Judith Geiß is an expert for companies where everything changes after an American takeover. She has been supporting managing directors and their employees in post-merger integration for more than ten years and knows their situation from her own experience and many takeover projects.

ForewordOnly one way to go: forwardOut of the blue: new employees from another companyConfronted with a foreign cultureNine elements needed for any integration to succeedPreface: A guide to finishing the takeover marathon
Chapter 1: Introduction1.1 It can happen to anyone1.2 Why American companies are so interested in German companies1.3 Why burying your head in the sand doesn't help1.4 Time, the underestimated factor1.5 Before the fires start1.6 Once the fires have started1.7 Who is this book for?1.8 The sellers' and buyers' rolesChapter 2: Takeovers: the greatest fears2.1 Jumping ... to conclusions2.2 Everyone reacts in their own way: the Riemann-Thomann model2.3 What am I supposed to tell my employees?
Chapter 3: Types of mergers and the most difficult obstacles3.1 Prepare for change3.2 Types of mergers3.3 Be prepared for seven obstacles
Chapter 4: Sharing information & creating transparency4.1 Mastering the flood of information4.2 Disclose relevant facts4.3 The rumor mill costs time & money4.4 Don't be secretive & don't make things seem better than they are
Chapter 5: Introduction to the blueprint of a takeover5.1 What is a takeover?5.2 Takeover as change process5.3 The three-step approach to change5.4 Integration as deep-rooted change5.5 The blueprint of a takeover as process roadmap5.6 What is the secret to success behind this blueprint
Chapter 6: The blueprint of a takeover's nine components6.1 From preparation to a new culture6.2 Familiarizing yourself with the new situation6.3 Planning and implementing integration as a project6.4 On the path toward a new corporate culture
Chapter 7: Preparation & assessment7.1 Gain an overview as early as possible7.2 SOX: Why you need it now7.3 Do you GAAP?7.4 A stumbling block, the shared service center
Chapter 8: Human resources8.1 Preparing employees for change8.2 Expert HR advice8.3 Is a new layoff culture now on the rise?8.4 Making time for employee talks8.5 Responsibility for decisions must be shared8.6 Monitor the number of employees out sick8.7 Review employer review sites routinely
Chapter 9: Outside help & experts9.1 Plan for help prior to the takeover9.2 Three options to close knowledge and skills gaps9.3 Find experts at the right time9.4 Selection criteria for interim and project managers9.5 English skills and intercultural competencies9.6 Supporting the day-to-day business
Chapter 10: Relationship building10.1 Laying the foundation for the integration process10.2 Don't underestimate cultural differences
Chapter 11: Project plan11.1 The post-merger-integration project11.2 Nothing moves forward without management11.3 Preparing a project plan
Chapter 12: Workgroups12.1 Your project teams for the win12.2 Create meeting routines12.3 Confronting obstacles is normal12.4 Making the morning rounds is a critical routine12.5 Quick wins for a good start12.6 Routines for efficient workgroups
Chapter 13: Team13.1 Without the employees, nothing moves13.2 Target agreements and deadlines13.3 Provide communication training13.4 Pressure changes people13.5 The two sides of the crisis
Chapter 14: Monitoring & routines14.1 Finally crossing things off your to-do list14.2 Routines are paramount in turbulent times14.3 Facts, numbers, and data14.4 Know your deadlines14.5 Audits as a new challenge14.6 Inventory as a large-scale event14.7 Fine tuning along the way
Chapter 15: Closure & new culture15.1 Congratulations - finally the calm after the storm15.2 A new culture is established15.3 No closure without a celebration
Chapter 16: The skeleton key16.1 My skeleton key for everything16.2 Asking the right questions puts you in demandChapter 17: Guaranteeing that your takeover fails17.1 Learn from mistakes before they happen17.2 Assumptions you've (hopefully) given up
BibliographyIndex of real-world examplesIndex of tips