Fundraising Resolutions: Three Steps To Start Your Year The Right Way

• Published date: 22 March 2020
• Subject Matter: Finance and Banking, Law Department Performance, Financial Services, Fund Management/ REITs, Performance, Management
• Law Firm: MJ Hudson
• Author: Mr Matthew Craig-Greene

Veganuary? Meatless "meat" balls are all the rage...Dry January? My local pub is offering dry white wine and dry London gin, to help, in a way... New Year, New You?

The start of the year is often when we are drawn to take a look at who we are, what we stand for and how we spend our time. I don't know about you, but I'm sometimes left thinking: Must try harder.

And, when it comes to our work (despite the joys and benefits of management accounting reviews), we rarely assess other measures of performance; less frequently still, do we seek to identify and articulate the values and goals of our firms and funds. Surely, January is as good a time as ever to haul our LLPs, RAIFs and ManCos in front of the proverbial mirror and take the time for some quiet reflection. You'll have a better February to December, if you do.

With that in mind, below are a few pointers to set you on the right path.

1. Know thyself

Set some time aside (and get some help) to identify what really drives you and your firm

Whilst it is imperative to understand the needs of your investors (and, for that matter your other stakeholders: portfolio companies; intermediaries and advisers; colleagues), remember that forgetting who YOU are is guaranteed to weaken your messaging, disappoint those that don't know you well and unnerve those that do. Yes, make sure you respond to the needs of your stakeholders, but stay true to who you are. Otherwise you are going to sound insincere and will look like a carbon copy of everyone else in the market.

Take the time in January to think about the values that drive you and your colleagues and use these as the foundation of your value proposition. They should inform everything you do. We can help you on this journey of self (re)discovery - so get in touch if you want to talk.

2. The Only Way Is Ethics

Make sure your firm understands the importance of acting properly and the consequences of bad behaviour

Regulatory, political and civil suspicion, with regards to sharp practices and malfeasance in private equity are as high as they were when Edward Lewis took an interest in fictional ship builder, Morse Enterprises. And even if the Pretty Woman reference leaves you nonplussed, you'll have noticed that Romney's continued presence on the political scene in the US, during this impeachment and election year, means that certain notable Republicans, as well as the traditionally opposed Democratic presidential...