Cultural fit between merger/acquisition partners is essential in order to maximize the probability of a successful transaction. We define successful M&A transactions as those where the parties who agree to merge/be acquired have engaged employee bases that are motivated to work and create new products and services together over time. To engage with customers together. This goes beyond ROIC calculations. We cite the example of Amazon’s acquisition of WholeFoods as one that will “work” in no small part because the two companies share a similar culture.