BEING ACQUIRED

As a corporate advisor specializing in change management, I find ‘Being Acquired to be a profoundly relevant and insightful contribution to the field. Dan effectively articulates the critical role of organizational commitment in the success of M&As, a point that truly highlights the significant impact these strategic moves can have on a company’s operations and financial health. His breakdown of the seven principles, particularly the granular focus on executive actions, the often-underestimated power of culture, and the absolute necessity of transparent communication, resonates deeply with the practical, on-the-ground challenges I’ve witnessed during M&A integrations. The book’s comprehensive approach, blending rigorous academic research with his rich, firsthand experience, offers actionable guidance for leaders and employees alike, making it an invaluable and authentic resource for anyone navigating the complexities of organizational change within an M&A context.

Hendrith Vanlon Smith, Jr.,
Managing Partner at Mayflower-Plymouth Capital.

The writing is highly insightful, leveraging real-life experience and careful research. Despite supporting or executing over 40 M&A transactions during my career, I found myself making notes on areas from leadership to change management to ensure I could recall them later.  Definitely a valuable text for a seller, buyer, or any executive simply looking to improve their company.

Rich Sawchak,
CEO, Systems Planning & Analysis.

“Being Acquired” is an essential read for private equity investors seeking to drive long-term value from M&A activity in human capital-intensive industries. Jackson’s principles provide a practical, evidence-based framework from day one of the deal process. What sets this book apart is its unique combination of academic rigor and real-world experience. Jackson draws from over three decades of consulting experience and academic research to spotlight one of the most underestimated drivers of post-deal value creation: employee organizational commitment. While financial models and strategic rationales often dominate deal theses, Jackson’s insights bring a crucial reminder—people, not spreadsheets, ultimately determine whether integrations succeed or fail. The book’s focus on change management frameworks is particularly valuable for acquirers/investors who need to drive rapid integration while preserving the talent that makes acquired companies valuable in the first place. The principles he outlines for executive leadership, culture preservation, and communication excellence are essential tools for protecting and enhancing company culture and ultimately performance. His framework is pragmatic, data-driven, and grounded in real-world case studies from the professional services space—making it directly applicable to companies where human capital is the core asset. For investors, operating partners, and executives, ‘Being Acquired’ offers a roadmap to mitigate value erosion from talent attrition, cultural misalignment, and poor change management. It’s not just a guide to integration—it’s a strategic playbook for unlocking the full potential of acquired teams.

Ben Prigal,
Senior Vice President/Investment, Mid-Market Private Equity.

As an experienced banking professional, I find Daniel Jackson’s book, “Being Acquired: Managing Change and Employee Commitment Through an M&A Event,” to be a timely and insightful contribution to the discourse surrounding mergers and acquisitions. While the financial details surrounding M&A — valuation, deal structuring, and capital markets—are the foundation of these transactions, the success and true value realization of any transaction ultimately hinges on the human element. This book addresses that critical, often underestimated, dimension.  Jackson’s work expands upon the typical M&A narrative by delving deeper into the psychological and organizational impact on employees, particularly focusing on the concept of Organizational Commitment (OC). He articulates, with both academic rigor and poignant real-world examples, how a decline in OC can manifest as significant employee turnover, productivity losses, and ultimately, a substantial erosion of the anticipated synergies and deal value. This is not merely a “soft skills” discussion; it directly translates into tangible financial outcomes that can make or break an investment. The book’s greatest strength lies in its practical framework: the seven principles for managing change and fostering OC. These principles—ranging from executive actions and communication to culture and working relationships—provide a robust and actionable roadmap for acquiring and acquired entities. For bankers, this offers a unique lens through which to assess and advise clients. Beyond the due diligence of financial statements, understanding these human capital dynamics allows us to identify integration risks pre-deal, structure more resilient post-merger integration plans, and articulate a more comprehensive value proposition to all stakeholders. It equips bankers to engage in more comprehensive conversations with clients about the critical importance of talent retention and cultural alignment, which are often the true determinants of long-term success.

Todd Rowley,
Director of Business Development, Senior Vice President/Commercial Banking.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, M&As have become so routine that the impact on employees is often overlooked or underestimated. Dan does an exceptional job of unpacking the human side of M&A transitions, offering not only a deep understanding of the dynamics at play but also a practical roadmap to reduce disruption and minimize employee turnover. This book should be required reading for any executive team navigating the world of M&A.

Brent Moncrief,
B-to-B Sales and Marketing Leader.

Many times, professionals believe what happens in their industry is unique, but being part of a company that is acquired has many common issues regardless of industry.  What I like most about the book is the continued references to individuals who are impacted by an acquisition.  We can all relate to at least one of the profiles. The profiles made it an interesting read, but the connection to true research and studies made it a book you can rely on and use to make yourself a better professional.  I highly recommend reading the book with the goal of extracting specific “nuggets” of information to make your next acquisition process much better.

Matt Dean,
Managing Director, Scare The Bear Capital.

Finally! A book that places employees at the center of the M&A transaction. In this quick and compelling read, Jackson explains the personal and professional disruptions employees face during M&A events, exploring themes of loss, uncertainty, and opportunity. Jackson doesn’t just highlight the human side of M&A; he offers seven actionable principles that ease the human side and strengthen financial outcomes. With a tone that’s both accessible and insightful, this book is a must-read for leaders looking to navigate change with compassion and results.

Dr. Philipia Hillman,
Founder, The October Group.

Most M&A failures come down to losing people – arguably a preventable risk. Having been in HR for over 20 years, I have seen firsthand how often other risks are prioritized over losing people in M&A transactions. Dan brings academic rigor to his own lived experience to help business professionals reduce the people risks of M&A transactions – increasing organizational commitment and driving successful change management. You’ll be taking notes throughout!

Clare Moncrieff,
Senior Business Advisor and HR Expert.

This book does a terrific job of highlighting the underappreciated concept of organizational commitment in M&A. Jackson’s holistic approach to writing synthesizes proven models, practitioner interviews, and research methodologies into a practical roadmap to improve organizational commitment. This work provides clarity, direction, and tangible guidance to enable decision makers, corporate leadership, and change management practitioners. Proper usage and implementation of Jackson’s seven principles of organizational commitment will help leaders save time, enhance focus, and shed light on real value destroyers/enhancers throughout M&A transactions. If you’re interested in discovering how to enhance value by leveraging the power of organizational commitment in M&A activities, Jackson’s work is a “must add” to your process.

Thomas Roberts,
Experienced Banker and Advisor with JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Gartner.