📍 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<ul><li>Strategy gets stuck at the top</li><li>Trying to do too much</li><li>Holding onto average talent too long</li></ul>04:30 – How Top CEOs Handle Talent<ul><li>Identify A-players for mission-critical roles</li><li>Use litmus test: “Would I rehire this person today?”</li><li>Design roles to be winnable, not overwhelming</li></ul>09:00 – Quarterly Talent Reviews<ul><li>Simple red/yellow/green assessments</li><li>Use of the Nine Box model for performance and potential</li><li>Succession planning: Who’s ready now vs. in 1-2 years?</li></ul>12:56 – Research Behind the 5X CEO Model<ul><li>50+ CEOs and 25 PE leaders interviewed</li><li>Focused on repeatable, values-based leadership</li><li>900+ years of combined PE experience</li></ul>17:03 – The 5X CEO Model<ol><li>Strategic Clarity – Clear, compelling vision beyond EBITDA</li><li>Scalable Talent – A-players in critical roles</li><li>Relentless Focus – Prioritize top value drivers</li><li>Disciplined Execution – Systems to track, adapt, and perform</li><li>Energized Culture – Engage employees to drive growth</li></ol>25:38 – Practical Tools from Top CEOs<ul><li>Reverse Executive Session for feedback</li><li>Blank Sheet Strategy to identify disruption risks</li><li>Using AI to detect performance issues faster</li></ul>29:47 – CEOs as System Designers<ul><li>Build systems that scale, not just solve problems</li><li>Use tech and tools to extend leadership capacity</li></ul>32:14 – Recommended Resources<ul><li>The 5X CEO (Taavo &amp; Sam)</li><li>Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni</li><li>MOVE – Sandy Ogg</li><li>The Private Equity Playbook – Adam Coffey</li></ul>33:09 – How to Connect with Taavo &amp; Sam 🌐 <a href='https://www.advantageceo.com'>advantageceo.com</a> 📧 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: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='https://www.raw-selection.com'>www.raw-selection.com</a> Looking to grow your team? Check out our <a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'>Hiring Guides</a>for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;📍 Episode Overview:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Alex Rawlings welcomes &lt;b&gt;Taavo Godtfredsen&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Sam Allison&lt;/b&gt;, co-founders of &lt;b&gt;Advantage CEO&lt;/b&gt;, to discuss insights from their two-year research study of over &lt;b&gt;50 private equity-backed CEOs&lt;/b&gt; who averaged &lt;b&gt;6.2x MOIC&lt;/b&gt;. They break down the habits, systems, and mindset that separate high-performing CEOs from the rest—and introduce their proven &lt;b&gt;5X CEO Model&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;⏱️ Key Timestamps:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;00:00 – Introductions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Taavo and Sam share their backgrounds and transition into executive coaching for PE-backed CEOs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;01:50 – Common CEO Mistakes&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Strategy gets stuck at the top&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trying to do too much&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Holding onto average talent too long&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;04:30 – How Top CEOs Handle Talent&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Identify A-players for mission-critical roles&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Use litmus test: “Would I rehire this person today?”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Design roles to be winnable, not overwhelming&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;09:00 – Quarterly Talent Reviews&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Simple red/yellow/green assessments&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Use of the Nine Box model for performance and potential&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Succession planning: Who’s ready now vs. in 1-2 years?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:56 – Research Behind the 5X CEO Model&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;50+ CEOs and 25 PE leaders interviewed&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Focused on repeatable, values-based leadership&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;900+ years of combined PE experience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;17:03 – The 5X CEO Model&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Strategic Clarity&lt;/b&gt; – Clear, compelling vision beyond EBITDA&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Scalable Talent&lt;/b&gt; – A-players in critical roles&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Relentless Focus&lt;/b&gt; – Prioritize top value drivers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Disciplined Execution&lt;/b&gt; – Systems to track, adapt, and perform&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Energized Culture&lt;/b&gt; – Engage employees to drive growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;25:38 – Practical Tools from Top CEOs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Reverse Executive Session&lt;/em&gt; for feedback&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Blank Sheet Strategy&lt;/em&gt; to identify disruption risks&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Using AI to detect performance issues faster&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;29:47 – CEOs as System Designers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Build systems that scale, not just solve problems&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Use tech and tools to extend leadership capacity&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;32:14 – Recommended Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;The 5X CEO&lt;/em&gt; (Taavo &amp;amp; Sam)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Five Dysfunctions of a Team&lt;/em&gt; – Patrick Lencioni&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;MOVE&lt;/em&gt; – Sandy Ogg&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Private Equity Playbook&lt;/em&gt; – Adam Coffey&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;33:09 – How to Connect with Taavo &amp;amp; Sam&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 🌐 &lt;a href='https://www.advantageceo.com'&gt;advantageceo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📧 taavo@advantageceo.com&lt;br/&gt; | sam@advantageceo.com&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;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.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: &lt;a href='https://www.raw-selection.com'&gt;www.raw-selection.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking to grow your team? Check out our &lt;a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'&gt;Hiring Guides&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

📍 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...

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

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&apos;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&apos;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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 ScottConnect with Scott Neuberger: 📧 Email: scott@karmelcap.com 🌐 Website: <a href='https://www.karmelcapital.com/'>www.karmelcapital.com</a> 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: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='http://www.raw-selection.com'>www.raw-selection.com</a> Looking to grow your team? Check out our <a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'>Hiring Guides</a>for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

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

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-stag...

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

🗣️ Guest: Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of Quick Guide Management Presentation 🎧 Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection⏱️ Key Topics &amp; Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff Former M&amp;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<ol><li>Storyline that resonates</li><li>Cohesive team delivery</li><li>Objective, external feedback</li></ol>18:38 – Carola’s Recommended Reads &amp; Listens 📚 Resonate, Slide:ology, Talk Like TED 🎧 Think Fast, Talk Smart, The Moth 📘 German: Quick Guide Management Presentation by Carola Kamuff20:05 – Connect with Carola Find her on LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/carola-kamuff'>Carola Kamuff</a>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: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='https://www.raw-selection.com/'>www.raw-selection.com</a> Looking to grow your team? Check out our <a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'>Hiring Guides</a>for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🗣️ Guest:&lt;/b&gt; Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of &lt;em&gt;Quick Guide Management Presentation&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;🎧 Host:&lt;/b&gt; Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;⏱️ Key Topics &amp;amp; Timestamps:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Former M&amp;amp;A exec turned expert in coaching management teams for exit presentations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;01:54 – Why Communication Matters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Carola explains her shift from numbers to narratives and why people—not just slides—drive deal success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;02:49 – The Biggest Mistake&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Teams often prepare too little, too late—focusing on slides, not delivery or messaging.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;04:15 – Rehearsal ≠ Training&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Rehearsals test flow. Training transforms behavior, delivery, team dynamics, and confidence.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;06:41 – Crafting a Powerful Story&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; From stats to storytelling—how real examples bring presentations to life and increase credibility.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;09:35 – Even Experienced Execs Benefit&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Exit presentations are high-stakes. Even confident leaders gain clarity, alignment, and polish from coaching.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:51 – Does it Really Move the Needle?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Yes—Carola shares a real example where coaching turned around investor perception and revived interest.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;14:47 – High Impact, Low Time Commitment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Just a few focused sessions over weeks can significantly improve presentation outcomes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;16:14 – Three Keys to Success&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;Storyline that resonates&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Cohesive team delivery&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Objective, external feedback&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;18:38 – Carola’s Recommended Reads &amp;amp; Listens&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📚 &lt;em&gt;Resonate&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Slide:ology&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Talk Like TED&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 🎧 &lt;em&gt;Think Fast, Talk Smart&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;The Moth&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 📘 German: &lt;em&gt;Quick Guide Management Presentation&lt;/em&gt; by Carola Kamuff&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;20:05 – Connect with Carola&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Find her on LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/carola-kamuff'&gt;Carola Kamuff&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaway:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Your management presentation can boost—or break—your valuation. Great slides aren’t enough. Confidence, storytelling, and preparation make the difference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;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.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: &lt;a href='https://www.raw-selection.com/'&gt;www.raw-selection.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking to grow your team? Check out our &lt;a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'&gt;Hiring Guides&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

🗣️ Guest: Carola Kamuff – Presentation Coach | Author of Quick Guide Management Presentation  🎧 Host: Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection ⏱️ Key Topics &amp; Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Carola Kamuff  Former M&amp;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...

Preparing for Your Management Presentations to Investors & Acquirers

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 Highlights00:00 – 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&amp;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 &amp; 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: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='http://www.raw-selection.com/'>www.raw-selection.com</a> Looking to grow your team? Check out our <a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'>Hiring Guides</a>for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

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

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...

Data, Deals, and Disruption The Real AI Shift 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:<ul><li>Craig Group: <a href='https://www.craiggroup.io/'>www.craiggroup.io</a></li><li>Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gustason/'>Brian Gustason</a></li><li>Book Recommendation: The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch</li></ul>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: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/</a> 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: <a href='https://www.raw-selection.com/'>www.raw-selection.com</a> Looking to grow your team? Check out our <a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'>Hiring Guides</a>for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest:&lt;/b&gt; Brian Gustason, Operating Partner at Craig Group&lt;br/&gt; &lt;b&gt;Host:&lt;/b&gt; Alex Rawlings, Founder of Raw Selection&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;🔍 Episode Summary:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;⏱️ Timestamps:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 – Brian’s background and role at Craig Group&lt;br/&gt; 01:30 – Why traditional due diligence often fails to assess growth&lt;br/&gt; 03:00 – Real-world GTM transformation of a founder-led distributor&lt;br/&gt; 06:00 – Building ideal customer profiles (ICPs) and prioritising markets&lt;br/&gt; 09:00 – Improving lead qualification and using pre-suasion techniques&lt;br/&gt; 14:00 – Structuring an effective, trainable sales process&lt;br/&gt; 17:30 – Playbooks, documentation, and AI tools to support sales&lt;br/&gt; 20:00 – Importance of coaching and ongoing process evolution&lt;br/&gt; 23:00 – Growth 2.0: Compounding small improvements across KPIs&lt;br/&gt; 27:00 – Who owns GTM? Role of CEO, sales leaders, and the board&lt;br/&gt; 29:00 – Brian’s content recommendation: &lt;em&gt;The 80/20 Principle&lt;/em&gt; and his LinkedIn series&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;📚 Resources:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Craig Group:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://www.craiggroup.io/'&gt;www.craiggroup.io&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Brian on LinkedIn:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gustason/'&gt;Brian Gustason&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Book Recommendation:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;em&gt;The 80/20 Principle&lt;/em&gt; by Richard Koch&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt; 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: &lt;a href='https://www.raw-selection.com/'&gt;www.raw-selection.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking to grow your team? Check out our &lt;a href='https://www.rawselection.org/select-your-hiring-playbooklandingpage'&gt;Hiring Guides&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. &lt;/p&gt;</description>

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 su...

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

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.&nbsp; 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

The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

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