Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast by Raw Selection, In this episode, host Alex Rawlings sits down with Sam Bendix, Partner of Investor Relations at Chicago Pacific Founders. In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes for Private Equity firms to truly stand out in an increasingly competitive market.Sam shares actionable insights on how differentiation can impact talent attraction, capital raising, and deal origination. Sam discusses the importance of building a strong brand, fostering innovation, and effectively communicating your firm’s story.[00:00] Brand is a product of the people building it and consistent results.[00:13] Importance of differentiation in attracting talent, capital, and investments.[00:42] Introduction to Sam Bendix, Partner of Investor Relations at Chicago Pacific Founders, and the episode's focus on differentiation in private equity.[01:11] Sam’s career journey from investment banking to real estate investments and IR roles across various firms.[04:57] Overview of Chicago Pacific Founders and its healthcare-focused investment strategy.[06:24] The mistake of inconsistent messaging and the importance of cohesive communication.[08:07] Differentiation strategies: strategic positioning, operational strengths, and client-centric innovation.[10:55] Proprietary processes, attracting top talent, and creating barriers to imitation.[12:18] Case study: Proving differentiation through performance and results.[13:12] The role of brand recognition and consistent execution in building a firm’s reputation.[14:39] Educating the market as a key element of branding and thought leadership.[16:38] Attracting talent: building a network and aligning with career aspirations.[19:01] Revisiting assumptions and fostering innovation for market differentiation.[19:59] The role of talent in building and maintaining differentiation.[22:26] Alex shares insights on private equity firms’ branding and talent strategies.[28:06] Importance of putting yourself out there and documenting over creating for awareness.[33:24] Building trust through transparency and thought leadership.[36:17] Efficiently qualifying leads and fostering trust through shared insights.[38:12] Challenges in communication: sticking to agendas, avoiding jargon, and active listening.[42:03] Tools for effective communication: checklists, frameworks, and structured conversations.[43:27] Recommended communication frameworks: What-So What-Now What and others.[45:23] Sam’s book and podcast recommendations for effective communication and decision-making.[46:52] Importance of knowing when to quit and insights from behavioral science.[47:21] Sam invites listeners to connect via email for further discussions.[47:44] Recap of the conversation's key themes and the importance of continuous improvement in differentiation strategies. You can connect with Sam on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here. To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast by Raw Selection! In this episode, Alex Rawlings welcomes back Adam Coffey, CEO and author of the Private Equity Playbook. Adam shares his strategies for scaling businesses, reducing employee turnover, and building strong company cultures. He emphasizes hiring for future growth, addressing employee concerns, and using hybrid work models to retain top talent. Adam also discusses his updated edition of the Private Equity Playbook, offering new post-COVID business insights.Breakdown: [00:00] Most Private Equity firms report a success rate of only 20-30% with CXO hires, with 30% being quite rare.[00:46] Adam, gives us a brief insight into your background.[01:15] Adam reflects on his time at GE, leading companies through private equity backing, and now helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.[04:06] Adam talks about the importance of culture in scaling businesses and the challenge of reducing employee turnover from 41%. He highlights how different regions and employee needs required tailored approaches to address issues and improve retention.[07:30] He explains how culture, leadership, and people are fundamental when scaling businesses. Having a strong culture ensures employees stay and grow, making talent the key to driving success.[09:25] Adam dives into how he tackled turnover in different regions, using examples from the Pacific Northwest and Texas, where pay scale and benefits played a role in employee satisfaction.[12:15] By investing in people early on and addressing their needs, Adam quickly reduced turnover to below industry standards. He explains how transparency and early investments helped build trust and boost employee engagement.[15:01] Adam discusses how private equity firms struggle with transitioning founder-led companies to PE-backed environments, emphasizing the importance of communicating career opportunities and company growth potential.[17:49] When acquiring companies, Adam emphasizes how better benefits and career development opportunities within a larger organization can turn acquisition anxiety into employee buy-in.[19:36] Adam addresses the shift in work culture, particularly after COVID-19, and the challenges and benefits of remote work in recruiting talent nationally.[23:16] He highlights how businesses can still maintain flexibility for employees while ensuring productivity and accountability. Companies that find the right balance will be better positioned for growth.[27:24] Adam shares his approach to hiring top executive talent, with a focus on aligning work to be done with the candidate's experience.[33:01] He stresses the importance of hiring leaders who can guide the company through growth and challenges, even if it means making difficult decisions like upgrading talent.[38:10] Adam talks about the importance of culture fit when hiring and how toxic employees can disrupt growth. [41:59] Adam reveals his process for assessing talent within six months.[44:15] Adam announces his updated edition of the Private Equity Playbook, highlighting new insights post-COVID and why it's been a top read for private equity professionals for years.To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!You can connect with Adam Coffey on LinkedIn here.To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast by Raw Selection, In this episode, host Alex Rawlings sits down with Matt Bodnar, founder and managing partner of Eidolon Capital. They discuss Eidolon’s unique deal origination strategies, including innovative approaches like direct mail, and how their flexibility in deal-making helps them close deals where more rigid firms miss out. Matt also shares valuable insights on long-term investing, inspired by Berkshire Hathaway, and offers top recommendations on business, psychology, and deal-making books. Breakdown: [00:00] Matt explains how their market position was inspired by Berkshire Hathaway, leading them to find unique opportunities by being flexible where others are rigid.[00:12] PE firms often miss out on deals due to their rigid criteria; Eidolon benefits from a more flexible approach.[00:26] Matt mentions Extreme Ownership as one of his favorite books and shares it with his management teams.[00:53] Introduction to Matt Bodnar, founder of Eidolon Capital. The conversation covers deal origination, using direct mail, and valuable book recommendations.[01:21] Goldman Sachs, starting Eidolon Capital, and focusing on lower middle market companies with a long-term approach.[02:17] Matt identifies rigid deal structures as a common mistake PE firms make, missing opportunities to tailor deals based on sellers' needs.[03:09] Flexibility in deal-making, like structuring equity rolls and earn-outs, gives Eidolon an advantage over more rigid buyers.[04:34] Matt shares Eidolon’s broad deal origination strategies, including cold email, LinkedIn, direct mail, and networking.[07:46] The importance of market positioning and personal outreach from principals to increase deal engagement.[09:39] Why principals contacting sellers directly makes a significant difference in building rapport and closing deals.[10:35] Direct mail as an effective, less crowded method for sourcing deals, especially in old-economy sectors like manufacturing and distribution.[13:23] Eidolon’s brand focuses on long-term investing and taking care of all stakeholders, inspired by Berkshire Hathaway.[15:16] Eidolon’s flexibility with capital and bespoke deal structures allows them to close deals even in suboptimal conditions where other firms might walk away.[17:09] How taking a long-term view, as opposed to the typical 3-5 year private equity time horizon, results in better decisions and stronger outcomes for companies.[19:25] Matt discusses the importance of staying informed on macroeconomic trends, the Fed, and market cycles to understand the broader impact on investment decisions.[20:48] Book recommendation: How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs, a prolific entrepreneur who founded or acquired several billion-dollar companies.[22:41] Matt shares how deep reading into human psychology and decision-making (Charlie Munger’s Poor Charlie’s Almanac and Robert Cialdini’s Influence) shapes his approach to deals and negotiation.You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.  To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection! In this episode, Alex is joined by Robb Powell, an experienced Operating Partner and former CEO who has successfully built and sold two businesses. Robb discusses the deployment of technology and AI in private equity-backed companies, shares insights on driving cultural transformation, and explores the importance of enabling people for business success. Breakdown:[00:00] Robb discusses how private equity firms and portfolio companies can start using AI.[00:12] Introduction to Robb Powell, an operating partner and former founder and CEO. The episode covers tech, AI, and culture.[00:41] Robb shares his background and experience with acquisitions, board work, and leveraging technology for business growth.[01:11] The importance of using technology to drive sales and agility in companies.[02:06] Common mistake in private equity: focusing too much on finances post-acquisition, neglecting team assessments and aligning people with goals.[03:33] Robb’s method for assessing management teams, using written responses to understand their thought process.[05:00] Building a culture of success focused on enabling others and creating referral-worthy work.[07:01] The importance of having a clear narrative about the value you're providing in any role.[08:29] Robb’s thoughts on aligning people and driving change in organizations, including when it’s time to let people go.[11:19] Overview of Robb’s technology and digital transformation work with various companies, particularly in sales and service industries.[13:41] Robb shares how AI is being used to transform roles, including automating coding tasks in a tech company.[14:34] Exploring where private equity firms and portfolio companies should start with AI and ChatGPT.[15:59] Robb’s advice on using AI tools to help businesses innovate and work more efficiently.[17:54] The future of AI: replacing tasks, not jobs, and making people smarter through automation.[20:19] The potential of using existing tools to implement AI in businesses without needing large consulting firms.[21:46] Robb’s current AI project with a high-end wine room business and the value AI adds to search functionality on websites.[22:45] Robb’s influences and recommendations for books, podcasts, and thought leaders, including Acquired and Peter Diamandis’ work.[26:04] How to connect with Robb Powell via LinkedIn. You can connect with Robb on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here. To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection! In this episode, Alex is joined by Andrew Towne, a partner at Olympus Pines and a five-time world record holder. Andrew shares his journey from private equity to breaking world records, including his impressive mountain climbing feats and insights into the private equity industry. Join us as we dive into the mindset and strategies of this remarkable private equity leader.Breakdown:[00:00] Andrew shares his experience climbing Aconcagua during a deadly season.[00:19] Introduction to Andrew’s investment focus in the American car wash industry and his world records.[01:53] Andrew discusses his career journey, starting in international relations and transitioning to private equity.[02:18] The common mistake private equity firms make: neglecting operations and transformation.[02:45] Why portfolio operations are essential for unlocking value in competitive deals.[03:14] Examples of operational improvements in revenue and cost management within portfolio companies.[05:06] Andrew’s consulting background at Boston Consulting Group and his shift into private equity.[06:07] How living abroad in countries like Germany and Kenya shaped Andrew’s worldview.[07:34] Moving from consulting to private equity: Andrew wanted to own decisions and manage risk.[09:31] Lessons from world travel: people are more similar than different across cultures.[12:36] A customer’s comment at a car wash illustrates how people view different roles in society.[15:05] Why Andrew and his team chose to invest in the evolving American car wash industry.[16:26] Technological innovations and automation driving growth in the car wash business.[17:49] How Andrew’s car washes use advanced technology to ensure customer satisfaction.[18:48] Balancing customer service with profitability in the car wash sector.[20:15] The fragmented nature of the car wash industry creates growth opportunities.[21:44] Challenges in building new car washes and scaling operations.[22:25] Andrew’s journey from overcoming childhood obesity to breaking world records.[24:47] How rowing at Yale taught Andrew to push through mental barriers and trust himself.[26:09] After completing the Seven Summits, Andrew turned to ocean rowing and set world records.[28:04] Stories from his expeditions, including surviving a deadly earthquake at Everest base camp.[29:02] The story behind Andrew’s world-record row from South America to Antarctica.[31:28] Andrew’s approach to confronting fears and mental challenges in everyday life.[35:21] Closing remarks from Alex and Andrew summarizing their discussion on private equity, personal growth, and world records. You can connect with Andrew Towne on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here. To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

Welcome back to The Private Equity Podcast by Raw Selection! In this episode, Alex is joined by Beth Pollack, an applied AI and data strategy operating partner with over two decades of experience in building decision systems. Beth works closely with private equity firms and their portfolio companies to drive value through AI and data initiatives. She shares insights on how AI can be effectively implemented in private equity-backed companies, avoiding common mistakes and maximizing opportunities for growth. Breakdown: [00:00] Introduction to Beth Pollack, AI and data expert, discussing AI's role in private equity-backed companies.[00:31] Beth shares her background, with over 20 years of experience in AI and data strategy.[00:59] Beth highlights common mistakes in AI implementation, like starting without clear problem definition and not integrating workflows.[01:50] The importance of aligning AI projects with business goals and involving the right people early is emphasized.[02:49] Beth advises against using large consulting firms without AI expertise.[03:19] She explains the need for selecting the right AI tools beyond ChatGPT.[03:46] Breaking down problems into smaller components helps with AI efficiency.[04:16] Beth shares her journey from data mining to building AI systems.[05:09] A case study shows how AI increased EBITDA in a healthcare company.[06:07] In the healthcare project, AI and machine learning were used to process medical records and improve clinical decision-making.[07:33] AI helped the company enter new markets and improve patient outcomes by identifying conditions that human review may have missed.[07:57] Successful AI implementation begins by identifying workflows, engaging teams, and understanding investment needs.[08:53] Gaining leadership and team trust is crucial for effective AI strategies.[09:50] AI projects should align with broader business goals and focus on problem-solving.[10:46] Speed to value can be achieved by using existing tools and internal resources.[11:42] AI is advancing rapidly, becoming more accessible and cost-effective for businesses.[13:07] Beth discusses how the acceleration of AI innovation is impacting private equity firms.[14:06] Large language models (LLMs) and open-source technology are helping optimize AI for businesses.[15:23] Private equity firms should involve AI experts during the diligence process to assess investments and create value.[16:50] AI can transform not only new investments but also portfolio companies nearing exit.[17:11] Beth recommends staying updated by talking to practitioners and following AI publications and podcasts.[17:41] She shares her favorite podcasts, including Lex Friedman's and "AI on AI."[18:37] You can reach Beth Pollack on LinkedIn for further discussions on AI and data strategy.[19:07] Closing remarks from Alex. You can connect with Beth Pollack on LinkedIn by visiting her profile here. To be added to the book waitlist, you can email alex.offer@raw-selection.comThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.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

In this discussion, Paul Adams, a seasoned CEO in the home services field, reveals insights from his extensive experience with private equity-backed companies. He explains the appeal of residential services to investors, focusing on its fragmented nature and the importance of strategic acquisitions. Paul emphasizes the emotional challenges faced by family business sellers and the pressing labor shortages impacting the sector. He underscores the significance of building trust with founders and highlights the necessity of relationships in navigating this people-driven industry.

Richard Brekka, the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Second Alpha, sheds light on the booming secondaries market in tech. He discusses how his firm enhances liquidity for private tech shareholders and connects the rise of secondary funds to the trend of companies remaining private longer. Brekka reveals that 90% of transactions involve unicorns and emphasizes the enormous opportunity in mid-valued firms. He also shares insights on common investment mistakes and the vital need for timely value realization.

Chad Kalland, an experienced CEO in the industrial services sector, shares his journey through multiple private equity-backed exits. He delves into the importance of understanding cultural dynamics during acquisitions and how to keep teams engaged amidst rapid change. Kalland discusses common pitfalls made by private equity firms, emphasizing strategic patience over abrupt changes. He also highlights the need for integrating company strengths and fostering a merger mindset to drive sustainable growth.

Marc Jourlait, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and former CEO with a track record of successful exits, shares his insights on value creation. He emphasizes the importance of quick action during the investment cycle to enhance returns. Replacing key executives early, like the CFO, is crucial. Marc discusses the benefits of pre-close engagement with management teams and the differences in operating partner roles between Europe and North America, highlighting how these factors shape investment success.