In a 2003 BCG report titled "Winning Through Mergers in Lean Times: the Hidden Power of Mergers & Acquisitions in Periods of Below-Average Economic Growth," Miki Tsusaka is cited as an expert contributor. Today, she is BCG's global postmerger integration practice leader, and her economic outlook is a bit more optimistic than it was when the report was produced. "You get a sense of recovery. The major consulting firms are doing well. Still, I want to be exceptionally cautious and not take it for granted," she says.
Those lean times may be fading, but Tsusaka is not quite ready to start partying. Instead, she continues to work strenuously on her clients' mergers, and experiences the thrill when these corporate marriages actually work out as planned. "I like seeing what happens. Many deals fail miserably. It is such a tremendous high when you see it work," she says. The work also can be frustrating, she adds. As an external party to the merger, the consulting firm can only do so much. Sometimes she knows exactly the right thing to do, but the company just can't seem to get it done.
Her children, a girl and two boys, ages 12, 9, and 5, respectively, sometimes can't understand what their mother actually does as a postmerger integration consultant. "It's like being a doctor for businesses. I help their businesses get well," she patiently explains. If it were only so straightforward; what she does as a consultant changes people's lives, and that can be very difficult.
Not a Type -A personality driven to climb mountains or win triathlons, Tsusaka's focus outside of work is strictly on her family: "If there were an eighth day in the week, I would dedicate it to them." Since there isn't, she has to make do with the help of a supportive husband, a supportive culture at BCG, and generally supportive clients. Still, balancing consulting and family life becomes a constant negotiation, and some things simply are not going to get done when she would like them done. "At some point, you have to cut yourself some slack. OK, my closet isn't perfect," she quips.
Tsusaka is committed to BCG, but clients frequently ask her to join their organizations. This, she admits, is a constant temptation. None of that, however, is in her immediate future. This summer, Tsusaka will be taking a sabbatical, which she intends to spend getting reenergized and connecting with her family. — Alan Radding
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