In this insightful episode of Fifth Chrome Business Insights Podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Claire-Marie Nasr and Cathy Powers, two seasoned M&A practitioners, for an in-depth discussion on the critical role of culture in Mergers and Acquisitions. Often underestimated, organizational culture extends beyond simple behavior patterns. It is a broad sphere encompassing leadership styles, organizational values, and individual purpose. Claire-Marie and Cathy delve into the many dimensions of culture - from the spectrum of inward-outward focus to the variance between formal-informal and hierarchical-flatter structures. They highlight the importance of culture teams stepping into the shoes of leaders and employees from both acquiring and acquired companies to accurately map and bridge cultural gaps. While culture might not be a deal-breaker per se, the preservation of values and seamless transition of the acquired organization's culture are essential for a successful merger. The conversation is peppered with interesting examples from Claire-Marie, illustrating the influence of national cultures on organizational cultures, and insightful remarks from Cathy on the role of leaders in shaping and driving organizational culture, especially within M&A contexts. Whether you are on the buyer or seller side of a merger or acquisition, this episode provides valuable perspectives on culture in M&A. Don't miss this chance to learn from the experts. Subscribe to our channel for more insightful conversations on M&A, Integration, Leadership, and Business Strategy. Don't forget to hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest releases. ----- About Claire-Marie Nasr: • Integration as differentiator and value optimization for M&A • Works closely with executive stakeholders, Claire-Marie is an experienced change leader • Led teams in the Financial and Technology Industries. • Responsible for driving the delivery of strategic and cross-functional initiatives and allowing your teams to overcome challenges.] About Cathy Powers: • Certified change management professional, coach, and scrum master helping organizations navigate transformational challenges • Talent management • Diversity and Inclusion management, Culture change • Experience in Energy and mining, Retail, and Banking Industries ------- The hosts of the interview are: Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts ------- This interview is part of a series run by Fifth Chrome (https://www.fifthchrome.com), an business strategy advisory and training company specializing in M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations. ------- Links mentioned: - https://hbr.org/ Books mentioned: - Simon Sinek: Start with Why. - Jim Dethmer: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success.