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＜Elementary＞ Lesson No.9
HR Integration Planning for Overseas M&A Target Company / 海外M&A先企業の人事統合計画策定
０．Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)｜挨拶と導入
0-1 Greetings
Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.
講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。
[Tips / 会話のヒント]
・Can you hear me clearly?
私の声はクリアに聞こえますか？
・How's your day going so far?
今日はどんな一日でしたか？
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)
軽い話題について話しましょう（仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど）
0-2 Introduction
In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?
本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか？
- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.
経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。
- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.
What do you think would be challenging?
経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか？
Situation / シチュエーション
A discussion between HR and the acquired company's HR about integrating HR systems and optimizing personnel allocation following an overseas acquisition.
海外企業買収に伴う人事制度統合と人員配置最適化について、人事部と被買収企業の人事責任者が話し合う場面です。
1. Read (2 min)｜型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう！
1-1 Basic phrases
１．We plan to integrate...（...を統合する計画である）
２．This gradual approach helps...（この段階的なアプローチは...に役立つ）
３．We will hold town hall meetings...（タウンホールミーティングを開催する）
４．We also offer career development programs...（キャリア開発プログラムも提供する）
５．We can accelerate Phase 1 to...（第1段階を...に短縮できる）
６．We will also assign transition managers to...（移行マネージャーを...に配置する）
７．We will document these commitments in writing...（こうした約束を文書化する）
1-2 Essential words
１．integrate（統合する）
２．gradual（段階的な）
３．reduce（減らす）
４．concerned（心配している）
５．share（共有する）
６．improve（改善する）
７．accelerate（短縮する）
８．immediately（即座に）
９．flexible（柔軟な）
１０．retain（維持する）
2. Try (3 min)｜ロールプレイ練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and the acquired company's HR about integrating HR systems and optimizing personnel allocation following an overseas acquisition.
海外企業買収に伴う人事制度統合と人員配置最適化について、人事部と被買収企業の人事責任者が話し合う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. I understand you need to explain the integration plan for our HR systems and personnel. Could you walk me through the main points of your approach?
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。人事制度と人員配置の統合計画についてご説明いただけるとのことですが、アプローチの要点をお聞かせいただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Thank you for your time. We plan to integrate the HR systems in 3 phases over 18 months. Phase 1 focuses on payroll and benefits alignment, Phase 2 handles performance management, and Phase 3 completes the organizational structure. This gradual approach helps reduce resistance and allows time for cultural adjustment.
（お時間をいただきありがとうございます。人事制度の統合を18か月かけて3段階で進める計画です。第1段階は給与と福利厚生の調整、第2段階は人事評価制度、第3段階で組織構造を完成させます。この段階的なアプローチにより抵抗を減らし、文化的な適応の時間を確保できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate the phased approach, but our employees are very concerned about job security and changes to their current benefits. How will you address these concerns and keep our team motivated during the transition?
（段階的なアプローチには感謝しますが、従業員は雇用の安定と現在の福利厚生の変更について非常に心配しています。こうした懸念にどう対処し、移行期間中にチームのモチベーションを維持されますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
We understand these concerns completely. We will hold town hall meetings every month to share updates and answer questions directly. No involuntary layoffs are planned for the first 12 months, and we will match or improve current benefit levels for all employees. We also offer career development programs to help your team grow within the combined organization.
（こうした懸念は完全に理解しています。毎月タウンホールミーティングを開催し、最新情報を共有して質問に直接お答えします。最初の12か月間は非自発的な解雇は計画されておらず、全従業員の福利厚生水準は現状維持または改善します。また、統合後の組織内でチームが成長できるようキャリア開発プログラムも提供します。）
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
That sounds reasonable, but I am worried about the timeline. 18 months seems very long, and our employees may feel uncertain for too long. Could you consider a faster integration, or at least provide more clarity on roles earlier?
（それは妥当に聞こえますが、スケジュールが心配です。18か月は非常に長く、従業員が長期間不安を感じる可能性があります。統合を早めるか、少なくとも役割についてより早く明確にすることを検討いただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
I understand your concern about the timeline. We can accelerate Phase 1 to 4 months instead of 6 months, and we will announce the final organizational structure by the end of month 9. We will also assign transition managers to each department to provide daily support and answer questions immediately. This balance ensures speed while avoiding mistakes that could damage morale.
（スケジュールに関するご懸念は理解しています。第1段階を6か月から4か月に短縮でき、最終的な組織構造は9か月目の終わりまでに発表します。また、各部門に移行マネージャーを配置し、日々のサポートと即座の質問対応を行います。このバランスにより、士気を損なう可能性のあるミスを避けながらスピードを確保します。）
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate your flexibility on the timeline. One more point: our company has a strong culture of work-life balance and flexible working arrangements. Will these practices continue under the new structure?
（スケジュールに関する柔軟性に感謝します。もう1点、当社はワークライフバランスと柔軟な勤務形態の文化が強いのですが、新体制下でもこうした慣行は継続されますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Absolutely. We value work-life balance as well, and we will keep your flexible working policies, including remote work options and flexible hours. In fact, we plan to extend these practices across the entire combined organization. We believe this approach will help retain your talented employees and improve overall satisfaction. We will document these commitments in writing and share them with all staff next week.
（もちろんです。私たちもワークライフバランスを重視しており、リモートワークやフレックスタイムを含む柔軟な勤務制度は維持します。実際、こうした慣行を統合後の組織全体に拡大する予定です。このアプローチにより優秀な従業員を維持し、全体的な満足度を向上できると考えています。こうした約束を文書化し、来週全スタッフと共有します。）
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for addressing all my concerns so thoroughly. I feel much more confident about this integration now. I will share this information with my team and work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition. Let me know if you need any support from our side.
（すべての懸念に丁寧に対応いただきありがとうございます。統合についてずっと自信が持てるようになりました。この情報をチームと共有し、円滑な移行を確実にするため緊密に協力します。私たちの側からサポートが必要であればお知らせください。）
3. Use (4 min)｜ロールプレイ & 実践（空欄補完）
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and the acquired company's HR about integrating HR systems and optimizing personnel allocation following an overseas acquisition.
海外企業買収に伴う人事制度統合と人員配置最適化について、人事部と被買収企業の人事責任者が話し合う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. I understand you need to explain the integration plan for our HR systems and personnel. Could you walk me through the main points of your approach?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Thank you for your time. We plan to ［統合する］ the HR systems in 3 phases over 18 months. Phase 1 focuses on payroll and benefits alignment, Phase 2 handles performance management, and Phase 3 completes the organizational structure. This ［段階的な］ approach helps ［減らす］ resistance and allows time for cultural adjustment.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate the phased approach, but our employees are very concerned about job security and changes to their current benefits. How will you address these concerns and keep our team motivated during the transition?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
We understand these concerns completely. We will hold town hall meetings every month to ［共有する］ updates and answer questions directly. No involuntary layoffs are planned for the first 12 months, and we will match or ［改善する］ current benefit levels for all employees. We also offer career development programs to help your team grow within the combined organization.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
That sounds reasonable, but I am worried about the timeline. 18 months seems very long, and our employees may feel uncertain for too long. Could you consider a faster integration, or at least provide more clarity on roles earlier?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
I understand your concern about the timeline. We can ［短縮する］ Phase 1 to 4 months instead of 6 months, and we will announce the final organizational structure by the end of month 9. We will also assign transition managers to each department to provide daily support and answer questions ［即座に］. This balance ensures speed while avoiding mistakes that could damage morale.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate your flexibility on the timeline. One more point: our company has a strong culture of work-life balance and flexible working arrangements. Will these practices continue under the new structure?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Absolutely. We value work-life balance as well, and we will keep your ［柔軟な］ working policies, including remote work options and flexible hours. In fact, we plan to extend these practices across the entire combined organization. We believe this approach will help ［維持する］ your talented employees and ［改善する］ overall satisfaction. We will document these commitments in writing and share them with all staff next week.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for addressing all my concerns so thoroughly. I feel much more confident about this integration now. I will share this information with my team and work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition. Let me know if you need any support from our side.
4. Challenge (7 min)｜応用実践
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.
このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A discussion between HR and the acquired company's HR about integrating HR systems and optimizing personnel allocation following an overseas acquisition.
海外企業買収に伴う人事制度統合と人員配置最適化について、人事部と被買収企業の人事責任者が話し合う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for meeting with me today. I understand you need to explain the integration plan for our HR systems and personnel. Could you walk me through the main points of your approach?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Thank you for your time. ［人事制度の統合を18か月かけて3段階で進める計画です。］ Phase 1 focuses on payroll and benefits alignment, Phase 2 handles performance management, and Phase 3 completes the organizational structure. ［この段階的なアプローチにより抵抗を減らし、文化的な適応の時間を確保できます。］
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate the phased approach, but our employees are very concerned about job security and changes to their current benefits. How will you address these concerns and keep our team motivated during the transition?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
We understand these concerns completely. ［毎月タウンホールミーティングを開催し、最新情報を共有して質問に直接お答えします。］ No involuntary layoffs are planned for the first 12 months, and we will match or improve current benefit levels for all employees. ［また、統合後の組織内でチームが成長できるようキャリア開発プログラムも提供します。］
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
That sounds reasonable, but I am worried about the timeline. 18 months seems very long, and our employees may feel uncertain for too long. Could you consider a faster integration, or at least provide more clarity on roles earlier?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
I understand your concern about the timeline. We can accelerate Phase 1 to 4 months instead of 6 months, and we will announce the final organizational structure by the end of month 9. We will also assign transition managers to each department to provide daily support and answer questions immediately. This balance ensures speed while avoiding mistakes that could damage morale.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
I appreciate your flexibility on the timeline. One more point: our company has a strong culture of work-life balance and flexible working arrangements. Will these practices continue under the new structure?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager (Acquiring Company)】:
Absolutely. We value work-life balance as well, and we will keep your flexible working policies, including remote work options and flexible hours. In fact, we plan to extend these practices across the entire combined organization. We believe this approach will help retain your talented employees and improve overall satisfaction. We will document these commitments in writing and share them with all staff next week.
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for addressing all my concerns so thoroughly. I feel much more confident about this integration now. I will share this information with my team and work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition. Let me know if you need any support from our side.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try（余力があればやってみましょう）/
5. Real-world application (5 min)｜実務応用
Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。
Situation / シチュエーション
Your company has acquired another company and you need to explain the HR integration plan to the acquired company's HR director.
The HR director is concerned about employee anxiety and wants to understand how you will handle the transition smoothly.
あなたの会社が別の会社を買収し、被買収企業の人事責任者に人事統合計画を説明する必要があります。
人事責任者は従業員の不安を懸念しており、円滑な移行をどう進めるかを理解したいと考えています。
👨💼【Teacher / HR Director (Acquired Company)】:
Thank you for coming today. Could you explain how you plan to handle the HR integration and address our employees' concerns?
（本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。人事統合をどのように進め、従業員の懸念にどう対処する計画かご説明いただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１．Explain the phased integration timeline（段階的な統合スケジュールを説明する）
２．Describe employee support measures（従業員支援策を述べる）
３．Offer job security commitments（雇用保証の約束を提示する）
４．Confirm continuation of existing benefits（既存福利厚生の継続を確認する）
※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6. Wrap-up (2 min) ｜レッスンの振り返り
Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！
6-1 Comments from student
・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
6-2 Feedback from teacher
・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント
*6-3 Questions from student (if any)
Japanese translation（日本語訳）
1. Read (2min)（型を学ぶ）｜基本フレーズ
2. Try (4min)（ロールプレイ練習）｜型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
3. Use (7min)｜応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
4. Challenge (7min)｜実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り
"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”
「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！」
5-1. Comments from Student
- Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
- Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
5-2. Feedback from Teacher
- Good points / 良かった点
- Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
- What to review / 復習ポイント
5-3. Question from Students (If any)
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