The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Welcome to The Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, host Alex Rawlings is joined by Paul Swaney, Managing Director of Swaney Group Capital. Formerly with Partners Group and a veteran of McKinsey and Amazon, Paul dives into the intricate world of value creation from an operator turned investor perspective. He shares his journey from the military to the forefront of private equity, discusses the innovative use of media for business growth, and details the strategic operational frameworks that have shaped his successful career. Join us as Paul provides a deep dive into his approach to enhancing portfolio company performance and his insights on the pivotal role of transformation governance in private equity.

Breakdown:

[00:00] Introduction to Paul Swaney, discussing his transition from Partners Group to founding Swaney Group Capital.
[00:10] How Paul uses media to enhance his Private Equity firm’s outcomes.
[00:22] Mention of a successful investment initiated from Twitter.
[00:25] Overview of Paul’s career and insights into his value creation strategies in Private Equity.
[00:55] Paul provides a detailed background of his diverse experiences from military service to corporate roles and Private Equity.
[01:24] Insights into applying lean system in a chemical plant and his recruitment by McKinsey.
[02:21] Challenges of starting his own Private Equity firm during peak deal flow times and growing his team.
[03:17] Common mistakes in Private Equity from deal processing to post-acquisition management.
[04:45] Lessons from Partners Group and the importance of transformation governance post-acquisition.
[06:04] Introduction to the Swaney Group Operating System, focusing on operational excellence.
[07:30] Discussion on maintaining flexibility and strategic planning in business operations.
[09:25] Paul’s effective use of social media for deal origination and brand building.
[10:24] Emphasis on the initial 100-day observational period post-acquisition to understand business intricacies.
[12:16] Typical patterns observed in founder-led businesses and strategic advice for potential acquisitions.
[14:43] Importance of strategic operational assessments in Private Equity investments.
[18:27] Paul discusses leveraging media for enhancing visibility and deal flow in Private Equity.
[19:25] Success stories from using Twitter for business development and investment opportunities.
[21:17] Closing thoughts on the integration of operational systems within Private Equity to enhance performance.

To connect with Paul, you can visit his LinkedIn profile at Paul Swaney LinkedIn.

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.

*The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest.*

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Christen Paras who is MiddleGround Capital’s managing director of business development and investor relations. With a hands-on operational expertise, MiddleGround Capital invests in B2B companies in the industrials and specialty distribution sector that are in the lower middle markets.

What You’ll Learn

Why you should take business development seriously

How marketing improves deal flow 

Brand awareness and value proposition through marketing

Transparency in managing investor relations

Diversity attracts founders, investors, and employees

Breakdown

[00:42] Getting to know Christen Paras

[02:05] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies

[04:56] MiddleGround Capital’s marketing & research strategy 

[12:52] Granting full access builds trust with LPs and business owners

[21:14] MiddleGround Capital’s ESG efforts

[23:48] Excellence in managing LP relationships

[27:10] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals

[30:09] Private equity: the good and the bad

[36:20] Diversity in MiddleGround Capital’s senior leadership

[38:34] Christen’s learning resources


Resources

Christen’s LinkedIn

Christen’s Email

Christen’s Mobile Number: +732 207 1486

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.

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Bethany Gorham, Senior Vice President at Orion Energy Partners, where she has recently formed the IDEA group (Investment Development, Engagement, and Accountability). Orion is an investment firm that offers creative investment and equity solutions to middle-market infrastructure companies that are primarily focused on environmental innovation and driving sustainable finance forward. Before Orion, Bethany worked in impact investing and data and analytics in sustainable and socially responsible investing.

What You’ll Learn

ESG as due diligence and a tool for identifying opportunities

Why PE firms should adopt ESG as a tool

Using ESG to manage risk and create value within portfolio companies

Breakdown

[00:25] Getting to know Bethany Gorham

[02:19] Common mistakes made by PE firms

[03:09] ESG in the Private Equity workplace

[08:53] Orion’s ESG strategy

[13:22] Why PE firms should adopt ESG as a tool

[15:59] Resources for learning about ESG

[18:27] Bethany’s passion for ESG 

[21:05] Get in touch with Bethany

Resources

Bethany’s LinkedIn

bethany@orionenergypartners.com 

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. 

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Leon Brujis who is a partner at Palladium Equity Partners. The firm was founded in 1997 and has invested over $2.8 billion of capital across different industries like retail, food, transportation and logistics, business services and media. Palladium Equity Partners’ investment focus is on founder and family-owned businesses that benefit from America’s growing Hispanic market.

What You’ll Learn

The effect of biases on investing decisions and deals

Leon’s experience of bias during an investment

How diversity in a private equity firm is an advantage

Breakdown

[00:46] Getting to know Leon Brujis

[01:57] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies

[05:29] Leon’s experience as a minority in the finance industry

[08:24] Diversity in a company is an advantage

[10:05] Leon’s bias led to a bad investment decision

[13:36] How to guard against bias

[15:52] Private equity: the good and the bad

[19:01] Leon’s learning resources


Resources

Leon’s LinkedIn

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.

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Jon Ostenson CEO of FranBridge Consulting & Capital (FBC). As the former president of an Inc. 500 franchise system and a multi-brand franchisee himself, Jon is an expert in non-food franchise industries. At FBC, he educates clients and introduces them to franchising investment opportunities. 
 

What You’ll Learn

Investing opportunities in the franchise industry

Rise of non-food and non-retail franchises

Franchisee VS franchisor level of investment 

Challenges in franchise investing

Breakdown

[00:39] Getting to know Jon Ostenson

[01:47] Why Jon got into private equity

[02:48] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies

[05:03] Reasons to invest in the franchise industry

[08:46] Industry and market trends in franchising 

[10:10] Challenges of investing at the franchise level 

[11:35] Convincing LPs to invest in franchise businesses

[12:53] Advice to PE firms about niche specialization

[14:35] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals

[16:37] Jon’s learning resources

[19:38] Employee retention and succession planning 

[20:47] Jon’s advice to his 20-year-old self


Resources

Jon’s LinkedIn

FranBridge Consulting Website
 

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.

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome James Lee who is a partner at Proskauer Rose’s private equity/M&A group. He advises private equity firms, venture capital funds, and portfolio companies on a variety of transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and PE and VC investments to name a few. From 2015 to 2018, James has been nominated and has received several M&A Advisor Awards for his exceptional legal counsel.

What You’ll Learn

Smoother deal process through transparent communication

ESG metrics, certification, and credit ratings

Standardizing M&A purchase agreements for better deal flow

Breakdown

[01:03] Getting to know James Lee

[04:10] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies

[12:01] The need for standardized ESG metrics

[16:55] Certification of ESG practices

[20:09] ESG Scores in the credit market 

[26:20] The need for standardized purchase agreements 

[35:51] Law firms as true partners to clients

[41:51] Full markups in the auction process

[43:54] Advising founders during mergers & acquisitions

[47:36] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals

[52:25] Private equity: the good and the bad

[59:45] James’ learning resources


Resources

James’ LinkedIn

James’ Email 

James’ Mobile Number: +1 212 969 3036
 
 

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.

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Nancy Barnes, a freelance human resources professional who works with several businesses inside a private equity portfolio. In her 18 years of talent management, she has helped transform international companies by making strategic HR changes to drive business growth. 

What You’ll Learn

The importance of transparent communication

How to avoid panic hiring

Strategic approach to human resource management

Creating a social engagement team

What characteristics to look for in senior hires

Breakdown

[00:37] Getting to know Nancy Barnes

[01:47] Common HR mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies 

[04:57] Adapting to a fast-paced environment

[07:50] Alignment of HR strategy with business goals

[11:40] Improving the integration process of an add-on acquisition

[15:32] How to build engagement with teams

[18:31] Recruitment and succession planning

[22:17] A good hire should be comfortable with change

[26:53] Private equity: the good and the bad

[30:50] Nancy’s learning resources
 

Resources

Nancy’s LinkedIn

Nancy’s Website
 
 

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.

Today’s Guest

Today we welcome Anthony DeCandido who is a financial services partner at RSM, the leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services to the middle market. He also serves as RSM’s main advisor for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. With his industry expertise, Anthony helps companies adapt ESG strategies so they can achieve better business results.

What You’ll Learn

Importance of ESG in private equity

How to implement ESG strategies in the company

Essential ESG metrics to report

Trends in the private equity industry

Breakdown

[00:40] Getting to know Anthony DeCandido

[02:30] ESG in private equity

[04:01] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies

[05:55] How to start integration of ESG strategy

[07:48] Key performance indicators to track ESG

[12:07] Private equity: the good and the bad

[14:55] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals

[16:20] Anthony’s learning resources

[17:22] Major trends in private equity

[24:03] Popularity of special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC)

[25:20] Using alternative data for better insight


Resources

Anthony’s LinkedIn

RSM Website
 
 

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.