Information We Collect

Running a business acquisition consultancy means we need certain information to provide meaningful guidance. Here's what we typically collect and why it matters:

Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us, request consultations, or engage our services, you might share:

• Your name, email address, and phone number
• Business background and experience level
• Financial position and investment capacity
• Industry preferences and acquisition goals
• Documentation related to potential business purchases

Automatically Collected Information

Our website collects standard technical data that helps us improve your experience:

• IP address and general location information
• Browser type and device specifications
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring websites and search terms used

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the business of collecting data for its own sake. Everything we gather serves a specific purpose related to helping you acquire the right business:

• Providing personalized business acquisition advice and consultations
• Matching you with suitable business opportunities in the Australian market
• Conducting due diligence and valuation assessments
• Communicating updates about potential acquisitions or market changes
• Processing payments for our consulting services
• Improving our website functionality and user experience
• Complying with legal obligations under Australian business laws

We won't use your information for purposes you haven't agreed to. If we want to use your data in a new way, we'll ask for your permission first.

Data Storage and Security

Your information lives on secure servers located in Australia. We use industry-standard encryption and security protocols, but let's be realistic about this.

No system is completely bulletproof. While we implement strong security measures including encrypted databases, secure file transfers, and restricted access controls, we can't guarantee absolute security. What we can promise is that we take this responsibility seriously and continuously update our security practices.

Our Security Measures Include:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Secure backup systems with encryption
• Staff training on privacy and data protection

If we ever experience a data breach that affects your information, we'll notify you promptly and explain what happened, what data was involved, and what steps we're taking.

Sharing Your Information

We don't sell your personal information. Period. However, business acquisition services sometimes require sharing information with specific third parties. Here's when that happens:

Business Sellers and Intermediaries

When you express interest in a particular business, we share relevant information with the seller or their representatives. This is necessary to facilitate negotiations and due diligence. We only share what's needed for that specific transaction.

Professional Advisors

Business acquisitions often involve accountants, lawyers, and financial advisors. With your consent, we may share information with these professionals to support your acquisition process.

Service Providers

We work with trusted service providers who help us operate our business:

• Email and communication platforms
• Payment processors for consulting fees
• Cloud storage and database services
• Analytics and website hosting providers

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and can only use it for the specific services they provide to us.

Your Rights and Choices

This is your information. You have rights regarding how it's used, and we respect those rights. Here's what you can do:

Access Your Information

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We'll provide this within 30 days, in a readable format. There's no charge for reasonable requests, though we might charge a small fee for excessive or repetitive requests.

Correct Inaccurate Information

If something we have on file is wrong, tell us. We'll update it promptly. Accurate information is important for providing good advice, so we want to get this right.

Request Deletion

You can ask us to delete your personal information. We'll comply unless we have a legitimate reason to retain it, such as:

• Completing a transaction or service you requested
• Complying with legal retention requirements
• Resolving disputes or enforcing agreements
• Maintaining business records for tax purposes

Opt Out of Marketing

We occasionally send information about market opportunities or our services. Every email includes an unsubscribe option. Use it anytime. You'll stop receiving marketing emails, though we'll still send transaction-related communications about active engagements.

Restrict Processing

In certain situations, you can ask us to limit how we use your information. This might apply while we're verifying data accuracy or assessing whether we have legitimate grounds to process your information.

Data Retention

We don't keep your information forever. Our retention periods depend on the type of data and our business needs:

• Client engagement records: Seven years after the relationship ends (this matches Australian tax record requirements)
• Marketing inquiries: Two years of inactivity before deletion
• Website analytics: Aggregated data retained indefinitely, individual identifiers removed after 26 months
• Financial transaction records: Seven years as required by Australian tax law

When we no longer need your information, we securely delete or anonymize it. Deletion means it's gone completely. Anonymization means we strip out identifying details so the data can't be traced back to you.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. These are small files that help the site function properly and help us understand how visitors use it.

Essential Cookies

Some cookies are necessary for basic site functionality. These handle things like remembering your preferences during a session. You can't disable these without breaking the site.

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics to understand which pages are useful and which aren't working well. This data is aggregated and doesn't identify you personally. You can opt out of analytics tracking through your browser settings.

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Be aware that blocking all cookies might affect how our site works for you.

Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for adults making business acquisition decisions. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we discover we've inadvertently collected such information, we'll delete it immediately.

International Data Transfers

We primarily operate within Australia, and your data stays on Australian servers. However, some of our service providers may process data internationally. When this happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information according to Australian privacy standards.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy practices change as technology and regulations develop. We review and update this policy periodically. When we make significant changes, we'll notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our website.

The date at the top of this policy shows when it was last updated. Checking back occasionally is a good idea, especially if you're a long-term client.

Making Complaints

If you believe we've mishandled your personal information, we want to hear about it. Contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue directly. We take complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly.

If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Their contact details are available at oaic.gov.au.