Ralph and Gertrude discuss the Smithee concept he coined "The self reinforcing nature of the brochure-speak syndrome." He's encountered it on diligence assignments, consulting assignments, and a past employers. Is it working in your company ... perhaps something that's been touted to be a hit product ... always 6 months from now. Who is Allan Smithee and what are the Smithee Files. See episode 1. Stuff they don't teach you at Harvard Business School.

Ralph and Gertrude discuss Smithee’s case of The Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Cast includes Mr. Trusted Advisor who presents a ship of gold to a downtrodden CEO with money to invest … Mr. Pocket Protector, a brilliant inventor and captain of the ship … a score of mouthwatering retail executives who can't wait to get on board and install the invention … then enters Allan Smithee, the down and dirty due diligence detective. Smithee's lesson... “Never be so intimidated by someone's credentials, convictions, or behavior that you fail to question and verify their claims. Respect everyone; be intimidated by no one. Ignore anyone’s past success, where they obtained their PhD, or how many articles they published. The diligence detective is paid not to care. Assuming a manager’s sincerity and track record are genuine, he/she still can make a mistake, get careless or complacent, live in the past, get over his head, or have subordinates who don’t perform, misinform, or are too scared to inform.”

Who is Allan Smithee and what are the Smithee Files? See episode 1. It's stuff they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School or Auditing 101.

Ralph and Gertrude introduce Allan Bee Smithee, the hidden and provocative Down & Dirty Due Diligence Detective, and The Smithee Files. They read and discuss Smithee's "My Gig in a Nutshell" and list upcoming episodes.

The concepts, tactics, stories, and articles discussed in this upcoming podcast series is NOT just for acquisition diligence. You can use them in market research, competitive intelligence, new technology assessments, turnarounds, strategy development .... and even finding out what is REALLY is going on in your own company. Allan Smithee has and so can you.