Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, we explore "Private Equity and Technology Transformation" with Alan Williamson. Alan, a seasoned CTO and operating partner, shares insights from his journey—from embedded engineering to navigating Enterprise Java and PE due diligence. He emphasizes crucial operational details affecting portfolio companies, such as cybersecurity and data ownership, and discusses the evolving role of technology in PE.

[00:10] Social engineering is still the number one way to hack a company.

[00:17] Introduction of guest Alan Williamson, CTO, operating partner, and author.

[00:46] Discussion on technology transformation, pitfalls in private equity, and opportunities pre and post-deal.

[01:13] Shares background from embedded engineer to Java development and entry into private equity.

[02:08] Discusses common mistake in portfolio companies: neglecting operational details like domain ownership and software subscriptions.

[03:30] Anecdote on operational oversight challenges in companies due to misplaced responsibilities.

[04:29] Highlights key red flags in due diligence, emphasizing over-reliance on individual technical knowledge within companies.

[05:53] Discussion on technology enablement in private equity and the evolving role of specialized operating partners.

[08:17] Contrasts in-house technical expertise with external consultancy services in private equity firms.

[09:44] Pre-deal considerations including data ownership and regulatory compliance.

[10:37] Security concerns in acquisitions, emphasizing cybersecurity diligence and compliance across different states.

[14:37] Discusses social engineering as a primary hacking method in corporate security breaches.

[15:00] Post-deal implementation strategies including securing operations and aligning with PE firm objectives.

[18:58] Maximizing data value through machine learning and leveraging historical data for business insights.

[21:23] Personal influences and recommendations, highlighting interests in movies and older business literature.

[23:46] Alex Rawlings wraps up the podcast.

You can connect with Alan Williamson on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.

Thank you for tuning in!

To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.

Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, join us as we delve into intentional business growth strategies with Tim O'Reilly. Learn key insights for success.

[00:11] Tim discusses the influence of certain books on shaping strategies.

[01:19] Introduction to Tim O'Reilly and focus on intentional business growth strategy.

[02:17] Reflections on Frontier Service Partners' successful exit and the importance of strategy.

[03:17] Tim elaborates on the intentional strategy at Guild Garage Group.

[04:11] Key elements of successful business strategy, including leadership alignment.

[05:03] Analogies are drawn from crew dynamics to highlight clear leadership importance.

[06:00] Success story from Frontier Service Partners, emphasizing leadership impact.

[07:48] Discussion on transferring successful strategies to future endeavors.

[09:14] Importance of culture and consistency in delivering exceptional service.

[10:07] Utilizing weekly leadership meetings for consistency and accountability.

[11:07] Reference to "Atomic Habits" by James Clear and daily habits' significance.

[12:59] Transitioning to intentional strategy at Guild Garage Group, emphasis on leadership development.

[14:25] Focus on sustainable business strategy beyond financial goals.

[15:21] Prioritizing leadership development and employee training.

[16:47] Investing in leadership training and development programs.

[18:15] Discussion on employee experience and its impact on customer satisfaction.

[19:39] Creating career paths and supporting employees' growth.

[20:38] Driving brand loyalty through consistent, high-quality customer experiences.

[21:58] Anticipating referrals and exponential business growth through service excellence.

[22:58] Balancing cost optimization with growth strategies.

[23:27] Mention of partnership with Grata for data-driven deal flow enhancement.

[23:55] Focus on leadership development plans and training initiatives.

[24:22] Basic principles of leadership development.

[24:50] Understanding personal goals of leaders and aligning them with work objectives.

[26:16] Insights on time management and personal well-being for effective leadership.

[27:42] Tools for assessing strengths and consistent leadership training importance.

[29:07] Importance of documenting personal and work goals.

[29:34] Aligning leadership training with business needs.

[31:54] Evolving leadership training programs to address business challenges.

[33:20] Commitment to strength-based leadership.

[34:45] Regular reassessment of strengths for alignment.

[37:35] Tim's advice on transitioning from CFO to CEO.

[42:42] Encouragement for aspiring leaders to seek growth opportunities.

[43:36] Tim shares his contact information for further assistance.

[44:06] Conclusion and invitation to subscribe to the Private Equity Podcast.

You can connect with Tim O'Reilly on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.

Thank you for tuning in!

To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.

Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, host Alex Rawlings dives into a rich conversation with Nathan Sanders. From navigating financial constraints during the pandemic to tackling add-on acquisitions and integrating technology effectively, Nathan shares valuable insights gained from his extensive experience in leading Private Equity-backed businesses. Tune in to glean lessons on leadership, growth strategies, and the importance of a growth mindset in the world of Private Equity.

[00:12] Introduction to the episode, highlighting Nathan Sanders' experience as a Private Equity-backed CEO in various industries.

[01:35] Nathan Sanders introduces himself as a value-driven leader, emphasizing his focus on transformation and continuous improvement.

[02:32] Discussion on the common mistake of focusing too much on short-term challenges rather than long-term value creation in Private Equity-backed companies.

[04:52] Strategies for shifting focus towards long-term value creation during the middle phase of Private Equity investments.

[08:04] Nathan shares lessons learned from leading Brooke Furniture through challenges and towards a successful exit.

[12:17] Processes implemented to gather intelligence on customer service needs, including direct interactions with customers and team members.

[15:32] Refinement of processes to automate simpler tasks, allowing the team to focus on addressing exceptions and improving service delivery.

[16:29] Nathan Sanders discusses the impact of understanding customer needs and team alignment on business success, leading to increased KPIs and decreased variable costs.

[17:29] Sanders talks about tackling financial constraints during the pandemic and other industry headwinds by redeploying resources and focusing on revenue growth.

[20:09] Discussion on mitigating financial risks during challenging times and leveraging opportunities for revenue growth through strategic decision-making.

[20:38] Sanders shares advice for portfolio executives on managing acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose behind acquisitions and building in risk factors.

[26:56] Insights from Sanders on successful integration strategies for acquisitions, including understanding the end goal, focusing on process mapping, and fostering a growth mindset within the team.

[29:46] Sanders discusses lessons learned from working with both large and small companies, highlighting the importance of technology implementation and process mapping in driving efficiency and growth.

[32:34] Discussion on prioritizing technology investments based on customer-facing needs and optimizing processes for maximum impact on revenue growth.

[36:22] Recommendations from Sanders on books and podcasts, including "The Fixed Versus Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck, "What Got You Here, Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith, and the Founders Podcast with David Sentra.

[42:05] Insights from Sanders on fostering a growth mindset within teams, effective communication strategies, and recommendations for further engagement through LinkedIn and personal email.

You can connect with Nathan Sanders on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.

Thank you for tuning in!

To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.

Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.