Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode titled host, Alex Rawlings, dives into the insights and strategies of a seasoned executive known for his leadership in multiple private equity-backed exits. Jeffrey Stark discusses his career trajectory, highlighting his transition from corporate America to becoming a pivotal figure in private equity spaces, steering companies through significant growth and successful exits.

Breakdown:

[00:00] Jeffrey Stark discusses his success with multiple private equity exits.

[00:11] He highlights his collaborative leadership approach, emphasizing guidance without micromanagement.

[00:40] Stark recounts his transition from corporate roles to significant positions in private equity.

[01:09] Focuses on challenges and strategies for leading companies to successful private equity exits.

[01:37] Insights into his proactive career approach in the private equity sector.

[02:33] The value of independent board members in providing unbiased support and expertise.

[03:46] Benefits of experienced board members for guidance in unfamiliar business areas.

[04:44] Operational focus on lean manufacturing and quality improvements.

[06:09] Discusses the transition from CEO to advisor roles, and the dynamics involved.

[07:33] Tactics for building trust with CEOs and preparing them for board meetings.

[09:01] How he has guided marketing strategies through CEOs, fostering a partnership approach.

[10:17] Stark shares experiences on cultural and operational challenges in mergers and acquisitions.

[12:49] The importance of transparent communication during transitions.

[14:05] Financial strategies and accountability in managing private equity-backed companies.

[15:20] Leadership development within teams to foster a culture of innovation.

[16:35] Long-term impacts of strategic decisions on company trajectories.

[18:14] Insights into global economic factors influencing private equity.

[19:05] Ethical considerations and corporate governance in the sector.

[20:21] Predictions on the evolving landscape of private equity and the role of technology.

[21:40] Advice for aspiring private equity professionals based on extensive experience.

[22:58] A case study of a successful exit, detailing strategic decisions involved.

[24:15] Discussions on work-life balance and managing stress in leadership roles.

[25:30] The role of mentoring and support systems in his career.

[26:45] Innovation in maintaining business competitiveness.

[28:00] His involvement in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

[29:15] Strategies for managing international business and cross-cultural teams.

[30:30] Thoughts on leadership succession planning.

[31:45] Personal and professional development influences.

[33:00] Future plans and continued impact on the industry.

[34:15] Invitation to connect for further insights and collaboration opportunities.

[35:30] Closing remarks.

You can connect with Jeffrey Stark 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 ques

Welcome to The Private Equity Podcast by Raw Selection! In this episode, our host, Alex Rawlings, is joined by Jordan Burton, co-founder of Talgo. Together, they delve into the intricacies of talent interviewing and assessment within the private equity sector. Jordan brings a wealth of knowledge from his transition from a potential private equity investor to an expert in executive talent assessment. This discussion promises to enlighten those interested in optimizing their hiring processes and understanding the common pitfalls and best practices in recruiting top-tier executives.

[00:00] Introduction to Jordan Burton, specializing in talent interviewing and assessment.

[00:16] Discussion on timely decision-making in human capital issues.

[00:44] Jordan shares his career transition to executive talent assessment.

[01:12] Insights into Jordan’s career evolution and the founding of Talgo.

[02:11] Importance of proper interviewing techniques in talent acquisition.

[03:07] Indicators of when to act on personnel changes.

[04:06] Consequences of being overly accommodating in personnel decisions.

[05:02] Deep dive into interviewing and hiring processes.

[06:01] Setting clear expectations and metrics for new executives.

[08:22] Characteristics of effective private equity executives.

[10:19] Traits that define a top executive in private equity.

[12:15] Importance of quantitative skills in executives.

[13:13] Techniques used in interviewing executives about their past experiences.

[15:05] Importance of detailed discussions about past roles and achievements.

[18:27] Systematic assessment in identifying leadership qualities.

[20:26] Nuances of executive onboarding and performance tracking.

[22:10] Organizational dynamics and internal politics in hiring.

[24:06] Future trends in executive hiring, including technology impacts.

[26:01] Importance of adaptability and continuous learning in talent acquisition.

[28:26] Final thoughts on the evolution of the talent acquisition field.

[30:52] Methodologies for developing leadership pipelines in portfolio companies.

[33:18] Common pitfalls in the executive search process and avoidance strategies.

[35:44] Role of diversity and inclusion in executive hiring.

[38:09] Jordan reflects on the mentors who shaped his career.

[40:33] Tips for building a career in talent management within private equity.

[42:57] Advice for maintaining a competitive edge through strategic talent management.

[44:31] Closing remarks by Alex, encouraging listener engagement and subscription.

You can connect with Jordan Burton 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, we explore the nuances of building and scaling businesses within the private equity realm. Alex excited to welcome back Brendan Anderson, Managing Partner of ScaleCo Capital.

[00:00] Brendan emphasizes the importance of having the right people and vision for successful business ventures.

[00:11] Discussion on enhancing value through strategic customer engagement and supplier relations.

[00:21] Insight into the shift from gut feeling to data-driven decision-making in business strategies.

[00:50] How ScaleCo Capital scales smaller businesses often overlooked by larger firms.

[01:20] Focus on B2B service providers and manufacturers that require scalability.

[02:18] Initial challenges in acquiring and transforming small-cap companies.

[03:16] The significance of entrepreneurs stepping back from central operations to improve scalability and attractiveness.

[05:35] Exploration of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) for aligning management teams.

[06:56] Importance of team alignment in realizing business visions through EOS.

[08:16] Breakdown of ScaleCo's five pillars of business transformation.

[11:02] Integration of technology in customer and supplier engagement.

[12:53] Mention of ScaleCo's partnership with Grata, highlighting data-driven processes.

[15:17] Challenges and strategies in building effective sales teams.

[19:25] Impact of robust financial reporting on business strategy.

[20:49] Essential financial metrics and practices for new acquisitions.

[21:19] Brendan discusses the importance of accessing real-time financial data to drive strategic decisions.

[22:41] How deep insights into financial data can reveal new growth avenues within existing customer bases.

[24:06] Strategies for empowering leadership teams to take initiative and drive growth independently.

[25:24] Plans for integrating operational changes within 18 to 36 months to ensure sustainable growth.

[26:16] Challenges of effectively managing and growing businesses and how private equity provides crucial support.

[27:13] The necessity of continuous self-development and adaptation for businesses to evolve.

[28:11] The strategic focus on local investments to enhance relationship building and operational oversight.

[29:04] Geographic focus and its impact on investment success rates and operational effectiveness.

[30:01] The importance of local networks and relationships in managing and supporting businesses effectively.

[31:27] Brendan offers contact information for those interested in connecting or learning more about ScaleCo Capital.

[32:17] Discussion on building networks between talented individuals and promising businesses to foster growth and operational excellence in the private equity space.

[32:46] Closing remarks by Alex, thanking Brendan for his insights and inviting listeners to subscribe for more private equity discussions

You can connect with Brendan Anderson 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.