Well, no turning back now. The switch will be flipped Wednesday morning, ready or not. I suppose we’re ready enough.

When you think about how quickly these mergers take place — from announcement to going live — 100% integration is not possible on day one. We have spent the past couple months prioritizing what needed to get done: pre-announcement; by October 1; from October 1 to October 31 (to produce the first set of bills); as well as what can/do we have to hold off on until a later date.

Some of the “delays” (I use that word very lightly) have to do with timing — there are only so many hours in a day, and days in a month — and some have to do with system upgrades that have to occur (which is why my e-mail address will have a little something extra added); some have to do with when contracts expire; and some have to do with cultural integrations: we can only throw so much at these people at once.

So anyone from Barger or Hinshaw reading this: Take it easy on yourselves. Seeing what you have done these past couple months, you have done all that you can to prepare, anticipate needs, and check items off those long check lists.

It will be okay. As long as the e-mails go through, and the phones are answered, we’re all good.

Now that everything that can be done is done, I am back to yoga at lunch. I’ve been skipping it and missing it. Have I mentioned that I am ready to get my normal back?

Here’s what’s on tap for today:

  • Woo hoo. I have letterhead and envelopes. Time to prep Marty’s first mailing.
  • Tackle a couple items in my employee paperwork pile.
  • Get in my final Barger expense reimbursement for month end.
  • Finalize the Barger history for the website.
  • Get that last practice group description in for the website.
  • Yup. Still getting bios back. But we’ve had great compliance.

Tip: Nothing is ever 100% perfect behind the scenes for any major event (be it a client CLE, a conference, an office move, or a merger). As long as the client service and experience are spot on (the bills are correct, emails go through), anything we have to do to make it work is what we have to do to make it work. So take a deep breath. Everything will be all right in the end.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel