Failed deals on deal sheet? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is it dumb to even consider putting failed deals on my dealsheet? I've worked on a variety of deals that have fallen apart at the last second but have done a ton of substantive work in each. If I don't list those on my deal sheet, my list of closed deals looks kinda thin. Any advice? And to be clear, I'd point out one way or another that those deals didn't close but that I did a bunch of work on them

[Anonymous User]

Every deal sheet I've seen has listed failed deals. They just describe the deal, then state "(unconsummated)".

[Anonymous User]

Every deal sheet I've seen has listed failed deals. They just describe the deal, then state "(unconsummated)".

Whew, great to know. Thank you!

[CanadianWolf]

Failed deals are work experience just as are consummated deals. But, I think that one has to draw a line between failed deals which involved substantial work versus those which involved preliminary or exploratory work.

Caveat: Some failed deals involve privacy concerns; such deals should not be listed if it violates client confidentiality.

[Anonymous User]

Failed deals are work experience just as are consummated deals. But, I think that one has to draw a line between failed deals which involved substantial work versus those which involved preliminary or exploratory work.

Caveat: Some failed deals involve privacy concerns; such deals should not be listed if it violates client confidentiality.

From what I've seen, the listed failed deals are always suitably anonymized. I suppose one can't suitably anonymize, say, the Amazons of the world though.