrated, enabling the client to operate as one unified business across EMEA.
- Strategic Alignment: The integration ensured that the C-suite and key stakeholders were aligned on strategic objectives, streamlining decision-making and operational efficiencies.
- Future Acquisition Support: The success of this programme led to a request for our continued support with the client's latest and largest acquisition, ensuring it was set up for success pre-acquisition, enabling the client to accelerate their return on investment.
Through our strategic approach and hands-on delivery, the client is now well-positioned to maximise the benefits of their acquisitions and continue their rapid expansion across the EMEA region.
