This article explores the career transition and professional approach of Tokuda Shoki (徳田祥己), who draws on his experience at a regional bank to overcome difficult challenges as an M&A adviser through his ability to build trust and his persistence.
Tokuda Shoki (徳田祥己), who has worked in sales and M&A at a regional bank, has worked with many business owners, drawing on his strength in building closer relationships with customers and earning their trust. He also discusses his principles and goals as an M&A adviser.
The decision to change jobs at age 29 was driven by his desire to work with a broader range of companies and business owners beyond the confines of a particular region, as well as his doubts about the “favor-seeking sales” required to meet sales targets. He found a strong sense of responsibility and fulfillment in M&A work and decided that he wanted to compete in a broader arena.
The decisive factors in joining the company were the character and integrity of its people, as well as the appeal of an environment where he could work on larger transactions. He chose to join after deciding that he could use his discretion to drive transactions forward and continue to grow.
The company’s support model is based on a style in which each adviser thinks independently and takes action personally, while conducting research targeting customers nationwide. His background at a regional bank has helped him earn trust, and he strives to draw out customers’ true feelings and provide deeply focused support.
He cites the M&A transaction between 今井工業 and マルニホールディングス as a memorable case. Even when there were obstacles relating to the terms, he did not give up, instead proposing new options that ultimately led to the transaction being completed. Going forward, he aims to become “an adviser trusted by both the transferring and acquiring companies.”