---
title: Cultivating Culture in Mergers & Acquisitions
description: Bob Sprague joined a panel on “HR Considerations in Mergers & Acquisitions,” sponsored by Quantive Events, at the NoVa Chamber of Commerce February 12.
image: https://insights.yesandagency.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Mergers%20and%20Acquisitions.jpg
---
[ ](https://yesandcommcore.com/)
[ ](https://yesandagency.com/)
[Back](https://insights.yesandagency.com)
[Announcement](https://insights.yesandagency.com/tag/announcement) , [Yes& General](https://insights.yesandagency.com/tag/yes-general)
# HR Considerations in Mergers and Acquisitions
**Yes&
## SHARE
- [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions&text=HR%20Considerations%20in%20Mergers%20and%20Acquisitions)
- [ Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions)
- [ Linkedin ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions)
Bob Sprague joined a panel on *“HR Considerations in Mergers & Acquisitions*,” sponsored by [Quantive Events](https://goquantive.com/), at the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce February 12.
Bob could draw on his personal experience with the four mergers that have grown Yes& to its current 75 employees, along with assisting clients with the communications surrounding their own mergers and acquisitions beginning in 1988. The Exit Planning Institute meeting attracted about forty business sellers, buyers, and other interested parties.
Bob stressed that culture is by far the most important success factor in a business transition. Asked how he evaluates a culture fit in advance, when communication and access is limited by confidentiality, he described the “corporate lore”—stories and anecdotes related by sellers and their top confidants that provide a much more telling account of culture than typical mission/vision/values statements.
Once a merger or acquisition is announced, Bob stressed the need for immediate, super high-touch communication with the existing staff. ***“The new definition of the speed of light is how fast rumors travel within a corporation,”** *Bob said. Among the practices at Yes& are carefully crafted communications plans, prompt, one-on-one meetings with every staff member, presentations and show-and-tell by Yes& culture leaders, guarantees for employment and benefits equity, and sponsored social get-togethers within the first few days of the announcement.
Yes& continues to seek both organic growth and alliances with culturally compatible firms. The experience of four mergers helps Bob and his team to evaluate, plan for success or—not infrequently—make a decision to walk away.
[Matt Whitaker](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-whitaker-4bb86/) of Quantive moderated the panel, which also included [Katy Herr](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynherr/) of Audacia Strategies, [Jim Camic](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrcamic/) of SOC Telemed, and [Mark Stevenson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-stevenson-smarthr/) of Smart HR.
### SUBSCRIBE TO THE AMPERSAND NEWSLETTER FOR INSIGHTS FROM YES&:
Yes& is the Washington, DC-based marketing agency that brings commercial, association, and government clients the unlimited power of “&” – using a full suite of branding, digital, event, marketing, public relations, and creative capabilities to deliver meaningful and measurable results.
[**Let’s talk**](https://www.yesandagency.com/contact-us) about **what the power of "&" **can do for you.
## SHARE
- [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions&text=HR%20Considerations%20in%20Mergers%20and%20Acquisitions)
- [ Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions)
- [ Linkedin ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions)
- [Previous Article](https://insights.yesandagency.com/yes-and-inc-magazine-dc-metros-fastest-growing-private-companies)
- [Next Article](https://insights.yesandagency.com/yes-and-helps-aclu-fight-for-civil-rights)
Yes&
## More Insights
You might also like these articles. Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates, insights and general tomfoolery.
SUBSCRIBE
[ Strategy Yes& General Associations
## Unlock Potential: How Generative AI Can Transform Your Organization
**June Alexander
We get it—Generative AI is everywhere right now.
](https://insights.yesandagency.com/generative-ai-can-transform-your-organization)
[ Strategy Yes& General Associations Crisis Communications
## Your Association Needs a Change Management Strategy – Are You Ready?
**Sarah Shirck
Is your association ready for change? How prepared is your association to navigate change?Are you reacting to disruptions as they arise, or do you have a proactive strategy in place to stay ahead?
](https://insights.yesandagency.com/managing-change-in-associations)
[ Strategy Yes& General Crisis Communications
## Your Business Needs a Change Management Strategy – Are You Ready?
**Sarah Shirck
Is your business ready for change?
](https://insights.yesandagency.com/change-management)
[ News Announcement Yes& General
## Yes&’s Latest Acquisition is Legendary DC Agency Williams Whittle
**Yes&
Yes& embraces firm’s 55+ years of nonprofit expertise
](https://insights.yesandagency.com/williamswhittle-acquisition)
## Let's Chat!
You’ve got challenges. We’ve got imagination. Let’s achieve your goals together.
[CONTACT US](https://yesandagency.com/contact)
You’ve got challenges
## We’ve got imagination
[ Let's Connect ](https://yesandagency.com/contact/)
1700 Diagonal Road, Ste. 700,
Alexandria, VA 22314
[(703) 823-1600](tel:7038231600)
You need expert advice
## Read our newsletter
[ Let's Connect ](https://yesandagency.com/contact/)
Follow us
You want proof
## We've got awards
© 2026 Yes&. All Rights Reserved.
### Thanks for joining the Yes& mailing list!
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Yes&",
"url" : "https://insights.yesandagency.com/author/yes"
},
"dateModified" : "2025-04-22T20:29:04.309Z",
"datePublished" : "2020-02-20T05:00:00.000Z",
"headline" : "Cultivating Culture in Mergers & Acquisitions",
"image" : [ "https://insights.yesandagency.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Mergers%20and%20Acquisitions.jpg" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://insights.yesandagency.com/hr-considerations-in-mergers-and-acquisitions",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://insights.yesandagency.com/hubfs/Yes&_OneColor_White.png"
},
"name" : "Yes&"
}
}
```