Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) have been referred to as the ultimate change management challenge because of the complex and often stressful dynamics involved in integrating one company with another. To be successful, companies need to find suitable candidates for merger or acquisition that meet specific strategic, financial, legal, and operational criteria. In addition, most companies recognize the need to pay attention to the softer side of M&A activities, including determining whether HR and management practices are compatible, how employees can retained and motivated, and whether there is a "fit" between the cultures of the merging firms. Even in situations where there is a good business rationale for the integration of two firms, cultural differences and poor people practices can be significant factors leading to merger failure.