Drucker (1982) feels that there are five basic rules or guidelines which involve asking. They are
1. Contribution - what contribution can it make (other than money) to the acquired company?
2. Common core - both companies should have common markets, production operations, or technology.
3. Value - information about products, services, and customers.
4. Available management cover - if key managers leave the acquired company.
5. Linkage - there should be the promotion of staff across the two previously separate companies within a year.