Sanofi Genzyme merger

As the former Sanofi Israel GM, I follow very closely this merger. It sure brings me memories back.

I was part of the merge process in Israel between Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis and surely learned a lot from it regarding what happens in the countries.

 There were so many discrepancies between the two companies. One French, the other German. The sales teams in the field so hostile to each other due to the competition in the anticoagulation market.

 This time, the discrepancies are even bigger: Sanofi is very French. Genzyme is very American.

Sanofi is specialized in large therapeutic diseases, whereas Genzyme in very special population.

The culture of the marketing in the two companies is so different.   

Mentality is so different.

Hostility from Genzyme people is huge.

Sanofi will need to be very cautious not to loose talents from Genzyme people, and HR will need to be very sensitive and objective when dealing with the people in the mid management.

I think at least one year is needed until the new management in each country will be able to evaluate who are the most important talents to be preserved, and during this time, big efforts are needed for people who wish to continue with the new organization.

Needless to say how expensive the merge procedure is. I hope both sides will benefit from this enormous event.

I really wish both companies a lot of success!!!