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Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

We believe in working hard and in working smart. Because both buyers and owners experience changing circumstances, we constantly update our databases and look for new buyers and owners. However, even superior work habits can be helped by "being in the right place at the right time." Call it good fortune or just plain dumb luck. It can't be planned for, but luck nevertheless exists.

Luck generally comes to those who look after it; and my notion is that it taps, once in a lifetime, at everybody's door, but if industry does not open it luck goes away. - Charles H. Spurgeon

Where Do Ideas for Prospects Come From?

From time to time we encounter either individuals or organizations that become aware of a potential seller or an owner who is looking for some liquidity. You could walk down the aisles of a major retailer and think that Company A's products fit perfectly with those of Company B. Or you might read an article in the paper about a deal that fell apart.

Alternatively, you could have talked with:

  • Someone at a cocktail party who says that a certain firm could, should, might be for sale or an owner is looking to diversify his holdings
  • A business acquaintance who tells you that a division at their company no longer fits
  • An owner who says he wants to make a life change/has health issues/needs to address succession issues or wants to provide security for his family
  • A customer who suggests in passing some form of combination

The source for potential deals is inexhaustible. And, to be honest, most of these ideas never become deals. We only want to follow up on ideas where an owner is truly motivated to do a transaction. If you have something more than a hunch about a company being available, we will be more interested in working with you. An idea for a deal without any backup is of no interest to us.

The Referral Process

If you become aware of a potential real candidate for a sale or financing, Valufinder can help you profit from that knowledge.

Call us with your idea (on a no-name basis initially), describe the opportunity and why you think the prospect may be interested in a transaction. If it's something we are already working on, we'll tell you and give you the relevant facts to support our position; if it doesn't sound familiar, we'll ask you for the name to do a further check that we're not involved.

If we are not working on it, we will sign a mutually exclusive agreement with you to pay you a meaningful percentage of any cash fees we would receive for completing a transaction for either the buyer or owner. This agreement would last for two years.

After signing the agreement with Valufinder, you would provide us with all the information in your possession that we will need to assess your idea. If we determine that the prospect is not a viable candidate for a deal, after doing our analysis, we'll return your information and you can pursue other alternatives. If we decide to move forward, you will agree to work exclusively with us.

Actual Fees

You and Valufinder will agree in writing on the referral fee before any actual work is done or the prospect contacted. The percentage amounts of the fee are based on various factors including, but not limited to, how often we have worked together, at what stage the prospect is in their transaction process, the amount and/or quality of information provided on the owner, and whether a personal introduction to the owner or decision maker can be arranged.

These referrals can be quite lucrative. In one instance Valufinder paid an individual, for a single referral that led to a completed deal, a cash fee in the high six figures.

Who We Work With

We are willing to work with an individual or organization on a case-by-case basis or establish a Referral Program to generate prospects over time. We welcome the chance to speak with you, to explore your ideas and how we both can benefit. Please contact us .

The Actual Work

Once the referral has been made, we will usually manage the process through to closing. If you can make a material contribution to the deal, which the owner would view positively, we welcome your involvement. Or you can choose to wait for the closing, with no further obligation. In either event, we will keep you posted on significant developments.

Confidentiality

Unless you tell us otherwise, Valufinder will keep your name and circumstances confidential, and will not share them with either the buyer or owner.