Private Equity Funcast

Jim talks with IBM Champion and the Incredible i Show host, Peg Tuttle.  IBM's Power Systems platform running the IBM i operating system powers some of the most significant applications in the world.  Peg has 20+ years working in the IBM I world, and we talk about everything from common misconceptions to leveraging the latest and greatest open-source solutions on the IBM Power Systems platform.

Dr. Mohammad Rasouli, an ex-McKinsey consultant, discusses the pending disruption of AI in private equity. He explores the impact of AI on the industry and the use of AI for investment, from automating fund processes to analyzing deal books. He also discusses the power of mega funds in data science, the predictive algorithm of price prediction, and the importance of sticking to the investment plan.

Bill Snow, noted authority on mergers and acquisitions, discusses common problems sellers encounter in the deal process. Topics include ad backs in selling a business, owner succession, challenges with service-oriented businesses, the impact of rent on transactions, common mistakes in selling a company, and the importance of tax planning for sellers.

Tuck Hardie, a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey's Financial Restructuring Group, discusses the evolution of restructuring, addressing financial distress, challenges with jobs and inflation, the decline of brick-and-mortar retail, the impact of bad balance sheets, leadership in business, interest rate hedging, and buffet etiquette.

Bill Snow, a noted authority on mergers and acquisitions, shares insights on the common pitfalls in deals. Topics discussed include financing considerations, factors influencing private equity valuation, market additions vs. escrow, personality in accounting, challenges in selling a business, analyzing tax implications of accounts receivable, and the role of accounting firms in M&A.

Podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary. Hosts reflect on memories with their music teacher. They discuss the impact of cheap money, predictions for a recession, and various topics in private equity. They also highlight edited episodes, podcast success, and future direction.

This week we sat down with Clark O'Niell and Jay Barlett from BCG to discuss their most recent research report on Generative AI and its implications for PE investors and their portfolio companies.  GenAI is already becoming a game changer, with use cases emerging across all industries; Use cases range from efficiency improvements to long-term advantages (i.e., transformative use cases). And we promise you that Skynet is not listening in.

In this episode of the PE Funcast, we take a deep dive into the relationship between the portfolio company CEO and the private equity Partner. What do they talk about when they talk? How does their connection evolve from the interview, to building the team, to planning for an exit? What does the first year of a PE-backed CEO gig feel like? Devin and our newest portfolio CEO, Dave Lucey, cover it all here in a frank and wide-ranging conversation about Dave's first year at the helm of Biscom. We plan to do follow-ups in the years ahead as Dave and Devin take Biscom from new platform company to eventual exit.

We’ve been hearing more questions and interest in operating partner roles than ever before. In our latest episode of the Private Equity Funcast, Operating Partners Jim and Cici cover some of the most frequently asked questions we frequently hear about the role of Operating Partners. We cover things like why an operating team is needed, the history and evolution of Operating Partners at PE firms, and different Operating Partner models. We also discuss the relationship between Operating Partners and deal teams, how operating teams are structured within a PE firm, and some common paths to becoming an Operating Partner.   This episode is also available in video format on YouTube.

Ted Bililies, Managing Director and Head of Global Transformation Leadership Practice at AlixPartners joins Devin again to review the findings of the 8th Annual PE Leadership Survey. Devin and Ted discuss where PE and Portfolio Executives agree and differ on what's most important in today's turbulent times. They talk about sprinters vs. marathoners, growers vs. grinders, and peace-time vs. war-time leaders. They also cover how technology adds to the challenges of scaling companies and the crisis of middle management and how to address it.