Three-Part International Partner Vetting Test
Vet partners through direct feel, trusted reputation, and response speed
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 4
- Confidence
- 99%
Harris vets international partners with three distinct signals. First, he meets people in person and pays attention to his direct impression of their character and energy. Second, he checks their reputation through people he already trusts in the industry; a broader network makes this reference signal stronger. Third, he tests responsiveness, because a technically capable partner who operates too slowly can undermine the firm's promised client experience. The mechanism combines intuitive, social, and operational evidence rather than relying on one source. A partner must feel credible face to face, be supported by trusted industry feedback, and communicate at an appropriate speed. Harris's extensive travel supplies the direct meetings and expands the network that makes future reputation checks more reliable.
Origin
Harris describes this test after the host asks how he vets international partners and ensures they uphold his firm's standards.
Core principles
- 01In-person contact reveals signals that remote research misses
- 02Industry reputation becomes more useful as the trusted network grows
- 03Responsiveness is part of service quality
- 04All three signals should support the relationship
How to run it
- 1
Meet in the field
Travel to meet the prospective partner in person where practical. Observe how the person communicates and whether the relationship feels credible.
Pro tip Use the meeting to understand the partner's real operating environment.
Watch out A positive first impression should not replace the other checks.
- 2
Check trusted reputation
Ask credible people in the same industry how they perceive the prospective partner. Prioritize feedback from contacts with direct experience.
Pro tip Build the network continuously so future reference checks become easier.
Watch out General visibility is not the same as a strong industry reputation.
- 3
Test responsiveness
Measure how promptly and reliably the partner answers during the evaluation. Compare that behavior with the pace your clients and workflows require.
Pro tip Use ordinary pre-engagement communication as the test rather than requesting a staged demonstration.
Watch out Slow responses during courtship are unlikely to improve after selection.
- 4
Make the combined decision
Select the partner only when direct impression, trusted reputation, and response time collectively meet the standard. Decline relationships that would compromise delivery.
Pro tip Record which of the three signals produced confidence or concern.
Watch out Do not let one exceptional signal erase a serious failure in another.
In the wild
Harris says he has visited the Cook Islands many times and was preparing to travel to Hong Kong to meet colleagues and speak at a conference. Those meetings let him form a direct impression while his industry network supplies reputation feedback.
→ Potential partners are evaluated through personal contact and informed references rather than online claims alone.
Common mistakes
Trusting instinct alone
Harris's gut check is only one part of a test that also includes reputation and response time.
Excusing chronic slow replies
A partner whose operating speed does not match the firm can weaken the client experience.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for professional-service firms building a cross-border network of banks, trust companies, custodians, or specialist partners.
Not ideal for
It is not ideal as the sole diligence process where licensing, financial, security, or regulatory verification is also required.
From the transcript
“It's the gut feeling when you meet somebody in person.”
“It's their overall reputation from people who I trust in the industry and it is their response time.”
“Sometimes you're a little bit of island time where they're a little bit slower to respond and if they don't respond quick enough, then we're…”
From the episode
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