PE Portfolio – What is an “A-Player”?

The term (or a portmanteau?) that we all hear a lot in sales management is “A-Player” and you typically hear it in “you should only hire A-Players”.  But what does that mean – what is the definition of an “A-Player” in sales? Here is a great definition – see this…  Read More >

PE – Growing ARR Via Enterprise Sales (vs MM Sales)

I wanted to share the differences as well as similarities between the more complex and longer-cycle Enterprise Deals vs. Mid-Market deals where as the first type requires more Field Sales (and project-managing the complexity) while the second has more of an Inside Sales motion. It’s obvious that Mid-Market Deals have…  Read More >

The First 100 Days – When a New VP of Sales or a CRO Starts

I was recently asked what a new Sales Leader should do during their first three months (i.e. the first quarter) at their job.  And just the other day, I saw a link from SBI posting a video where Matt Sharrers (the CEO of SBI) asked Eric Vermillion (a former CRO of BlueCat)…  Read More >

PE – Software Turnaround Investment Playbook (Cerberus Playbook for Tech)

Software Turnaround Investing Playbook – Translating the Cerberus Investment Approach to Tech Note – just sharing my own notes   Pre-Deal / Diagnosis Financial Stress Test Model churn sensitivity (GRR -5 to -10%) Simulate CAC payback stretch (18 → 36 months) Stress-test debt service under downside ARR scenarios Product/Tech Review…  Read More >

Private Equity – Record Demand for Operating Partners

  According to Private Equity International, PE firms are looking to boost portfolio company valuations while operational issues are becoming increasingly more complex. Source: https://www.privateequityinternational.com/record-demand-operating-partners-gps-seek-boost-portfolio-company-value-survey/ “Operating partner roles are the fastest-growing positions in private equity…” Here is value creation in 5 charts: https://www.peievents.com/en/event/operating-partners-technology-forum/value-creation-in-5-charts/      

Private Equity – Top Value Creation Initiatives for Portfolio Companies

What is the top Value Creation Area for PE Operating Partners? See the chart below – the single biggest area is: “Sales, marketing, and revenue growth”. Growing revenue will lead to EBITDA improvements and Multiple Expansion which both drive real value for PE portfolio companies.   Source: PEI – Private…  Read More >

CRO – The Key Role in PE Operating & Portfolio Support Group

A lot of the traditional PE firms have great Portfolio Support teams. Many of the professionals are former CEOs.  Here is one example about a PE Operating group: “To enhance our own operational capabilities, we’ve developed relationships with over 100 senior industry executives, or Operating Partners, who act as independent…  Read More >