Welcome to another episode of the Private Equity Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Andrew Towne, Partner at Olympus Pines. We break down what it really takes to grow a portfolio company—hiring the right team, aligning goals, building execution plans, and pulling the right levers for revenue and EBITDA growth. If you're after a practical playbook on scaling businesses in the lower mid-market, this episode delivers.
[00:00] Andrew Towne returns to discuss how to grow portfolio companies through team building, planning, and execution.
[00:28] Success in business = aligned goals, right people in the right seats, clear plans, and proper tools/incentives.
[01:55] Biggest failures come from misaligned goals. Everyone must row in the same direction.
[02:26] Use role charters and RACI charts to align responsibilities and decision-making across the org.
[04:22] Attracting top talent means clarity on role, expectations, comp, benefits, culture. Be transparent up front.
[07:06] Retention comes down to delivering on promises, offering development, paying fairly, and giving feedback.
[09:37] Managers should seek upward feedback – your team’s opinion matters more than your boss’s.
[11:32] Evaluate talent by hard skills (resume, technical test) and soft skills (learning ability, judgment, self-starting).
[14:53] Roadmaps keep execution on track – break down goals into sub-goals and timed milestones across the team.
[17:38] Regular team accountability meetings ensure goals stay on track and interdependencies are met.
[18:43] Training, tools, and incentives must align to role and company success – weight comp more to team wins.
[20:39] You don’t need fancy systems – role clarity and RACI charts can live in Word and Excel.
[22:07] Deal sourcing: pick a sector, build your own target list, run a disciplined, high-integrity outreach campaign.
[24:57] Be transparent with sellers – don’t hide your intentions. Build trust from the first call.
[26:16] Consider: can you build instead of buy? Sometimes starting from scratch is the better play.
[27:37] Avoid shiny object syndrome – write down what matters to you first, then find sectors that match it.
[30:37] Six top-line levers: optimize product mix, segment customers, fix pricing, retain the right customers, improve collections, manage working capital.
[35:33] Hire execs aligned with the thesis – if transformation is needed, bring in people who’ve done it before.
[38:56] Cost isn’t just headcount – optimize procurement, renegotiate vendors, rethink distribution, and energy use.
[41:58] Retooling and reskilling can outperform layoffs – invest in your people and slow unnecessary hiring.
[42:56] Thanks to Andrew for sharing his portfolio playbook and growth strategies.
[43:24] Subscribe for more episodes every week. Till next time – keep smashing it.
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Got feedback or questions? Email Alex at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com. Until next time—keep smashing it!
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