That step looks different in every business. A business broker needs a buyer's NDA, profile and proof of funds before sharing the details of a listing. A property manager needs an owner's agreement, W-9 and insurance, and a certificate of insurance from every vendor. A general contractor needs the same from each subcontractor, plus lien waivers with every draw. Most of the firms I've looked at handle it with a PDF packet on their website and a request to print it, sign it and send it back.
Who I'm talking with
I'm starting with three kinds of firm, because each one brings several outside people through the same packet again and again.
What I'm doing
Over the next few months I'm talking with about 30 firms in each of these fields about how this step really works for them: who has to act, where it stalls, and what it costs when a piece goes missing. I am building software for this step, but I don't want to show anyone anything until I understand the work properly.
If you talk with me
- It takes about 15 minutes, by phone or video, whichever you prefer.
- I'll ask how your most recent case got from first contact to a complete file, and where it got stuck. I won't demo anything.
- Everyone who talks with me gets the write-up of what the conversations turn up, with every firm anonymized.
What I won't do
I won't add you to a mailing list, and I won't share what you tell me in a way that identifies you or your firm. If you'd rather not hear from me again, reply to my email and say so, and you won't.