Advice for Meeting Key Employee

December 15, 2024

by a searcher from Ohio State University in Dublin, OH, USA

I am a month out from closing on a deal. I am scheduled to meet key employee #1 tomorrow. Does anyone have any tips, lessons-learned, dos/don'ts they'd be willing to share?

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Reply by an investor
from University of Illinois at Urbana in Chicago, IL, USA

Thanks ^redacted‌ - This is late (apologies) but this is also a tough question. The nuances depend on a lot of things related to context. But the simple part is to work hard to listen and build rapport and make sure they feel valued and heard. It's really no different than meeting / managing anyone - the person will likely be nervous, looking for things not to trust, and they will read into everything you say / do - in ways that may surprise you. So agree with be yourself, but make sure you also are trying to look at it from the other side.

Reply by an intermediary
from City University of New York, Bernard M. Baruch College in San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA

I agree with Patrick, but at the same time you really need to read the employees. Are they happy with a new buyer taking over or are they interviewing? Make them feel secure and comfortable, but do not make promises especially when you really don't know what you are getting into to. Let them talk, as you will get more information than you thought, both good and bad. It's a lot like poker and it's important that they know you are holding the cards. If they are insecure, they might be sending feelers out. Best of luck with your acquisition

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