We're back with another episode on the state of Tech Due Diligence. This time we're joined by Dan Bender and Lukas Ingelheim, founding partners of Berlin-headquartered Code &amp; Co, who perform Tech Due Diligence around the world. We cover some basics of tech due diligence for those of you unfamiliar, discuss the differences between US and European tech diligence, and look into the future to see how tech diligence is evolving to help PE firms create value.You can learn more about Code &amp; Co. here: www.codeandco.com

We're back with another episode on the state of Tech Due Diligence. This time we're joined by Dan Bender and Lukas Ingelheim, founding partners of Berlin-headquartered Code &amp; Co, who perform Tech Due Diligence around the world. We cover some basics of tech due diligence for those of you unfamiliar, discuss the differences between US and European tech diligence, and look into the future to see how tech diligence is evolving to help PE firms create value. You can learn more about Code &amp; Co. here: <a href="http://www.codeandco.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.codeandco.com</a>

Episode 55 - Code & Co.

In private equity, it is becoming widely recognized that technology-enabled growth and innovation within portfolio companies is a major spur to productivity and value creation. The mechanisms through which technology is developed, adopted and used in production are complex. How are private equity firms handling the evaluation of technology-enabled growth pre-acquisition, and how are they then helping their portfolio companies execute once acquired? As we've highlighted in past episodes, approaches vary. One approach that has been gaining momentum is the creation of an in-house team of technology experts to assist in everything from diligence to execution.Verdane, a European private equity firm that has taken this approach of building out a team of in-house, specialized technology experts, is the focus of today's episode. Verdane has even named this team: Elevate. Within Elevate is CTO Henrik Berg, today's guest. Henrik talks us through the formation of Elevate and how the firm leverages his team.

In private equity, it is becoming widely recognized that technology-enabled growth and innovation within portfolio companies is a major spur to productivity and value creation. The mechanisms through which technology is developed, adopted and used in production are complex. How are private equity firms handling the evaluation of technology-enabled growth pre-acquisition, and how are they then helping their portfolio companies execute once acquired? As we've highlighted in past episodes, approaches vary. One approach that has been gaining momentum is the creation of an in-house team of technology experts to assist in everything from diligence to execution. Verdane, a European private equity firm that has taken this approach of building out a team of in-house, specialized technology experts, is the focus of today's episode. Verdane has even named this team: Elevate. Within Elevate is CTO Henrik Berg, today's guest. Henrik talks us through the formation of Elevate and how the firm leverages his team.

Episode 54 - Verdane

Triton Partners, the large European private equity firm, has long understood that optimizing the technologies that run its portfolio companies can bring meaningful value to its investments. Anders Thulin joined Triton 6 years ago as its head of the firm's digital &amp; technology practice. He and his team are engaged in due diligence as well as execution, helping to uncover opportunities that others may be missing.

Episode 53 - Triton Partners

Doug Laney

Our guest this episode is Doug Laney, Data &amp; Analytics Innovation Fellow at West Monroe and author of "Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information as an Asset for Competitive Advantage". Doug discusses why "Data Diligence" should be added to your ever-growing list of diligences and opportunities for monetizing the data that exists within your organization.Links: + Doug Laney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaney/+ Infonomics: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QM8P2T

Our guest this episode is Doug Laney, Data &amp; Analytics Innovation Fellow at West Monroe and author of "Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information as an Asset for Competitive Advantage". Doug discusses why "Data Diligence" should be added to your ever-growing list of diligences and opportunities for monetizing the data that exists within your organization. Links: + Doug Laney: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaney/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaney/</a> + Infonomics: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QM8P2T" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QM8P2T</a>

Episode 52 - West Monroe Data Diligence with Doug Laney

Having technology experience and leadership within Private Equity firms is becoming increasingly critical – people with the resilience, speed and partnering skills necessary to drive growth by leveraging technology. Incline Equity Partners provides a glimpse into it has chose to tackle this challenge. Our bet is that PE firms start to look more and more like the Inclines of the world in the next 5 years. Juliane Stephan and Kyle Roemer join us.

Having technology experience and leadership within Private Equity firms is becoming increasingly critical – people with the resilience, speed and partnering skills necessary to drive growth by leveraging technology. Incline Equity Partners provides a glimpse into it has chose to tackle this challenge. Our bet is that PE firms start to look more and more like the Inclines of the world in the next 5 years. Juliane Stephan and Kyle Roemer join us.

Episode 51 - Incline Equity Partners

We invited Alice Murray, Editor at The Drawdown, to discuss her recent article "Great Techspectations", critical observations on Private Equity’s technology upgrade since the pandemic catalyzed upgrade plans. Alice shares sharp insights on not only technology but also on a much deeper theme of employee well-being and the criticality of ‘G’ in ESG.

We invited Alice Murray, Editor at The Drawdown, to discuss her recent article "Great Techspectations", critical observations on Private Equity’s technology upgrade since the pandemic catalyzed upgrade plans. Alice shares sharp insights on not only technology but also on a much deeper theme of employee well-being and the criticality of ‘G’ in ESG.

Episode 50 - Alice Murray - The Drawdown

For the first time, we turn our attention to the data quality and accuracy *within* Private Equity firms. Ian Rubenstein, CEO at Exchangelodge, talks us through the state of data within PE firms and where the industry needs to go next to provide timely, accurate, and actionable data for both LPs and portfolio company decision making.Linkshttps://www.exchangelodge.com/

For the first time, we turn our attention to the data quality and accuracy *within* Private Equity firms. Ian Rubenstein, CEO at Exchangelodge, talks us through the state of data within PE firms and where the industry needs to go next to provide timely, accurate, and actionable data for both LPs and portfolio company decision making. Links <a href="https://www.exchangelodge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.exchangelodge.com/</a>

Episode 49 - Data quality and accuracy within Private Equity firms

If your portfolio company builds software applications, whether as its core business or in support of its core business, the speed and quality of delivering that software can have a major impact on the success of the business. Dev Ops is a collaboration between software development, operations, and other teams, collectively tasked with achieving common business goals through delivering software to the organization efficiently and effectively. Dave Mangot, of Mangoteque, has been preaching Dev Ops for over a decade. We talk about what Dev Ops means, its importance to software development, and its impact on your portfolio companies.

If your portfolio company builds software applications, whether as its core business or in support of its core business, the speed and quality of delivering that software can have a major impact on the success of the business. Dev Ops is a collaboration between software development, operations, and other teams, collectively tasked with achieving common business goals through delivering software to the organization efficiently and effectively. Dave Mangot, of Mangoteque, has been preaching Dev Ops for over a decade. We talk about what Dev Ops means, its importance to software development, and its impact on your portfolio companies.

Episode 48 - Dev Ops

A quick rant on how you, as a private equity firm, need to be engaging Microsoft, Amazon, and/or Google to help drive meaningful cost savings across your portfolio companies through the optimization and scale opportunities they provide.

Rant - Get Microsoft, Amazon, and/or Google on the Phone...Now

One of the most important things you learn in Private Equity is to work with partners to achieve the investment thesis. To this end, a strategic partnership with Microsoft can be pivotal to saving time and money, and enabling growth.Into the pod comes Microsoft's Casey McGee, VP of ISV Partner Sales. We discuss how Microsoft supports Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies. We continue with a recent theme of how/why you should be aggregating your portfolio company spend technology spend (thing business apps and cloud) with the big, global technology providers. Reach out to Casey and the Microsoft team here:Casey McGee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mcgee-4b0128/US: PrivateCapitalUS@microsoft.comUK: privateequityuk@microsoft.comEMEA/APAC: email one of the above and we will put you in touch with the right team

One of the most important things you learn in Private Equity is to work with partners to achieve the investment thesis. To this end, a strategic partnership with Microsoft can be pivotal to saving time and money, and enabling growth. Into the pod comes Microsoft's Casey McGee, VP of ISV Partner Sales. We discuss how Microsoft supports Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies. We continue with a recent theme of how/why you should be aggregating your portfolio company spend technology spend (thing business apps and cloud) with the big, global technology providers. Reach out to Casey and the Microsoft team here: Casey McGee: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mcgee-4b0128/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mcgee-4b0128/</a> US: PrivateCapitalUS@microsoft.com UK: privateequityuk@microsoft.com EMEA/APAC: email one of the above and we will put you in touch with the right team

Episode 47 - Microsoft on how it helps your PE investments

At the core of every business either owned by or being evaluated by Private Equity is technology. Yet many in the Private Equity world don't have a grasp on the magnitude of impact that technology can have on their investments. The Private Equity Technology Podcast will explore the inner workings of the technology applications and people running your potential acquisitions or portfolio companies, providing you another lever to pull as you look to maximize returns. #privateequity #tech

Much needed perspective to assess PE firms holistically and leverage technology to change the game.

Excellent content

Private Equity Technology Podcast

Russ Albright and Erik Larson of Crosslake Technologies join Alex and Lisa to talk through 5 cost optimization strategies for your portfolio companies' IT function. While the discussion is perhaps more relevant than ever, the topic is one that should always be on the minds of operating partners and portfolio company leadership.Crosslake is a technology due diligence, strategy, and execution consultancy based in Seattle, with offices in Canada and Europe.Website: https://crosslaketech.com/equity

Russ Albright and Erik Larson of Crosslake Technologies join Alex and Lisa to talk through 5 cost optimization strategies for your portfolio companies' IT function. While the discussion is perhaps more relevant than ever, the topic is one that should always be on the minds of operating partners and portfolio company leadership. Crosslake is a technology due diligence, strategy, and execution consultancy based in Seattle, with offices in Canada and Europe. Website: <a href="https://crosslaketech.com/equity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://crosslaketech.com/equity</a>

Episode 39 - Cost Optimization with Crosslake

Apax Partners, the well-known private equity firm, recently announced the acquisition of ThoughtWorks, the well-known developer of enterprise custom software solutions. Conveniently, with this acquisition, Apax helps to drive home this podcast's base theory that private equity firms should be leveraging technology to improve the outcomes of their portfolio companies. I discuss the acquisition and what it signals to the rest of the private equity world.

Episode 6 - Apax Partners Gets It

Last week, a quote attributed to KKR's Anne Arlinghaus from the Ernst &amp; Young Strategic Growth Forum hit Twitter and made my year!

A Rant - KKR (very, very indirectly) Acknowledges Base Theory

Renna Partners' Mike Bestvina dropped in to talk current private equity market IT trends and going ons. We cover two primary topics. First, that the game is just starting when it comes to private equity firms teaming up with IT service firms and strategic advisors in a premeditated way (think Apax buying ThoughtWorks, think Kinzie Capital partnering with Clarity Partners). Then, we talk carve-outs and the challenges that technology creates.

Episode 22 - Private Equity IT Trends

The look and the feel of enterprise software is often (and wrongly) overlooked. The Consumerization of IT continues to pressure organizations to make their enterprise software appealing both visually experientially, to both customers and employees. Chris Bernard, Director of what used to be Truth Labs (www.truthlabs.com) and is now folded under Perficient Digital, discusses the importance of UX/UI in enterprise software and the value it can bring to productivity, satisfaction, and enterprise value. If you work for a Private Equity firm, listen long enough and Chris puts out an amazing offer for you.

The look and the feel of enterprise software is often (and wrongly) overlooked. The Consumerization of IT continues to pressure organizations to make their enterprise software appealing both visually experientially, to both customers and employees. Chris Bernard, Director of what used to be Truth Labs (<a href="http://www.truthlabs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.truthlabs.com</a>) and is now folded under Perficient Digital, discusses the importance of UX/UI in enterprise software and the value it can bring to productivity, satisfaction, and enterprise value. If you work for a Private Equity firm, listen long enough and Chris puts out an amazing offer for you.

Episode 5 - The Importance of Visual Design and User Experience

There’s a lot of excitement about the potential value of artificial intelligence. And we are hearing a great deal about exciting demos in a variety of sectors. However, we are also in a phase where a lot of PE firms are somewhat skeptical as to whether or not it can actually help them. How do firms evaluate the opportunities and limitations? How best to  handle the complexity of ethics, transparency, and bias?AI can be viewed as a cognitive prosthetic for business intelligence. Pioneer companies are already using AI to innovate and grow fast. William Lee and Neil Callahan of Pilot Growth Equity are here to share their insights on the implications of the AI paradigm shift in the transformation of all business processes within organizations, and their experience working with AI in portfolio companies. They are using their deep industry, analytics and technology expertise to help their portfolio companies get real value from these technologies – now.  Will and Neil talk us through their experience of joining data science and investment expertise. We discuss what AI is, conditions required for success and how AI can be leveraged within portfolio companies. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Pilot Growth Equity - https://www.pilotgrowth.comWilliam Lee -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lee-05a8091Neil Callahan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilcallahanr4 - r4.co/ Thank you so much for joining us this week. This show was hosted by Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

There’s a lot of excitement about the potential value of artificial intelligence. And we are hearing a great deal about exciting demos in a variety of sectors. However, we are also in a phase where a lot of PE firms are somewhat skeptical as to whether or not it can actually help them. How do firms evaluate the opportunities and limitations? How best to handle the complexity of ethics, transparency, and bias? AI can be viewed as a cognitive prosthetic for business intelligence. Pioneer companies are already using AI to innovate and grow fast. William Lee and Neil Callahan of Pilot Growth Equity are here to share their insights on the implications of the AI paradigm shift in the transformation of all business processes within organizations, and their experience working with AI in portfolio companies. They are using their deep industry, analytics and technology expertise to help their portfolio companies get real value from these technologies – now. Will and Neil talk us through their experience of joining data science and investment expertise. We discuss what AI is, conditions required for success and how AI can be leveraged within portfolio companies. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Pilot Growth Equity - <a href="https://www.pilotgrowth.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.pilotgrowth.com</a> William Lee - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lee-05a8091" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lee-05a8091</a> Neil Callahan - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilcallahan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilcallahan</a> r4 - <a href="http://r4.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">r4.co/</a> Thank you so much for joining us this week. This show was hosted by Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Episode 34 - Pilot Growth

We get back to the basics in this episode to deliver an understanding of data and databases. If you're looking for a quick primer that will help contextualize conversations you're having with targets or portfolio companies regarding data, then listen in.Naveed Asem, Chief Data and Analytics Officer of Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), has devoted his career to building data and analytic solutions and takes us through an impressive coverage of architecture, tools, processes, products, and applications of data.In this episode you’ll learn about: * The difference between relational and non-relational databases* Data lakes, data warehouses and data marts* Data preparation and quality – what’s involved in cleaning, transforming and merging data sets* Exploration and insight reporting – which dashboards to use?Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Naveed Asem - https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveedasem

We get back to the basics in this episode to deliver an understanding of data and databases. If you're looking for a quick primer that will help contextualize conversations you're having with targets or portfolio companies regarding data, then listen in. Naveed Asem, Chief Data and Analytics Officer of Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), has devoted his career to building data and analytic solutions and takes us through an impressive coverage of architecture, tools, processes, products, and applications of data. In this episode you’ll learn about: * The difference between relational and non-relational databases * Data lakes, data warehouses and data marts * Data preparation and quality – what’s involved in cleaning, transforming and merging data sets * Exploration and insight reporting – which dashboards to use? Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Naveed Asem - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveedasem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveedasem</a>

Episode 35 - Data 101

Hiring the right tech executives to run your portfolio companies is a serious challenge. Alex Rawlings, of UK-based Raw Selection, dials in from across the pond with strategies and tips on how to find what you're looking for.

Episode 23 - Hiring Tech Executives

“Investors should talk about their digital investments more and sooner,” advises Suraj Srinivasan, Professor at Harvard Business School, who joins us to discuss his recent article titled ‘Investors Reward Companies That Talk Up Their Digital Initiatives." Public companies talking about their digital investments on quarterly investment calls has grown 5x since 2010 and investors are paying up for those digital investments. Suraj discusses the importance of rethinking the growth strategy with a technology lens and how to value this, as well as the criticality of having the right level of talent within a portfolio business.  In this episode you’ll learn: * How to think about the scope of a Digital Strategy* The impact on due diligence of disruption* The importance of tech talent at C-level* How digital investments should be valuedLinks and resources mentioned in this episode: Suraj Srinivasan: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=10700Article: https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-investors-reward-companies-that-talk-up-their-digital-initiativesThank you so much for joining us this week. This show was co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

“Investors should talk about their digital investments more and sooner,” advises Suraj Srinivasan, Professor at Harvard Business School, who joins us to discuss his recent article titled ‘Investors Reward Companies That Talk Up Their Digital Initiatives." Public companies talking about their digital investments on quarterly investment calls has grown 5x since 2010 and investors are paying up for those digital investments. Suraj discusses the importance of rethinking the growth strategy with a technology lens and how to value this, as well as the criticality of having the right level of talent within a portfolio business. In this episode you’ll learn: * How to think about the scope of a Digital Strategy * The impact on due diligence of disruption * The importance of tech talent at C-level * How digital investments should be valued Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Suraj Srinivasan: <a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=10700" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=10700</a> Article: <a href="https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-investors-reward-companies-that-talk-up-their-digital-initiatives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-investors-reward-companies-that-talk-up-their-digital-initiatives</a> Thank you so much for joining us this week. This show was co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Episode 33 - The Digital Transformation Payoff

So excited to finally be able to tell the story of Chicago-based Kinzie Capital Partners!Kinzie has an investment thesis that you'll hear from many other private equity firms, targeting lower middle market companies amidst transition in the consumer, manufacturing and services industries. But Kinzie is profoundly different in that it believes that a capital partner must understand technology’s growing influence on operations in order to unleash a company’s true potential. Sounds quite similar to what we've been preaching here for 10+ months, right?!?In a unique strategic partnership with Clarity Partners, a Chicago-based technology consultancy and developer, Kinzie has assembled an in-house team of technology, industry and operations experts that are readily available to assist with due diligence and work closely with their portfolio companies to execute strategic vision. This isn't Apax buying ThoughtWorks. This is Apax and ThoughtWorks going into business together.It's a setup that I believe is completely unique at the present, but one that I expect to become more familiar as the years go by.Check out Kinzie at http://www.kinziecp.com/ or @KinzieCapital

So excited to finally be able to tell the story of Chicago-based Kinzie Capital Partners! Kinzie has an investment thesis that you'll hear from many other private equity firms, targeting lower middle market companies amidst transition in the consumer, manufacturing and services industries. But Kinzie is profoundly different in that it believes that a capital partner must understand technology’s growing influence on operations in order to unleash a company’s true potential. Sounds quite similar to what we've been preaching here for 10+ months, right?!? In a unique strategic partnership with Clarity Partners, a Chicago-based technology consultancy and developer, Kinzie has assembled an in-house team of technology, industry and operations experts that are readily available to assist with due diligence and work closely with their portfolio companies to execute strategic vision. This isn't Apax buying ThoughtWorks. This is Apax and ThoughtWorks going into business together. It's a setup that I believe is completely unique at the present, but one that I expect to become more familiar as the years go by. Check out Kinzie at <a href="http://www.kinziecp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.kinziecp.com/</a> or @KinzieCapital

Episode 25 - Kinzie Capital Partners

Mike Bestvina of Liberty Advisor Group checked in to discuss the current state of IT diligence. It was great to hear that IT diligence has just about made its way into the standard pre-acquisition diligence process.

Episode 3 - Current State of IT Diligence

As private equity firms continue to look to technology as a way of creating growth, the market for operating partners that know technology is picking up. PE firms need pre-investment tech due diligence. During the hold period, they need creative technology solutions and execution of those solutions. And when preparing for sale, they need to maximize shareholder value. Enter Morgan Hill Partners, whose operators-as-a-service (cute, I know) model imagines to have the scalability that Vista and others have to meet the demand of operational leverage. Jim Barnish is our guest: http://bit.ly/private-equity-barnish-linkedin

As private equity firms continue to look to technology as a way of creating growth, the market for operating partners that know technology is picking up. PE firms need pre-investment tech due diligence. During the hold period, they need creative technology solutions and execution of those solutions. And when preparing for sale, they need to maximize shareholder value. Enter Morgan Hill Partners, whose operators-as-a-service (cute, I know) model imagines to have the scalability that Vista and others have to meet the demand of operational leverage. Jim Barnish is our guest: <a href="http://bit.ly/private-equity-barnish-linkedin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/private-equity-barnish-linkedin</a>

Episode 29 - Operators-as-a-Service

Dear Private Equity Associates - You have an enormous opportunity to add value at your respective firms: go deep on understanding the technology both pre- and post-acquisition. Your bosses and bosses' bosses most likely don't have the time to get into it. Every company is run on technology. The more you understand about it, the more impact you can create earlier in your careers!

Dear Private Equity Associates - You have an enormous opportunity to add value at your respective firms: go deep on understanding the technology both pre- and post-acquisition. Your bosses and bosses' bosses most likely don't have the time to get into it. Every company is run on technology. The more you understand about it, the more impact you can create earlier in your careers!

A Rant: Dear Associates, You Have An Incredible Opportunity To Make An Impact

Brad Haller and Paul Cotter of West Monroe Partners, a household name in IT diligence, join me on this episode. We get into one increasingly important aspect within IT diligence, namely cybersecurity diligence. Securing your company’s data has become a vital aspect of running a business. There are serious costs in failing to secure that data. How do you protect yourself from acquiring companies with data security issues? Listen up!

Episode 26 - West Monroe Partners On Cybersecurity

Jike Chong

Data science already is, or will be, a key factor in the success of your investing. In this episode of The Private Equity Technology Podcast, we spoke with Jike Chong, Chief Data Scientist at Acorns, a startup focused on building tools for micro-investing. Jike joined to set the record straight on what data science actually is and where you can be looking to deploy it both pre- and post-acquisition. He has extensive experience building data science teams and practices in Financial Services, including a stint at Silver Lake. Our conversation covered many topics, including: * Potential applications of data science during the PE process and within portfolio companies. * Where to place capability and how to recruit and train skill sets* The challenges in getting data sources that are reliable and useful, and how to start unlocking for value creationJike Chong is on LinkedIn: bit.ly/jike-chongThis episode is co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Data science already is, or will be, a key factor in the success of your investing. In this episode of The Private Equity Technology Podcast, we spoke with Jike Chong, Chief Data Scientist at Acorns, a startup focused on building tools for micro-investing. Jike joined to set the record straight on what data science actually is and where you can be looking to deploy it both pre- and post-acquisition. He has extensive experience building data science teams and practices in Financial Services, including a stint at Silver Lake. Our conversation covered many topics, including: * Potential applications of data science during the PE process and within portfolio companies. * Where to place capability and how to recruit and train skill sets * The challenges in getting data sources that are reliable and useful, and how to start unlocking for value creation Jike Chong is on LinkedIn: <a href="http://bit.ly/jike-chong" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bit.ly/jike-chong</a> This episode is co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Episode 28 - Data Science with Jike Chong

Traditional RFIs and RFPs are painful experiences for both buyer and vendor. They're inefficient and often do a poor job of 1) conveying the actual business needs; and 2) vetting vendors. David Carlson, of Halsted Partners, has been on both sides of the traditional processes. Today, he bucks those traditions and deploys a process he calls Rapid Software Selection (RSS). Buyers and vendors (even those that don't end up winning) have been thrilled with the results. Check out David's method to choosing the right software partner in an efficient, thoughtful manner.

Episode 15 - Goodnight RFP, Hello RSS

When you're looking at (or own) a company whose revenues or key operations rely on proprietary technology, it probably makes sense to  go much deeper than typical IT diligence, like into the actual software code itself, to understand whether that technology can scale to meet your goals. We call this Deep Dive IT Diligence. Steve Holstad, Director at Perficient, drops by to provide an overview of Deep Dive IT Diligence and when/where it makes sense.

Episode 4 - Deeeeeeep Dive IT Diligence

Despite evidence that pricing is the most critical predictor of profitability, the science of pricing is still relatively underdeveloped for most portfolio companies, and few have optimized their pricing to maximize profits. Pricing is therefore often one of the first levers Private Equity firms should be looking to look to optimize – gaining control over pricing strategy, processes and establishing the foundation for value-based pricing. Paul Hunt, Global President of Pricing Solutions, talks through the underlying technology required to optimize pricing. Pricing Solutions has worked with industry leaders implementing cross-pollination of best pricing research, management and intelligence practices across industries.In this episode you’ll learn: * The unique value of a pricing specialist versus other data analytics skills* The different levels of pricing expertise and technology and infrastructure requirements* Who should be accountable for pricing in a portfolio company* Benefits of pricing automationLinks and resources mentioned in this episode: * Pricing Solutions -     https://www.pricingsolutions.com/* Paul Hunt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pspaulhuntThank you so much for joining us this week. This show was co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Despite evidence that pricing is the most critical predictor of profitability, the science of pricing is still relatively underdeveloped for most portfolio companies, and few have optimized their pricing to maximize profits. Pricing is therefore often one of the first levers Private Equity firms should be looking to look to optimize – gaining control over pricing strategy, processes and establishing the foundation for value-based pricing. Paul Hunt, Global President of Pricing Solutions, talks through the underlying technology required to optimize pricing. Pricing Solutions has worked with industry leaders implementing cross-pollination of best pricing research, management and intelligence practices across industries. In this episode you’ll learn: * The unique value of a pricing specialist versus other data analytics skills * The different levels of pricing expertise and technology and infrastructure requirements * Who should be accountable for pricing in a portfolio company * Benefits of pricing automation Links and resources mentioned in this episode: * Pricing Solutions - <a href="https://www.pricingsolutions.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.pricingsolutions.com/</a> * Paul Hunt - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pspaulhunt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/pspaulhunt</a> Thank you so much for joining us this week. This show was co-hosted with Lisa Weaver-Lambert.

Episode 32 - The Importance Of Pricing

Rightfully, more and more attention is being paid to how a portfolio company's operations and culture are affected by large changes to the technology that runs the business. When there are meaningful technological changes, it pays to not only consider how those changes will impact a company and its culture, but to put a plan in place to address and manage the changes. Micah Alpern, culture and change management expert, drops in to share how you can and should prepare for technological change.

Episode 17 - Managing The Rollout Of Large Technological Change

Great episode here (though the audio quality isn't). You're undoubtedly hearing a lot about the virtues and benefits of the cloud when it comes to the software running potential acquisitions or portfolio companies. How do you make sense of all of it? In this concise 30-minute overview, Steve Holstad, Director at Perficient, provides a layperson's understanding of 1) which applications belong in the cloud and ways of getting them there; and 2) the primary cloud providers and their offerings. You can find Steve at LinkedIn. Message him and ask him about his free Cloud Assessment for PE portfolio companies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveholstad/

Great episode here (though the audio quality isn't). You're undoubtedly hearing a lot about the virtues and benefits of the cloud when it comes to the software running potential acquisitions or portfolio companies. How do you make sense of all of it? In this concise 30-minute overview, Steve Holstad, Director at Perficient, provides a layperson's understanding of 1) which applications belong in the cloud and ways of getting them there; and 2) the primary cloud providers and their offerings. You can find Steve at LinkedIn. Message him and ask him about his free Cloud Assessment for PE portfolio companies. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveholstad/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveholstad/</a>

Episode 24 - Da Cloud

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!