Posts in Team Building
How BluWave Helps PE Shrink the World

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.

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Software Buyouts in Germany

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.

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The Case for 1st Time CEOs

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.

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The Board Perspective of People Operations

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 Managers." The two dissect the pithy purpose, discuss common pitfalls People Ops leaders fall into, and share examples when People Ope leaders really shine.

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WomenHack: Helping Diverse People Get Hired in Tech

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.

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What Makes a Good Board Meeting Deck?

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 tweet storm 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.

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Leadership During Periods of Disruption

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.

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Training and Enabling Effective Sales Teams with ClozeLoop

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.

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Friends of the Firm Series: Avante Capital with Ivelisse Simon

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.

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Career Advice from Chicago Booth Professor Chris McGowan - Part 2

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.

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Career Advice from Chicago Booth Professor Chris McGowan - Part 1

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.

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