The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

The Hidden Mistakes Killing PE Value (And How to Fix Them)


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Episode Summary
Paul Brennan, PE-backed CFO, shares lessons from exiting Lindsay Precast (sold to The Jordan Company), covering exit prep, value creation, and integration.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Background
CFO experience across PE, public, and family-owned businesses.

01:23 – Common PE Mistake
Lack of clarity on why data requests matter → impacts alignment.

03:13 – Exit Preparation
👉 Prepare every quarter

  •  Update data room 
  •  Review QoE 
  •  Avoid last-minute pressure 

05:07 – Data Insight
Customer profitability analysis revealed hidden value drivers.

06:03 – Sale Process
👉 Management must own the narrative

  •  Review CIM as an outsider 

07:46 – Final Exit Lesson
Working capital & closing estimates need tighter focus.

08:44 – Key Win
CRM rollout improved pipeline visibility and buyer confidence.

11:08 – Acquisition (Dutchland)
👉 Weekly integration + team collaboration drove success.

13:57 – Finance Transformation

  •  Built FP&A + BI tools 
  •  Real-time data for better decisions 

14:51 – Standardisation
Unified processes improved scalability and exit readiness.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  •  Align teams by linking actions to value creation 
  •  Always be exit-ready 
  •  Data visibility = competitive advantage 
  •  Own your story in a sale 
  •  Integration requires structure and consistency 
  •  Strong FP&A drives performance 

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


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The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw SelectionBy Alex Rawlings

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