Many companies will change significantly because of the current crisis.

• Some will fail

• Some will survive

• Some will thrive.

The jury is out on how many companies will change significantly, but every company will change because of COVID-19.

For leaders that have the capacity and vision to make their business thrive, the current situation provides them with opportunities.

For leaders that are struggling to survive, their business may have value over the medium and long term. However, in the current environment, the inability to fund ongoing costs limits their ability to last beyond this crisis.

Over the past years, companies focusing on growing inorganically have been using M&A as the driver of their growth. We all know of companies that have been acquired for any or all of the following reasons: technology, market and talent.

For the companies that are currently in process of failing or surviving, many of them do not have a choice but to let go teams. There is no time for a quick sale of a piece of the business, and talent, as well as their leadership, have been (or will soon be) asked to move on.

For companies in a position to thrive, now is the perfect time to bring on board the talent they need to grow as we move beyond the initial stages of the crisis.

In recent years, some companies acquired others just to get the talent, leaving the technology and markets behind (or left to die a slow death).

Today, companies with the capacity to thrive do not need to acquire other companies. They can acquhire.

Acquhiring teams – leaders together with the talent they lead – is an opportunity companies in a strong position must strongly consider as a means for future growth beyond traditional M&A.

We are working with our clients now to guide and facilitate these acquhisitions. Companies with teams that are being acquhired have the opportunity to make the best of a difficult situation. Businesses that are acquhiring are giving business unit leaders and their teams the opportunity to continue to work together with renewed passion, vigor and success.

If you are interested in discussing how acquhiring can help your business, let me know.

Samuel Dergel is Principal and Founder at DERGEL Executive Search.