Focus on the customer first

Remember why you are in business: you are solving problems and creating opportunities for your customers. Be your customers' advocate. Establish a plan to ensure that your customers are taken care of at every phase of acquisition. Assign your most important customers to sales leaders, set up contingency plans for when you are in meetings. Be open and honest about what your customers will expect if the acquisition occurs. Agree on post-close migration and support plans ahead of time.