Most Important Skills For A Director M&A Advisory At PricewaterhouseCoopers
David, a Director in M&A Advisory at PwC, emphasizes the importance of both hard and soft skills, noting that hard skills include financial modeling proficiency, sector expertise – particularly in tech including semiconductors, and "how to tell a story in PowerPoint," while soft skills center on leadership, client interaction, and relationship building to "grow revenue and grow your business." He suggests that sustaining long-term client relationships and selling services to returning clients are key for continued success in the field.
Financial Modeling, Client Relationship Management, Communication Skills, Industry Knowledge, Leadership and Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Samuel
Director, M&A Advisory
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC
New York University
University of San Diego, MScGL and MBA
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Technology
Consulting
Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Importance of both hard and soft skills: The speaker emphasizes the need for both hard skills like financial modeling and sector knowledge (e.g., tech, semiconductors) and soft skills like leadership, client interaction, and relationship building.
2. Sector-specific knowledge: The speaker highlights the value of deeply understanding the specific sector you work in, including key companies and trends. They provide the example of focusing on the tech sector and gaining expertise in software, hardware, and semiconductors.
3. Relationship building: The speaker stresses the importance of maintaining long-term relationships with clients to foster repeat business and revenue growth, emphasizing that it's not just about completing a project but about nurturing ongoing connections.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
Skills can be broken down into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills involve technical knowledge, such as understanding financial models and statements, and grasping how your specific industry operates.
For example, in the tech sector, this means knowing different software and hardware companies, especially within areas like semiconductors. It also includes proficiency with tools like PowerPoint, Excel, and AI solutions like ChatGPT to improve efficiency. Basic organizational skills, like managing your schedule, also fall under hard skills.
Soft skills, on the other hand, focus on interpersonal interactions. This includes leadership, confidence, and how you engage with clients. Making clients feel valued and prioritized through responsiveness, taking them out for lunch or coffee, and maintaining those relationships are crucial.
In our line of business, it's not just about closing a deal or completing a project and moving on. To grow revenue and expand the business, you must cultivate long-term relationships. This ensures clients return for future transactions, allowing you to continue providing your services. Ultimately, it's about effective relationship building.