Erik Benson’s Post

Not going to lie, being named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list has been a career goal since I started my first job in the industry 20+ years ago. When I first joined FINN Partners, I knew there was something special about this place, where the CEO Peter Finn talked about unfathomable things like his vision to create a “world-class agency with a heart & conscience.” But I had NO IDEA how deep the integrity is, how smart & kind the people are, and how innovative our clients would be. I never thought I’d see firsthand how goodness can drive growth. As the world has become increasingly challenging, our role as changemakers has only gotten greater. We are trusted counselors and creative stewards helping clients grow in a rapidly changing world. Beyond our own agency leaders and teams, our portfolio of clients are mavericks, inventors, pioneers and disruptors. Together, we are launching ground-breaking innovations & IP to move the world forward. I have never been more proud to use my superpowers to tell a company’s story and see them get the accolades they deserve for being real, inspiring & committed to creating a positive impact on the world! Read more: https://lnkd.in/dBR7ZEXv #bethechange #finnpartners #FCMostInnovative

Happy new year 🥳 Big news at the Level HQ 🗞️ Significant movements as we strengthen our team with the arrival of Segev Hochberg as our new Fractional COO 🚀 Adding to our solid team. We are building with the mentality of scale and sale. We are building with this mentality because it keeps us sharp and it brings a better structure to the business. I always think if someone came in to review our business, where does the value sit and where’s the manual of how it runs? It means we can train better, educate better, and build better. Following a period of reflection late last year, I asked myself how can Level keep momentum and what areas can we tweak to help us elevate the business? There are many areas identified for improvement as with any start up, but what is going to have the highest impact and move the needle? For me, it’s investing in better structure, which means improving data, processes, systems, new ways and more efficient ways of working. We are on the offensive and as Segev says we “have let the small fires burn” for now as we focused predominantly on sales, but now it’s time to create better structure as we build momentum and look to drive further growth. The ambition is to prepare for scale as we aim to bolster the business with multiple new hires this year. In my eyes, there’s no better than Segev to come in to deliver on this. Segev and I have worked closely together in the last year from his time at Lunio to deliver office space searches both in Manchester and London, so he has a better understanding than most when it comes to how we work. Our styles complement each other extremely well - he loves the work I don’t, I love the work he doesn’t and with his proven track record of scaling his former business from 3 to 80+ people we are confident in his ability to support in taking us to new heights. Some big targets set for the next Financial Year and we are raring to go🎢 Really proud of the expertise we have in the business and extremely grateful to everyone we have around us at the moment advising us as well as those to have contributed to our recent success. Let’s get to work 🪄✨

🔹 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗱 🔹 📢 What if I told you that acquiring a business could be the most transformative move for your company? A game-changer that propels your growth beyond limits, unlocking new doors and opportunities. 🚀 🔹 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 🔹 Implementing a strategic business acquisition has become a vital strategy for companies striving to stay ahead in today's dynamic marketplace. Here's why you should consider this route and take your company to new heights. 🏔️ 1️⃣ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Acquiring a well-established business allows you to leapfrog years of painstaking efforts. You gain instant market share, an established customer base, and an infrastructure to speed up your growth. 💥 2️⃣ 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗳-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗕𝗼𝘅 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: By acquiring a complementary business, you can diversify your offerings, enter new markets, or expand into untapped regions. This helps you mitigate risks by hedging against volatility and maximizing your potential for success. 💪 3️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Acquisitions allow you to consolidate resources, streamline operations, and cut redundant costs. By eliminating duplicate functions, you create synergies between your businesses, boosting efficiency, and profitability. 🔄 4️⃣ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Buying a business can give you access to new technologies, patents, or intellectual property that can transform your product or service offerings. It fuels innovation and enables you to stay at the forefront of your industry. 🌐 5️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗪𝘁𝗵: Beyond the financial benefits, acquiring a business can foster a learning environment for both teams. It brings together experienced professionals, diversifies viewpoints, and stimulates knowledge-sharing. Together, we can reach new heights! 📚 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 by these benefits? Imagine the possibilities when you leverage the power of business acquisition to drive unprecedented growth for your company. 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿! 🤝 #BusinessAcquisition #GameChanger #UnlockYourPotential #LeapfrogGrowth #Synergies #Innovation #Collaboration

As the CEO of a company focused on sustainable, paced growth, I want to create the best experience I can for as many team members as I can. Our father Robert started and ran Hoffmann Brothers for more than 25 years before I became CEO. When we decided in 2016 to grow HB from a successful small business into something bigger, we had to adjust our thinking. Small businesses that want to stay small can: - focus on the wants of specific team members, offering one-off perks that can’t scale; - preserve existing systems that the business has run on for years or decades; - make do with sub-optimal processes (or sometimes no process at all). Growing businesses need to: - consider not just the team members already in the room, but those who will join the team in the coming months or years; - implement systems that can scale as the revenues, the team, and the demands grow; - design processes that can apply consistently across the company and all team members. One type of business isn't inherently better than the other, but understanding which one you're working at is important. This picture is from our last St. Louis team meeting. I'm somewhere in that room and can tell you this is very different from when we had 40 people. Consistency and uniformity are challenging to implement and even more challenging to maintain, but they're the only way I've seen a company grow sustainably over time. And growing sustainably is what we need to do at Hoffmann Brothers to create a world-class experience for every team member who entrusts their career to us.

🚀 Unleashing Growth and Wisdom with Vista Equity Partners Consulting Group! 🌟 I've got some incredible insights to share from the exhilarating journey my fantastic Avalara colleagues and I embarked on over the past months. We were lucky enough to dive headfirst into the Vista Sales Accelerate Program, hosted by the brilliant minds at Vista Consulting Group, Dave Anderson and Brian Cain. Brace yourselves for some game-changing takeaways! 💡 🌟 The Art of Perfect Fit: Recruiting Rockstars! 🌟 We cracked the code on assembling dream teams by nailing the perfect balance of skills and traits. Imagine this: sculpting the ideal 'good looks' for every role in your organization. It's like finding the perfect puzzle piece for your business mosaic. We learned that defining what we truly need in each position and crafting a top-tier recruitment and onboarding strategy is the secret sauce to success. 🧩 🚀 Elevate with Exceptional Minds! 🚀 In a riveting Q&A with none other than Paul Ybarra, the CRO at Fusion Risk Management, we were enlightened by the power of surrounding ourselves with genius-level individuals. Building a powerhouse TEAM that sees the world through diverse lenses is key. 🤝 Paul's emphasis on self-education really struck a chord with me. Elevating our own standards isn't just about personal growth – it's about creating monumental IMPACT for those around us. Let's raise the bar together! 📚 🌀 Embrace the Change Continuum! 🌀 Ever found yourself treating change like a one-time event? Guilty as charged! 🙋♂️ But here's the scoop: change isn't a mere 'thing'; it's a part of our DNA. We've learned that making transformation stick requires relentless communication, leading from the frontlines, and fostering support at all levels. Plotting a strategic course, setting priorities, measuring with precision – that's how you witness genuine metamorphosis unfold! And let's not forget the amazing camaraderie we shared with fellow like-minded pioneers during this ride. Laughter echoed through our journey, making it a truly unforgettable experience. 🎉 I can't wait to see the ongoing triumphs of my incredible Cohort colleagues as they continue to soar to new heights. Keep charging!!! Lee Paries Kyle Bettis Pascal Debets Ashley Nicol, MBA Ivey Freeman Butler Hamish Sherlock Catherine Morgan (Carr) Josh Fruecht, MPA, CMC Peter Fordham Sam Miller Kyle George Thomas Sherman Gareth Thiveux Kevin Charles Benjamin Mascow Kyle Nisson To my Avalara fam, keep that vibrant ORANGE spirit alive and kicking! 🍊 Clayton Goodhue 🍊 Matthew Pasquale 🍊 Waji Anwar 🍊 Kristin Genoway 🍊Paula Whitmore 🍊 Onward and upward, my friends – because the next learning adventure beckons! 📚🌟 #avalara #sales #salesexcellence #salesleadership #GrowthMinds #LeadershipJourney

A surprising combination: M&A and Innovation? 🎇 When I started out, one of the often-heard statements was: Can't we buy another company? Back then, I could only get frustrated by such an answer. Over the years, however, I think M&A is a must-have discipline within your innovation team. However, applied differently than just stating: "Can't we just buy another company?". - Don't create unicorns, Let's breed blue whales. 🐋 #innovationmanagement #innovationstrategy #businessinnovation #corporateinnovation #businessbuilding #venturebuilding #business

Here are some key takeaways from a captivating roundtable discussion from the PEI Operating Partners Forum: 1️⃣ Diligence's Deeper Dive: Don't overlook the go-to-market strategy during diligence. Scrutinize sales, marketing, and alignment aspects. Identify gaps and improvement opportunities to enhance effectiveness. 2️⃣ Value Beyond Benchmarks: Insights go beyond numbers. Analyze metrics like quota attainment and sales messaging to unearth optimization opportunities. 3️⃣ Prioritize Transformation: After diligence, utilize a punch list to prioritize areas for transformation. Focus on pricing models, role standardization, and scaling talent for future growth. 4️⃣ Rescaling Talent: Onboarding is critical. Rescale talent, align capabilities with growth plans, and engage external partners where needed. From meticulous evaluation to long-term value creation, the PE journey is all about understanding dynamics, strategizing, and driving transformative success. Find more insights from Slade Kobran: https://bit.ly/3XixsUD #PrivateEquity #BusinessStrategy

Unlocking your entrepreneurial mindset in your current role can be a game-changer for personal and team success. By thinking of your job as a "business within a business," you not only guide decisions, but also spark a sense of ownership that assists with customer care and acquisition, increased attention to detail, a return on investment mentality, among other desirable attributes. Imagine a workplace where innovation and streamlining processes is available to everyone, not just upper management. Some might see this as a threat, or a challenge to their authority, but instead employers should see this entrepreneurial flair as a valuable asset. Treating your job as your own mini-business not only boosts your productivity but also becomes a driving force for positive change. By taking on the responsibility to learn, develop, and grow your business skills, you increase your value to your organization and contribute to team success. It's a win-win situation! Your personal growth shoots up, and you contribute to a workplace culture where everyone thrives amid constant evolution. So, let your entrepreneurial spirit soar and watch success follow suit!

"Karen is our trusted friend on all things human. She's helped me for many years to understand our people and our impact on them. She approaches this from a very scientific base, which I think you'll appreciate." - Founder and Chair I’ve met many executives accountable to deliver inorganic growth and I’d like to share one of their stories. My client founded a privately held industrial services company. When we began our work, his company was acquiring competitors and seeking specialty firms to supplement programs. The founder hired me because the financial impact of not getting the cultural aspect right was hitting hard. Our work together was two phases. Initially, we built senior team understanding of M&A people risks, cultural impact, and cultural fit. This included assessing the team's M&A leadership capability and facilitating team activities to introduce a "culture lens" for decision-making. A year later, the second phase began, after a CEO was hired and the business restructured. With a new-look top team we re-ran a ‘Deal Ready’ assessment. Based on the results, together we tailored a 'Deal Ready' Roadmap to address identified blind spots. Roadmap focus was on Strategy, M&A Leadership and Culture. The team built M&A prep into monthly work to maximize the impact of their deal preparation investments. They set priorities based on understanding what's essential to improve the odds of meeting deal objectives. Now, let's talk about an exciting opportunity for you. M&A activity globally has slowed in 2023, but signs point to a 2024 rebound. Why not harness the last two months of the year to invest and prepare for deal activity? I am launching my 'Deal Ready' Roadmap Group Program earlier than planned, in November, for organizations keen to get ahead. This first run in a group format means the group will be small and I will personally guide you every step of the way. The program is designed to make the most effective use of everyone's time; and I am committed to supporting you to finish your 'Deal Ready' Roadmap before the end of the year, ready to implement in 2024. As an inaugural member, you will receive bonuses valued higher than the program fee itself. I want to ensure we have the right balance in the group (personal and organization attributes) to create an inspiring environment. That's why I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. But there's a catch... The (already extended) application deadline for this inaugural program is Sunday, October 15th, at 11:59 PM PDT. In the first part of the week we'll need to have a conversation to confirm that the program is the right fit for you. After I’ve spoken with all applicants, I'll then select a balanced group of 3-5 organizations to invite into the program. To learn more about this pilot program and secure your bonuses, apply no later than Sunday October 15th, at 11:59PM PDT by clicking below and following all prompts. This application is free and without obligation.

One of my portfolio companies impressively scaled from 0 to over €500K ARR in just six months, and their approach was notably client-centric. They adopted a hands-on method, literally sitting in their clients' offices to gain a deep understanding of the problems faced. This direct engagement enabled them to develop tailored solutions that precisely met their clients' needs. Their success underscores the importance of quality over quantity, especially in the early stages. Rather than spreading resources thin to scale rapidly, they focused on delivering high-quality, bespoke solutions. This approach not only solved their clients' issues more effectively but also built strong, trust-based relationships, proving to be a key factor in their rapid growth.