Last week’s issue had some takeaways from the Business Valuation & Financial Litigation Super Conference hosted by NACVA in Salt Lake City August 17-19. Here are some more “super” takeaways:

• During a Zoom trial, put the screens for the judge and your attorney right under your camera—that way, you’ll be looking at them when you speak;
• “Something fresh and new every day” is how one young practitioner describes his work as a valuation expert;
• Getting involved in the profession (e.g., volunteering on committees) sets you apart—and helps the profession;
• Think outside the box when doing compensation valuation for healthcare—a lot of the survey data are from a “fee-based” world, which has changed to “value-based”;
• The “war for talent” is “tremendous” and will continue for the next five to 10 years;
• Very few hands went up when asked whether they knew about the new international BV glossary (they couldn’t have been readers of BVWire!);
• Inexpensive online valuation calculators “have their place,” and speakers likened them to using WebMD versus going to a doctor—for something serious, you need to see a practitioner;
• More than ever, real estate appraisers are getting into going-concern valuations;
• Yes, judges “gossip” among themselves about testifying experts “all the time”;
• The “sweet spot” for long-term growth rates is currently 3% to 5% (for short term, check the subject company’s industry)—and check out free research (e.g., Livingston Survey, government sources);
• More U.S. companies are switching their supply chains from offshore to their home turf—even though it costs more;
• Using restricted stock to estimate a discount for lack of marketability is “hocus pocus,” and someday judges will figure that out;
• Someday, the “profession will have to figure out” what rate should be used when tax affecting—corporate or individual; and
• Talk to business brokers—one top valuation expert did that and had to redo his entire valuation.

There’s way too much more to include here, so we’ll have a detailed recap in the October issue of Business Valuation Update.