OVER FRANCE -- I will admit it.  I am kind of obsessed with private equity firms.  Scott and Charlotte are looking at how me might approach them, but I get excited about the communication challenges they face.

The first one I followed closely was the Canadian group Onex when they bid for Air Canada... Or was it Canadian Airlines?  I can't remember.  It had more twists than an Agatha Christie novel.

So, I am quite excited to hear today that the consortium that includes the Royal Bank of Scotland and is bidding for Dutch bank ABN Amro is doing something really interesting.  They have set up a website directed at investors, customer and employees of their quarry.

How cool is that?

My first question was, of course, 'can they do that?'  But when you think about it, even the hyperactive financial services regulators would struggle to find a good reason to call foul.

And particularly when you look at the tone and style of the writing on the site.

It's a thing of beauty.

And in many ways it's quite a brilliant idea.

I just wish I had thought of it.

If you think that a key part of any change programme is mobilising or 'unfreezing' people, then this is a very good way around the complex dance code of the M&A process.

Innit?

/df

P.S. Stefan, can I get a quote in the eventual story?