The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Alex Rawlings
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Hosted by Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner of Raw Selection, a specialist executive search firm. Join us as we interview the leading experts in Private Equity, unlocking their secrets of success to share with you. Discover how some of the top Private Equity professionals got into Private Equity, how they rose to success and learn about some of the mistakes they made along the way.Alex has strong connections to the Private Equity industry through his executive search firm, Raw Selection, which specialises in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and North America. Alex is straight talking and to the point and aims to unlock real gold you can build into your firm or portfolio companies. Find out more at www.raw-selection.com

  1. 17H AGO

    An investors value creation plan for $100M+ revenue companies

    In this episode, host Alex Rawlings speaks with Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at SpeySide Equity, a private equity firm focused on lower middle-market manufacturing businesses. Eric shares his “fix and build” value creation strategy, the key elements of successful human capital alignment, and why cost accounting is the hidden killer in many portfolio companies. With deep operational experience, Eric offers a grounded perspective on how to avoid overcomplicating PE value creation. 🔍 Key Highlights: Fix & Build Framework: Phase 1 focuses on EBITDA improvement; Phase 2 drives growth.Top Phase 1 Levers:Aligning and incentivizing managementRationalizing the revenue portfolioOptimizing the operational footprintBiggest Friction Point: Getting the people side right—human capital alignment and talent quality.Always an Issue: Poor cost accounting systems that impact pricing and margins.Hiring Better Leaders: SpeySide’s edge comes from having “been there, done that” as former operators.Walk-Away Red Flag: Dishonesty or lack of transparency in due diligence.Industry Mistake: Relying on too many value levers—hope is not a strategy.📚 Eric Recommends: Books on economics, behavioral psychology, and sociology to better understand how people think and make decisions. 💼 Connect with Eric: LinkedIn: Eric Wiklendt Website: www.speysideequity.com Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    29 min

  2. DEC 16

    The secrets behind top PE-backed CEO’s achieving 6.2X MOIC

    📍 Episode Overview: Alex Rawlings welcomes Taavo Godtfredsen and Sam Allison, co-founders of Advantage CEO, to discuss insights from their two-year research study of over 50 private equity-backed CEOs who averaged 6.2x MOIC. They break down the habits, systems, and mindset that separate high-performing CEOs from the rest—and introduce their proven 5X CEO Model. ⏱️ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introductions Taavo and Sam share their backgrounds and transition into executive coaching for PE-backed CEOs. 01:50 – Common CEO Mistakes Strategy gets stuck at the topTrying to do too muchHolding onto average talent too long04:30 – How Top CEOs Handle Talent Identify A-players for mission-critical rolesUse litmus test: “Would I rehire this person today?”Design roles to be winnable, not overwhelming09:00 – Quarterly Talent Reviews Simple red/yellow/green assessmentsUse of the Nine Box model for performance and potentialSuccession planning: Who’s ready now vs. in 1-2 years?12:56 – Research Behind the 5X CEO Model 50+ CEOs and 25 PE leaders interviewedFocused on repeatable, values-based leadership900+ years of combined PE experience17:03 – The 5X CEO Model Strategic Clarity – Clear, compelling vision beyond EBITDAScalable Talent – A-players in critical rolesRelentless Focus – Prioritize top value driversDisciplined Execution – Systems to track, adapt, and performEnergized Culture – Engage employees to drive growth25:38 – Practical Tools from Top CEOs Reverse Executive Session for feedbackBlank Sheet Strategy to identify disruption risksUsing AI to detect performance issues faster29:47 – CEOs as System Designers Build systems that scale, not just solve problemsUse tech and tools to extend leadership capacity32:14 – Recommended Resources The 5X CEO (Taavo & Sam)Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick LencioniMOVE – Sandy OggThe Private Equity Playbook – Adam Coffey33:09 – How to Connect with Taavo & Sam 🌐 advantageceo.com 📧 taavo@advantageceo.com | sam@advantageceo.com Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    34 min

  3. DEC 9

    How to approach AI implementation, and Karmel Capital's AI investing strategy outlined

    Note: The securities mentioned in this podcast are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell and once should not presume they will be profitable. In this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings welcomes Scott Neuberger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Karmel Capital, a private equity firm investing in late-stage software and AI companies. Scott shares deep insights into how Karmel Capital leverages AI within its investment process, how they identify and evaluate late-stage tech businesses, and why they’re placing strategic bets in the infrastructure layer of AI. Scott explains the firm's capital efficiency-focused strategy, how they rank companies, and what metrics truly distinguish iconic businesses from the rest. He also discusses how AI is transforming internal operations and why firms must go beyond the hype to truly implement impactful AI solutions. Later in the conversation, Scott offers practical advice to portfolio company leaders on how to begin leveraging AI meaningfully—starting with labor-intensive areas like customer support. He finishes by outlining Karmel’s top-down investment approach to sectors like cybersecurity and why infrastructure plays offer value and growth. Whether you're investing in tech, operating a portfolio company, or just curious about how AI intersects with private equity, this episode is packed with real-world insight. ⌛ Episode Highlights & Time Stamps: 00:03 – Introduction to Scott Neuberger and Karmel Capital  01:00 – Scott’s journey: entrepreneur turned investor  02:19 – The mistake of investing too early in venture capital  03:47 – Why Karmel focuses on measurable, repeatable metrics  04:45 – How they assess capital efficiency in tech companies  06:41 – Key metrics and importance of experienced management teams  08:38 – Evaluating human capital and talent within portfolio companies  10:05 – Zooming out: The “mosaic theory” of identifying strong investments  10:33 – How Karmel Capital uses AI internally for data collection & analysis  13:22 – AI investing: why infrastructure is Karmel’s focus  15:49 – Pick-and-shovel strategy: betting on infrastructure vs. applications  17:44 – Advice for portfolio execs on where to begin with AI  18:43 – Customer support as a high-impact AI use case  21:09 – Navigating noise in AI investing: how Karmel decides where to play  22:34 – Case study: AI in cybersecurity and the top-down analysis approach  24:59 – The arms race in cybersecurity: AI on both offense and defense  25:29 – Scott’s reading and listening habits (inc. 20VC podcast)  26:56 – How to contact Scott Connect with Scott Neuberger: 📧 Email: scott@karmelcap.com 🌐 Website: www.karmelcapital.com Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    27 min

  4. DEC 2

    Preparing for Your Management Presentations to Investors & Acquirers

    🗣️ Guest: Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of Quick Guide Management Presentation 🎧 Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection ⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff Former M&A exec turned expert in coaching management teams for exit presentations. 01:54 – Why Communication Matters Carola explains her shift from numbers to narratives and why people—not just slides—drive deal success. 02:49 – The Biggest Mistake Teams often prepare too little, too late—focusing on slides, not delivery or messaging. 04:15 – Rehearsal ≠ Training Rehearsals test flow. Training transforms behavior, delivery, team dynamics, and confidence. 06:41 – Crafting a Powerful Story From stats to storytelling—how real examples bring presentations to life and increase credibility. 09:35 – Even Experienced Execs Benefit Exit presentations are high-stakes. Even confident leaders gain clarity, alignment, and polish from coaching. 12:51 – Does it Really Move the Needle? Yes—Carola shares a real example where coaching turned around investor perception and revived interest. 14:47 – High Impact, Low Time Commitment Just a few focused sessions over weeks can significantly improve presentation outcomes. 16:14 – Three Keys to Success Storyline that resonatesCohesive team deliveryObjective, external feedback18:38 – Carola’s Recommended Reads & Listens 📚 Resonate, Slide:ology, Talk Like TED 🎧 Think Fast, Talk Smart, The Moth 📘 German: Quick Guide Management Presentation by Carola Kamuff 20:05 – Connect with Carola Find her on LinkedIn: Carola Kamuff Key Takeaway: Your management presentation can boost—or break—your valuation. Great slides aren’t enough. Confidence, storytelling, and preparation make the difference. Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    20 min

  5. NOV 25

    Data, Deals, and Disruption The Real AI Shift in Private Equity

    In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Jamyn Edis, digital transformation expert, former VC-backed CEO, and NYU professor. Jamyn shares actionable insights on using AI, data, and automation to drive performance across private equity firms and their portfolio companies. From dynamic pricing models and A/B testing to agentic AI and accelerating product cycles, Jamyn explains how to cut through the hype, identify real opportunities, and turn AI into measurable value. ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Meet Jamyn Edis 30+ years in consulting (Accenture), corporate (HBO, Take-Two), startups, and teaching at NYU. Focused on the intersection of tech, data, and private equity. 02:23 – Common Mistake in PE Most firms treat data as plumbing, not strategy. Shift from backward-looking reporting to predictive and prescriptive analytics. 03:48 – AI That Delivers ROI AI must be embedded into daily operations, not stuck in R&D. Productize, operationalize, and commercialize—or risk irrelevance. 05:15 – How AI Builds on Data AI is powered by historical data but creates forward-looking insights. Use it to improve pricing, marketing, and operations. 06:42 – Case Study: Take-Two Interactive Jamyn led data science initiatives to optimize pricing and marketing—replacing gut decisions with data-driven experimentation. 08:08 – AI as PE’s Next Value Driver AI is the new operating system for PE. After leverage and digital transformation, the next edge is intelligence at scale. 09:31 – Advice to PE Firms Skeptical? “Get out before the business gets out of you.” Overwhelmed? Start small, build prototypes, and focus on real use cases. 11:04 – Agentic AI in Action Jamyn shares examples of cutting development cycles, boosting campaign ROI, and improving customer service with AI agents. 13:26 – From Problem to Prototype Diagnose real pain points, create business and technical requirements, and build targeted AI tools that solve specific problems. 14:50 – AI Won’t Replace Humans, But... Those who use AI will outperform those who don’t. Jamyn explains Jevons Paradox and why productivity leads to new jobs. 18:46 – How Jamyn Diagnoses Opportunities Structured discovery process, stakeholder interviews, and clear roadmaps to identify where AI and tech can drive value. 22:10 – Every PE Firm Needs an AI Stack Soon, AI tools will be as essential as data teams or web developers. Invest now in people, platforms, and processes. 23:06 – The Future is AI + Human Judgment Firms that embed AI deeply—and pair it with operator judgment—will unlock the next generation of alpha. 24:21 – Jamyn’s Book: The Fifth Horseman An exploration of how AI mirrors humanity and transforms the way we live and lead. AI is trained by us—and reflects us. 29:07 – What Jamyn Reads & Recommends Books: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Understanding Media Podcasts: Pivot, Ezra Klein TV: Succession – “Still the best corporate training program ever made.” 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    32 min

  6. NOV 18

    How to Build a Go-To-Market Strategy That Scales in Private Equity

    Guest: Brian Gustason, Operating Partner at Craig Group Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection 🔍 Episode Summary: In this episode, Brian Gustason shares practical insights on building scalable go-to-market (GTM) strategies for lower-middle-market, PE-backed companies. With over 25 years of operating and advisory experience, Brian explains how to move beyond traditional, backward-looking due diligence and implement forward-focused GTM strategies across marketing, sales, and customer success. He walks through a real-world case study of transforming a $30M founder-led business—covering ICP development, sales process creation, lead qualification, and customer retention. Brian also discusses how marginal gains across key sales metrics (win rates, ACVs, churn) can compound into significant growth and how CEOs, sales leaders, and boards can drive accountability and execution. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Brian’s background and role at Craig Group  01:30 – Why traditional due diligence often fails to assess growth  03:00 – Real-world GTM transformation of a founder-led distributor  06:00 – Building ideal customer profiles (ICPs) and prioritising markets  09:00 – Improving lead qualification and using pre-suasion techniques  14:00 – Structuring an effective, trainable sales process  17:30 – Playbooks, documentation, and AI tools to support sales  20:00 – Importance of coaching and ongoing process evolution  23:00 – Growth 2.0: Compounding small improvements across KPIs  27:00 – Who owns GTM? Role of CEO, sales leaders, and the board  29:00 – Brian’s content recommendation: The 80/20 Principle and his LinkedIn series 📚 Resources: Craig Group: www.craiggroup.ioConnect with Brian on LinkedIn: Brian GustasonBook Recommendation: The 80/20 Principle by Richard KochRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    32 min

  7. NOV 11

    How Storytelling Meets Strategy Niklas James’ Media-Driven Investment Approach

    🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital Host: Alex Rawlings | Guest: Niklas James In this episode, Alex is joined by Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital, an independent sponsor investment platform. They explore what sets successful sponsors apart, why industry specialization matters, and how media can supercharge inbound deal flow. 🕒 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Niklas’ background: Bain, VC, HBS, and independent sponsor journey  01:17 – Founding Minds Capital: investing $1–$3M in sponsor-led platforms  01:42 – The biggest PE mistake: poor self-marketing and lack of differentiation  02:34 – Why “founder-friendly” isn’t enough — real differentiation is key  04:24 – Using podcasting and LinkedIn for inbound deal flow  05:21 – Why niche expertise drives better deals and exits  06:20 – Case study: investing in an eyewear veteran  07:14 – Why Minds Capital favors independent sponsors over traditional funds  10:03 – Value creation via EBITDA growth and multiple expansion  11:59 – Deal evaluation: downside protection, upside, and conviction  13:53 – Red flags, realistic base cases, and what sets great deals apart  16:17 – How Minds Capital assesses sponsors: 5 key criteria  18:07 – Sponsors need transparency, gravitas, and skin in the game  19:53 – Becoming a media-first PE firm: lessons from podcast success  22:13 – Content strategy: LinkedIn cadence and community building  23:10 – How media enhances deal flow and selectivity  24:32 – Niklas’ reading picks: The Compounders in Private Equity, Alex Hormozi’s books 25:58 – Connect with Niklas on LinkedIn 🔑 Key Takeaways Stand Out: With 19,000 PE firms in the U.S., a generic pitch won’t cut it. Sponsors must articulate clear differentiation.Media = Inbounds: Minds Capital uses podcasting and LinkedIn to generate proprietary deal flow and investor interest.Industry Fit Wins: Deep sector knowledge translates into better deals, stronger exits, and investor confidence.Diligence Matters: Every deal is vetted through a rigorous process of risk checks, valuation analysis, and sponsor alignment.People First: The sponsor’s experience, character, and skin in the game are just as important as the numbers.🎧 Listen to the Minds Capital Podcast Weekly episodes with top independent sponsors. 📨 Connect with Niklas James 🔗 LinkedIn Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    27 min

  8. NOV 4

    The Real Due Diligence | What Makes or Breaks a Deal

    🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital, a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled their path from deal number one to a thriving portfolio. They explore the nuances of deal origination, value creation, and the power of people in private equity. From ERP frustrations to navigating downturns and structuring creative deals, Cyril breaks down the real-world lessons of building a firm from scratch—while staying laser-focused on operational excellence. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:03 – Introduction to Cyril Aboujaoude and TioPo Capital’s mission 00:30 – TioPo’s founding story, operational mindset, and portfolio growth 01:24 – What TioPo really looks for beyond standard investment criteria 01:57 – The importance of vision alignment and execution capability 03:24 – How they assess management teams during diligence 04:35 – Why slow decision-making is riskier than a bad hire 05:29 – Biggest value creation levers: hiring an operating partner over fundraising 06:46 – Building a 100-day transformation plan post-deal 07:45 – One thing target companies should fix pre-investment: ERP systems 08:55 – How TioPo evaluates companies during downturns and market volatility 10:20 – Analyzing long-term performance and identifying macro-inflated businesses 12:51 – Most creative deal structure: partnering with the seller’s son as CEO 14:50 – Reflections on the challenges and naivety of doing their first deal 16:11 – Cyril’s top recommendations: FT, WSJ, Aswath Damodaran, and local gazettes 17:10 – How to connect with Cyril and learn more about TioPo Capital 🔑 Key Takeaways: People over projections: Execution ability, humility, and shared vision are more important than just strategy.Operations-first philosophy: Value is built in the engine room—TioPo hires operating partners before fundraising staff.100-Day Plan Discipline: They begin value creation planning during diligence, long before Day 0.ERP readiness = smoother scale: ERP systems are the most overlooked growth barrier.Smart structuring builds trust: Their first deal involved bringing in the founder’s son as CEO and co-investor.Past ≠ future, but it’s all we’ve got: Cyril emphasizes analyzing 20+ years of company performance to identify real resilience.Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success. 🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

    18 min
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Hosted by Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner of Raw Selection, a specialist executive search firm. Join us as we interview the leading experts in Private Equity, unlocking their secrets of success to share with you. Discover how some of the top Private Equity professionals got into Private Equity, how they rose to success and learn about some of the mistakes they made along the way.Alex has strong connections to the Private Equity industry through his executive search firm, Raw Selection, which specialises in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and North America. Alex is straight talking and to the point and aims to unlock real gold you can build into your firm or portfolio companies. Find out more at www.raw-selection.com

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