X-Factor

Lindsay Guzowski, CEO and founder of The Crucible, shares insights on how intentional organizational culture can boost performance and profitability. She emphasizes the role of proactive leadership in navigating change and fostering positive cultural traits. The discussion also touches on balancing passion for research with financial sustainability and the importance of recognizing both personal and team achievements. Lindsay offers valuable strategies for cultivating a culture of shared success and the motivation power of profit sharing.

Jeremy Smith, CTO at Suralink, Jay Webster, Founder of ActiveLab, and Kurt Stein, President of DCT Strategy Inc., share their expertise on leveraging technology for growth in private equity. They dive into AI's transformative role and how aligning tech strategies with business goals can enhance valuation. The panel discusses the structured approach to integrating technology and leadership strategies that foster innovation. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of organizational culture and employee satisfaction in driving sustainable success.

Matt Thomas, a veteran executive with diverse C-suite experience in PE-backed firms across various sectors, shares his valuable insights on harnessing technology for business optimization. He discusses the challenges of ERP implementation, particularly moving from QuickBooks to SAP, and emphasizes the importance of selecting the right tools for operational effectiveness. Matt highlights the transformative potential of AI in private equity and advocates for collaboration between generations in the workplace to drive innovation and productivity.

Bill Wosilius, an experienced private equity CEO and board member, shares valuable insights on leading in PE-backed environments. He discusses how to navigate initial challenges while balancing operational needs with investor expectations. Bill addresses the struggles of first-time CEOs, including imposter syndrome and decision-making under pressure. He emphasizes the importance of transparent communication and aligning personal and company goals for long-term success, while highlighting lessons learned from early mistakes and the significance of mentorship in leadership.

In this enlightening discussion, Sherri Sklar, CEO of GrowthTera, Kevin McShane, GTM Operating Advisor, and Dan Perry, Resource Partner at Court Square Capital, delve into the evolving role of GTM operating partners in private equity. They examine how economic pressures are reshaping investment strategies and the critical need for operational efficiency. The panel emphasizes trust-building, data-driven decisions, and collaboration as key to enhancing portfolio performance, alongside insights into the pathways for becoming effective operating partners in this dynamic sector.

In this insightful discussion, Jon Sonnenschein, a seasoned PE-backed CEO and Operating Partner, shares his expertise on leveraging organizational culture as a growth catalyst. He emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. Topics include the critical role of culture in mergers and acquisitions, strategies for enhancing team sentiment, and the transformation toward customer-centric values. Jon outlines how aligning cultural principles with business goals drives sustainable growth and success.

David Fleming, a multi-exited CFO with over 25 successful buy-side transactions, joins us to discuss how management teams can drive M&A activity and become stronger partners in deal origination and integration with their private equity sponsors. X-Factor is presented by PrivateEquityCXO, the world’s largest digital community of PE-backed executives. Start your free membership today and unlock exclusive content and insights that help PE-backed executives drive performance. This episode is hosted by FALCON Partner, Rob Huxtable. FALCON is a retained executive search firm exclusively recruiting C-level leaders in the PE-backed, middle market. 

Join Amanda Fleig, VP of HR at Chronicle Heritage, and Maddy Hopsicker, Operating Partner of Talent at Summit Park, as they explore the vital role of talent management in private equity. With years of expertise, they tackle the challenges of recruitment in a tight job market, especially for senior roles. The duo emphasizes effective integration strategies post-acquisition, the critical importance of company culture, and fostering stronger collaboration between HR and leadership to drive success in navigating rapid growth.

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Craycraft, a multi-exited, PE-backed CEO, to discuss navigating alignment with a PE firm, from the interview stage to the first 100 days and beyond. Want to join Bob in sharing insights on governance fit? Take 5 to 8 minutes to fill out the PE-CXO 2024 Private Equity Firm Performance Survey and help identify the firms that truly align with and support their executives. Your voice matters! X-Factor is presented by PrivateEquityCXO, the world’s largest digital community of PE-backed executives. Start your free membership today and unlock exclusive content and insights that help PE-backed executives drive performance. This episode is hosted by FALCON Partner, Rob Huxtable. FALCON is a retained executive search firm exclusively recruiting C-level leaders in the PE-backed, middle market. 

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Lanier, Chief Financial Officer of Fishbowl, an inventory management software company backed by Diversis Capital. Brian shares his insights on strategic pricing within a private equity-backed environment. He breaks down his three essential rules for pricing: leverage your value proposition, determine the “credible no-brainer,” and keep it simple. This straightforward yet powerful approach has been crucial in driving enterprise value. Whether you're a CFO, business leader, or entrepreneur, Brian's actionable advice on pricing strategy will give you the tools to maximize value and set your company up for success. X-Factor is presented by PrivateEquityCXO, the world’s largest digital community of PE-backed executives. Start your free membership today and unlock exclusive content and insights that help PE-backed executives drive performance. This episode is hosted by FALCON Partner, Rob Huxtable. FALCON is a retained executive search firm exclusively recruiting C-level leaders in the PE-backed, middle market.