Be Prepared For The Conversations Around It
If M&A activity is part of your company’s 2026 game plan, make sure you’re properly prepared to talk about it.
M&A activity is expected to rebound in 2026, as U.S. private equity firms are widely reported to be holding over $1 trillion in undeployed capital, creating pressure to transact in 2026.
When launching M&A initiatives, companies typically face both internal and external communication challenges related to them.
From our experience, those that do it well are hyper focused on understanding the dynamics among and within all stakeholder groups – including investors, employees, customers, partners and others– and tailoring their communications to address their respective interests and concerns.
Here are the ten elements we’ve observed of a successful M&A communications plan:
Step 1: Establish clear objectives
Define measurable goals and KPIs for employees and all stakeholders.
Step 2: Formulate a phased plan
Map a timeline that delivers the right messages at the right time.
Step 3: Engage leadership early & often
Equip leaders with consistent, confident messaging.
Step 4: Prioritize transparency objectives
Share both opportunities and challenges.
Step 5: Customize messaging by audience
Tailor content to employees, customers, and investors
Step 6: Enable feedback loops
Host Q&As, town halls, and digital channels.
Step 7: Leverage multiple channels
Reinforce messages in person and across digital platforms.
Step 8: Track sentiment proactively
Use surveys and analytics to detect issues and course-correct
Step 9: Consistently update associates
Highlight key wins and milestones to drive positive engagement
Step 10: Review & refine regularly
Adjust your approach based on feedback and changing dynamics.
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