I have seen the 'control issue' play out first hand. I was the outside computer consultant for an accounting firm that merged with a larger firm, I was assured from day one that I was going to stay in my position. Five days after the integration was complete they changed the administrators password and told me that they never give that password to outside consultants.

... and that's how I lost a client I had been working with for 10 years ...

The previous owner, now a partner, had no control over my status and was told that the issue would be brought up in committee. This was the first of a line of major issues that happened like this.

The bottom line on this is if you like the way your company runs, don't put someone else in charge of it.

Although I focused a lot on control, which is a very big issue, I think it comes down to trust as well, which is very difficult to understand until the deal plays out.

Having sold a few companies myself I can tell you it's nearly impossible to know for sure until you live it for a while.