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By Joe Aberger
This kickoff makes sure every member of the HR team knows exactly what they own before planning begins. The meeting covers the full scope of what HR must deliver across 100 days: flawless combined payroll, harmonized benefits, key talent identified and retention bonuses structured, Day 1 separations handled in-person with compliant packages ready, and every people manager briefed with talking points. Plus, a culture assessment and pulse survey program that tell leadership whether two organizations are actually becoming one.
Six non-negotiables are covered and go into effect immediately — and none of them bend for integration schedule pressure.
Every HR team member leaves this meeting knowing their role, their deadline, their escalation path, and the one thing that is true of every deal: the people decisions made in the first 100 days determine whether the combined organization delivers what's in the deal model. HR integration is where deals are won or lost.