The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

In this episode, host Alex Rawlings speaks with Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at SpeySide Equity, a private equity firm focused on lower middle-market manufacturing businesses.Eric shares his “fix and build” value creation strategy, the key elements of successful human capital alignment, and why cost accounting is the hidden killer in many portfolio companies. With deep operational experience, Eric offers a grounded perspective on how to avoid overcomplicating PE value creation.🔍 Key Highlights:Fix & Build Framework: Phase 1 focuses on EBITDA improvement; Phase 2 drives growth.Top Phase 1 Levers:Aligning and incentivizing managementRationalizing the revenue portfolioOptimizing the operational footprintBiggest Friction Point: Getting the people side right—human capital alignment and talent quality.Always an Issue: Poor cost accounting systems that impact pricing and margins.Hiring Better Leaders: SpeySide’s edge comes from having “been there, done that” as former operators.Walk-Away Red Flag: Dishonesty or lack of transparency in due diligence.Industry Mistake: Relying on too many value levers—hope is not a strategy.📚 Eric Recommends:Books on economics, behavioral psychology, and sociology to better understand how people think and make decisions.💼 Connect with Eric:LinkedIn: Eric WiklendtWebsite: www.speysideequity.comRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. 

Taavo Godtfredsen and Sam Allison, co-founders of Advantage CEO, dive into their extensive research on private equity-backed CEOs who achieve impressive 6.2x MOIC. They discuss the common pitfalls CEOs face, like holding onto average talent and letting strategy get stuck at the top. Learn about their fascinating 5X CEO Model, which emphasizes strategic clarity, scalable talent, and disciplined execution. Plus, they share practical tools for talent reviews and innovative exercises to anticipate disruptive risks.

Scott Neuberger, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Karmel Capital, shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor. He discusses the importance of capital efficiency in evaluating late-stage tech and the role of seasoned management in shaping outcomes. Scott reveals how Karmel leverages AI to streamline data analysis, allowing for deeper insights. He advises portfolio leaders to implement AI in labor-intensive areas like customer support for immediate impact, and explains Karmel's focus on infrastructure investments in sectors like cybersecurity.

Carola Kamuf, a former M&A professional turned presentation coach, shares her expertise on making impactful management presentations for exit processes. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling over mere slides for engaging investors. Carola highlights common pitfalls, including under-preparation and the misconception that rehearsals suffice. Even seasoned execs can benefit from coaching, as it sharpens clarity and aligns teams. With just a few focused sessions, presenters can significantly enhance their delivery and investor engagement.

Jamyn Edis, a digital transformation expert and NYU professor, dives into the intersection of AI and private equity. He emphasizes the need for firms to treat data as a strategic asset rather than mere plumbing. Jamyn showcases how AI can enhance predictive analytics, optimize pricing, and improve operations, citing his work with Take-Two Interactive as a case study. He predicts that every private equity firm will need their own AI stack and encourages firms to embrace experimentation and build real AI products, not just demos.

In this discussion, Brian Gustason, an Operating Partner at Craig Group with 25 years of expertise in go-to-market strategies, shares invaluable insights for private equity-backed businesses. He critiques traditional due diligence methods, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking approaches. Through a compelling case study, he illustrates transforming a $30M distributor into a structured powerhouse. Brian highlights the significance of ideal customer profiles, lead qualification techniques, and the power of marginal gains in sales metrics for exponential growth.

Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital and a Harvard MBA with a Bain background, shares insights on how to differentiate in private equity beyond just being 'founder-friendly.' He emphasizes the power of storytelling and niche expertise in driving better deals. Niklas discusses using podcasting and LinkedIn for deal flow, explaining how media can enhance selectivity and transparency in sponsor assessment. With case studies illustrating successful investments, he reveals the strategic importance of valuing relationships and expertise in the investment landscape.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo CapitalIn this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital, a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled their path from deal number one to a thriving portfolio.They explore the nuances of deal origination, value creation, and the power of people in private equity. From ERP frustrations to navigating downturns and structuring creative deals, Cyril breaks down the real-world lessons of building a firm from scratch—while staying laser-focused on operational excellence.⏱️ Timestamps:00:03 – Introduction to Cyril Aboujaoude and TioPo Capital’s mission 00:30 – TioPo’s founding story, operational mindset, and portfolio growth 01:24 – What TioPo really looks for beyond standard investment criteria 01:57 – The importance of vision alignment and execution capability 03:24 – How they assess management teams during diligence 04:35 – Why slow decision-making is riskier than a bad hire 05:29 – Biggest value creation levers: hiring an operating partner over fundraising 06:46 – Building a 100-day transformation plan post-deal 07:45 – One thing target companies should fix pre-investment: ERP systems 08:55 – How TioPo evaluates companies during downturns and market volatility 10:20 – Analyzing long-term performance and identifying macro-inflated businesses 12:51 – Most creative deal structure: partnering with the seller’s son as CEO 14:50 – Reflections on the challenges and naivety of doing their first deal 16:11 – Cyril’s top recommendations: FT, WSJ, Aswath Damodaran, and local gazettes 17:10 – How to connect with Cyril and learn more about TioPo Capital🔑 Key Takeaways:People over projections: Execution ability, humility, and shared vision are more important than just strategy.Operations-first philosophy: Value is built in the engine room—TioPo hires operating partners before fundraising staff.100-Day Plan Discipline: They begin value creation planning during diligence, long before Day 0.ERP readiness = smoother scale: ERP systems are the most overlooked growth barrier.Smart structuring builds trust: Their first deal involved bringing in the founder’s son as CEO and co-investor.Past ≠ future, but it’s all we’ve got: Cyril emphasizes analyzing 20+ years of company performance to identify real resilience.Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. 

In this engaging discussion, Greg Nieuwenhuys, a seasoned private equity operator and founder of Generative AI Strategy, shares his expertise on revolutionizing hiring through artificial intelligence. He breaks down a practical playbook for integrating AI into recruitment — from crafting job descriptions in minutes to automating follow-up communications. Greg also highlights essential tools like ChatGPT and Fireflies for reducing bias and speeding up hiring processes, along with tips for enhancing candidate experiences with timely updates. A must-listen for anyone in recruitment!

Mark Strauch, founding partner and president of Alpine Investors, shares insights on transforming private equity through a people-first strategy. He highlights the challenges in the industry, advocating for a focus on talent as a core asset. Strauch discusses their innovative CEO-in-Residence and CEO-in-Training programs, designed to cultivate future leaders. He reflects on lessons learned from early failures and the importance of adaptability, emphasizing that the right questions drive effective leadership and decision-making.