Managing Human Capital in M&A Master Class

Exclusively for Corporate M&A Professionals

Managing Human Capital in M&A Master Class

OCTOBER 23, 2026 | LIVE-ONLINE

$1,500 | $0 for Members All Access Membership Accounts

Lamar Pierce's M&A Master Class guides participants through a range of important decisions made during the acquisition process to navigate human capital challenges. The curriculum provides a pragmatic, interconnected roadmap from initial diligence through post-close cultural alignment and retention. Participants gain actionable insights into mitigating risks and driving deal value through effective people management.

Develop human capital diligence methods
Engineer retention mechanisms for key talent on both sides of the transaction
Construct a framework that drives integration milestones and value creation

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST

Section 1: Human Capital Diligence

Identifying key employees, high-potentials, and flight risks
Evaluating leadership team effectiveness and cultural variations
Uncovering liabilities (e.g., pensions, golden parachutes, change-in-control triggers)
Benchmarking compensation structures against the acquirer's philosophy
Auditing employment agreements, classifications, and pending litigation
Utilizing surveys and focus groups to diagnose cultural concerns and employee sentiment
Translating diligence into a quantifiable risk assessment and integration cost projections

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM CST

Section 2: Crafting Employment Strategies

Strategies for communicating new roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures
Harmonizing and tailoring Total Rewards & Day-One Readiness
Aligning titles and leveling: creating a consistent and fair organizational structure
Key components: cash bonuses, equity awards, and performance-based incentives
Structuring vesting schedules and "cliff" provisions to maximize retention
Determining maximum retention funds and 'at market' ratios to deal value
Tax implications and considerations for the company and employees

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM CST

Section 3: Designing Retention Agreements

Enforceability of non-compete, non-solicit, and confidentiality agreements
Establishing mentorship and buddy programs
Quick wins: demonstrating commitment through immediate, positive changes
Monitoring flight risks and developing contingency plans
Developing the "change curve" and determining the appropriate pace
Designing feedback loops, pacing check-in meetings, and conducting ‘stay’ interviews
Identifying and empowering "change champions" within the acquired organization

Lamar Pierce, Professor of Strategy at Washington University

Lamar Pierce joined the Olin Business school faculty in 2007 after earning his PhD at UC Berkeley. He serves as the Beverly and James Hance Professor of Strategy, focusing on economic and psychological factors that impact productivity and employee performance during M&A transactions.

His research focused on the complexity of designing organizational policies that increase productivity without accelerating the unethical behavior that often accompanies incentives mechanisms.

He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Organization Science, which considers principles of management best practices.

Exclusively for Corporate M&A Professionals

Designed for Corporate M&A Teams

The Institute's M&A Master Classes provide focused, technical deep-dives into critical phases of the transaction process. Each is designed for corporate M&A teams, enabling them to engineer greater structural integrity within specific transaction workstreams.

Credits: 4.75 CLE / 5.50 CPE. The Institute is accredited in Illinois. Reciprocity may be available.

Exclusively for Corporate M&A Professionals