The Challenge
A fast-growing U.S. private equity-owned financial services company had recently acquired businesses in Poland and Bulgaria, expanding its European footprint.
But tensions quickly surfaced:
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Employees in Poland and Bulgaria resisted new systems and felt frustrated by unclear communication from U.S. leaders.
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U.S. executives, in turn, viewed local teams as slow to adapt and resistant to change.
The real issue? Cultural disconnects were undermining integration.
The Approach: A Bespoke Culture Solution
Step 1: Diagnose the Disconnect
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Conducted interviews across all three regions.
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Mapped differences in decision-making, trust-building, and feedback styles.
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Identified tension points around hierarchy, speed of change, and directness of communication.
Step 2: Build Cultural Understanding
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Delivered leadership workshops on cultural norms in Poland and Bulgaria.
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Introduced frameworks for navigating differences (e.g., Direct vs Indirect Feedback, Task- vs Relationship-Based Trust).
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Facilitated cross-regional conversations to build empathy and shared language.
Step 3: Co-Create the Way Forward
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Designed a communication and change plan tailored to each culture.
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Helped leaders and teams define a shared “global culture” blending U.S. expectations with local realities.
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Established culture champions and feedback loops to sustain momentum.
The Outcome
Within six months of the programme:
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🌍 System adoption rates in Poland and Bulgaria exceeded 90%, compared with 40% pre-intervention.
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🤝 Employee engagement scores rose by 18% in European offices, with notable improvements in “feeling heard” and “trust in leadership.”
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📈 Integration milestones were delivered on time for the first time since acquisition.
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💡 Leaders reported stronger cross-regional relationships and greater confidence in managing cultural dynamics.
Key Takeaway
In cross-border acquisitions, cultural alignment is as critical as systems integration. By addressing cultural disconnects directly, organisations can turn resistance into buy-in and accelerate both adoption and performance.