As the SVG cooperatives from Berlin/Brandenburg and Saxony/Thuringia prepare to merge, the organisation is facing two key challenges. Firstly, the merger announcement and subsequent integration process must be communicated effectively. Secondly, managers must be equipped with the necessary communication skills to act as effective ambassadors for the change. Employees are more likely to support the new SVG Service und Vertrieb Ost GmbH when they understand its purpose and benefits. Furthermore, only engaged teams can help strengthen performance, customer focus and collaboration.

Managers and employees are asking themselves: What will change? What will stay the same? What does the merger mean for me? What will the new processes look like? mc-quadrat does more than simply answer these questions. We develop the communication strategy from the outset. In an initial kick-off workshop, we identify the objectives, stakeholders, opportunities and potential challenges of the process. Based on this, we develop a communication strategy, key messages and a compelling narrative to support the change. This explains why the change is necessary, what it aims to achieve and how everyone can contribute to its success, in a way that is both rationally persuasive and emotionally engaging.

We tailor the communications to different internal audiences. For managers, we develop presentations, communication guidelines, FAQs and comprehensive handbooks. These materials help managers provide direction for their teams, address questions effectively, and communicate confidently, even when not every detail has been finalised. This enables managers to become active champions and facilitators of change from an early stage.

For employees, we present information in a clear and visually engaging way. Presentations, written communications and regular updates via Teams and a dedicated SharePoint hub set up and managed by mc-quadrat ensure transparency throughout the process. The communication highlights what is changing and where employees can contribute. Planned activities include team workshops, collaborative process planning, mission statement development and other opportunities for dialogue and exchange.

A dedicated logo built around the guiding principle "Strong. Reliable. Together." makes communication about the merger recognisable across all channels and formats. The converging lines symbolise the merger process and the shared direction towards a common goal. Consistent messaging and visual elements reinforce a unified identity and help employees recognise and navigate the process.

The result is an integrated change communication strategy that makes complex developments easy to understand, equips managers to communicate effectively and gives employees both guidance and opportunities to contribute. In doing so, it provides a solid foundation for the gradual integration of teams and processes. And "Strong. Reliable. Together." becomes more than a guiding principle. It becomes a lived reality on the path towards a strong and successful SVG Service und Vertrieb Ost GmbH.

Carsten Pultz, a member of the SVG Executive Board, puts it this way: “mc-quadrat has helped us to communicate a complex change process in a clear and understandable way. The practical support provided to our managers was particularly valuable. It gives them confidence, provides guidance and helps to get staff on board right from the start.”