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Private Equity Investment Criteria, Due Diligence, and Operations

An effective and optimized senior management team, an engaged employee culture, a strong capital structure, and industry specialization are the key ingredients to a successful private equity fund, according to David Acharya, Managing Partner of a private equity firm located in New York City. 

A few months ago, I had the great fortune to meet David while attending an Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) event in New York City. David and I shared our perspectives from our respective areas of expertise and we continue that conversation in Episode 50 of the Get Hired Up! podcast in terms of culture, due diligence, and leadership.

David is the managing partner of  ACP, a private equity firm in New York City that buys, builds, and enhances lower middle market companies in TMT, business, marketing services, and manufacturing (TMT is Telecom Media Technology). 

David says, "A big trend in private equity is going from the generalist model to the industry specialization model..."

We talked about due diligence challenges from an investment perspective before the deal closes and David discussed his firm's industry, industry focus, investment criteria and due diligence practices that have produced excellent results for his firm and portfolio companies.

If you're at all interested in private equity funds and their portfolio companies, then you will enjoy this conversation. 

I am particularly impressed with David's approach to building a positive employee culture within his portfolio companies. 

The Get Hired Up! podcast is now nearing its fourth year in production, and we’ve syndicated more than 65 episodes. This particular episode (#50) is particularly memorable because I was able to meet my guest in person in one of my favorite cities, New York City. 

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An optimized week in San Antonio & New York City ...

On Tuesday, I visited my colleague's ranch located in Hill Country near San Antonio. She keeps horses, dogs, turkeys, chickens, and other animals and this was our first meeting in nearly 10 years. We collaborate with each other on a number of strategic business initiatives that bring value to our respective clients. 

Here is Mary Elizabeth with Jake, a prized horse orginally from Ohio.

Located about an hour outside San Antonio, the property is a sprawling 10-acre property--private, quiet, and the perfect location to run a digital career marketing business. 

Here I am (Maureen Farmer) and Snowflake, a friendly pony used for equine therapy. Snowflake is actually invited inside the house on certain occasions. 

This photo is taken from the 57th floor of my client's office on Vanderbilt Avenue (East 42nd Street) on Thursday. Despite the rainy day, the view was impressive (although the photo doesn't do it justice). 

I hope you're enjoying your day, wherever you are. Have an optimized week ahead. 

Maureen Farmer is a CEO career advisor and personal branding strategist for next-level executives, investors, and board nominees. 

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