Reach out
Neil Mortine has been on both sides of the table when it comes to business acquisitions.
“Fahlgren acquired my company eight years ago, so I know what it’s like to be acquired,” says Mortine, president and CEO at Fahlgren Inc. “I know what it’s like personally to be part of a new team.”
With that experience, Mortine also knows what it’s like to be the CEO one day and an employee at someone else’s business the next.
“It can be pretty emotional,” says the leader of the 160-employee public relations firm. “Try to work through the title and roles and responsibilities very early on to see if they are interested. ‘Here are some new areas you can work in that can be exciting now that you don’t have so many administrative responsibilities. Can we take advantage of all that you’ve learned and your relationships?’”
If the person seems open to working with you, do yourself a favor and listen to what he or she has to say in terms of ideas for the business.
“I tend to come off a lot smarter to people if I’m quieter and just listen as opposed to just putting my opinion out there on day one when people meet me,” Mortine says. “People want to work with me a lot better and a lot more closely if I give them the lead and let them talk a little bit and give their point of view and ask questions.”
How to reach: Fahlgren Inc., (800) 731-8927 or www.fahlgren.com.
