Booyah Breakdown: Wall Street Weddings

Still, the minute you hear your company is "merging" with another or being acquired, decide if you even want to be a part of the marriage.

Let's face it, not all marriages are good ones, no matter if it's consummated in Hollywood or Wall Street. Pam Anderson and Kid Rock called is splitsville after only four months. And mention the AOL-Time Warner (TWX Quote) deal on Wall Street and see who throws up first.

Things just don't always work out the way the people expect.

So it's up to you to do some due diligence on the deal. Pull up the annual report of the company that's looking to combine with yours. Read the opening text in the front of the report, and you'll be able to get a feel for the company. The letter from the president and management's discussion and analysis will tell you where the company sees itself. Check if there are synergies in the product lines as well as the internal cultures. Then decide if you see yourself with them.