We believe this whole area of
developing a trust between the advisor and the company is a two way street. It
is incumbent on the business owner to make sure the goals and needs of the
company are made very clear. Business owners or financial managers should not
blur the issues to the point that each party does not understand the goals and
the respective roles. Marcel Ramel as a fund advisor plans a
suitable investment strategy. This involves combining different
investment options to diversify the portfolio to minimize risks and maximize
returns.
When a trusted financing advisor
is chosen he or she needs to be given access to the reins and information on
the business and its challenges.
Business owners need to ensure
that the specialist firm they are dealing with has experience either with the
challenges they are facing, or the particular industry the customer is in. Many
business financing challenges are industry specific, so this is not the time to
be training and advisor on your business! Most people realize though that many
financing challenges are somewhat generic in nature, so although an industry
expertise is often helpful, it is clearly not always 100% required.
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| Marcel Ramel |
Both the business owner
and advisor should have frank discussions around the probabilities of
success and the timelines associated with that success. What's realistic, what
isn't.
Marcel
Ramel says, Business owners and financial executives should
clearly check the background and experience of the advisor. References are of
course highly recommended. Professional affiliations are of course important,
but not critical. References from lawyers, bankers, and accountants are often
excellent sources of information. The business advisor should clearly be
indicating they have the right attitude and credentials around the business
owners financing needs. It is certainly not unrealistic to have solid
discussions around timelines and action items responsibility.
Ultimately business is of course
people, so chemistry is important, and the business owner should have a sense
they could work with the financing advisor. However, at the end of the day you
don't have to like people to get the job done .Credibility and experience are
ultimately always at the top of the list.
All engagements should of course
be documented properly re success, work fees, etc. A credible business
financing advisor will of course be willing to sign any required non-disclosure
document.
In summary, a trusted business
financing advisor is a valuable ' out of the company ' asset to any firm.
Business owners and financial mangers should choose such an advisor carefully,
and pay important attention to the qualities and capabilities that advisor can
bring to the table, and ultimately, the firms success.

