Doug McCormick, a partner at HCI Equity Partners, discusses the transformative impact of AI on private equity. He shares actionable insights on using AI to optimize operations, drive innovation in deal sourcing, and improve marketing. Doug emphasizes the importance of training social media algorithms and experimenting with AI for strategic benefits. He highlights how lower middle market companies can leverage simple AI tools for growth and talks about preparing the next generation for an AI-driven workforce, balancing machine efficiency with human intuition.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start Using AI Tools Today
Get started by having everyone on your team use large language models like ChatGPT or Perplexity daily.
Experimenting with these tools as conversational partners helps you quickly see value and ease of use.
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Train Social Media for AI Learning
Train your social media algorithms and follow AI-focused creators for practical tips and training.
Use free platforms like YouTube to quickly build AI skills applicable to your business.
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Clean Data and Visualize KPIs
Clean and centralize your data using affordable cloud tools like Snowflake to create a single source of truth.
Visualize key performance indicators with tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or newer platforms to gamify and improve business outcomes.
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The book tells the story of four characters—two mice named Sniff and Scurry, and two 'Littlepeople' named Hem and Haw—living in a maze and searching for their favorite cheese. When the cheese at their usual spot, Cheese Station C, disappears, the mice adapt quickly and find new cheese at Cheese Station N. However, the Littlepeople struggle with change, with Hem refusing to move and Haw eventually embracing the need to adapt. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of embracing change to succeed in both personal and professional life.
In this special episode, Sean Mooney joins Doug McCormick (HCI Equity Partners) and Lloyd Metz (ICD Partners) to explore the transformative impact of AI on private equity, portfolio companies, and everyday life. From optimizing portfolio company operations to driving innovation in deal sourcing and content creation, this discussion provides actionable insights into how leading firms are leveraging AI to create competitive advantages. Whether you’re an investor, executive, or business builder, this episode is packed with strategies to embrace AI’s potential in your organization. Episode Highlights:
12:51 - Sean outlines a practical framework for engaging with AI tools, emphasizing the benefits of experimenting with large language models like ChatGPT and Perplexity as a first step.
20:23 - Concrete advice for individuals and business owners: Train your social media algorithms and experiment with AI to unlock strategic insights.
25:23 - How AI applications, such as ChatGPT, can enhance sales, marketing, and streamline repetitive tasks, creating ROI advantages for businesses of all sizes.
39:28 - Sean discusses preparing the next generation for an AI-driven workforce, emphasizing critical thinking and creative utilization of AI tools.
47:09 - Using AI to enable lower middle market portfolio companies: Sean highlights simple, high-ROI approaches like data visualization tools and KPIs to drive business improvements.
53:39 - Sean considers the future: A 15–20-year outlook on AI evolution and the melding of human and machine capabilities in business and beyond.
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business 
