Obtaining references for your current investment banking firm is perhaps one of the most important things you can do when choosing between consultants. Because so much of your success is based on the success these firms have had in the past, it is highly important to obtain the opinion of former or current clients from the investment bank you are thinking of working with.
Think about it for a moment. You are making one of the most important decisions of your life in selling the company you have spent years to build. This should not be taken lightly. Personal interviews and calls to previous clients is key to vetting consultant candidates. When you do so, you should talk to them about the process, how smooth it went, how the Seattle investment bank reacted to any bumps that came in the road and what the firm’s overall recommendation might be for others looking to sell their business. The more opinions you are able to obtain, the better.