Post Merger Organisational Development,

KRON TV, California (US)

Client Issue: The top ranked TV station in San Francisco faced the challenge of being acquired by a non-entertainment entity. With potential organisational values misalignment, people were stressed regarding the future of the station & many of the top performers were contacted by recruiters offering better positions in the Bay Area & across the nation.

Solution: Synergy was retained to work with KRON’s senior leadership team to develop a transition strategy designed to retain top talent during this trying & unclear period. Communication sessions were held with each division leader’s staff to insure timely & accurate disclosure of information as available from the acquiring company. The intention was to allow people to make stay/go decisions based on the most current, verifiable information & not on rumours or suppositions. One particular tactic introduced was the practice of ‘no question goes unanswered’ – both in written form & in meetings staff members were encouraged to exercise & test the practice.

Outcome: Anticipated exodus of top talent did not occur. The main news & entertainment presenters stayed with the station during the transition. Of particular note was that the normal turnover rate actually declined during the transition strongly reflecting that sense of ‘security’ people gained with the amount & type of information being provided by station leadership.

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