In our latest episode of Fifth Chrome Business Insights Podcast, we are joined by Summer Hilliard, an advocate for employees facing layoffs during Mergers and Acquisitions. Summer brings a refreshing perspective to a challenging aspect of M&A, offering strategies for both employees and employers to handle layoffs with empathy and effectiveness. Layoffs during M&A can be an incredibly sensitive issue, often poorly handled by companies. Summer Hilliard delves into common mistakes, such as impersonal email terminations and insufficient communication with remaining staff. She explains how such actions can create a toxic culture of uncertainty and disengagement. 🌟 Key Takeaways: - The five stages of grief employees experience during layoffs Strategies for "What's Next": whether to continue in a similar career path or pivot entirely - The psychological toll of layoffs on retained employees - The importance of a humane approach to layoffs, especially when the business case is built on headcount-based cost synergies - Recommended tools like GlobeSmart for navigating these challenges effectively Summer emphasizes that what employees seek most is to be "seen, heard, and appreciated." She advocates for real conversations between managers and employees being made redundant, ensuring that their transition, however difficult, is handled with the dignity it deserves. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice and a compassionate understanding for a process that impacts the human side of business deeply. Subscribe to our channel for more valuable insights on M&A, Integration, Leadership, and Business Strategy. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest releases. 📌 About Summer Hilliard: Specialist in budgeting and planning for employees affected by layoffs Passionate about employee well-being during transitions Focused on both near-term and long-term strategies for impacted employees 👉 Summer Hilliard's LinkedIn 🎙️ Hosted by: Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts 👉 LinkedIn Profile 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisory for M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations. #MergersAndAcquisitions #EmployeeLayoffs #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome ------- Links mentioned: - https://www.afterlayoff.com/ - https://www.globesmart.com/ ------- Books mentioned: - Stephen R. Covey: The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. - Sheryl Sandberg: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. ------- Podcasts mentioned: - Chalene Johnson, Build your tribe - Chalene Johnson, The Chalene Show