100+ Add on Acquisitions Learning and Lessons on Integration by Scott Cook

Welcome to another episode of the Private Equity Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Scott Cook, an experienced Chief HR Officer with over 100 add-on acquisitions under his belt. We dig into what really drives successful integration—nailing culture, managing change, aligning roles, and avoiding the classic post-acquisition mistakes. If you want a no-nonsense guide to people, process, and performance in PE-backed services businesses, this episode is a must-listen.

[00:00] Over 100+ add-on acquisitions and integrations, with a focus on commercial and residential services.

[00:29] Private equity mistake: solving adaptive people problems with technical solutions.

[01:51] Example: pay plan integration fails without addressing pride, fear, and control among legacy staff.

[03:49] Change takes time, but skipping the adaptive side slows everything down.

[04:45] “Intervention without diagnosis is malpractice.”

[05:12] Change process: Transparency (what we know/don’t know), Humility (not always right), Authenticity (real conversations).

[07:38] Run changes in parallel to prove success before full implementation.

[08:33] Adaptive resistance often comes from fear of loss, not logic

[09:30] Key issue isn’t just communication—it’s the resistance behind it.

[10:55] Missed clarity of roles and vision derails integration.

[12:22] Diligence mistake: confusing deal confirmation with actual diligence.

[13:21] Integration failures often come from ignoring cultural misalignment.

[14:47] Early lesson: distinguish between necessary and unnecessary endings—prune what’s dying or holding growth back.

[17:08] Win trust early by changing non-critical items that don’t affect frontline staff or customers.

[19:30] Founders often don’t work out post-acquisition—PE firms struggle to make them fit.

[20:34] Sellers always experience some remorse—plan for it during diligence.

[22:00] Ask: “What does ending well look like for you?” Define success before they exit.

[24:23] CFOs and CEOs shouldn’t be in the weeds—define direction, context, and outcomes.

[26:44] Great CFOs provide context, not micromanagement. Great CEOs delegate integration to focus on growth.

[29:32] Former founders can still add value via advisory roles or special projects.

[32:24] Pest control and HVAC still hot—residential M&A picking up, commercial lagging due to government slowdown.

[35:20] Resi/commercial services sector is early in its PE wave. Tons of opportunity, but plagued by poor leadership and weak diligence.

[37:37] Rise in fractional execs to bridge early-stage post-acquisition gaps.

[38:39] Book recs: 

• Why Should Anyone Be Led by You? – leadership authenticity
• Falling Upward – personal development and meaning
• Necessary Endings – pruning for growth

[40:30] Scott reflects on making work meaningful in the second half of life—impact over income.

[40:58] Falling Upward explores this journey.

[41:28] Connect with Scott Cook on LinkedIn. Thanks for tuning in.

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Got feedback or questions? Email Alex at [e-mail]. Until next time—keep smashing it!