After having put up a brave effort in what was a bit of a David and Goliath-esque scenario, it looks as though the proposed merger between US food giant, Kraft and UK institution Cadbury is very likely to go ahead.

Early media reports suggest that there may be some job cuts in one UK site, but that other positions are secure... for the time being at least.

It must be a nerve-wracking time for Cadbury employees, who have grown accustomed to seeing news of their employer splashed across newspapers and other media channels on an almost daily basis.

The internal comms team will be flat out ensuring internal and external messages are aligned in their efforts to keep employees up to date with events as they unfold. And then over time, the focus will need to shift to support the new strategic objectives of the company and build engagement and productivity at a time when there is still likely to be concern about job security.

Use this article on the Internal Comms Hub to revise your knowledge of planning a communication strategy when faced with a merger or acquisition.These 6 considerations will help you to stay calm and focused in what can frequently be a stressful situation for all concerned.

And don't forget that change management competencies should be at the forefront of your skill set. Not feeling as confident as you should? Want to hear how change management leaders at companies like British Airways are doing? Come along to our Delivering Successful Change Communication conference in London and learn from the best.

Until next time,

P.S. Want to improve your skills this year in writing, measurement, video, social media or storytelling? If so, take a look at the one-day professional development courses that we're holding in London over the next three months.

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