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Ep.242: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Steve Swinney (@steveswinney).
My guest today is Steve Swinney, founder and CEO of Kodiak Building Partners. The company, which started in 2011 with the acquisition of Barton Supply in Denver, has grown to 45+ acquisitions and $3 billion in sales by 2024. We cover Steve’s extensive experience in building product distribution, Kodiak's diversification strategy, communication as a CEO, hiring practices, acquisition strategy, company history, and future challenges.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links
Steve on LinkedIn
Kodiak Building Partners
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:05) - Starting Kodiak
(00:06:09) - Why did you focus on lumber as a commodity?
(00:09:17) - What were the first few years at Kodiak like?
(00:12:28) - What was your capital raise strategy?
(00:13:51) - Consolidation & Acquisitions
(00:17:08) - How have you constructed your team as the company has grown?
(00:21:15) - Recruiting executives
(00:22:51) - How do you foster an environment of continuous learning?
(00:24:46) - How has your communication style evolved?
(00:31:45) - Keeping values consistent across companies in Kodiak
(00:34:01) - Is there ever a breaking point with the house-of-brands approach?
(00:34:53) - What key challenges are you most excited to solve over the next decade? -
Ep.241: Alex (@Aebrigeman) is joined by Ed Manfre (@emanfre).
My guest today is Ed Manfre, a business leader, executive coach, and co-author of Lead Through Anything alongside recent guest Dustin Seale. He has two decades of experience helping CEOs and C-Suite leaders align themselves and their companies for success. He’s served leadership roles at firms Heidrick & Struggles and Spencer Stuart as a business builder and people leader and is here today to talk through a core concept of his, that being leadership is an inside job. His conclusion through his work is that great leadership starts with an internal, reflective focus before being an external force within your company.
We also talk about resilience, advice for new leaders and leading integrations, driving results through people, and much more!
One last note: I’ve launched my own search called Airframe Group, and I’m looking for great companies and experts in industrial services and value-added distribution. Please reach out. I'm always excited to meet industry owners and experts. Please email me at [email protected].
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Ed on LinkedIn
Lead Through Anything by Ed Manfre
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:07) - Ed’s background and career
(00:12:40) - What do the best leaders do to make the acquisition and integration process smoother?
(00:16:43) - Leadership as an inside job
(00:23:47) - How leaders can shine a light on behavior they want to see more of
(00:25:%7) - What are some good questions to ask yourself when trying to discover your own leadership style?
(00:33:25) - Maintaining stability during internal struggles
(00:43:04) - Building resilient leaders
(00:46:21) - Seeking out new challenges
(00:54:40) - Where do new CEOs tend to get off track?
(00:58:39) - How can a new CEO put their best foot forward? -
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Ep.240: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Sarah Rowell (@sarahrowell).
This is the first episode in our new series called the Build Series, in partnership with Pacific Lake Partners and Trilogy Search Partners. Over the six Build Series episodes, we will explore how CEOs can accelerate their company’s growth trajectory, as well as their own professional growth as leaders. The Build Series continues the foundation set by last year’s Launch Series in growing transformative companies as ambitious CEOs and leaders.
Our guest in this first episode is Sarah Rowell to talk all things board construction, getting the most value from your board relationships, and key points along her journey where her board played a critical role. Sarah and her husband acquired Kantola Training Solutions in 2018 before selling to Traliant in December 2023 after some incredible growth years at the helm.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Sarah on LinkedIn
Traliant (Kantola)
Trilogy Search Partners
Pacific Lake Partners
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:05:00) - Sarah’s experience acquiring a company
(00:07:13) - Building the infrastructure for a company board
(00:15:10) - Building chemistry with investors
(00:20:34) - Establishing a board
(00:24:42) - What do you hope for the future of this acquisition?
(00:29:16) - Involving investors and the board in the business
(00:39:47) - Building out Sales and Marketing
(00:48:51) - Board meeting structures
(00:58:17) - Emotionally connecting with Board members
(01:02:47) - Closing advice -
This is my second episode hosting Alex De Pfyffer and Ross Porter, founders of Heritage Holding, on the podcast. A lot has happened since their first episode in late 2022. They’ve built 7 platforms through 25 acquisitions and recently raised a committed fund for the next five platforms. They’ve done excellent sourcing, but I also admire their ability to build a strong team at Heritage that allows them to move faster across multiple strategies and platforms.
We talk about elements of a platform thesis in their view, integrating teams while supporting founders, future platforms, speed, and so much more.
One last note, I’ve launched my search called Airframe Group and I’m looking for great companies and experts in industrial services and value-added distribution. Please reach out, I am always excited to meet owners and experts in the industry. Email me at [email protected].
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Heritage Holding
Alex on LinkedIn
Ross on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:54) - Recapping Heritage Holding's last few years of growth
(00:08:00) - What drove the decision to sell off platforms?
(00:11:42) - How did initial platform acquisitions inform your criteria for future acquisitions?
(00:18:08) - Fragmented PE interest
(00:24:59) - Building out the Heritage team
(00:31:52) - Organizing the leadership team around integrating new acquisitions
(00:40:15) - Developing Sales teams
(00:44:20) - Raising a Fund
(00:48:03) - Setting a fast pace for activity and execution -
My guest today is Jeff Homer, who’s pursued one of the most interesting consolidation theses I’ve ever heard, music schools and more recently dance studios through his company, Ensemble Performing Arts. And his pace is incredible, acquiring essentially a school per month for five years, totaling 70 acquisitions and integrations. The number of reps he’s had is incredible, and has given him a huge amount of experience to learn from. Everything from industry theses, to integration, working with sellers, building a team, debt, he’s built an expertise in all facets and it’s very impressive.
Jeff and I talk about pursuing consolidation strategies, what he’s learned in building his own, adding ancillary products and services, and so much more. Jeff is also now investing in others pursuing consolidations and I highly recommend reaching out to him if one is top of mind for you.
Lastly, before the episode, I’ve launched my own search called Airframe Group and I’m looking for great companies and experts in industrial services and value-added distribution. Please reach out at [email protected] if you’d like to connect!
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links
Jeff on LinkedIn
Ensemble Performing Arts
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:48) - Ensemble and Jeff’s career
(00:06:39) - What is the process of buying and overhauling a school?
(00:13:43) - How have sources of funding for you changed?
(00:19:01) - Where do you feel like you’ve improved the most on this journey?
(00:22:11) - Is there a characteristic or culture you’re looking to complement when hiring?
(00:24:13) - What skill must you improve to grow to hundreds of schools?
(00:28:09) - What is your consolidation thesis?
(00:30:44) - Are there other industries you’ve considered when acquiring?
(00:34:21) - What early mistakes can people avoid in consolidations?
(00:36:29) - Brand integrations
(00:43:11) - What are ancillary services you’re looking for?
(00:47:19) - What flywheels are you thinking about within the business?
(00:50:05) - How have you streamlined your processes?
(00:53:58) - Valuations in lower middle markets vs. larger markets
(00:57:55) - What are other ways to drive value in Ensemble?
(01:00:03) - Do you own the RE of schools you acquire? -
My guest today is Justin Watt, co-founder of Switchboard, which helps businesses with automation and AI tools to become more effective and efficient companies. He’s the smartest person I know when it comes to automation, and I’ve been really excited to record this episode with him laying out his philosophy for tools and how to approach streamlining key internal processes.
We talk about hype vs reality with AI tools, preparing your company for automation and laying the foundation through cleaner data, the three pillars of modernizing a company via people, process, and technology, and so much more!
One last note, I’ve launched my own search called Airframe Group and I’m looking for great companies and experts in industrial services and value-added distribution. Please reach out, always excited to meet owners and experts in the industry. Email me at [email protected].
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Justin on LinkedIn
Justin on X
Switchboard
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:03) - Justin’s career and background
(00:07:31) - The three pillars of automation
(00:11:56) - Examples of implementing new tools in current processes
(00:18:26) - How can you see through superfluous marketing?
(00:21:23) - What questions should people be asking when evaluating new software tools?
(00:23:06) - What do companies need to work on before they can consider implementing automation?
(00:26:20) - The AI hype & discerning noise from signal
(00:36:57) - Enablement infrastructures
(00:42:28) - What automations do you enjoy spending the most time on?
(00:49:14) - Reinventing HR Processes
(00:51:26) - The anatomy of automation
(00:53:10) - What are some quick wins you often see with companies you work with in automation?
(00:55:38) - What advice do you share with folks trying to implement automation? -
I formed Airframe Group to acquire and build a company in industrial services, infrastructure, or value-added distribution. I want to grow a transformative company that is loyal to customers, moves fast, and pursues an ambitious vision for the long term.
The ideal company for Airframe is led by an owner ready for the next chapter of life and wants to transition the company to a new owner who will lead their employees, customers, and vendors toward a bright future. Other characteristics I’m looking for include the company being over $10 million in revenue, growing profitably, and providing a meaningful and important industrial service.
I’m backed by exceptional industrial investors like Norwest (a $3 billion fund), Pacific Lake Partners, and an outstanding group of active CEOs. Each investor knows how to build high-performing industrial service companies that provide talented employees and customers a long-term home.
I’ve seen how great companies grow through my chief of staff role at HousingWire, a news organization for the housing and construction markets, and my podcast Think Like an Owner where I explore how ambitious CEOs grow great companies. Through the podcast, I’ve met over 250 CEOs like Henry Schuck, Craig Fuller, and Richard Reese, among many others.
If you’re contemplating the next chapter after leading your company, please reach out – I’d love to hear from you. ([email protected]) -
Episode 235: Alex Bridgeman (@aebridgeman) is joined by Chris Hoffman (Chris-Hoffman).
My guest, Chris Hoffmann, is the President and CEO of Hoffmann Brothers, a home services business based in St. Louis. Hoffmann Brothers have scaled from $10 million in 2015 to over $100 million in revenue in 2023. We talk about how that journey happened, their experience building executive teams, investing in people through a training university they started for ongoing training, and investing activity for home services today.
We also talk about what perpetual non-private equity ownership enables them to do, including their unique strategy for managing cash investments and liquidity as a growing family office. This was a ton of fun for me and I hope you enjoy this conversation as well.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Chris on LinkedIn
Hoffmann Brothers
NexStar Network
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:39) - Hoffman University
(00:06:27) - Enabling scale and revenue growth
(00:08:56) - Differences in PE-backed company structures
(00:12:26) - Retention and morale-boosting tactics
(00:15:59) - Leadership team composition
(00:19:17) - Surfacing high-performers & evaluating management teams
(00:26:53) - Using Search Firms to find talent
(00:28:26) - Choosing an Executive Search firm
(00:31:31) - Financial sponsor interest in the HVAC and Home Services market
(00:34:16) - Reasons Consolidators are failing
(00:36:41) - Debt, Public Equity Strategies & Fund Investing
(00:46:01) - Goals for the family office
(00:47:48) - Building new locations from scratch vs. acquiring existing companies
(00:53:38) - Acquiring a school
(00:56:53) - Changing strongly held beliefs
(00:57:55) - Chris’ favorite business -
Ep.234: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Auren Hoffman (@auren).
In this episode, I sit down with Auren Hoffman, CEO of SafeGraph and partner at Flex Capital. The conversation centers around Auren’s experiences in running data companies and his insights into the data as a service market. We discuss the slower-than-expected growth in the buyer's market for data, and what it takes for data companies to achieve significant scale, using ZoomInfo as a prominent example. The discussion also covers team management, including hiring and letting go of employees. I highly recommend Hoffman’s podcast 'World of DaaS’ for those interested in data businesses.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Auren on X
World of DaaS Podcast
SafeGraph
Flex Capital
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:27) - What trend are you trying to learn more about in the Data market today?
(00:09:58) - Factors in why companies may not be buying data
(00:14:13) - Are there cracks in the “data is the new oil” thesis?
(00:15:50) - Common guidelines for data companies
(00;17:54) - How would you apply a B2B SaaS playbook to a data sales company?
(00:18:53) - What is the sales process for SafeGraph?
(00:22:17) - How have you reinvented yourself as a CEO?
(00:26:17) - How do you audit your time?
(00:28:40 - What traits do you look for in recruiting executives?
(00:33:47) - Leveraging tools to help one person be as effective as 2-3 people
(00:40:19) - Are there common reasons you’ve found someone not to be successful?
(00:42:41) - What questions do you ask to find if someone is a good fit?
(00:44:53) - What lessons have you learned from hiring and managing?
(00:55:46) - Flex Capital
(00:57:12) - How can folks reach out to you? -
Ep. 232: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Sara Heston (@sara-heston).
My guest today is Sara Heston. We discuss the latest findings from the 2024 Stanford Search Fund Study, which reviews trends from the past two years. Key topics include rapid growth in the Search Fund industry, changing searcher backgrounds such as 24% of searchers not having an MBA, return trends, drivers of outsized returns, and industry dynamics. Sara also shares her transition to a director role at Anacapa. The episode provides a primer on the Search Fund model, making it an excellent resource for those less familiar with Search Funds.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
2024 Search Fund Study
Sara on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:13) - What are some high-level takeaways from the study?
(00:04:26) - Why has the number of investors declined?
(00:08:16) - Is there a formula for the ideal Searcher?
(00:09:49) - How much more prepared are Searchers today than 10 years ago?
(00:12:10) - What stood out to you regarding the number of LOIs and industries Searchers are looking at?
(00:16:47) - What are you looking to track regarding long-term holds?
(00:20:25) - How do you see entrepreneurs exiting holding companies?
(00:26:24) - Discussing the 2017-2020 cohort
(00:31:41) - Are there any changes in the questions you’re asked by students interested in Search?
(00:33:28) - The increase in women and minorities in Search
(00:35:00) - What do you hope to see in future studies? -
Ep.231: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff.
My guests today are Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, both Harvard professors for entrepreneurship through acquisition and co-authors of the most popular and well-known piece of content in search, the HBR book How to Buy a Small Business which I would consider the bible of the search fund world. It’s one of the first resources I recommend for folks wanting to learn about search, besides this podcast of course. On top of the book, Rick and Royce have now launched their own podcast titled Think Big Buy Small that is a great primer for search funds, especially self-funded models, and I highly recommend giving it a listen.
Rick, Royce, and I talk about their careers as professors, case studies on small business they often reference, common threads through case studies and advice for new CEOs, ways search has changed, and the mission of their new podcast.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business
Think Big Buy Small Podcast
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:18) - What made you decide to write the book?
(00:07:17) - How have you become a more effective teacher?
(00:12:29) - What cases or scenarios have been most challenging for CEOs to work through?
(00:19:03) - What are some reasons searchers buy cyclical businesses?
(00:25:06) - What recurring concepts are you trying to teach or questions CEOs ask?
(00:28:32) - What are your favorite cases to teach?
(00:33:16) - What’s changing or evolving in the Search space?
(00:40:56) - What are the missions and goals of the Podcast?
(00:46:11) - What would you add if you wrote a new book edition? -
Ep.230: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Anand Sanwal (@anandsanwal).
My guest today is Anand Sanwal, founder and former CEO of CB Insights, which provides data and intelligence on private markets, companies, and investors. Anand recently hired a new CEO for CB Insights and stepped into a chairman role. Anand ran the company for 14 years and developed a unique perspective on leading that I was really excited to learn more about. He’s a deep thinker, and if you liked recent episodes with Henry Schuck and Ayman Al-Abdullah, you’ll love this one too.
Anand and I talk about why he stepped out of the CEO role and the type of person he looked for to replace him, how new CEOs should start their first couple months in a new company, how CB Insights has shaped his views on private markets, and the new entrepreneurial school he’s launching to turn young kids into business pros.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
CB Insights
Anand on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:47) - Evaluating the effectiveness of a CEO
(00:06:21) - Building repeatable processes
(00:09:05) - Executive recruiting strategies
(00:19:06) - Evaluating the instincts of a candidate
(00:21:44) - What are the best ways to effectively spend your time as a new CEO?
(00:27:06) - Tactics for influencing culture
(00:33:33) - How do you think about moving quickly and effectively?
(00:36:52) - Being an insurgent company
(00:40:07) - Growth advantages
(00:42:38) - What have incumbent companies eliminated in order to move faster?
(00:45:07) - Are there any founders or CEOs you study?
(00:54:49) - Anand’s entrepreneurship school
(01:10:35) - Thoughts on private markets -
Ep.228: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Brett Kelly (@BrettKPG).
My guest on this episode is Brett Kelly, founder and CEO of Kelly Partners, a publicly traded accounting, tax, and advisory firm with global ambitions and a roughly $350m market cap. Since 2006 they have done 80 acquisitions and developed a strong playbook for building best-in-class accounting firms with a focus on high-net-worth clients and growing companies. Brett is a really serious and motivated leader who’s pulled tons of great ideas from others and has a multi-decade vision for Kelly Partners. He’s also the author of 5 books, one of which he wrote before launching Kelly when he was 22 years old.
Brett and I talk about the origins of Kelly Partners, companies and leaders he draws inspiration from, elements of his consolidation playbook, the role of technology and software, and what the future holds for Kelly.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
More on Brett Kelly
Brett Kelly's books
"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
"The Art of Being Unreasonable" by Eli Broad
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki
"Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller
Founders Podcast
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:30) - Founding Kelly Partners and Brett’s early career
(00:14:01) - What steps did you take to fast-track the company’s growth?
(00:26:24) - Why is the accounting field less competitive than it seems?
(00:30:49) - The power of consolidation in business
(00:40:07) - How are you running your firm differently than a typical accounting firm?
(00:44:24) - What does an average day look like for you as CEO?
(00:48:44) - What impact did IPO-ing have on the business?
(00:53:30) - Learnings from writing books
(01:00:11) - What skills are you working on to become a better CEO?
(01:05:42) - How do you view technology as part of your firm?
(01:10:32) - What are you excited about over the next 5 years? -
Ep.227: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Dustin Seal (@dustinseale).
My guest today is Dustin Seale, co-author of Lead Through Anything alongside Ed Manfre and managing partner at executive search and leadership firm, Heidrick & Struggles. Dustin has spent his career working with high-performing CEOs from over 70 countries to help transform teams and find the right successors for CEOs and other C-suite executives.
We talk about what to look for in CEO successors, including the Microsoft search Dustin’s firm led to replace Steve Ballmer, why internal talent is often discounted, key predictors for success in leaders, and the core characteristics of purpose, vitality, and agility that all the best leaders Dustin has studied have, and how other CEOs can develop those traits.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
Lead Through Anything by Dustin Seale
Dustin on Linkedin
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:48) - The process of replacing Steve Balmer as CEO of Microsoft
(00:09:31) - Pros and cons of internal vs. external candidates in a CEO search
(00:10:59) - What qualities are you looking for in a CEO for a company as large as Microsoft?
(00:16:46) - Creating flexibility with nonlinear planning
(00:26:51) - Pushing messages as a CEO
(00:29:39) - Turning a group of individuals into a team united
(00:32:47) - How new CEOs can make efficient evaluations?
(00:41:06) - Dustin’s process for writing the book
(00:47:58) - Measuring purpose, vitality, and agility
(00:52:17) - Dealing with burnout and lack of fulfillment
(00:56:24) - Dustin’s journey to improve vitality
(00:59:54) - Key concepts to take away from the book -
Ep.226: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by A.J. Wasserstein.
My guest on this episode is A.J. Wasserstein. Early in his career, A.J. founded Archives One, a physical records management business he operated as CEO for 17 years before selling to Iron Mountain. He then acquired One Source Water, which was eventually sold to Water Logic in 2016. He then began teaching at Yale School of Management where he has written ad nauseam about nearly every topic within growing and running small companies and search funds. His writings are my go-to resource for many questions and business concepts I want to learn more about, and I'm quick to recommend them to others.
A.J. and I talk about being a professor and how to get involved if you’d like to teach, why students do not pursue entrepreneurship through acquisition and work-life integration as CEO, a topic A.J. has written and thought very deeply about, among other topics. Please enjoy this fantastic conversation with AJ Wasserstein.
Links:
More on A.J. Wasserstein
The Judd Lorson story by A.J. Wasserstein
Why MBA Students Do Not Pursue Entrepreneurship through Acquisition by A.J. Wasserstein
How CEOs actually spend their time? by A.J. Wasserstein
Topics:
(3:14) - What made you excited to publish a paper covering an unsuccessful search?
(4:26) - Is it a conscious part of your process to present both sides of an issue in your writing?
(5:45) - What was your experience like going from a CEO to academia?
(8:39) - What were some challenges you faced as a CEO?
(13:49) - In your experience, did you find your workload felt reduced as you grew different departments?
(15:20) - Is work-life integration as a CEO possible?
(18:03) - Are there any CEOs you know who have achieved this balance?
(19:39) - What do you think about the ROI of your time spent as an investor, professor, and content creator via research papers?
(25:52) - You said it takes 5 years to be a successful CEO, would you say it takes the same amount of time as a professor?
(27:04) - What are some best practices for being an effective professor?
(30:20) - What moments as a professor bring you the most joy?
(32:02) - How do you help students think by asking them questions?
(34:25) - For someone selling their business, how would you recommend testing out the waters of academia?
(37:59) - What were some interesting observations you saw in students after they went through the Search Fund curriculum?
(43:20) - For students wanting to pursue Search, what roles were most effective in helping them feel ready
(48:41) - Do you want to turn your papers into a book one day?
(49:55) - Do you find any consistent themes in your writing?
(52:15) - Do you get the sense more folks are thinking about work-life integration than ever before?
(55:18) - What strongly held belief have you changed your mind on?
(57:42) - What’s the best business you’ve ever seen? -
Ep.225: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Anthony Bramante (@AnthonyBramante).
My guest today is Anthony Bramante who leads In Control, an automation control systems integrator primarily serving water and wastewater facilities at small and medium-sized towns across the Northern Midwest. Control systems aren’t exactly top of mind for me every day, but after chatting with Anthony I’m seeing them everywhere and realizing how integral they are to our daily lives.
Anthony and I talk about example control systems, the importance of cybersecurity and how vulnerable our water infrastructure truly is, how add-on acquisitions play into their growth strategy, recruiting from college campuses, and designing effective internship programs.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
I want to tell you about the audience survey we are currently running. These surveys help us create the best content for listeners and better understand your needs and interests. Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3QLBB1N
Links:
In Control
Anthony on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:26) - A walkthrough of InControl
(00:06:29) - Anthony’s career
(00:09:15) - What are your control systems doing at various facilities?
(00:12:08) - What are some origin points for new customers?
(00:18:02) - How have you built a positive reputation?
(00:19:32) - How do you find talent?
(00:22:52) - What goes into a great intern program?
(00:25:39) - Where should your salespeople be spending time?
(00:27:30) - Does everything come down to the lowest bid?
(00:30:01) - Is there an M&A process with players in other markets?
(00:34:25) - What is your industry's infrastructure and cybersecurity state?
(00:41:37) - Could you expand to other municipal facilities?
(00:43:33) - Could you work with airports?
(00:44:31) - What ideas or challenges are your top of mind?
(00:48:37) - How much of your work can you standardize?
(00:50:25) - Is there any new technology you’re excited about? -
Ep. 224: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Godard Abel (@GodardAbel).
My guest is Godard Abel, founder and CEO of G2, an enterprise software marketplace that helps software buyers find the right software for their companies and key problems. G2 is the third company he has led as CEO, the first two being BigMachines, founded in 2000, and SteelBrick, founded in 2014.
We talk about lessons learned building all three companies, challenges he’s currently facing, picking the right industries to build in, hiring talented people, and what trends in software and AI he’s excited about today. There were also some fantastic books, blogs, and concepts mentioned in the podcast so be sure to catch those in the show notes.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
Links:
G2
Godard on X
"Who" by Geoff Smart
"Behind the Cloud" by Marc Benioff
V2MOM
Dreamforce
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:27) - Sweating the details
(00:06:11) - Alternative data points to focus on
(00:08:05) - Measuring momentum
(00:13:11) - What extra data point do you want today that might be more challenging to get?
(00:14:55) - Are there legal issues in obtaining pricing data?
(00:17:32) - How do you pick what industry or market you want to build a company in with regard to enterprise software?
(00:21:25) - What trends are you paying attention to today?
(00:24:54) - How did you improve on your processes when building G2?
(00:29:46) - What have you learned from CEO peers of yours about maintaining cultures with large headcounts?
(00:32:23) - Are there any ingredients from your time at Salesforce that you apply to G2?
(00:34:22) - Are there more systematic ways to screen for culture and values in hiring?
(00:38:40) - What challenges do you have as you scale?
(00:42:13) - If you weren’t running G2, what business would you be excited to run? -
Ep. 223: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Rick Torres (@rick-torres).
My guest on this episode is Rick Torres, CEO and co-founder of Applikate Technologies, a digital pathology hardware and software business with a device that can examine tissue many multiples faster than traditional physical slide processes can today. I find this company fascinating given the life science and data element of the business and loved diving into the science behind pathology and how Applikate is making it so much more efficient.
Rick and I talk about the digitization of pathology, where efficiencies are gained through their platform, the process for FDA approval, and what Rick’s learned building and leading teams as CEO.
I want to tell you about the audience survey we are currently running. These surveys help us create the best content for listeners and better understand your needs and interests. Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3QLBB1N
Links:
Applikate
Rick on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:03:52) - What is Applikate?
(00:13:41) - Labor dynamics for histology
(00:16:37) - Do you need to be a histotechnologist to use the machine?
(00:22:33) - What are the key benefits of this faster process?
(00:27:16) - Where are you storing tissue data and what is it used for?
(00:33:16) - What are the steps for gaining FDA approval?
(00:44:17) - How does this timeline affect recruiting?
(00:47:00) - What have you learned about managing and growing teams?
(00:50:47) - What advice has stuck with you most?
(00:52:11) - What skill are you working on improving?
(00:54:14) - What brings you energy?
(00:55:56) - Leadership philosophies -
Ep. 222: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Dan Cremons (@DanCremons).
My guest today is Dan Cremons, author of Winning Moves, 105 Proven Ways to Create Value in Private Equity-Backed Companies, and founder of Accelera Partners where he focuses on helping private equity groups unlock people-powered value creation. Dan started at Alpine Investors for 12 years before leaving in 2021 to found Accelera, and his book is an incredibly thorough documentation of everything he learned about the private equity playbook and how it needs to evolve.
Dan and I talk about the five buckets of value creation and what the biggest drivers are, what great value creation looks like at a PE firm and company level, traps for first-time CEOs, and interviewing executives to make sure you have the right team in place.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
I want to tell you about the audience survey we are currently running. These surveys help us create the best content for listeners and better understand your needs and interests. Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3QLBB1N
Links:
→ Buy Dan's bestselling book on PE value creation - Link
→ Resources for private equity professionals – Link
→ Resources for PE-backed executives – Link
→ Connect with Dan on LinkedIn – Link
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:13) - Dan’s career background and learnings from Alpine
(00:13:29) - How the Private Equity playbook has changed over time
(00:16:23) - What a 10/10 PE firm looks like
(00:25:40) - Categories of winning moves
(00:30:21) - What have been your biggest learnings about revenue growth?
(00:39:05) - First-time CEO traps
(00:46:36) - Identifying priorities
(00:53:39) - Alex’s perspective on finding focus
(00:58:58) - Dan’s formative experiences
(01:07:42) - Evaluating management teams
(01:15:36) - Upskilling team members
(01:20:02) - Winning the first few weeks in the CEO role -
Ep.221: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Moises Eilemberg (@Meilemberg).
My guest is Moises Eilemberg, CEO of XiltriX, a 24-7 life science asset monitoring business that started 5 years ago with 36 employees today and growing swiftly. Moises is unique in that this is his second time as a CEO, his first being back in 2006 when he acquired a healthcare revenue cycle management company Avadyne, which he ran for 11 years before exiting, making 4 add-on acquisitions during that time.
Moises has a ton of experience to share leading teams, improving unit economics, building sales orgs, and managing the change that comes with integrating add-on acquisitions.
Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.
Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/
I want to tell you about the audience survey we are currently running. These surveys help us create the best content for listeners and better understand your needs and interests. Thank you in advance for sharing your feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3QLBB1N
Links:
XiltriX
Moises on LinkedIn
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:20) - Moises’ career & XiltriX
(00:07:02) - Becoming comfortable with the CEO role
(00:09:33) - When did you start acquiring companies?
(00:12:35) - How did your integration process change as you acquired more companies?
(00:22:14) - Is there a reason you chose to be in this industry?
(00:25:27) - What is the state of your market today?
(00:29:12) - Is the market fragmented to a point where there are M&A opportunities?
(00:31:40) - What’s driving the biologics growth over the past few years?
(00:33:30) - What did you apply from your experience at Avadyne into XiltriX?
(00:36:44) - What was your experience setting Sales comps?
(00:42:57) - What levers have you used to improve unit economics? - もっと表示する
