Private Equity Funcast

Devin sits down with BluWave founder Sean Mooney to discuss how his firm helps PE funds run diligence better and post-closing operations faster. BluWave provides services to 500 PE funds and countless service providers so you can find the right resource at the right time with the right skills for the job at hand -- commercial diligence, sales effectiveness, interim executives, and plenty more. Sean has a unique perspective on PE having worked in the industry prior to founding BluWave in 2016.

Devin is back with Ben Falloon and Cass Ziebel to talk about software buyout lingo. The trio revisits past popular episodes with all new "lingo" updates. Sit back and enjoy, and there just might even be a lesson or two to learn in between all the laughing (or is that crying?).

Jim and Devin are back together on this latest episode, talking about Exits for portfolio companies.  How do we time our exits? Do we get unsolicited offers or do we take them to market? When does management get involved? These are just a few of the questions that we answer on this latest episode.   

Another conversation with Jason Heltzer, Managing Partner at Origin Ventures and a Chicago Booth professor in the second of a three-part series on Board Meetings. In part two we talk about ideal board members -- and the not-so-ideal board members.

Partner Kristine Heinze talks with Kelly Cornelis, Partner and COO of LaSalle Capital, a long time friend of ParkerGale. Kelly talks about her journey clawing her way into Private Equity, and her experiences as a founding member of Chicago Women in Private Equity.

Devin sits down with Christoph Jost and Peter Waleczek, the founders of Berlin-based software buyout fund Flex Capital. Christoph and Peter started as tech entrepreneurs prior to founding Flex and they discuss their process of raising their first fund, what they look for in a deal, how they source companies, and what they do with them after the acquisition. They also talk about the similarities and differences between the US and German tech buyout market.

The ultimate question: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being very likely, how likely are you to recommend us to a friend or colleague?” Operating Principal Cici Zheng talks with Jessica Pfeifer, General Manager and Co-Founder of Wootric, an InMoment Company about Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and why it’s the ultimate question to help measure customer loyalty. In this episode, we cover what NPS is, the benchmarks for a good NPS score, and most importantly, why we think it’s important from both the portfolio company and private equity firm perspective. We discuss how ParkerGale uses NPS throughout the lifecycle of an investment, from due diligence, during our hold period, and prior to the sale of a company. We also share some of the key takeaways that our portfolio companies have learned when it comes to implementing a program, whether it’s learning how to close the loop on the customer feedback or how it can help prioritize decision making across all functional areas.  

Devin sits down with Jordan Brugg, the Head of Private Equity at SpencerStuart to discuss his research on whether repeat or first-time CEOs outperform over the long-term. You might be surprised with the findings. Devin and Jordan dive deep into the study, talk about CEO assessment, and offer some tips for people looking for their first CEO job running a PE-backed company.  

Jimmy is joined by Dave Kellogg, Board Member of a couple ParkerGale companies and writer of the Kellblog. The two discuss a classic post from Dave's Kellblog - A Missive To Human Resources, where Dave argues that HR exists to "Help Managers Manage." The two dissect the pithy purpose, discuss common pitfalls People Ops leaders fall into, and share examples when People Ops leaders really shine.

Our newest portfolio company CEO, Todd Dauchy, sits down with Principal Kevin Fitzgerald to talk about his journey from being CTO to the CEO seat.

Partner Kristina Heinze talks with Lisa Hudson -- Director of Global Events for WomenHack.  Its mission is to promote gender equality in tech and help people get hired at companies committed to diversity in the workplace across 125+ cities around the world.  Kristina and Lisa talk about WomenHack's approach and Lisa's wide range of experience working all over the world. So come have a listen and use the promo code "PARKERGALE" to get a 15% discount on upcoming WomenHack Events.

Jim spends an hour with Jason Heltzer, Managing Partner at Origin Ventures and a Chicago Booth professor in the first of a three-part series on Board Meetings. This series germinated from Jason's tweetstorm on the elements of a healthy board. In part one, we talk about the board deck itself, in parts two and three we'll discuss board members and the actual board meeting.

Jimmy is joined by Ted Bililies, Managing Partner at AlixPartners, to share the results of the Sixth Annual Private Equity Leadership Survey, which focuses on leading investments during times of disruption. They discuss the top priorities for generating value, the increased focus on human capital due diligence, and the evolving role of leadership when managing through disruption.

Operating Principals Cici Zheng and Paul Stansik are joined by the founders of ClozeLoop and authors of some of our favorite books on sales training and management - Cory Bray and Hilmon Sorey. Hilmon and Cory share their views on where most sales training falls short, the importance of uncovering customer pain, and how we work together to assess, train, and enable our portfolio company sales teams.

Our listeners have submitted their picks in our March Madness 2021 Best Business Books podcast -- so come have a listen along with the ParkerGale Ops Team!

Paul, Cass, Cici and Jimmy square off with their best business books March Madness bracket with your host, Jim, as the Commissioner.   Come have a listen as the operations team dukes it out for the championship.   And get ready for a follow-on podcast reviewing our listener's picks.

Principals Jimmy and Paul discuss the ParkerGale approach to hiring, why hiring is essential to get right, not just at the C-suite level, but how we work with our portfolio companies to develop the capability to hire well throughout the organization. They also cover what a certain 90's shampoo commercial can teach us about what not to do during an interview.  

Guest host partner Kristina Heinze talks with Ivelisse Simon, Managing Partner of Avante Capital Partners - a women and minority-owned private credit and structured equity fund based in Los Angeles, California. They cover everything from Ivelisse's path from investment banking to starting a successful firm, including an infamous "Wasabi" incident.

Principals Cass and Kara finish their interview with Professor Chris McGowan, from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. As an investor, advisor and teacher, Chris has been in the private equity industry for 26 years, when he began his own career in private equity as an associate at AEA Investors in New York City.  In this episode, Cass and Kara explain their own personal impact that Chris has had on their careers, and Chris gives advice for MBA students and non-students alike who are trying to navigate breaking into private equity.

Principals Cass and Kara interview Professor Chris McGowan, from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. As an investor, advisor and teacher, Chris has been in the private equity industry for 26 years, when he began his own career in private equity as an associate at AEA Investors in New York City.  In this episode, Cass and Kara explain their own personal impact that Chris has had on their careers, and Chris gives advice for MBA students and non-students alike who are trying to navigate breaking into private equity.