A CEO’s Lessons From Taking a Private Equity Backed Business To An Exit With Nathan Sanders

 Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, host Alex Rawlings dives into a rich conversation with Nathan Sanders. From navigating financial constraints during the pandemic to tackling add-on acquisitions and integrating technology effectively, Nathan shares valuable insights gained from his extensive experience in leading Private Equity-backed businesses. Tune in to glean lessons on leadership, growth strategies, and the importance of a growth mindset in the world of Private Equity.

[00:12] Introduction to the episode, highlighting Nathan Sanders' experience as a Private Equity-backed CEO in various industries.

[01:35] Nathan Sanders introduces himself as a value-driven leader, emphasizing his focus on transformation and continuous improvement.

[02:32] Discussion on the common mistake of focusing too much on short-term challenges rather than long-term value creation in Private Equity-backed companies.

[04:52] Strategies for shifting focus towards long-term value creation during the middle phase of Private Equity investments.

[08:04] Nathan shares lessons learned from leading Brooke Furniture through challenges and towards a successful exit.

[12:17] Processes implemented to gather intelligence on customer service needs, including direct interactions with customers and team members.

[15:32] Refinement of processes to automate simpler tasks, allowing the team to focus on addressing exceptions and improving service delivery.

[16:29] Nathan Sanders discusses the impact of understanding customer needs and team alignment on business success, leading to increased KPIs and decreased variable costs.

[17:29] Sanders talks about tackling financial constraints during the pandemic and other industry headwinds by redeploying resources and focusing on revenue growth.

[20:09] Discussion on mitigating financial risks during challenging times and leveraging opportunities for revenue growth through strategic decision-making.

[20:38] Sanders shares advice for portfolio executives on managing acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose behind acquisitions and building in risk factors.

[26:56] Insights from Sanders on successful integration strategies for acquisitions, including understanding the end goal, focusing on process mapping, and fostering a growth mindset within the team.

[29:46] Sanders discusses lessons learned from working with both large and small companies, highlighting the importance of technology implementation and process mapping in driving efficiency and growth.

[32:34] Discussion on prioritizing technology investments based on customer-facing needs and optimizing processes for maximum impact on revenue growth.

[36:22] Recommendations from Sanders on books and podcasts, including "The Fixed Versus Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck, "What Got You Here, Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith, and the Founders Podcast with David Sentra.

[42:05] Insights from Sanders on fostering a growth mindset within teams, effective communication strategies, and recommendations for further engagement through LinkedIn and personal email.

You can connect with Nathan Sanders on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.

Thank you for tuning in!

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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.