|
The relationship between the USGF team and the management of our
portfolio companies are personal ones indeed, and you can expect open
access on a real-time basis. From closing, all the way through our
relationship, we know that our success is dependant on your success. That
is why we commit to you that as an investor in your business, the USGF Code
of Ethics places a high premium on:
Fairness. We
are committed to watch out for your best interest, as well as our own. Over
the years, we have found that this "Win/Win" philosophy is
strongly linked to above-market returns - and straight-forward
communication is its cornerstone.
We regard fairness, transparency, passion and follow-through as key
ingredients to success.
[top of page]
Teamwork. Our
partners have extensive, first-hand experience in every facet of mergers,
acquisitions and commercial finance, consequently, we understand the needs
of everyone involved. At one time or another, we have actually been the
buyer, the seller, the entrepreneur, the commercial banker, the
subordinated debt lender and the equity investor. We have more than empathy
-- because we have been there! As a result, you can be assured of a smooth
closing. The USGF partners will be strong team players through out the
course of our relationship.
Prior to closing each transaction, we will work together to define a
clear thesis for value creation - developing the key value drivers and
business metrics. Our objective is to build a relationship that creates
value and is respectful of the culture that has brought the company to this
point.
After closing, a USGF partner will be available to join your board.
Together with other independent directors, we will help you attract high
quality industry veterans to the board if needed. The board will work with
management on matters of strategy and search for acquisitions that
accelerate the value creation process.
[top of page]
Respect for Your Culture. While
our objective is to help you grow your business and build value, we truly
understand the difference between "helping" and
"interfering". A healthy business culture and strong employee
morale are critical to attracting our interest and investment at the outset
- and we will be respectful and protective of that culture throughout our
relationship.
We partner with management in many ways to create value. First, we provide management
extraordinary autonomy. While
the exact nature of our involvement varies with each investment, day-to-day
operating decisions are always left in the hands of operating
management. Second, we offer
substantial analytic, strategic, financial and operating support to help
implement fundamental improvements in sales, marketing, operations and
financial controls.
The board's role will be focused on monitoring budget performance,
strategic goals and acquisition activity. We expect management to run the
business with little operating interference from the board, as long as
operating performance remains on track.
[top of page]
We Add Value. Our
formidable human, technical and financial resources are at your disposal.
Whether it is attracting a key executive, finding strategic add-on
acquisitions, or recruiting seasoned industry veterans to serve as advisors
and directors, the partners of USGF will be committed contributors to your
team! We bring specific skills and disciplines that are often critical to
the successful “Scaling-Up” of high-growth businesses,
including :
- Management of Working Capital Assets and
Processes (Managing & Hedging Customer Concentration Risk and
Cross-Border Vendor Risk),
- Arranging Flexible Senior Debt Tailored to
Support your Growth Plans,
- Strategic Planning (analytical decision
making tools, development of a clear Value Creation Thesis and Key
Performance Metrics),
- Instituting Healthy Corporate Governance
Systems (policies & procedures, budgets and independent board
oversight),
- Executive Talent Recruitment and Incentive
Compensation.
Our skill lies in the ability to bring these disciplines and experiences
to the team, without cooling the entrepreneurial spirit of the management
team charged with execution.
[top of page]
|
