conclusion: Gather all the relevant information: The first step for Fred Smith to address the potential acquisition problems would be to gather all the relevant information about the proposed acquisition. This would include information about the target company, such as its financial performance, its competitive position, and its management team.Identify the key issues: Once Fred Smith has gathered all the relevant information, the next step would be to identify the key issues that need to be addressed. This would involve analyzing the information and identifying any potential risks or challenges that could arise from the acquisition.Develop a strategy: Based on the key issues that need to be addressed, Fred Smith would then develop a strategy to address them. This would involve identifying specific actions that could be taken to mitigate the risks and challenges, and to maximize the potential benefits of the acquisition.Implement the strategy: Once the strategy has been developed, Fred Smith would then implement it. This would involve putting the specific actions identified in the strategy into action, and monitoring progress to ensure that the objectives are being met.Monitor and adjust: Finally, Fred Smith would monitor and adjust the strategy as necessary. This would involve regularly reviewing the progress of the acquisition and making any adjustments to the strategy as needed to ensure that the objectives are being met. Final answer: By following this plan of action, Fred Smith would be able to address the potential acquisition problems and maximize the potential benefits of the acquisition.