The words mergers and acquisitions tend to bring up certain images: Top execs cash out and get rich(er) while ordinary employees try to work under almost complete uncertainty about their jobs, their company and their future. M&A activity among solution providers, as well as giant tech vendors is heated and getting hotter now that EMC is said to be shopping itself. San Francisco-based Tasman Consulting has helped scores of firms in tech, finance, pharma, manufacturing and other sectors navigate M&A deals, and its top executives say the process doesn't have to be jarring, scary or unpredictable for the rank-and-file. Here is managing partners Niki Lee and Shari Yocum's advice for IT firms looking to master the human side of M&A.