Advice for CEOs

Acquisition of a company that can be a platform or foundation to “roll up” or “bolt on” complementary acquisitions is a long standing strategy for private equity and other investors. Technology-based tools and metrics programs to support realizing synergies and economies of scale in these situations are more powerful than they have ever been. Our firm has partners who as executives have executed rollup strategies successfully and are ready to advise others in doing so. Such strategies are particularly promising in market spaces where there is excess capacity due to stagnant growth or even market shrinkage. In these markets efficiency and low operating costs--rather than innovation--is the best path to profitability. There has been a lot of talk that, with deals becoming ever scarcer, private equity firms are drawn to bolt-on strategies. But--what is actually happening in the marketplace? We asked some of our partners to weigh in.

Understanding the mindset and buying preferences of Millennial consumers is a key issue for marketers in companies across the economy—and in no industry more than apparel. Newport Board Group partner Helen Bulwik is a nationally recognized expert on retail and the consumer sector. In a recent piece in the San Francisco Chronicle, Helen commented on the rise of a number of new apparel companies, including American Giant, Modern Citizen and Cuyana, startups that have come out of the San Francisco area with “their own unique spin on standard-issue wardrobe basics.” They seek to take advantage of Millennials’ Internet savvy and their interest in behind-the-brand stories.

The emerging growth and middle market companies our firm serves are typically U.S. companies that initially see their opportunity in domestic markets and customers. As they prove themselves and grow, many come to see compelling opportunities in global markets—but they also see risks in trying to penetrate markets abroad and aren’t sure what approach to take. We asked some of our partners about situations they’ve seen in which companies miss out on opportunities for international expansion. What holds these companies back? Their responses are below.

Taking an organization into the future should not rest solely on the shoulders of a CEO. It requires the entire organization. To help make that happen, the CEO can shape the mindset of their team. Newport partners have helped organizations to navigate their way into the future. Here are their suggestions.

With the holidays over and winter upon us, what better time to settle in with a good book—especially a book that challenges your thinking as a CEO and entrepreneur, possibly inspiring some new directions for your company in 2016. We asked our partners for some recommendations of books about business that have made a difference in their leadership and management thinking. Here are the some of their responses.

CEOs of emerging growth and middle market companies have many ways to get advice. But most of these approaches such as courses at business schools or all day seminars require time away from the office that many CFOs can’t afford. Imagine that you could have coffee with a group of 10 CEOs who are ready to share some pithy, hard won advice based on their many years of experience leading and building companies. Newport Board Group asked a group of our CEO partners what advice they would offer in this situation. Here is what they said.