Welcome to The Private Equity Podcast! In this episode we dive into the world of ESG with Cornelia Gomez, Global Head of ESG and Sustainability at General Atlantic. Cornelia brings a wealth of experience, sharing how to seamlessly integrate ESG into Private Equity, enhance business growth, and navigate sustainability challenges. Discover actionable ESG strategies that drive value and prepare companies for a sustainable future.  Breakdown: [00:00] Introduction to Cornelia Gomez's background and role at General Atlantic.[00:33] The conversation focuses on the unique challenges of implementing ESG strategies in growth equity firms compared to later-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches for hyper-growth companies.[01:30] Cornelia shares her personal and professional background, underscoring her dedication to leveraging business as a force for addressing global challenges such as modern slavery, rising inequalities, and climate change.[02:25] Insights into Cornelia's career journey, from working on supply chain sustainability in Asia to leading ESG initiatives in the Private Equity sector.[03:55] Discussion on common mistakes made by Private Equity firms and portfolio companies in ESG, particularly the neglect of governance aspects, and strategies to enhance governance practices.[05:22] Cornelia addresses the need for comprehensive governance in ESG initiatives, including board governance quality and oversight on sustainability risks and opportunities.[06:42] Highlighting the gap between executive teams and boards in terms of ESG awareness and training, suggesting a need for more direct communication and education on ESG issues at the board level.[09:52] The conversation shifts to strategies for effectively communicating ESG principles within companies, emphasizing the importance of aligning ESG discussions with executive interests and operational realities.[11:33] Cornelia discusses her learning curve at General Atlantic, the importance of scalable ESG initiatives, and the focus on data-driven approaches to engage portfolio companies in meaningful ESG actions.[18:45] Insights into how General Atlantic integrates ESG considerations throughout the investment lifecycle, from due diligence to exit strategies.[21:22] The strategy of using ESG playbooks and targeted engagement based on company clusters to address specific ESG challenges and opportunities within the portfolio.[24:08] Cornelia shares examples of successful ESG engagements and the importance of coordinated efforts among PE firms, portfolio companies, and co-investors to achieve sustainability goals.[30:45] Discussion on the concept of "gold standard" in ESG implementation, highlighting the need for actionable plans, robust governance, and continuous monitoring of ESG initiatives.[38:02] Cornelia offers personal recommendations for podcasts, music, and activities that inspire her, along with the value she finds in mentoring and interacting with the next generation of leaders.[41:54] The episode concludes with advice on reaching out to Cornelia for further discussion on ESG and other topics.You can connect with Cornelia Gomez on LinkedIn by visiting her LinkedIn Page.Thank 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.

Allan Draper, successful entrepreneur, discusses the value of delegation, hiring passionate individuals, and the challenges of letting go of control. He emphasizes the importance of finding leaders who share his vision and passion, advocating for transparency and vulnerability in leadership. Draper shares insights on building businesses, branding strategies, and giving back through entrepreneurial support.

Welcome to The Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, Alex Rawlings has an insightful conversation with Maria Pacella, Managing Partner of Pender Ventures. Maria tells us about the critical mistakes made by investors in Private Equity and Venture Capital, the essence of investor discipline, and valuable learnings from her extensive experience in the investment world.Breakdown: [00:00] Introduction to the episode's theme on investor discipline and key mistakes made by investors.[00:51] Maria Pacella's introduction and background, detailing her journey from growing up on Vancouver Island to becoming a managing partner at Pender Ventures.[01:47] Maria discusses her career path from investment banking to venture capital, emphasizing her focus on technology businesses and her role in founding Pender Ventures.[02:45] Discussion on common mistakes by private equity firms and venture capitals, focusing on the lack of discipline in investment decisions.[03:41] Maria elaborates on how lack of discipline can impact fund and portfolio returns, including getting caught up in tech trends and issues with portfolio construction.[04:41] Insight into maintaining discipline in investment decisions, including starting with a strong investment thesis and framework.[05:40] The importance of a team with diverse backgrounds for challenging decisions and maintaining discipline.[06:34] Mistakes observed on the portfolio side, particularly poor capital allocation during the high fundraising period of 2020-2021.[07:23] The consequences of poor capital allocation, including high expectations for business growth and the current challenges faced by startups.[08:22] Mention of Grata partnership and its role in improving proprietary deal flow and data access.[09:22] Differences in investment evaluation between private equity and venture capital, focusing on unit economics and strategic multiples.[10:17] Maria shares insights on identifying revolutionary technologies and markets, and the importance of future-looking scenarios in investment decisions.[11:46] Attributes of successful portfolios, including founders' unfair knowledge and strategic capital allocation.[13:16] Maria reflects on her 23 years of investing experience, highlighting lessons learned and the importance of looking for outliers.[15:40] Discussion on humility, open-mindedness, and the necessity to challenge conventional patterns to find winning investments.[17:07] Maria talks about the discipline required in investment, different backgrounds of successful VCs, and the significance of understanding tech trends.[19:30] Attributes that make a good investor, including discipline, judgment of character, and humility.[21:53] Balancing involvement and support in portfolio companies, emphasizing the role of individual relationships and guidance.[24:15] Maria's influences and recommendations, including the Buffett Munger School of Investing and listening to various podcasts.[26:03] Closing remarks, thanking Maria for her insights, and a reminder to listeners to subscribe to the podcast.To connect with Maria Pacella, you can visit her LinkedIn page.Thank 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 to The Private Equity Podcast! In this insightful episode, host Alex Rawlings engages with Gregory Shepard, a distinguished entrepreneur, co-founder of BOSS Capital Partners, and a Forbes Books author. Shepard shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings, growing up in a tent and facing challenges due to his neuro divergences, to becoming a serial entrepreneur with 14 liquidity events and multiple awards under his belt.Breakdown:[00:03] Gregory Shepard's Background: Gregory opens up about his challenging upbringing, living in a tent while building their house, and dealing with autism, dyslexia, synesthesia, and savant syndrome. Despite these obstacles, he went on to build and sell 12 companies, winning four Private Equity awards for transactions between $250 million and a billion.[02:05] Entrepreneurial Journey and Achievements: Gregory discusses his role in significant transactions, including the consolidation of eBay enterprise companies, and his efforts to promote diversity in politics. He also highlights his work on Startup Science, a platform based on his research on why start-ups fail, and his upcoming book, "The Startup Lifecycle."[03:32] Investment Philosophy and Private Equity Insights: Gregory shares his unique perspective on investment, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the founder's and the investor's viewpoints. He discusses common mistakes he sees in Private Equity, such as overvaluation and the failure to focus on real business fundamentals.[09:47] BOSS Operating Support System: Shepard explains how his proprietary system and the StartupScience.io platform help educate founders and investors, improving the success rate of start-ups and investment returns.[19:43] Dealing with Neurodivergence: Shepard speaks candidly about the challenges and advantages of his neurodivergence. He views his condition not as a hindrance but as a set of superpowers that have enabled him to see the world differently and achieve success.[27:25] Altruistic Capitalism: Shepard introduces the concept of using capitalism for altruistic outcomes, such as environmental sustainability and inclusion, highlighting the potential for significant impact and profit.[36:18] Closing: Contact information for Gregory and an invitation to engage further with the discussed topics.To connect with Gregory Shepard, you can visit his LinkedIn Page: Gregory Shepard on LinkedIn.Thank 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 to The Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, we discuss ESG strategies with Jennifer Wilson, CEO of Re:Co. We delve into how ESG transcends compliance, becoming a catalyst for innovation, risk management, and increased profitability. Our conversation addresses the critical issue of greenwashing and regulatory scrutiny, underscoring the importance of aligning company values with genuine ESG initiatives.We explore the integral role of ESG in the Private Equity cycle, showcasing success stories where ESG integration has led to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. This episode is not just a talk but a practical guide for embedding sustainable practices into the fabric of business, ensuring not only adherence to ethical standards but also securing a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape. Join us for a blueprint for successful, sustainable investing. Breakdown: [00:03] ESG Integration: Jennifer Wilson of Re:Co outlines how ESG contributes to value creation through five key areas: solving global problems, generating profit, reducing risks, lowering capital costs, and boosting employee engagement.[00:31] ESG Success Factors: Jennifer highlights the significance of fully integrating ESG across portfolio companies without divulging specifics.[00:46] Background: Introduction to Jennifer Wilson, her journey before Re:Co, including her roles in finance, strategy, and sustainability.[01:52] Common ESG Mistakes: The major pitfall of viewing ESG merely as a compliance checklist and the importance of strategic integration.[03:38] Value Creation: Discussion on embedding ESG into the core of value creation processes.[08:25] ESG Evolution: Tracing the shift of ESG from an ancillary concern to a central strategy in private equity, particularly in Europe.[12:12] ESG Metrics Challenges: Addressing the complexity of standardizing ESG metrics and the shift towards more mature sustainability reporting.[17:04] Profit vs. Sustainability: Strategies for balancing profitability with ESG objectives.[18:31] Implementing ESG Strategies: Starting points for firms aiming to introduce or enhance ESG strategies.[22:14] ESG as a Differentiator: How ESG distinguishes firms in the competitive landscape.[30:51] Success Stories: Sharing impactful ESG initiatives and their benefits without specific details.[36:37] Data-Driven Processes: Mention of the partnership with Grata highlighting the role of data in private equity.[38:15] ESG's Future: Predictions on ESG's growing role and its potential for firms committed to sustainable strategies.[50:51] Learning Resources: Recommendations for deepening ESG knowledge, including the Financial Times' Moral Money newsletter and book compilations from The Future In Sound podcast.[53:34] Closing: Contact information for Jennifer and an invitation to engage further with the discussed topics.To connect with Jennifer Wilson, you can visit her LinkedIn Page.Thank 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 to The Private Equity Podcast! This episode dives into the transformative world of employee ownership, focusing on the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and how it can drive employee engagement and productivity. Guest Daniel Goldstein, former CEO of Folience and an advocate for employee ownership, shares insights into integrating ESOP within a private equity model, fostering workplace culture, and exploring partial ownership benefits.Breakdown:[00:00] Introduction: Welcome to the podcast and introduction of Daniel Goldstein.[00:21] Exploring Employee Ownership: Discussion on the benefits of workplace culture improvement and the contrast between U.S. ESOPs and UK EOTs.[01:13] Daniel Goldstein's Background: Overview of Goldstein's career and his approach to employee ownership within the Private Equity model.[02:08] Employee Ownership as a Continuum: Insights into the relationship between family-owned businesses, employee-owned businesses, and Private Equity.[03:33] Advantages of Employee Ownership: Benefits of aligning employee interests with company success.[04:32] Folience's Unique Model: How Folience operates with a fully employee-owned Private Equity model.[05:55] Growth and Diversification Strategy: The strategy behind acquiring businesses and integrating them into the Folience portfolio.[07:50] Tax Efficiency and Ownership Structures: The tax benefits and strategic advantages of employee ownership models.[08:49] Decision Making in an ESOP: Governance and decision-making within an ESOP structure.[11:10] Shared Ownership and Transparency: The role of shared ownership in fostering workplace transparency and collaboration.[13:29] Employee Engagement Without Full Ownership: Strategies to improve engagement without full employee ownership.[14:27] Liquidity Events and Portfolio Company Sales: Effects on employee owners during liquidity events and sales.[18:18] Implementing Partial Employee Ownership: The potential benefits of partial employee ownership.[24:28] The Power of Incentivization: How financial incentives can drive employee productivity.[32:29] The Silver Tsunami: Challenges and opportunities in the generational transfer of wealth and business ownership.[37:16] Contacting Daniel Goldstein: Information for reaching out to Daniel for more discussion on employee ownership.[38:59] Episode Conclusion: Summary and thanks to Daniel Goldstein, with a reminder on how to reach Raw Selection for hiring support.To connect with Daniel Goldstein, you can visit his LinkedIn profile.Thank 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.

Introducing Josh KoplewiczJosh Koplewicz is the founder and managing partner at Thayer Street Partners, a boutique private equity firm providing flexible growth capital to recurring revenue businesses in the financial services, real estate services, and business services sectors. Before founding Thayer Street, Josh was an investor at Goldman Sachs, where he invested across the capital structure in financial services and business services assets and companies. What You Will LearnPartnering with portfolio companiesStructured equity investmentsStrategic investing and management Breakdown:[00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and today's topic.[00:45] - Alex Rawlings introduces the guest, Josh Koplewicz, and outlines his background in finance, particularly his experience with Goldman Sachs and in the Private Equity sector.[02:10] - Josh shares his journey from joining Goldman Sachs to venturing into Private Equity, emphasizing the skills and insights he gained.[04:30] - Discussion on the transition from investment banking to Private Equity, including the challenges and opportunities Josh encountered.[07:15] - Josh delves into the nuances of investing in the services sector, highlighting key considerations for Private Equity investments.[10:00] - The role of market analysis and due diligence in making successful investments, with Josh providing examples from his experience.[12:20] - Strategies for value creation in Private Equity investments, according to Josh's approach and philosophy.[15:40] - The impact of technology and innovation on the services sector and how it influences Private Equity investment strategies.[18:25] - Josh offers advice for individuals looking to enter the Private Equity space, including essential skills and mindset.[20:30] - Closing thoughts from Josh on the future of Private Equity investments in the services sector and potential growth areas.[22:45] - Alex thanks Josh for his insights and wraps up the podcast, inviting listeners to engage with further discussions on social media and podcast platforms.Partnering With Portfolio Management TeamsHow do you partner with portfolio management teams? According to Josh, Partnering with portfolio management teams is not a one-size-fits-all approach. For them, they do a range of engagements with a portfolio company based on the level of ownership. If a company is a minority investor, they are helpful on both a periodic and situational basis. In many cases, they provide standard advice and stewardship and get involved in special projects around business development initiatives, key hires in finance and data analytics, strategic acquisitions, and financing.  Josh shares that in cases where a company has more material ownership, is engaged in a build-up or roll-up strategy, requires many smaller assets, or has customers who are subscribers, their teams are very hands-on. They partner with the company to engage in diligence and structuring and, in some cases, execute strategic MNA on their behalf. The partnership is entirely based on the needs and objectives of the company.How to Contact JoshJosh on LinkedInThayerstreet.com​​Thank 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 t

In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, host Alex Rawlings, treats listeners to a deep dive into the realm of artificial intelligence within the Private Equity sphere. Joining Alex as this week's guest is Glenn Hopper, an expert in digital transformation with extensive experience in deploying AI solutions in Private Equity contexts.Throughout the episode, Alex and Glenn explore how AI is reshaping the landscape of Private Equity, offering new avenues for growth, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Glenn shares his insights into the practical applications of AI, emphasizing the importance of understanding the intricacies behind digital transformation.From leveraging AI algorithms to analyze vast datasets for investment opportunities to optimizing portfolio performance through predictive analytics, Glenn sheds light on the tangible benefits that AI brings to Private Equity firms. He also discusses the challenges and considerations involved in integrating AI technologies into existing workflows, offering valuable advice for firms looking to embark on their digital transformation journey.Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how AI is revolutionizing the Private Equity industry, empowering firms to make more informed decisions, mitigate risks, and unlock new sources of value. Whether it's enhancing due diligence processes or identifying emerging market trends, Glenn demonstrates how AI can drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage in today's fast-paced environment.Breakdown:[00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and today's innovative topic, focusing on the intersection of Private Equity, AI, and digital transformation.[00:45] - Alex Rawlings introduces guest Glenn Hopper, detailing his expertise in finance, technology, and his significant contributions to digital transformation within the Private Equity sector.[02:00] - Glenn shares his journey into the world of finance and technology, highlighting the pivotal moments and the expertise he's developed in AI and digital transformation.[04:30] - Exploring the integration of AI in Private Equity, Glenn discusses the initial challenges and the transformative opportunities that AI presents for the industry.[07:15] - Glenn delves into specific examples of digital transformation in Private Equity, emphasizing the importance and impact of AI in analyzing and making investment decisions.[10:00] - The role of data analytics and AI in due diligence processes, with Glenn providing insights from his extensive experience.[12:20] - Strategies for leveraging technology to create value in Private Equity investments, through Glenn's analytical perspective and innovative approaches.[15:40] - Discussion on the broader implications of technological advancements on the services sector and their significance for Private Equity investors.[18:25] - Glenn offers practical advice for professionals aiming to integrate AI and digital transformation strategies within their investment practices.[20:30] - Glenn's forward-looking views on the evolution of AI in Private Equity and the emerging trends that investors should be aware of.[22:45] - Alex Rawlings concludes the podcast by thanking Glenn Hopper for his invaluable insights and encourages listeners to engage with the topic on social media and various podcast platforms.To connect with Glenn Hopper and delve deeper into his expertise in digital transformation and AI in Private Equity, you can visit his LinkedIn profile: Glenn Hopper on LinkedIn

Industry veteran Brian Cassady discusses his exceptional achievement of increasing revenue by $50M and creating $500M in EBITDA. Topics covered include operational tactics, identifying market trends, challenges faced by private equity firms, common mistakes made, the role of capital and operating partners, successful turnarounds, and implementing systems for growth in small organizations.

Introducing Paul BarnhurstPaul Barnhurst (a.k.a. "The FP&A Guy") founded  FP&A Guy, a company that provides FP&A coaching and consulting services. Paul has 12+ years of professional experience across several industries, with a strong background in financial planning, financial modelling, report building, and business partnering. Paul is also a content creator, LinkedIn influencer, and host of "FP&A Today," one of the most popular FP&A podcasts, and is known for his deep understanding of the FP&A software planning space.What You Will LearnStrategies for enhancing the FP&A  processes Integrating Technology in PE Firms What FP&A teams need to improve PE processesBreakdown[00:32] Getting to Know Paul Barnhurst[01:12] One Mistake by PE Firms and action to correct it[02:29] Three things to improve PE firm’s FP&A  process[04:32] How PE firms can improve decision-making around PF&A[07:23] How PE Companies choose and integrate Technology [10:26] Disregarded areas in FP&A that PE need to pay more attention to [13:20] What inspired Paul to set up a podcast and a community[16:17] Paul's Go-To Self-Improvement Resources[17:39] How to become a world champion at Excel[19:49] How to connect with Paul Improving FP&A in Private EquityWhat should PE companies do to improve their FP&A process? According to Paul, FP&A can be broken down into three areas. First, it’s people. The first thing you need to do is to make sure you have the right people, and you are upscaling that. With everything that is coming up with AI, you need people who can meet today’s demands, be commercial, and help drive the business forward. The second thing that the FP&A team needs to think about is the processes. They have to constantly streamline and automate the processes because data and demand are constantly increasing. The third thing that Paul shares is bringing the right technology. Technology serves as an enabler, and it can help PE firms reach the next level. However, according to Paul, if you start with technology, you will almost end up with a failed transformation. So think about the other processes first and then use technology to enable and free up your team to focus on being good business partners.How to Contact PaulPaul on LinkedInThefpandaguy.comThank you for tuning in!To get the latest 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.