One on One with Jabian's Brian Betkowski

Jabian Consulting recently completed a survey of 159 North American M&A professionals to gain insight into the stumbling blocks as well as paths to success to completing the merger and acquisition process effectively. The survey results painted an interesting picture about self-perception; when asked to assess their performance in key areas like planning, cultural integration and HR planning, everyone surveyed ranked themselves way better than they said everyone else was doing. Brian Betkowski, co-founder and partner at Jabian, sat down with Consulting to discuss the survey's findings and the ironic disconnect that sometimes exists between what needs to get done and how to get there.

Consulting: What were you looking for with this survey?

Betkowski: We were trying to take a bit of a unique perspective; trying to get people to articulate what works and what doesn't. Not only hands down did everybody we surveyed say culture and communications was the most important aspect to success, they also said that's where they spend the least amount of time in due diligence. They also said, ironically, it was where they're investing the least even going forward post- merger and integration.