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Below is our recent interview with Lawrence Chu, Managing Director at Moelis & Company:
Q: Lawrence, let’s start with your background. What were you doing before Moelis & Company?
A: Prior to joining Moelis & Company, I was appointed Special Adviser to the United States Federal Communications Commission under Chairman Wheeler. Before the FCC, I was a Managing Director at Greenhill & Co. and prior to that, a Managing Director at Evercore Partners.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you face in your work?
A: Time. There is never enough time in my day.
Q: When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
A: All the time. I’m not a gambler, but if you bet on anything you know yourself the best….and therefore I always bet on myself.
Q: What tactics have changed over the years in providing financial advice to large-cap companies?
A: Giving them an outsiders perspective. Too many times a large company tends to have a massive echo chamber.
Q: How did you come to concentrate primarily on the communications, media and technology sectors of global large-cap companies?
A: Honestly, it was the best group at Salomon Brothers where I started….and if I was going to join a group, why not the best. Since then I have fallen in love with the ever-evolving dynamic nature of the sector.
Q: Have you ever had a client not want to follow your advice plan? If so, how did you go about moving forward?
A: Many times. Some times they are right, and sometimes you are right. In the end, all you can do is provide your honest opinion.
Q: If you could offer one general piece of advice for companies seeking stratic financial council, what would it be?
A: The business world is becoming more and more global and there are many forces at work. Having perspective outside of your company can be critical for long term success.
Q: What is the one thing that keeps you motivated and thriving in this competitive industry?
A: Relationships. I enjoy the interactive nature of my business….and a place where character and doing the right thing still matters.
Q: Are there any new industry trends that you anticipate seeing more of in 2019?
A: As interest rates increase I would expect the R&D cycles to slow…and with that, it will be interesting to watch the impact on the hyper-growth west coast tech sector.
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