Whenever I approach a merger or acquisition, I assess the resources: Capital, equipment, assets, intellectual property, and above all the employees – the human resources that are part of any deal or negotiation.
For both buyers and sellers, it’s imperative to have a plan for these employees, whether they will stay with the organization or not. Compensation packages, incentive programs, earn-outs, or severance options are all areas that can and should be addressed and implemented in any strategic growth initiative.
This commitment to valuing human resources – people – is evident in successful M&A negotiations. It means implementing solutions that look out for the people who have served an organization through time, talent, and trade.
At the Los Angeles Mission, this commitment means ensuring that solutions to serve the homeless do not mask the problem, but are truly effective. Solutions must ensure that L.A.’s homeless individuals – no matter their circumstance – can put their best foot forward.
This is especially important now, in the wake of new emergency rules that are opening public buildings as temporary shelters and allowing people to sleep inside vehicles in designated lots.
While this policy does indeed keep people safer than being on the streets, it does not address root causes of homelessness. There remains a gap between homelessness and housing that must be bridged through adequate housing options. In addition, services are needed in shelters and in transitional or permanent housing to order to keep these individuals off the streets.
As Los Angeles braces for the severe weather of El Niño, the Mayor’s office is calling on the city to make recommendations in these key initiatives:
- Flexible housing subsidies for non-chronic and non-veteran homeless people. This includes rental subsidies so people can access short-term housing.
- Additional flexible housing subsidies exclusively for non-chronic homeless veterans.
- Winter shelter extended services, which include opening shelters one month early and keeping them open a month later. Winter shelters provide shelter, warmth, food, and comfort, as well as access to supportive services and housing assistance.
- Storage and access centers so homeless individuals can store belongings and use showers and laundries.
- Outreach technologies and a coordinated entry system so people who work with the homeless can reduce their time on administrative tasks and spend more time on outreach and engagement.
The Los Angeles Mission is backing efforts of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which is making over 1,400 beds available during the 2015-2016 Winter Shelter Program season across the City and County of Los Angeles. The Mission is further increasing capacity and implementing a new limited bridge housing plan in line with the Mayor’s charge to address this homelessness crisis.
Ending homelessness is not as easy as opening a lot so people can sleep in their cars. And providing for employees after a merger is not always as easy as writing a check. Solutions call for thinking outside the box, collaboration, and a willingness to truly do what’s best for all involved. This commitment to human resources continues to drive both the Los Angeles Mission and Big Change Advisors.
Steve Pomeroy is the founder of Big Change Advisors, a unique M&A consulting firm in Los Angeles that helps businesses achieve big goals while making a big impact on society. To request a free consultation, contact us.
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