Best Lloyd Metz Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 79: Lloyd Metz, ICV Partners | Transforming Legacy Businesses with Capital, Digital, and EQ 46:45

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28d ago46:45

46:45

Shiv interviews Lloyd Metz, Managing Partner at ICV Partners. In this episode, Shiv and Lloyd discuss investing in legacy or family-owned businesses in sectors like consumer goods (CPG), food and beverage (F&B), and business services. Learn how to drive transformation in these companies by modernizing operations, embracing digital, and scaling go-t…

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Ep. 81: Andrew Weinberg of Brightstar Capital on Blending AI with Traditional PE Strategies 35:08

7d ago35:08

35:08

Shiv interviews Andrew Weinberg, Founder, CEO & Co-Chair at Brightstar Capital Partners. On this episode, Andrew talks about transforming traditional private equity through an “invest and operate” or ”us and us” model. Learn how AI is becoming an integral value creation lever alongside traditional strategies and about practical examples of applying…

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Summer Break — See You After Labor Day 1:28

8d ago1:28

1:28

Sean Mooney shares a quick update from the Best But Never Final team. With deal flow, board work, and summer schedules in full swing, the podcast is taking a short break until after Labor Day. Sean reflects on the original vision for the show, offers suggestions for catching up, and previews what’s ahead. Whether you’re new to private equity or dee…

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Ep. 80: Bradford Pilcher of Bonaccord Capital Partners on Unlocking PE Firm Growth Through GP Stakes 57:16

14d ago57:16

57:16

Shiv interviews Bradford Pilcher, Partner at Bonaccord Capital Partners. In this episode, Brad unpacks the GP stakes strategy – what it is, how it works, and why it’s more than just a passive investment. Learn how mid-market private equity firms can grow through capital formation, thoughtful product diversification, and talent strategy. Learn what …

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Ep. 78: Jon Nuger, Berkshire Partners | Prioritizing Culture Within PE Firms 43:17

1M ago43:17

43:17

Shiv interviews Jon Nuger, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners. Shiv and Jon discuss the importance Berkshire Partners places on culture within the firm and the impact this has on the way they invest and create value. Learn how a focus on culture can be a differentiating strategy, how it shapes your relationships and conversations (particularly…

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Private Equity’s Guide to Board Meetings: Building Strategy and Driving Value 52:26

1M ago52:26

52:26

Board meetings are a critical tool for private equity firms to drive strategy, track progress, and unlock value. In this episode, Sean Mooney, Lloyd Metz, and Doug McCormick explore how private equity boards operate, from setting agendas and assembling members to balancing tactical updates with strategic discussions. They discuss the importance of …

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Ep. 77: Hilary Gosher, Insight Partners | Operational Excellence from Sourcing to Exit 52:21

1M ago52:21

52:21

Shiv interviews Hilary Gosher, Managing Director at Insight Partners. In this episode, Shiv and Hilary discuss how Insight’s 120-person Onsite team gives the firm a competitive edge across its portfolio. Learn how having an in-house operations team can be a force multiplier for portfolio companies by bringing deep functional expertise and strategic…

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Ep. 76: Richard Erickson and Stan Bikulege, Lightview Capital | Scaling Founder-Led B2B Services Businesses 34:01

2M ago34:01

34:01

Shiv interviews Richard Erickson, Co-Founder and Managing Director, and Stan Bikulege, Principal, at Lightview Capital. In this episode, Richard and Stan discuss how they invest in and scale founder-led B2B services-based businesses. Learn about the benefits of recurring and reoccurring revenue, their value creation strategy, and how to align with …

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Ep. 75: Raj Bakhru, BlueFlame AI | How AI Is Transforming Private Equity Workflows 38:12

2M ago38:12

38:12

Shiv interviews Raj Bakhru, CEO and Co-Founder at BlueFlame AI. In this episode, Shiv and Raj discuss how generative AI is transforming private equity operations. Learn how AI agents are already reshaping workflows across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio value creation. Hear how PE firms can leverage proprietary data and build internal AI committ…

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Private Equity’s Consolidation Strategy: Keys to Success in Fragmented Markets 40:58

2M ago40:58

40:58

Consolidation strategies are a proven way to create value in fragmented markets, but execution is everything. In this episode, Doug McCormick walks through the key principles of launching and scaling a buy-and-build platform, sharing lessons learned from a real-world example in the lawn care industry. Joining Sean Mooney and Lloyd Metz, Doug dives …

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Ep. 74: John Stewart, MiddleGround Capital | Optimizing Operations in Industrial Manufacturing Portcos 44:34

2M ago44:34

44:34

Shiv interviews John Stewart, Founder and Managing Partner at MiddleGround Capital. In this episode, John shares his expertise in investing in the industrial B2B manufacturing space — from his two decades at Toyota, to moving to the investment side of the equation. Learn about underwriting the value creation plan and creating enterprise value for i…

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Ep. 73: Alex Russ, Evercore | How to Stand Out in the Fundraising Crowd 45:35

2M ago45:35

45:35

Shiv interviews Alex Russ, Senior Managing Director & Head of North America at Evercore’s Private Funds Group. In this episode, Alex shares his experience helping private equity GPs raise funds from LPs. Learn how to approach fundraising in the current market, the characteristics that successful fundraisers have in common, and the importance of a s…

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Private Equity in 2025: Diligence and Value Creation Trends 49:21

2M ago49:21

49:21

Private equity is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead requires innovation in both diligence and value creation. In this episode, Sean Mooney, Lloyd Metz, and Doug McCormick explore the latest tools, trends, and strategies that are reshaping the private equity landscape in 2025. The conversation dives into cutting-edge approaches to due diligence, i…

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Ep. 72: Chris Sznewajs, Pacific Avenue Capital | Investing in Companies with “Unnatural” Owners 43:43

3M ago43:43

43:43

Shiv interviews Chris Sznewajs, Founder and Managing Partner at Pacific Avenue Capital. In this episode, Chris and Shiv discuss carve-outs, buyouts, and the non-traditional types of investment deals available for “unnatural” owners – founders and investors who are ready for a transition. Learn how to underwrite these types of deals, and what benchm…

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Private Equity’s Response to Tariffs: Insights with Beacon Global Strategies’ Michael Allen 49:47

3M ago49:47

49:47

Tariffs are at the center of a rapidly changing global trade landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities for businesses. In this episode, Sean Mooney, Lloyd Metz, and Doug McCormick are joined by Michael Allen, co-founder of Beacon Global Strategies, to explore the state of U.S. trade policy, its impact on private equity, and how business…

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Ep. 71: Amanda Kim, Avante Capital Partners | How Your Mission Can Be a Valuable Differentiator 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

On this episode of the Private Equity Value Creation podcast, Shiv speaks with Amanda Kim, Principal at Avante Capital Partners. As a majority women- and minority-owned private credit and structured equity fund, the team at Avante Capital Partners uses their unique insights and network to win deals, generate better returns and help women advance in…

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The Keys to Effective Merger Integration in Private Equity 55:00

3M ago55:00

55:00

Merger integration is a critical component of private equity strategies, especially in buy-and-build models. In this episode, Sean Mooney, Lloyd Metz, and Doug McCormick break down what it takes to successfully integrate acquisitions, why careful planning is essential, and the risks that come with getting it wrong. From cultural alignment and chang…

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Ep 70: Mason Myers, Greybull Stewardship | Building Foundational Growth in Pre-Mid-Market Portcos 39:18

4M ago39:18

39:18

Shiv interviews Mason Myers, Founder and CEO at Greybull Stewardship. In this episode, Mason explains why Greybull Stewardship focuses on pre-middle-market companies and the steps they take to set these companies up to be true middle-market companies primed for PE backing. Learn how they take companies under $5M in EBITDA and grow them organically,…

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Ep. 69: Devon Kirk and Jonathan Metrick, Portage | How Investment and Ops Teams Can Work Together 41:28

4M ago41:28

41:28

Shiv interviews Devon Kirk, General Partner, and Jonathan Metrick, Chief Growth Officer at Portage. Devon and Jonathan share their perspectives from different sides of the investment table – Devon is on the investing team while Jonathan is on the internal ops team. Learn about their experiences investing in global FinTech and financial services, wh…

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Featured: Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal with Coupa CEO Leagh Turner 36:26

4M ago36:26

36:26

In this featured episode, we’re excited to share a conversation from Thoma Bravo’s Behind the Deal podcast. Join managing partner Holden Spaht as he sits down with Leagh Turner, CEO of Coupa, to explore how Thoma Bravo and Coupa are revolutionizing business spend management, leveraging AI, and driving innovation post-acquisition. Hear how Coupa is …

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Ep. 68: Joseph Hanna, Pivoting Model Partners | Product, Pivoting, and AI as Agents 49:50

4M ago49:50

49:50

Shiv interviews Joseph Hanna, Founding Partner at Pivoting Model Partners. In this episode, Joseph talks about differentiating between your product’s feature set and the customer’s perceived value in that feature set. Learn why companies should consider pivoting to AI to grow and sustain their business, and how companies can deploy and leverage AI …

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Scaling Smarter: How Bluesight and Thoma Bravo Turned Vision Into Value 48:01

4M ago48:01

48:01

In this episode, Sean Mooney, Doug McCormick, and Lloyd Metz are joined by Carl Press of Thoma Bravo and Kevin MacDonald, CEO of Bluesight, to share a behind-the-scenes look at scaling a software company from a bootstrap startup to a private equity-backed category leader. Kevin reflects on his fourteen-year journey, from self-funding and navigating…

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Ep.67: Jim Sharpe, Unity Partners | Aligning Values with Growing Portcos 33:37

4M ago33:37

33:37

Shiv interviews Jim Sharpe, Partner and Head of Propel at Unity Partners. In this episode, Jim talks about how to truly action a company’s values and incorporate them into your growth plans while ensuring alignment with founders. Learn about building a culture of ownership, how to use employee equity as a growth strategy, and why clear and transpar…

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Ep. 66: The Future of General vs Vertical AI | Shiv Narayanan, How To SaaS 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

Shiv Narayanan, Founder and CEO of How To SaaS, explains how AI can be leveraged by the private equity world. Learn about the differences between general and verticalized (or specialized) AI and how data is the product. Listen to how PE firms can use AI in the diligence phase, and the business strategy for companies to build their own vertical AI t…

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Ep. 65: Josh Schwartz, Growth Factors | Navigating Growth As An Operating Partner 38:48

4M ago38:48

38:48

Shiv interviews Josh Schwartz, Operating Principal at Growth Factors. In this episode, Josh talks about the unique operating partner model between Growth Factors and Bregal Sagemount. Learn his approach to value creation from the GTM side, how to look for growth levers during diligence, and how to navigate the political dynamics between operating p…

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Ep. 64: Todd Morrissey, Hidden River Strategic Capital | Alternative Avenues for Underserviced Companies 33:11

4M ago33:11

33:11

Shiv interviews Todd Morrissey, Partner at Hidden River Strategic Capital. In this episode, Todd shares alternative avenues for founders and entrepreneurs other than a growth equity buyout and private credit deals. Learn how they help companies determine how much capital they need to scale, the opportunities for combining debt and equity as an inve…

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Private Equity and AI: Practical Applications, Risks, and the Future of Business 57:33

5M ago57:33

57:33

In this insightful conversation, Doug McCormick, Lloyd Metz, and Sean Mooney tackle the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in private equity and beyond. Sean shares how his company, BluWave, has leveraged AI to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and create proprietary competitive advantages. The discussion explores act…

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Ep. 63: Brad Armstrong, LMP | Supporting Portcos With an Advisor Bench 35:46

5M ago35:46

35:46

Shiv interviews Brad Armstrong, Partner at Lovell Minnick Partners (LMP). In this episode, Shiv and Brad talk about LMP’s approach to supporting their portfolio companies with a robust operating partner bench, as well as how to prioritize where to allocate budget, resources, and advisors when making value creation plans. Learn about weaponizing the…

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Private Equity’s Guide to Focus: Thesis Development and Deal Sourcing 59:28

5M ago59:28

59:28

This special replay highlights an essential episode on how private equity firms identify where to invest and how to strategically source opportunities. Doug McCormick and Lloyd Metz join Sean Mooney to explore the art of specialization, building investment theses, and balancing focus with innovation. They share insights into why focus matters for b…

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Ep. 62: Stephen Marks, Emmersion Capital | How to Navigate the Rewards and Risks of Nearshoring 40:48

5M ago40:48

40:48

Shiv interviews Stephen Marks, Managing Director, Emmersion Capital. In this episode, Shiv and Stephen discuss the benefits and challenges of nearshoring, including the economies of scaling your workforce in Latin America, onboarding and company culture, as well as macroeconomic risks and political challenges. Learn about labor arbitrage opportunit…

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Ep. 61: Diamond Innabi, Software Equity Group | Relationships between Founders and Investment Banks 30:44

5M ago30:44

30:44

Shiv interviews Diamond Innabi, Principal at Software Equity Group. In this episode, Diamond shares how investment banks can help founders position their companies to increase the likelihood of transactions. Learn how successful founders think about the process of exiting, as well as how to maximize the valuation of a transaction and ensure the int…

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Private Equity’s Lens on Geopolitics: Supply Chains, Infrastructure, and Enterprise Risk 44:48

6M ago44:48

44:48

Kicking off a new series on emerging investment themes, Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney examine the profound effects of geopolitical complexity on private equity. This episode explores the growing trend of supply chain reshoring, the rise of infrastructure services, and how enterprises are grappling with heightened risks in today’s dyna…

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Ep. 60: Creating Enterprise Value With Marketing | Shiv Narayanan, How To SaaS 35:14

6M ago35:14

35:14

Shiv Narayanan, Founder and CEO at How To SaaS, shares his presentation from Silicon Y’All 2024. Learn about the nine critical marketing problems most companies face, from poor gross revenue and net retention problems to not generating enough traffic or leads. Shiv also shares the five most common value creation scenarios and the four major marketi…

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Ep. 59: John Bailey, OneFund Investments | What To Look For in PE Operating Teams and Partners 36:32

6M ago36:32

36:32

Shiv interviews John Bailey, Co-Founder at OneFund Investments. In this episode, John shares how he runs his fund of funds, how he vets the PE firms they invest in, and the pros and cons of how PE firms approach operating teams. Learn about key differences between the three models for operating teams within PE firms, how to build a lean (but impact…

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Private Equity’s Essential Partner: Inside the World of Direct Lending with Greg Cashman 52:15

6M ago52:15

52:15

In this episode, Golub Capital’s Senior Managing Director, Greg Cashman, joins Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney to uncover the critical role of direct lenders in private equity. Greg shares Golub’s transition from private equity to direct lending, the importance of alignment between lenders and PE sponsors, and their underwriting strateg…

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Private Equity 2024 Recap: Market Lessons and 2025 Projections 47:38

7M ago47:38

47:38

Hosts Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney review the major themes shaping private equity in 2024, including liquidity challenges, market shifts, and investor dynamics. They discuss strategies to prepare for 2025 amid potential changes in interest rates, inflation, and emerging opportunities in industrials, food, and infrastructure services.…

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Private Equity and Policy: Paul Ryan's Insight on Economic Impact and Investment Strategy 44:48

7M ago44:48

44:48

In this episode, hosts Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney are joined by Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, now a partner at Solamere Capital. Speaker Ryan delves into his transition from a distinguished career in public service to the private equity sector, highlighting his enduring passion for economics and his strategic choice to fo…

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Ep. 58: Scott Stouffer, scaleMatters | Using Data to Make Effective Go-To-Market Investments 48:46

8M ago48:46

48:46

This episode is sponsored by scaleMatters. In this episode, Shiv Narayanan interviews Scott Stouffer, CEO and Founder at scaleMatters, to talk all about data – data hygiene, data infrastructure, and the insights that come from data to make those important value creation decisions. Learn how scaleMatters – a firm that specializes in go-to-market ana…

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Ep. 57: Sean Cantwell, Volition Capital | Growing Portcos by Building the Operations Function 40:38

8M ago40:38

40:38

Shiv interviews Sean Cantwell, Managing Partner at Volition Capital. In this episode, Sean shares how Volition Capital’s operations teams support their portcos with the resources, tools, and frameworks they need to grow. Learn about best practices including portfolio summits, internal resource portals, and training. Hear about when it makes sense t…

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Private Equity Year-End Playbook: Optimizing Exit Strategies for Maximum Returns 45:07

8M ago45:07

45:07

In this encore presentation from February 20th, Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney discuss the strategic considerations behind exiting a private equity investment. With an anticipated wave of deals in the coming year, understanding when to sell and how to do it effectively is crucial. This episode covers the importance of exit timing, vari…

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Ep. 56: Jordon Kruse & Matt Wilson, Oaktree Capital | Opportunities in Special Situations Investing 43:56

8M ago43:56

43:56

Shiv interviews Jordon Kruse, Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, and Matt Wilson, Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, at Oaktree Capital. In this episode, Matt and Jordon explain their approach to special situations investing, including rescue financing transactions where they restructure the debt and balance sheet of companies. Th…

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Ep. 55: Inovia Capital Panel | Making Acquisitions A Success From the People, Cultural, and Technical Side 39:14

8M ago39:14

39:14

Shiv interviews Krista Skalde, Chief Talent Officer Partner at Inovia Capital, Meryl Almeida, Director of Corporate Development at Inovia Capital, and Kory Jeffrey, Principal & VP, Technology at Inovia Capital. In this episode, Krista, Meryl, and Kory share how they evaluate acquisitions, how to create value from a corp dev perspective, and how to …

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Private Equity's Value Creation Playbook: Insights from the Front Lines 1:01:27

8M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, Sean Mooney, and operating partners Mary Rachide from ICV and Bob Hund from HCI delve into value creation in private equity. They discuss the role of operating partners in enhancing portfolio company growth, from due diligence to strategic execution. The episode covers aligning company vision with actionable strategies, …

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Ep.54: Aldy Keene, Loyalty Research Center | The Importance of Customer Loyalty for Portcos 41:46

8M ago41:46

41:46

Shiv interviews Aldy Keene, CEO at Loyalty Research Center. In this episode, Aldy shares how to evaluate the quality of relationships to understand how loyal a company’s customer base really is, and how both founders and investors can use that data to create value. Learn why companies should spend more time analyzing their customer base, how to fin…

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Ep.53: Randy Garg, Vistara Growth | Leveraging Growth Debt as an Alternative Means of Funding 33:49

9M ago33:49

33:49

Shiv interviews Randy Garg, Founder and Managing Partner at Vistara Growth. In this episode, Randy explains the situations in which debt is a viable avenue for funding companies, how growth debt differs from growth equity, and how to decide which is right for your company. Learn what the targeted returns are on these types of investments and the ro…

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Private Equity's Unforgettable Tales: Lessons from the Trenches 49:49

9M ago49:49

49:49

Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney share pivotal experiences from their private equity careers, focusing on due diligence surprises, the impact of personal challenges on professional relationships, and complex business scenarios. They emphasize the importance of comprehensive background checks, cultural sensitivity in international deals, …

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Ep.52: Tim Strickland, Summit Partners | Fostering a Culture of Data, Accountability and Alignment 41:40

9M ago41:40

41:40

Shiv interviews Tim Strickland, Advisory Partner at Summit Partners. In this episode, Tim draws on his experience as CRO of Zoom Info and in leadership roles at large martech companies to discuss what it takes to build and grow multi-hundred and billion-dollar go-to-market organizations. Learn what metrics are important to track to keep everyone al…

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Ep.51: Brian Neider, Lead Edge Capital | How Boards Can Add Value to Portcos 52:44

9M ago52:44

52:44

Shiv interviews Brian Neider, Partner at Lead Edge Capital. In this episode, Shiv and Brian discuss best practices for building boards and what board members can do to add value to portfolio companies. Learn how to guide a business as a board member once you’ve invested in a company, what the changes to the financial markets mean for PE firms, and …

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Private Equity's Guide to Strategic Talent Management 54:15

9M ago54:15

54:15

In this episode of 'Best But Never Final,' Lloyd Metz, Doug McCormick, and Sean Mooney discuss the importance of strategic talent management in private equity. They explore the transition from traditional HR to advanced human capital strategies, emphasizing the critical role of hiring, team building, and organizational design in driving business su…

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Ep.50: Jeff Standridge, Innovation Junkie | Seven-Domain Diagnostic For Strategic Growth 44:24

9M ago44:24

44:24

Shiv interviews Jeff Standridge, Managing Director at Innovation Junkie. In this episode, Jeff shares his framework for a strategic growth plan and how his firm conducts an introductory diagnostic based on seven domains. Jeff discusses some of the best practices within those domains and the questions you can use to determine how senior leadership v…