Blog
Breaking the Exit Gridlock: Insights from the 2024 Private Equity Talent Report
We’re excited this week to release the new edition of our Private Equity Talent Report, offering an update on the state of the market for executive talent in software and SaaS companies with private equity sponsors.
Finance Executive Outlook: Focusing on Skillsets that Boost Exit Opportunities
Private equity firms are looking to end the exit gridlock that has gripped the sector. That means increasing attention is being paid to the Chief Financial Officers and other finance leaders in private equity portfolio companies.
Navigating the Future: Bespoke CEO Trends
The role of a CEO is undeniably pivotal in steering a company towards growth, nurturing a winning culture, and fulfilling value creation goals. Our work recruiting CEOs into software and SaaS companies sheds light on how CEO needs are evolving, especially in private equity backed companies.
Celebrating International Women’s Day: Empowering Women is at the Heart of Bespoke Partners’ Core Values
At Bespoke Partners, International Women’s Day is more than just a global holiday. Since the day our female founder Kristie Nova started the firm, it’s been core part of our identity. This special day mirrors the strides we’ve made in promoting female leadership within the private equity (PE) Software and SaaS space and fuels our dedication to progress.
Bringing Clients Unprecedented Access to Executive Talent in AI/ML
Perhaps no other innovation in the last decade has disrupted as many sectors as Artificial Intelligence has started to disrupt today.
This week we are announcing our coverage of the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning sector. The move will provide clients with talent market insight and curated access to leaders who can scale AI firms and drive AI/ML adoption within software and SaaS companies.
Leading the Charge: Navigating Leadership Talent Trends in Healthcare Software
Discover the thriving leadership landscape in healthcare software with insights from Bespoke Partners Research Analyst, Zaneb Rashid. Explore critical skills and roles defining the industry’s future, from generative AI to post-merger integration.
Go-to-Market Planning for 2024: Laying the Groundwork for Growth
The slowdown in corporate spending due to economic and geopolitical uncertainties has prompted many companies to rethink their growth strategies for the near and distant future.
When asked during a recent SBI Growth Forum hosted for sales leaders of companies with $250M in revenue or higher, those responding unanimously said that they wished they had taken action sooner relative to talent and productivity improvement initiatives.
Why Executive Searches Fail – and How to Avoid the Pitfalls
A failed executive search can be an expensive mistake for a company or sponsor to make. In our experience evaluating tens of thousands of executives and recruiting more than 1,000 leaders for technology and SaaS companies, we see a range of reasons that these mistakes happen.
Launching Today: Enhanced Specialization Brings Transformative Leaders to Growth Equity Stage Companies
If growth is the goal, then top talent is a must. Today we build upon our long-standing track record of recruiting high-impact, growth-oriented executives. We have launched an enhanced specialization in Growth Equity stage software and SaaS executive search.
Navigating the Future of Talent: A Q&A with Julie Catalano, Bespoke Partners’ Chief People Officer
Meet Bespoke Partners Chief People Officer, Julie Catalano: With a robust background spanning more than 20 years in senior leadership roles in human resources, organizational culture, and business strategy, Julie Catalano is a distinguished figure in her field.
AI and ML in Executive Searches: Driving ‘Human Capital Alpha’
Achieving outsized returns requires outside-the-box thinking. That’s why our data-driven executive search process has incorporated Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning since long before the current wave of hype on the topic began.
Bespoke Partners Initiates Coverage of the Healthcare IT Sector: Bringing Clients Unparalleled Access to Leadership Talent
Bespoke Partners launches sector coverage of the rapidly evolving Healthcare IT space, providing clients with unmatched visibility and curated access to high-impact leaders for software and SaaS companies.
Harnessing the Power of Integrated Talent Management in 2024: A People-Centric Approach to Growth
In her final post of 2023, Julie emphasizes the significance of Integrated Talent Management (ITM) as a core business strategy in private equity-backed firms, highlighting its alignment with the key pillars of attract, develop, retain, and belong to foster a dynamic culture that drives value creation and competitive success.
A Year of Talent Triumphs and a Look Ahead: 2023 Reflection & 2024 Outlook for the Private Equity Sector
As we close the chapter on 2023, it’s clear that this year marked a paradigm shift in the private equity sector. Our industry has long grappled with numerous factors that drive success in portfolio companies. However, 2023 was the year we collectively acknowledged a fundamental truth: talent is the number one factor in ensuring the success of portfolio companies and the realization of an investment thesis.
Why 2024 is the Right Time for PE-Backed Software Companies to Hire a Strategic Chief People Officer
In the midst of geopolitical tumult and financial uncertainty, it’s natural for companies to tighten their belts and look to cut costs where possible.
However, for private equity-backed software companies, 2024 presents a unique opportunity to invest in a role that can fundamentally strengthen their organization during such times: a strategic Chief People Officer (CPO).
Attracting Talent that Boosts Talent: Top Three HR Leaders to Recruit
Explore the evolving role of HR leaders in today’s business landscape, as detailed by Alex Bossetta, Partner and Head of People & Talent Practice.
Arrival of the Chief People Officer: A New Era of Value Creation
Delve into the evolving role of the Chief People Officer as Julie shares her personal journey into the HR and human capital sphere. She reflects on the changes within the industry and her own experiences navigating this dynamic landscape.
Unlocking Success: Mastering Post-Close Succession Planning to Seize Opportunities
In this blog post, we will explore the critical factors that determine whether a founder transition is needed, the value of proactive planning, and the role of Bespoke’s Strategic Resource Group (SRG) in understanding the executive talent landscape.
The Leadership Factor: Orlando Bravo Details the Formula for Portfolio Company Success
Executive compensation for leaders in private equity portfolio companies has risen thanks to the tight market for talent.
Finding Balance: Navigating the World of Virtual Work
In this month’s blog, we delve into the intriguing dichotomy of the virtual workforce, the challenges it presents, and the undeniable value of fostering intentional in-person connections.
Recruiting Top Talent to Counter Market Headwinds: New Report
Executive compensation for leaders in private equity portfolio companies has risen thanks to the tight market for talent.
Why Successful C-Suite Executives Work With Bespoke Partners on Their Next Moves
In our relentless pursuit to be the best at people, Bespoke has made a strategic decision to engage with Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm renowned for providing valuable insights and solutions to organizations.
Nurturing Talent Within: Our Commitment to Developing Exceptional Leaders
In our relentless pursuit to be the best at people, Bespoke has made a strategic decision to engage with Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm renowned for providing valuable insights and solutions to organizations.
Compensation Trends: Reaching the Half-Million Dollar Milestone
Executive compensation for leaders in private equity portfolio companies has risen thanks to the tight market for talent.
Leading from the Front: Working with Gallup to Elevate Our People Strategy
In our relentless pursuit to be the best at people, Bespoke has made a strategic decision to engage with Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm renowned for providing valuable insights and solutions to organizations.
Webinar Recap: Avoiding Bad C-Suite Hires in Private Equity Portfolio Companies
Bad C-suite hires are a real possibility in the tight labor market for private equity portfolio companies.
The negative effects of a C-suite mis-hire on company growth and culture means that companies must take care to find the right candidate for their executive roles. But there are best practices for search and recruiting to ensure companies can right C-suite hires in a timely manner to drive growth in the increasingly competitive private equity market.
Chief People Officer Perspective: An Inside View of Talent’s Role in Value Creation
In Bespoke’s Private Equity Talent Benchmark report, we discuss the rise of the Chief People Officer (CPO) role as a key industry trend.
The Monumental Costs of a Bad Executive Hire
In this post, we’ll share four strategies for mitigating this risk. These strategies are based on the processes we have developed over the years that enable us to achieve our 99% placement success rate. But first, let’s look at the costs and ramifications of making a bad hire.
Women in Leadership: Let’s Share Our Journeys on International Women’s Day
In honor of International Women’s Day (IWD), I wanted to take this opportunity to share some insights on my role as Chief People Officer at Bespoke Partners, my journey as a working mother, and the enormous passion I feel for supporting women in leadership everywhere.
Access to the Best Leadership Talent Before You Need It
The SRG service draws from our unmatched network of seasoned software and SaaS executives. We have built that network over a decade of working with thousands of candidates and 90% of the most active private equity software and SaaS investors.
Our turnkey approach means we effectively manage the talent network for you, tracking the leaders who matter most. With SRG, you will solve your next search before it starts.
How Our Culture Enables Our Exceptional Team to Build Exceptional Teams
At Bespoke Partners, we are in the business of building exceptional teams for our clients. Leadership talent is the primary factor in value creation for the private equity backed companies we work with. We believe that it takes and exceptional team to build those exceptional teams.
Five Go-to-Market Skillsets for Driving Growth in Turbulent Economic Times
Today a CFO is central to strategy and execution on the value creation plan for a private equity backed portfolio company. The CFO plays a critical role in shaping the path to the private equity backer’s investment thesis by driving growth while maintaining sound financial stewardship.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
Three Types of CFOs for Growing in Turbulent Times
Today a CFO is central to strategy and execution on the value creation plan for a private equity backed portfolio company. The CFO plays a critical role in shaping the path to the private equity backer’s investment thesis by driving growth while maintaining sound financial stewardship.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
The Spotlight is on Leaders Who Drive Capital-Efficient Growth
The “Grow at all Costs” strategy has lost its luster. Economic headwinds, curtailed access to capital and the sharp drop in exit opportunities have put the spotlight on capital-efficient growth, or what some call “smart growth.”Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
Benchmark Portfolio Company Talent with the Industry’s First Human Capital Trend Report
At Bespoke Partners, we pledge to be a true human capital partner to our clients. That means we are willing to step up and share the risk associated with finding and recruiting the right talent.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
Our Two-Year Guarantee is Our Pledge to Deliver Human Capital Excellence
At Bespoke Partners, we pledge to be a true human capital partner to our clients. That means we are willing to step up and share the risk associated with finding and recruiting the right talent.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
Four Steps for Mitigating the Risk of Making a Bad Hire
In this post, we’ll share four strategies for mitigating this risk. These strategies are based on the processes we have developed over the years that enable us to achieve our 99% placement success rate. But first, let’s look at the costs and ramifications of making a bad hire.
Optimizing Portfolio Company Leadership to Manage Through Turbulent Times
As the world responds to a possible recession, geopolitical conflicts, and supply-chain disruptions, private equity portfolio companies must prepare for the economic downturns that can hamper growth strategies.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.
Webinar Recap: How Behavioral Assessments Can Accelerate Leadership Transformation
Modern personality testing and behavioral assessments can streamline interview processes and accelerate the identification and recruiting of high-impact executives. In fact, these techniques can make executive searches proceed faster and produce better results at the same time.
That was a takeaway from the panel discussion in our recent webinar with Hunt Scanlon, featuring Steve Maxwell of Audax Private Equity, Bespoke President Eric Walczykowski, and our Vice President of Bespoke Partners’ Leadership Advisory Practice Megan Hay.
Behavioral Assessments Accelerate Leadership Transformation
What causes leaders to fail? The reasons are seemingly endless: lack of experience, poor communication, a misguided reliance on outdated strategies, and misaligned goals, among many more. All are valid, to be sure. Here’s another critical and often overlooked reason:...
Role-Focused Search: Accelerating Leader Recruiting in a Tight Market
I like to say, “It takes an exceptional team to build exceptional teams.” But I probably could just as well say, “It takes an exceptional team with exceptional focus to build exceptional teams.” At Bespoke, we do have an exceptional team that knows how to find and...
Five Strategies for Winning High-Impact Talent in a Tight Executive Market
Companies of all types are dealing with the tightest labor market in recent memory. But private equity firms in particular are navigating a perfect storm of tight talent trends. Hiring high-impact executives has never been more critical, yet a spike in competition is...
Our Stellar Team and Search 2.0 Drive Bespoke Partners to New Heights
There are moments when you just let the numbers speak for themselves. This is one of those moments: 55% revenue growth 64% headcount growth 99% placement success rate Those numbers tell the story about what 2021 was like for Bespoke Partners. By any measure, it was a...
Transformative CEOs: What types of chief executives are leading today’s private equity portfolio companies?
Perhaps no other role has more impact than the CEO for empowering a portfolio company to achieve the investment thesis of its private equity backers. That’s why we’re constantly engaged with our private equity clients to identify and recruit CEOs who know how to...
Strategic HR: Using Concrete Data and Focused Actions to Measure Organizational Strength
Human resources -- or what many in the private equity space call “human capital” or talent management -- is the most critical factor in determining whether a portfolio company will achieve its investment thesis. Key to effective human resources management is...
Search 2.0: Impact of the Science of Search
If you are refreshing or rebooting the leadership of the portfolio company, then time is of the essence. The new leaders need to be on board and driving hard as early as possible if the company will achieve the investment thesis.. At Bespoke Partners, we have studied...