Jon Marks, former CTO of a multi-billion dollar, 100+ year-old, employee-owned construction company, has led technology and integration efforts in M&A transactions valued at over $1B. With deep experience navigating acquisitions, spin-offs, and divestitures, he shares his perspective on how CRISP™ impacts execution.
To view all of Jon’s responses to the questions below back to back, click for the 19 minute video. Otherwise, each question below will take you to his specific response.
General Experience
1. Previous Challenges: Before using the new Method, how did your team manage cross-functional or cross-entity communication? What were the most significant challenges you faced?
Cross-functional and cross-entity communication is one of the most persistent challenges in M&A execution, often leading to misalignment and delays. Understanding prior communication gaps highlights the inefficiencies that structured methods like CRISP™ aim to resolve.
2. Introduction to the Method: How was the new Method introduced to you or your Work-stream, and what were your initial thoughts on its potential to address those challenges?
The way a method is introduced impacts its adoption and effectiveness within a Work-stream. Initial impressions often determine whether stakeholders see it as a valuable tool or just another layer of process.
Key Artifacts and Protocols
3. IEX (Information Exchange): How did the IEX help you manage critical communication and decision-making in your Work-stream? Can you share an example of how it streamlined information exchange?
In M&A, critical decisions rely on accurate and timely information. The NPX (here referred to as IEX) helps structure and prioritize data flow, reducing noise and improving decision-making across stakeholders.
4. Employee Matrix: How did the Employee Matrix contribute to organizing or managing talent-related activities during the initiative? Did it highlight any areas that were previously overlooked?
The Employee Matrix provides visibility into talent alignment, role transitions, and workforce planning. Gaps in knowledge transfer or retention risks become easier to identify and address.
5. Application Matrix: Did the Application Matrix improve your ability to track and integrate systems or applications across entities? How did it impact your work?
Technology integrations are often a major bottleneck in M&A. The Application Matrix creates a structured view of critical systems, dependencies, and transition requirements to minimize disruptions.
6. Request List: How did the Request List help facilitate and prioritize communication or deliverables between the Buyer and Seller Work-streams? Can you share an example where it resolved a cross-Work-stream challenge?
Managing cross-Work-stream/cross-entity dependencies is essential for smooth execution. The Request List provides a centralized mechanism to track, prioritize, and resolve ad hoc and high visibility deliverables between Buyer and Seller teams.
7. TSA Change Management: How did the TSA Change Management protocols support your team in handling changes effectively? Can you share a specific example of their impact?
Transition Service Agreements (TSA) require structured oversight to prevent operational disruptions and proper accounting. Effective change management protocols help teams navigate modifications, ensuring smooth hand-offs and minimal risk.
Benefits and Outcomes
8. Efficiency Gains: Did the new Method lead to noticeable improvements in efficiency or reduction of delays? If so, how?
Reducing inefficiencies in M&A execution accelerates deal realization and value capture. Structured methods help eliminate redundant efforts and focus contributors on high-impact deliverables.
9. Communication Improvements: How did the new Method enhance communication within or across Work-streams? What specific tools or protocols were most impactful?
Clear, structured communication prevents costly misunderstandings and delays. The right tools and protocols ensure that information reaches the right people at the right time.
10. Alignment of Roles: How did the new Method ensure alignment between Owners and Consumers in your Work-stream? Were there any challenges it helped overcome?
M&A success depends on aligning the needs of those creating deliverables (Producers) with those consuming them (Consumers). Establishing clear ownership and expectations minimizes friction and rework.
11. Problem Mitigation: Did the new Method help address or avoid any significant risks or issues during the initiative? Can you provide an example?
Early risk identification and mitigation prevent costly setbacks. A structured approach ensures that potential problems are surfaced and addressed before needing escalation.
Adoption and Usability
12. Ease of Use: How easy was it to adopt and integrate the new Method into your daily work? Were there any barriers, and how were they addressed?
Adoption depends on how seamlessly a method integrates into existing workflows. The ease of implementation determines whether teams actively use the tools or revert to old, inefficient habits.
13. Guidance and Clarity: Were the protocols and tools straightforward to understand and apply? How did they compare to previous methods or tools you’ve used?
Clarity in execution drives effectiveness. Well-structured protocols ensure that contributors can confidently follow the Method without confusion or misinterpretation.
14. Collaboration Impact: How did the new Method influence collaboration between your team and other Work-streams or entities (e.g., Buyer/Seller)?
Strong collaboration accelerates integration and reduces friction between Work-streams. A shared framework enables contributors to work together more effectively, avoiding miscommunication and information silos.
Overall Impressions
15. Final Thoughts: Looking back, what do you think was the most valuable aspect of the new Method for your role and Work-stream? Would you recommend it to other teams in similar initiatives?
Evaluating the overall impact helps determine the long-term value of any method. Lessons learned and recommendations from experienced users provide insight into its effectiveness across M&A initiatives.
This FAQ highlights the key areas where CRISP™ impacts M&A execution, from improving efficiency to structuring communication and aligning deliverables. Jon Marks’ insights provide a real-world perspective on how the Method performs in a variety of high-stakes transactions.