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• We care. We are empathetic, helpful, and grateful.

• We are a team; we are responsible to each and for each other.

  • Our clients (and their other advisors) are our extended team.

• We continuously look for ways to increase our efficiency and effectiveness through technology and process.

• We are cognizant that every video, voice, text, email and in person conversation is a chance for us to make a good (or bad) impression on how others view Tuck Advisors. That includes the appearance of our physical offices.

  • We don’t say no problem — we say you’re welcome, or it’s my pleasure, or that’s my job.

• We own our mistakes (e.g., that’s my bad), learn, and move on.

• When asked a question, and you don’t know the answer, respond with: I’m not sure, let me find out. Don’t guess / say “I think…”

• We over-communicate, especially with remote team members.

  • Make use of “On it”

  • “Reply All” on emails (most of the time)

  • Shorter emails are better (most of the time); one thought per email

• We ask more questions. (Einstein said that if he had an hour to solve a problem, he’d spend 55 minutes asking questions.) Especially important with AI prompt engineering. Use ChatGPT and other AI tools whenever you can to answer questions!

• We rely on complete and accurate/current data on companies and people; details are of the utmost importance.

• We never trust the numbers.

  • We always double check numbers, regardless of their source (research reports, clients, fellow team members). 

  • Remember to include $ (or other currency) and %, where appropriate

• We are heads up and heads down.

  • Doing our work, we need to be quick and accurate, but we also need to see opportunities and connections (how one company might fit with another company, either as an acquisition or a commercial relationship).

• Embrace intuition​

• We put forth enough energy to reach 212°F!

  • In M&A, there’s only: no luck, bad luck, and hard work. 

  • 212°F triggers a phase change: H₂O turns to steam. In M&A, the phase change we are pursuing is “most deals don’t close” to “most deals do close.”

  • Our firm belief that 212° of effort yields this phase change creates a virtuous cycle.

• Our DNA is entrepreneurial

• Time Kills Deals. We set deadlines and do what we need to hit them. (“Nothing happens without a deadline.”)

• We are each aware of how our daily activities impact our NorthStar KPI, which is: the percentage of transactions that close.

• We balance our work life with time for family, friends, faith, and fun

  • For fun, try our morning huddle daily riddle.

• We do our best to be carbon neutral. As part of that effort, we plant 1000 trees for every closed transaction.