For a management consultant's view of the prospects for the new Oracle-Sun entity, readers may wish to have a look at More Than the Sum of Its Parts by Reshmi Paul on Forbes.com. The author analyzes the Oracle-Sun acquisition from the perspective of both parties and offers suggestions designed to facilitate a smooth, fruitful integration.

First to receive Paul's scrutiny is the dominant partner, Oracle, to whom he recommends the development of a vision for the new company that incorporates the strengths of both organizations. "The vision should provide an effective road map, particularly for those who may be clinging to the organizations of the past," he writes.

Paul advises Oracle CEO Larry Ellison to make the best possible use of those Sun executives who remain with the company and who currently know best the attributes that Sun can bring to the acquisition. It is essential, Paul contends, that Oracle recognize and properly assess the pool of Sun talent and admit it to the decision-making process.

To those Sun employees who now come under the Oracle umbrella Paul advises that they maintain high performance, accept additional responsibility and not wait for directives from Oracle top management before making the most informed recommendations they possibly can.

Paul also suggests that Sun employees seek to build relationships within the new organization rather than clinging to old, no longer current networks that are perhaps fueled by resentment over the acquisition.

Finally, Paul writes, Sun employees need to "embrace the acquisition," committing to the transition as vigorously as Oracle employees, thereby bringing about what he terms the collegial approach he sees as necessary to achieving the best possible outcome for both Oracle and Sun.

More Information

More Than the Sum of Its Parts - Forbes' article

Oracle's Financial Analyst Discussion (Transcript)

Oracle Expects Profit from Sun Sooner Rather than Later [...read more...]

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