Associate F’ed Up The Model
I have this hardo associate who is constantly getting on analyst’s ass for the smallest details and is the kind of guy to CC the MD on slide deck corrections saying shit like “Where are you learning this formatting???” and “Why are we doing it like this??”. Just no room for error at all — you get the picture. Well, he fucked the model up pretty good with some blatantly incorrect assumptions AND formulas that omit rows they shouldn’t. TBH they’re pretty amateur mistakes and are like that of a first year analyst. I had a few other analysts weigh in to sanity check me and they all agreed. My question is whether or not to put this fucker on blast. I know everyone will say “it’s not worth it” “he reviews you” “it’ll only come back to haunt you” but I have to get some satisfaction out of this… It’s really HOW should I put him on blast. Plz advise.
Sounds like UBS, and do not do this. Revenge will come swiftly and firmly in unseen ways
You’re an analyst so you can do it, unless you plan on being a life long banker at that firm.
Fine to respond (not create a new email) chain with the MD, on the model stating that you think the associate made a mistake and he should double check as it quite material to the valuation ;)
Have you developed any mentors or allies in the VP ranks? That'd be the way to handle this, ask for their advice, innocuous enough because you're asking for advice but informing them of the associate fucking up by even raising it.
The upside is that you don't seem so bitchy. The downside is that you don't get this misguided revenge fantasy that you're indulging in.
Third option is to point it out to the associate, one off email (make sure its documented or he'll blame you), ask him to grab coffee and talk about shit. Get a little closer to him and be an ally / asset.
They sound super insecure (and this model thing proves they have performance issues), so they're going to keep taking shots at you. If you can get them to chill, the working relationship might get better.
You gotta solve the core issue or learn to ignore it - otherwise you're just pissing in the wind.
Point it out and try to make a friend- it's the mature thing to do. Every analyst has that one Associate/VP/MD they hate and are inclined to tear them a new one the first chance they get. You can do this as I did and (probably) nothing bad will happen to you if you're going to leave anyways, but I look back and regret it a lot. Because that was an opportunity to turn an enemy into a friend, and often the hardo MD/VP/Associate has a lot of clout among senior people. I've often found the biggest hardos can flip into your biggest advocates if you play it right. Do a favor for yourself and take this opportunity to do that and it will pay dividends.
This x1000. The most hated associate or VP can act that way because they have senior backing and can do it. If they made a mistake, and you point it out to just them, respectfully, then you are protecting their view of themselves in the eyes of the senior bankers. You have now protected their reputation and that is likely to pay dividends to you. If not then they’re a low EQ retard and put them on blast next time.
Skate to where the puck is.
Obviously don’t say anything. It’ll be sent out to clients / bidders. Everyone will notice. They’ll put Associate on blast. MD won’t care if you catch it and nothing happens. He will care if the firm is publicly embarrassed or he fucks up the process. Just make sure you can’t be collateral damage / be blamed for it
God this is cynical…. slow clap
Some associates are so useless, I have one that makes requests with unnecessary deadlines (I.e. I receive email at 11:32, “please can this be done by let’s say 12pm??”) I push back because I’m in a client call until 12pm and send it at 1pm and he only ends up looking at it after 6pm…
Plus, this associate is allergic to making direct edits and will send me comments on PPTs saying “please remove double space between 9th word and 10th in para 2, bullet 4”. Like dude come on
Also is incapable of signing off on anything and needs approval from VP, even if just updating logos
Completely irrelevant to OP but just wanted to vent
What's the point of them emailing those types of comments vs doing it? I never got that, luckily my assoc isn't like that. Feel like it just creates so much work
Ignore the title but I’m an associate who makes similar comments. Obviously I can edit and change them myself, it is much more about them seeing the mistakes so that they can notice it themselves and further their learning when they become an associate
This^ and even when there’s times were it’s short fuse and I do make the changes I’ll list them off so the analyst sees what they missed.
My favorite line from King Arthur: Legend of the Sword..."Why have enemies, when you can have friends"
Always better to turn an enemy into an ally
We live on a floating rock who cares man
Don't put him on blast. I'd reiterate the two comments above. My own two cents is to pull him aside and tell him you were reviewing the model and found a few errors that didn't make sense. And ask how he wants them fixed. Don't call him out, but use this an an opportunity to get in his good graces because it's not worth causing conflict.
Don't be a retarded GenZ who can't put up with a senior's criticism. Hierarchy makes the world go round (and no—preemptively—"prospect" doesn't accurately represent my age)
thats why youre stuck kicking rocks in IB or PE lol. Sure suckle at the teat if ur the avg IB or PE cuck that cant think for themselves but dont if u actually have some self respect
One note from someone with 8 YoE and moved to VC. People ask for reference checks, and for important roles, they will also do unsolicited reference checks with other people.
You really don't know how life goes, making enemies for your own satisfaction can be very costly career wise. As my dad likes to say, if you're 100% certain you're right, what do you gain by forcing them to admit it?
Ego is the enemy
On a separate note, you moved to VC with 8 YoE or banking experience? Could you elaborate on your path briefly? I am considering this long term. Can PM if you prefer.
I did banking internships, then went into BigTech for 5ish years.
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