https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p0EbiFDJSY

It has been 5 years since you joined Leah, Inc. (“Leah”), a multinational consumer products conglomerate, focusing on cosmetics, personal well-being, and healthcare products. Leah is one of the major players in the European and North American consumer products markets. To expand its global presence, particularly in Southeast Asia, Leah recently acquired a competing business.

Hoiyiu Limited (“Hoiyiu”), the newly acquired company, is a regional leader in multiple areas of consumer products, particularly palm oil and coconut related products. Within its portfolio, Hoiyiu owns and operates multiple palm and coconut oil refineries. Hoiyiu’s many products are very popular throughout Southeast Asia, and Leah acquired Hoiyiu hoping to speed up its growth in the region.

Focusing mainly on production and distribution, Hoiyiu does not own any upstream assets within the supply chain, namely any palm or coconut plantations. Instead, Hoiyiu partners with various plantations and small farm collectives for its raw materials. Those types of relationships are very challenging to develop organically, especially for a foreign company. As a result, even though some of Hoiyiu’s equipment and systems were a bit out of date, the Leah team believed that the combination of Leah’s superior technology and business processes with Hoiyiu’s regional connections and distribution network will lead to sustainable growth in the increasingly lucrative Southeast Asian consumer goods market.

The acquisition of Hoiyiu was clearly a major milestone for Leah, and everyone at Leah is talking about the immense potential for growth it poses. That is why you were shocked recently to learn you were being offered the role as Senior Manager of the merger transition team.

Leah’s Chief Operating Officer over the Asia Pacific region explained that your primary duty would be to help smooth over the merger and restructuring process. She emphasized cross-border integration would be critical, but that you had to ensure a smooth transition between the existing Hoiyiu management and staff into the Leah global family. She stressed that there would be a steep learning curve over the coming two years, but that she was confident that someone as talented and hardworking as you would be up for the challenge. The global CEO even said that if you successfully managed the merger for a period of two to three years, you could expect a high-level management position in Leah’s global headquarters in London.

When you first arrived at the Hoiyiu office, you could tell the staff did not really know what to make of your presence. They were clearly deferential and pleasant with their “new boss,” but you could also sense some hesitancy - possibly even apprehension - whenever you walked into a room. In speaking with some of the managers, it was clear that the merger scared them and some of the junior staff, causing uncertainty about their jobs in the future. You also noticed that the company had a very specific culture and style that were quite different from what you were used to. And the lack of organization, record keeping, and transparency, particularly in relation to the finances of the company, gave you some hesitation and concern.

But you look at this opportunity with great excitement and confidence, believing that you are the right person for the job. It won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Just put in a few good years here, and you will be on the fast track to global management. This truly was the opportunity of a lifetime!