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At Barron's

How to Make a Few Billion Dollars' Author on Entrepreneurship

Mar 7, 2024
Brad Jacobs, a CEO and serial deal maker, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey with Andy Serwer, Editor-at-Large for Barron's. They discuss his new book, revealing unique M&A strategies that yield high returns for investors. Jacobs dives into the booming building products distribution sector, highlighting the opportunities presented by aging infrastructure. The conversation also explores essential traits for entrepreneurs, the significance of capital, and the positive outlook for America's future amidst political challenges.
22:36

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Brad Jacobs emphasizes the importance of shareholder value and strategic acquisition of undervalued companies to outperform market averages significantly.
  • He highlights the necessity of fostering a positive company culture to retain talent and motivate employees beyond mere financial incentives.

Deep dives

The Foundations of a Successful Entrepreneurial Career

Brad Jacobs emphasizes the significance of shareholder value in his career, which spans leadership roles in several public and private companies across diverse industries. Initially involved in oil trading, he transitioned to a focus on mergers and acquisitions since 1989, developing a playbook centered around acquiring undervalued companies, optimizing their operations, and realizing synergies. This approach has proven successful, with his companies often far outperforming the market; for example, he notes that his businesses have exceeded S&P 500 performance by 5.6 times. His strategic focus not only demonstrates his financial acumen but also reflects a consistent methodology that he applies across various sectors.

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