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Westlake Securities Presents 20 Years of Learnings

3 Things

I learned at WEstlake

JON D'ANDREA
MANAGING DIRECTOR

We are celebrating 20 years in investment banking this year. As we have been looking forward to what’s next,we've also taken a few minutes to think about all the things we have learned along the way. Three key learningsthat stand out for me are ones I continue to apply in my professional life today:

#1

FOCUS ON LONG-TERM GOALS OVER SHORT TERM WINS

Taking a long-term view on deals and relationships is critical in investment banking. As the saying goes, it's a smallworld, and your reputation is everything. Focusing on your client's best interests and building trust with them is mutuallybeneficial and will result in repeat business and referrals. When you prioritize your client's interests over your own, it maynot lead to an immediate payout, but it will often pay off in the long run. Moreover, taking a long-term view also meansavoiding short-term gains that could be seen as more self-serving than what’s right for the company that put its trust in you.

#2

KEEPING A LEVEL HEAD IS ESSENTIAL

Investment banking can be a business of ups and downs. So, having a trusted partner to be the steady hand through rough waters is an asset that most companies highly value. Having been through it all in this industry has given meandmy co-workers at Westlake Securities the perspective that small setbacks can often times lead to greater things. Thislevel-headed approach has helped us look at situations rationally and analytically to make informed recommendationsbased on our past experiences. Ultimately, allowing us to be the objective, calming voice to help our clients navigate theirmost important business decisions.

#3

UNDERSTANDING THE PERSPECTIVE FROM BOTH SIDES OFTHE TABLE IS INVALUABLE

It’s important to understand where every party is coming from. That empathy — and the past experiences that shapedit — are indispensable when it comes to closing a transaction. Having personally been on both the sell and buy side duringtransactions has given me the advantage of being able to see all sides of the deal and appreciate what each is striving for.Adding to that is the experience of knowing all the various stages and hurdles that come along with every transaction sowe’re better positioned to complete a close that is a win-win for all involved.

The business of investment banking can be both challenging and rewarding. It requires abalance of technical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and judgment to make strategicdecisions. Work with people you enjoy being around, focus on the long-term, and learn tosay no. By applying these lessons, Westlake has developed a reputation for trustworthy andreliable advice, leading to 20 years of success in this often
volatile industry.

If you are interested in how we can help your company, contact us at [email protected] and schedule a meeting with Jon today.