Function: Human Capital
Business Builders’ Bookshelf: Essential Reads for Strategic Success
Enhancing M&A, Financial Operations in Healthcare with Strategic Staffing
Service Area: Human Capital
Client Type: Portfolio Company
Service Provider Type: Temporary Staffing
Industry: Healthcare Services
The Need
Strategic Staffing for Financial Overhaul, M&A
A private-equity owned healthcare services provider, specializing in traumatic brain injury care, was gearing up for an eventual sale. They required highly skilled junior finance and accounting talent on a short-term or project basis to handle active M&A activities and internal projects, balancing manual data entry tasks with strategic financial operations.
The Challenge
Sourcing Versatile, Skilled Financial Talent Amid Growth
The main challenge was finding individuals with 3-5 years of experience in finance or accounting, preferably with a background in investment banking or accounting M&A. These professionals needed to be comfortable handling both strategic and manual aspects of financial projects, including M&A support, system integrations and exit preparation.
How BluWave Helped
Connecting Short List of Exact-Fit Candidates
BluWave utilized its network to connect a short list of candidates with the necessary skill set and flexibility. Emphasizing the need for familiarity with financial systems like NetSuite and Sage, and strong Excel skills, BluWave focused on professionals who could work remotely and adapt quickly to the company’s dynamic needs.
The Result
Streamlined M&A Processes, Efficient Financial System Management
The portfolio company selected the best fits from BluWave’s shortlist. They helped the company manage its M&A activities and internal financial projects. This temporary staff played a key role in preparing the company for a strategic sale, ensuring that financial systems were optimized and operational challenges were efficiently addressed.
Nick Shaw, Mirrorbox Leadership Lab | ‘My Teacher, My Son: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Love’
Dave Feierstein, Ronin Equity Partners | Transforming Business with a Hybrid Investor-Operator Approach
Eric Jensen, Nordic Capital | Achieving Operational Excellence: A Look into M&A and Talent Strategy in Private Equity
Making Life Easy for Human Capital Leaders
BluWave understands the urgency and sensitivity around the work human capital executives perform. That’s why we provide a curated suite of resources specifically designed for HR leaders to drive unprecedented value in their organizations.
CASE STUDY: Diversifying Talent in a Digital-First Consumer Products Startup
Our Business Builders’ Network not only understands your unique challenges but also provides tailored, bespoke solutions for talent leadership.
CASE STUDY: Controller with Leadership Skills for Resilient Growth
From specialized recruitment that targets niche roles to interim leadership that ensures your business doesn’t miss a beat during transitions; from mid-level staffing strategies that fortify your organizational structure to outsourced HR services that let you focus on core business functions — BluWave already knows the third-party service provider or consultant you need.
You can learn more about these services in this one-pager we prepared for talent leaders.
Set up a scoping call with our resources and operations team, and they’ll connect you with a select list of exact-fit resources within a single business day.
Strategic Executive Search for SaaS Sales Leadership
Service Area: Human Capital – Recruiting
Client Type: Upper-Middle Market PE Firm
Service Provider Type: Executive Search Firm – Sales
Industry: Technology – SaaS
The Need
Dynamic Sales Leadership for Market Expansion
A SaaS company, focused on local and municipal government solutions, needed a chief revenue officer to enhance its sales function and spearhead geographical and product expansion.
The Challenge
Niche Leader in a Specialized Sector
The challenge was to find a CRO with proven experience in SaaS sales to local and municipal governments. This person also needed to be capable of transforming a small, technology-centric team into a robust sales force. For this, they would need a specialized recruiting firm.
How BluWave Helped
Expert Matching for Specialized Executive Recruitment
BluWave utilized its extensive network to connect the client with an executive search firm specializing in sales leadership recruitment within the government sector. This group had a deep understanding of the specific skills and experience required for the role and provided a strong short list of candidates.
The Result
Placement of Tailored Sales Leaders
The firm worked with the company to hire a chief revenue officer who matched the company’s specific needs. This strategic appointment set the foundation for significant sales growth and expansion in the government sector.
Interim CFO To Revolutionize Financial Forecasting for Construction Portco
Service Area: Human Capital
Client Type: Construction Services Portfolio Company
Service Provider Type: Interim CFO
Industry: Construction and Engineering
The Need
Advanced Financial Forecasting for Strategic Growth
A leading construction services portfolio company needed a sophisticated 13-week cash-flow model. This would help them implement an effective borrowing needs forecast, which was especially critical due to their transition to a non-bank lender and the ongoing integration of multiple add-ons.
The Challenge
Complex Integrations in Dynamic Environment
The challenge lay in integrating diverse business units, each requiring distinct operational and financial strategies. Establishing an efficient system for forecasting collections and payments, integrating add-on companies and maintaining centralized accounting was crucial, given the extensive pipeline of add-ons to be managed promptly.
How BluWave Helped
Expertise and Precision in Financial Management Solutions
BluWave identified a short list of industry specific interim finance leaders with specific expertise in the construction industry’s complex financial structures. The candidate the portco selected had experience creating 13-week financial models and was exactly what the client needed. BluWave’s fast connection led to the implementation of bespoke forecasting and budgeting methodologies, essential for the client’s aggressive growth and integration plans.
The Result
Achieving Financial Streamlining, Effective Growth Management
The interim CFO’s introduction facilitated a smooth transition to an effective 13-week cash flow model, custom-designed for the client’s business framework. This strategic move significantly improved the company’s ability to manage borrowing needs and effectively handle their considerable add-on pipeline, leading to more streamlined financial operations and paving the way for successful growth and integrations.
Interim Ingenuity: Ready-made Executives to Elevate Your Company
Why Private Equity Invests in People for Growth
Human capital is a driving force for growth in private equity. A recent BluWave-hosted webinar delved into three leading trends in this service area:
- The rise in human capital investments
- The importance of specialized recruiters
- The value of interim executives
Here are some insights into these topics from Account Executive Evan Garoutte and Research and Operations Consultant Taylor Lee.
Human Capital Emphasis
The trend of investing in people for growth continues to gain traction.
READ MORE: Why Hire an Interim CFO
“Human capital activity has been steadily growing and reached an all-time high in Q3 of this year, accounting for 49 percent of all activity coming through the BluWave network,” Garoutte said. “It’s the number one trend in the industry.”
This reflects a 20 percent increase year-over-year, underscoring the importance of investing in talent for organizational growth and value creation.
Using Specialized Recruiters
Engaging specialized recruiters is crucial for efficiently filling both executive and non-executive positions, particularly during growth phases.
“They stay up to date on market trends, salary range and emerging skill sets, which is extremely valuable. The knowledge allows them to identify and attract top talent who possess the right qualifications and of course, and most important would be a cultural fit to the organization.”
READ MORE: Why Hire an Interim Chief Executive Officer
Value of Interim Executives
Interim executives, especially in pivotal roles like CFOs, CEOs and CHROs, provide stability and continuity during transition periods, crisis management and special projects.
“PE firms have found value in being able to try before they buy. And we’ve seen interims convert to full-time employees about a third of the time internally,” Lee said. “There’s just value in confirming that this person can positively see our portfolio companies in the right direction as well as confirm that they’re a culture fit.”
READ MORE: Why Hire an Interim CTO
The discussion underscored the critical role of human capital in driving growth, indicating the various strategies that private equity firms and their portfolio companies can employ.
BluWave’s invite-only network of human capital resources works with PE firms daily to fill needs related to human capital, as well as a wide array of other service areas.
Contact our research and operations team for your next project and they’ll provide a short list of exact-fit service providers within 24 hours.
Transformative Leader for Consumer Products Revitalization
Service Area: Human Capital – Executive Recruiting
Client Type: Small-Market PE Fund
Service Provider Type: Interim CEO
Industry: Consumer Products
The Need
Urgent Leadership Transition and Strategic Revitalization
A West Coast company, specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of proprietary consumer products, found itself at a crossroads. With a diverse product portfolio distributed across multiple countries, the company sought a transformative leadership change to navigate operational and strategic challenges. The immediate requirement was an Interim CEO capable of steering the company through a phase of revitalization and setting the stage for a permanent CEO.
The Challenge
Navigating a Complex Transition with Precision and Care
The company faced a multifaceted challenge: managing a seamless leadership transition while optimizing operational efficiencies and product margins. The need for a leader who could meticulously balance top-line focus with bottom-line pragmatism was evident. The interim CEO would be tasked with orchestrating a turnaround, optimizing expenses and ensuring product margins were robust, setting a trajectory toward achieving a 20 percent EBITDA boost.
How BluWave Helped
Facilitating a Tailored Connection for Success
BluWave leveraged its extensive network to connect the PE fund with a short list of exact-fit interim CEOs. Each one was aligned with the company’s unique needs and industry nuances. The focus was on identifying a leader with a profound understanding of consumer products, operational optimization and strategic revitalization, coupled with a geographical alignment to the company’s headquarters.
The Result
A Strategic Pathway to Revitalization and Growth
Through BluWave’s precise connection, the company chose a leader who resonated with its transformation objectives. The interim CEO, equipped with the requisite expertise and strategic foresight, was poised to guide the company through a period of transformative change, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth and operational excellence in the consumer products domain.