Middle Market Growth Conversations

Chris Jackson, Deloitte Private technology leader and managing director of Deloitte Consulting, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about his firm's recent 2018 Mid-Market Technology Trends Report, which examined the intersection of talent and technology at middle-market companies.

Darin Brock, head of business development for Toronto-based TorQuest Partners, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about the M&A environment in Canada, attractive investment areas for TorQuest, and several of the firm's recent investments, including A&W's Canadian franchise.

Jennifer Fondrevay, founder and chief humanity officer of Day1 Ready, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about her research into why so many mergers and acquisitions fail, and how acquirers and investors can address workforce considerations earlier in the M&A process. Fondrevay has interviewed a number of C-level leaders, HR professionals and PE investors, and she's written on the topic for Harvard Business Review and in a forthcoming book. Learn more about her writing and research at jenniferjfondrevay.com.

Dr. Ronit Molko, founder and principal of Empowering Synergy, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about the expanding market for autism services and the role that private equity firms play in helping companies in this industry grow, improve business processes, and ultimately drive better outcomes.

Jim Mintz, founder and CEO of Mintz Group, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about how the #MeToo movement is influencing companies' investigations of prospective employees and board members, and how it's impacting due diligence during an M&A transaction. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience conducting investigations all over the world, Mintz weighs in on how to uncover past behavior of sexual misconduct and what companies frequently get wrong.

Michael McAdoo, a senior adviser with the Boston Consulting Group, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about global trade issues, including the Trump Administration's steel and aluminum tariffs, trade disputes with China and the status of NAFTA renegotiation. During the interview, McAdoo explained each issue and its impact, and he outlined steps middle-market business owners can take to mitigate the risks created by trade uncertainty. McAdoo has more than 25 years of experience working at the intersection of business strategy, international geopolitics and public policy. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior member of the Canadian prime minister's staff at the time NAFTA was signed and Canada joined the World Trade Organization. Later, he held a series of senior executive positions with aerospace and transportation manufacturer Bombardier, including managing a production facility in Mexico.

Andrew Fulford, vice president of corporate development for HBM Holdings, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about HBM's approach to investing in industrial products and services businesses, including the subsectors where the firm is seeing opportunities. He discussed HBM's role helping companies adopt new technology and address the growing skills gap in manufacturing, as well as the role the firm plays in helping companies adopt to policy changes such as the recent steel and aluminum tariffs.

John Oechsle, CEO of Swiftpage, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about the ways in which artificial intelligence and voice activation are transforming the software industry. He shared how Swiftpage's customer relationship management offering Act is incorporating these technologies. Oechsle also discussed the company's rapid growth through acquisitions.

Trish Gilbert, chief talent officer for private equity firm Wind Point Partners, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about the increased focus on talent at middle-market private equity firms. Gilbert discussed the characteristics she looks for when evaluating potential leaders, Wind Point’s process for CEO selection, and how the firm builds relationships for the long term.

Jeff Immelt, the former CEO and chairman of GE, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan onsite at ACG’s InterGrowth conference following his keynote address. He reflected on his time at GE and what he thinks the press has gotten wrong about his tenure, and he offered some advice for President Trump on how to handle the trade dispute with China. Immelt also shared what he sees as the biggest challenge facing U.S. businesses today, how to address the growing skills gap in the United States, and the future of digital innovation.