Anatomy of a Takeover Part 1: The Unannounced All Hands Meeting

It all starts when someone is sitting at their desk or cubicle working surfing the Internet, and receives a fateful email: "All Hands Meeting 11:00." Even though before this point there was no inkling that something is up, a sense of dread will quickly fill the building. More than likely people will start contacting others who are out of the office to let them know something is going down.

Theories will quickly spread. Most people will guess an executive is fired leaving the company for "better opportunities" or to "spend more time with family." However, the CEO wastes no time in letting everyone know that the company has been purchased. Not exactly the best news, but it could be worse.

"Who were we purchased by?" a brave soul in the back thinks to ask.
"Our largest Competitor," the CEO replies. Nothing is quite like the air being sucked out of the room, with most feeling like they were punched in the heart. Visions of standing next to the rubes in the unemployment line, or rubes thinking of now standing in line next to their cousins is on everyone's mind.

"So, when is the purchase complete?" someone else thinks to ask.
"This Friday," is the reply.

Then everyone gets told to go about their normal business. This is pretty much absurd. After announcements like this no one is getting work done. You'd think it would be best to let everyone go for the day (perhaps as a sign of things to come) than to mill about listlessly.

Oh, it should be noted that when your VP of Human Resources is named interim GM and the CEO starts crying, you're probably not going to be keeping your job.

Next: Anatomy of a Takeover Part 2: There's a New Sheriff in Town