ACQ2 by Acquired The Outsiders Book Club Discussion with author Will Thorndike
15 snips
Sep 3, 2020 
Join Will Thorndike, author of 'The Outsiders' and a savvy private equity investor, as he delves into the secrets of successful outsider CEOs. He shares his journey of interviewing these elusive leaders and discusses how their capital allocation strategies can inform modern businesses. The conversation tackles the evolution of metrics like EBITDA in today’s tech landscape and highlights the importance of effective communication during mergers. Thorndike also reveals innovative approaches and ethical considerations in the pharmaceutical industry, enriching the insights on leadership and performance.
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Book's Origin
- Will Thorndike's book, "The Outsiders," originated from a talk he gave at his private equity firm's CEO conference.
- The research involved deep dives by Harvard Business School students and interviews with individuals connected to the profiled companies.
Shareholder Value
- Optimizing for long-term shareholder value requires considering all stakeholders.
- It does not imply a heartless approach to management.
Metrics for Outsider CEOs
- Focus on near-term metrics relevant to your business, like ARR growth for SaaS companies.
- Carefully consider new metrics that reflect your core economics, as outsider CEOs often do.
