be the language of choice and that
expose differing attitudes toward
workers’ rights, acceptable leadership
styles, and the values that will be given priority in how business will be
conducted. The powerful influence
of culture should never be discounted. From a national perspective, we
know that world wars have been
fought in which hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost to “preserve a way of life.” Culture is no
less deeply embedded in the hearts
and minds of people who work in
companies they believe in and are
loyal to – especially when they work
for companies that are proven strong
competitors.
Conventional wisdom suggests that
when two strong companies are
merged, the merged business will
demonstrate the strengths of both
businesses. Research reveals that the
stronger the two businesses prior to
the deal and the longer their individ-
32 iF Magazine | August 2016
ual track records of financial success,
the more difficult the integration of
the cultures will be. After deal close,
a merger or acquisition may create a
n