There are two medium sized firms, one headquartered in Wisconsin (Firm A) and the other in Minnesota (Firm B) and they are about equal in size. These firms have been in the office products business (think Staples) for over 30 years. The firms have been rivals with each selling its office products in both states. There has been a recent proposal from the management team of Firm A to merge or acquire Firm B. The Board of Directors of Firm B is meeting this week and as a senior level manager from Firm A you are charged with providing support for the merger idea—what are the positives associated with a merger such as this. Or you are a senior level manager from the firm to be acquired (Firm B) and you are giving the arguments against this merger.

You are a senior level manager for Firm A (the one proposing the merger). It is your task to identify the arguments in favor of a merger.

You should be able to identify two or three reasons for entering.