We all know that what might seems like excellent technology, a brilliant system or a great deal, often turns out to be not so excellent, brilliant or great!

The trick is to find this out before time and money is spent on more detailed and costly due diligence.

• Often the most simple checks on technology will show that it doesn’t work.
• Claims regarding patents, orders of future developments cannot be proven.
• Sometimes the track records of one or more of the main players don’t measure up.
• And even if the technology is good and protected, advanced orders are taken and the senior management team does have the track record they claim, the market direction and economics might not stack up.

As independent, skilled business improvers we’ve come across enough of these mistakes to know what to look for and save you and your investors considerable time and money by doing an initial review. Here’s how we can assist:

• Examining the technology or system and ask the right questions to understand fully how it does or should work. Then involve technical experts to check that it makes sense.
• Looking at how the technology will fit into FUTURE markets (often people don’t predict where the market is going in 3 – 5 years).
• Check on the track record, qualifications and career claims of the main people.
• Identify any other barriers that would prevent success – especially human factors.
• Think of new markets and uses for the technology, system or service.
• Give a candid opinion on what should be done before expending more time and effort on the investment/deal.

Sample reports are available for inspection.