How not to merge organizations
I think most everyone involved in business or managing people in general is aware of basic management principals. An especially common one is that when you start a new job, you don’t make changes right away; particularly if it’s not a crisis situation. You take the time to see how things are currently working and get to know the people and the culture. I’m pretty sure this is taught in Business 101.
Apparently no one at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has ever taken the class or read a basic business management book.
Let’s start with something simple–branding. As of today, CTRC and UTHSC-SA “merged.” Apparently, UTHSC-SA has decided that their brand is key to improving cancer patient awareness of CTRC’s mission and services. Just take a look at all the sign changes. Now has anyone actually researched to see which has a more positive, stronger brand recognition among cancer patients in the San Antonio area–CTRC or UTHSC-SA? I bet I can guess the answer.
Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. UTHSC-SA is acting like a bull in a china shop. The lack of planning and communication has been breathtaking, to say the least. UTSA should have some it’s MBA students documenting the whole mess as a perfect example of how not to combine, merge, or take over organizations.
When the chief of the university police is in the CTRC parking lot to determine speed limits, you have got to wonder about his priorities for the merger and those of the institution that employs him.
HSC NEWS - The University of Texas Health Science Center - The Office of External Affairs
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System today authorized the acquisition of the Cancer Therapy & Research Center by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Consummation of the acquisition is subject to completion of the UT System’s due diligence and transition plans.
Let me tell you, there hasn’t been any “due diligence” or planning about it. But what do you expect from an institution of higher education that doesn’t even offer some form of tuition reimbursement to its employees? (FYI, UTMB, UTHSC-Houston, and UT Southwestern all have some form of tuition reimbursement so you can’t blame this one on the UT System.)
Technorati Tags: CTRC, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, UTHSC-SA, Cancer Therapy & Research Center
Filed under: CTRC, Cancer Therapy & Research Center, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, UTHSC-SA
