Another way to think of it (failure) is not in monetary compensation but rather whether the technology, or even at the very least the concepts, are utilized in

Another way to think of it (failure) is not in monetary compensation but rather whether the technology, or even at the very least the concepts, are utilized in the go forward scenario. So HR acquisitions where everything is shuttered may just be opportunistic hiring opportunities with nice signing bonuses. However, if the technology or applied knowledge live on then those can't be failures. If they were the logical extension of the author's current definition is that the only way a company can avoid being termed a "failure" is to go public. Any acquisition prior to that is a failure.