How important is direct experience in the industry?

by a searcher from University of Vermont

4 years ago

I am in the beginning stages of a self-funded search and trying to determine how important it is to have direct or specific experience within the industry of the company that I would ultimately acquire. 

I am wondering if I should target an industry I know better, or not worry as much about industry and focus more on the company itself and its potential to grow.

What have fellow searchers and successful acquirers focused on in terms of matching their experiences with the companies they're targeting & acquiring?

5 likes
187 views
11 comments

searcher from Cornell University - College of Business

I love people with no experience with our industry who buy in -- they keep driving my competitors into the ground

3 years ago | like reply | 3 likes

searcher from Brigham Young University

In most of the cases I know of, (usually funded searchers), they had no experience in the specific industry prior to starting their search. However, they often (not always) have spent a lot of time learning about and networking within that industry as part of the search.

4 years ago | like reply | 1 like

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