Defining the "messy middle" in private equity.

We don’t lose deals because of price. We lose them because we missed the truth behind the words. Stephen Schwarzman CEO of BlackStone said if you really listen, people give themselves away. Not in what they say. In how they say it. The tone. The pause. The posture. Words are polished. Delivery is honest. And if we pay attention, the gaps tell us more than the pitch. In sales, “let us think about it” can mean “never.” In leadership, a nod can mean “I’m not safe enough to speak up.” In negotiations, silence can mean “we’re ready to move.” The best decisions don’t come from more data. They come from sharper ears. Sometimes silence says it all. What’s one time it told you the truth? 🎥VC: macroglide #sales #Marketing #GTM 

✨ Why do some founders command premium valuations while others settle for average multiples? From the investor’s lens, valuation isn’t just about revenue size—it’s about quality of earnings and business resilience. When we sit across the table, here’s what truly moves the needle: 🔹 Predictable Revenue – Long-term contracts and repeat customers make the business more attractive. 🔹 Customer Diversity – A balanced client base signals lower risk and stability. 🔹 Operational Discipline – Well-documented processes and efficient cost management inspire confidence. 🔹 Leadership Bench Strength – Businesses less dependent on the founder draw higher investor appetite. 🔹 Cash Flow Discipline – Clean collections and working capital management unlock stronger multiples. The reality is: founders who invest early in these areas often see outsized outcomes when they decide to raise capital or exit. As someone who works closely with founders on the M&A side, I’ve seen how small operational changes today can shift valuation trajectories tomorrow. 💬 Founders — which of these levers are you actively working on in your business right now? #Valuation #MergersAndAcquisitions #FounderJourney #GrowthStrategy #CapitalRaise

I’ve worked with 100s of founders, executives, and board leaders for over two decades. Here’s what separates those who scale to multiple millions $ from those who burn out: They focus on the 80/20 of growth: 1. Get your financial foundation right. 2. Focus on one problem you solve better than anyone else. 3. Share your insights consistently. Both, with you team and external audience. 4. Build proof of your impact (dashboards, case studies, results). 5. Connect with people every day - conversations create opportunities. The winners in Business (and life), make sure that there is intention behind every action. - If you want investors → show them numbers that tell a story. - If you want clients → solve a real pain point, not a surface one. It is really that simple.  But it works—every time. As a CFO, I’ve seen this shift companies from survival mode to scale mode. The question is: are you focusing on the 20% that moves the needle? 💰⏱️ #finance #win

What gets you from $0 to $5M won’t get you to $50M. Founders who scale successfully don’t just grow their business — they grow their mindset. Many founders run their company with a “founder’s mindset” → scrappy, instinct-driven, and laser-focused on survival. That works in those early days, but it won’t work for long-term sustainability as you scale. If you are noticing any of these red flags…it’s time to shift your mindset. 🚩 Cash Flow Surprises → Relying on ‘Gut Feel’ Instead of Real Numbers 🚩 Operational Bottlenecks → Every Decision Runs Through the Founder 🚩 Stalled Growth → Lack of Scalable Infrastructure 🚩 Volatility in Investor Relationships → Weak Reporting Signals = Confusion The founder-to-CEO transition is really about shifting from reactive to proactive finance. It’s not about losing agility — it’s about building guardrails that let you move faster, with confidence. Financial discipline habits that unlock growth: 👉 Building a forward-looking cash flow model (not just a rear-view P&L) 👉 Establishing monthly reporting cadence with KPIs tied to strategy 👉 Delegating spend accountability to leaders, not keeping it all in your head 👉 Thinking in scenarios (best case, base case, downside) instead of single outcomes Bottom line…you need to adopt CEO-level reporting, let the numbers guide your decision-making, and start thinking like an investor. #FounderToCEO #ScalingSmart #GrowthMindset #BusinessStrategy #CFOInsights #StartupGrowth #LeadershipShift #ScalingUp #GrowthStrategy #BusinessFinance #FounderTips #CEOInsights

Capital with Conviction II – What Investors Must Actually Do Investing isn’t just about funding – it’s about scrutiny. Too many investors rely on polished presentations, projected growth curves, and buzzword-heavy pitches. But capital comes with responsibility – and that means digging deeper. What investors must actually do: - Don’t just read business plans – dissect them. - Tie capital release to real milestones – not to slide decks. - Evaluate team structure, leadership culture, and market competence – not just financial projections. - Challenge fantasy figures – instead of celebrating them. - Have a real team of professionals at your side. Not title collectors, buzzword performers, or dreamers – but people with substance, experience, and execution power. - Critically assess the competence of the management team. It’s not the résumé that counts – it’s the proven track record, the references, and the ability to deliver results in this specific business field. - And: There must be a solid contingency plan. Because investing means knowing what happens when things go wrong. Not panic – but structured scenarios, clear responsibilities, and realistic exit strategies. 🌦️ Investing in growth without substance is investing in disappointment. Capital isn’t applause – it’s a strategic tool. And those who seek impact must lead with conviction. In my opinion. 👉 In Part III, I’ll show how capital can be deployed as a lever for progress – not just as a control mechanism. Suggested Hashtags: #CapitalWithConviction #ResponsibleInvesting #LeadershipMatters #BusinessEthics #StrategicCapital #ContingencyPlanning #ThoughtLeadership

Numbers don’t always tell the truth I’ve often met founders whose pitch decks paint a picture of ₹100–200 Cr valuations. On paper, it looks flawless. But the moment you talk to their team on the ground, you realize the story isn’t always the same. That’s when I learned due diligence isn’t just about reviewing financials.  It’s about connecting numbers with people. A balance sheet can show you projections, but conversations with the CEO, CTO, or even the operations lead reveal execution realities. Over the years, this has shaped my approach: - Go beyond the deck and dig into the assumptions behind the numbers. - Spending time with leadership and operations has often held the real story. Always benchmark growth claims against what the industry has actually achieved. What stands out to me is that the strongest founders don’t hide behind numbers; they make them come alive with proof of execution, culture, and consistency. That is where real confidence is built. Have you ever seen a situation where the numbers promised one thing but operations told a different story? #DueDiligence #FounderMindset #BusinessStrategy #StartupLife

Values misalignment kills deals fast. Why do top private equity firms still lose on culture? Private equity success depends on more than just numbers. It’s about investing in people who share your core values. Without this, operational improvements stall and exits underperform. • Culture clashes increase turnover and reduce growth • Misaligned incentives create friction at every level • Due diligence often misses the “soft” but critical signals Focus on values alignment as rigorously as financial metrics. • Embed value assessment into every stage of deal evaluation • Use behavioral interviews and scenario testing, not just resumes • Prioritize founders and teams whose vision matches yours This approach reduces risk and accelerates value creation. Ignoring values is the silent deal killer nobody talks about. The best returns come from partnerships, not just portfolios. Discover More! — https://lnkd.in/gcVXrKBi

Every CEO faces this dilemma: How fast should we grow? Grow too slowly, and competitors overtake you. Grow too fast, and working capital, cash flow, and operational controls break down. I’ve seen companies celebrate sales growth, only to find themselves short of cash a few months later. Their finance and reporting systems weren’t ready to handle success. Growth created as many problems as it solved. The truth is, growth amplifies weaknesses. Small inefficiencies at $10M become material risks at $100M. The CEOs who manage growth best are those who see finance not as a “tick-the-box” function, but as a core driver of value creation. This means not only that a good CFO is needed, but also a proper financial management software is essential. That’s why we founded Qokoon, to help companies grow safely, while protecting them from the hidden traps of success. #CEO #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #FinanceStrategy #CashFlow #Leadership #MidMarket #PrivateEquity #Qokoon #FinancialManagement

💡 Ever feel like company valuation is more art than science? After three decades in tech, I’ve seen one truth repeat itself: A company’s real value doesn’t live only in the spreadsheets. Sure, revenue multiples and EBITDA matter, but they don’t tell the whole story of product resilience, sales and marketing momentum, and sustainable competitive advantage. Here’s what I’ve learned about taking a multi-dimensional view: ✨ The numbers need context. Financial metrics are important, but without understanding strategy, operations, and culture, they can be misleading. ✨ Growth drivers shape outcomes. The way a company enables its sales teams, positions its products, and scales operations often makes the difference between a good valuation and a great one. ✨ People power the future. Leadership alignment, culture, and execution capacity can accelerate (or quietly erode) long-term value. For me, valuation is about connecting the hard facts with the human factors... turning due diligence into a lens for what’s true today and realistically possible, not just what’s been. 💬 I’m curious: What do you think is the most overlooked factor in company valuation today? #CompanyValuation #DueDiligence #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessStrategy #Leadership

Is every member of your team in the role where they can truly excel? Building a high-performing team starts with placing the right person in the right seat and aligning their skills, motivation, and capacity with your business goals. It’s about creating clear hiring practices, fostering ongoing training, and offering mentorship that drives both individual and company success. Strategic team alignment leads to higher productivity, stronger morale, and sustainable growth. Learn how to ensure every seat in your organization is filled by the best possible fit. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwgUQvQP . . . #capital #investor #invest #investment #majorityinvestment #minorityinvestment #business #advisors #managers #equity #lender #partner #businessgrowth #resources #trustedpartner #market #subordinateddebt #liquidity #minimizerisk #recapitalization #growthfinancing #managementbuyouts #ownersuccession #investing #money #cash #valesco #valescoindustries