Rumors of a Rockwell Collins merger with United Technologies Corp (UTC) have been buzzing around for a while now. According to Corridor Business Journal editor Dave DeWitte there is a good possibility that the two companies could come together soon.

His analysis on the likelihood of a merger happening is worth reading, especially if you're an employee or stockholder.

Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't. Corporate mergers are just part of business as usual these days. And it's usually big business.

For the average worker, sometimes a merger just means a different logo appearing on the paycheck. For some people, including employees who are also stockholders, it may mean an nice financial bonus, a reward for a job well done. For others, it may signal changes, job shifts, possibly even the dreaded "downsizing".

That's usually the biggest fear. A newly merged company will sometimes downsize the workforce, using terms like "economies of scale" "a restructuring" or "rightsizing" - all industry buzzwords that can cause concern and fear among the rank and file workers.

I've been through my fair share of mergers and acquisitions over the past two decades in the broadcasting industry. It's always a little nerve-wracking, but these days I worry less about office politics and concentrate on my strengths and talents. I've accepted that worrying about things I can't control is really a useless waste of energy.

Probably the one most important thing I've learned in navigating though a corporate merger is that focusing on being an exceptional worker is the best protection of surviving in the corporate jungle. Whatever happens, just be the best you can, and you'll do well.

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