By Nate Olsen, President, BestFit PEO Solutions. Houston, TX.

Successful mergers and acquisitions depend on more than just financial metrics and productivity integration. The human element of a newly acquired company often determines whether a deal creates lasting value or becomes a costly lesson in the importance of employee retention. When company morale drops significantly post-acquisition or when many staff members fear for their future, key talent often walks out the door, taking institutional knowledge, client relationships, and competitive advantages with them.