Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s actively reshaping the landscape of Private Equity (PE) right now. In this can’t-miss episode of The Private Equity Experience, hosts Emily Sander, Ed Barton, and Rory Liebhart dive deep into how AI is creating immediate, tangible value in the PE ecosystem.

The discussion kicks off with a rapid-fire round of questions about trusting AI in our personal lives, but quickly moves to how AI is transforming core business functions.

In this episode, you will learn:

Operational Engineering with AI: Ed Barton shares the insight that AI is taking the ability to operationally engineer a business to another level. Learn why PE firms should hunt for "people-heavy" businesses run by "Luddites" where AI can be applied quickly for massive operational leverage and a faster jump in valuation.

Diligence and Cost Savings: Rory Liebhart shares his personal experience saving "tens of thousands of dollars" on professional services and legal fees by utilizing basic AI tools like ChatGPT.

The New PE Investment Thesis: Where are the smartest investments happening? The hosts break down the "picks and shovels" opportunities—investing in the infrastructure that supports AI's growth, such as data centers, power generation, and internet service providers, as a lower-risk investment strategy compared to direct AI companies.

The Future of Human Reliability: Ed offers a fascinating prediction that AI's reliability will soon surpass human instinct, transforming how businesses must adapt in the next decade.

Whether you are a PE investor, a portfolio company executive, or a founder considering a sale, this discussion provides actionable insights on how to leverage the AI revolution for maximum value creation.

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

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Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory

In this episode, hosts Emily Sander, Ed Barton, and Rory Liebhart dive deep into one of the most powerful tools for leadership teams and private equity-backed companies: The Flash Report.

What You’ll Learn:

• What a Flash Report is and why it’s a game-changer for leadership transparency and decision-making.
• How to structure a Flash Report using frameworks like Balanced Scorecard, OKRs, or EOS.
• Why Flash Reports improve communication with boards, investors, and internal teams.
• Real-world examples of key metrics and narrative sections that make Flash Reports effective.
• How to avoid common pitfalls—like overcomplication or inconsistent data—when implementing a Flash Report.
• The role of a Chief of Staff in driving and maintaining a Flash Report process.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Emily kicks off with a fun trivia round, leading into the core topic: the Flash Report. Ed provides a high-level definition and shares how the Flash Report helped align teams and improve communication with private equity partners.
• The hosts discuss how Flash Reports foster transparency, save time in meetings, align teams with strategic goals, and help leaders make data-driven decisions quickly.
• Ed explains how the Balanced Scorecard methodology informed their Flash Report structure, emphasizing the importance of connecting metrics to strategic initiatives.
• Rory and Emily highlight how Flash Reports can be tailored to any industry—whether SaaS, lending, manufacturing, or services—by focusing on the metrics that truly drive the business.
• The team shares a sanitized example Flash Report, breaking down each section:

1. Quantitative Metrics: KPIs across four perspectives (Learning & Development, Internal Process, Customer, Financial).
2. Qualitative Updates: Brief narratives from department leaders.
3. Strategic Initiative Updates: Quick status reports on key projects.

• The hosts wrap up with actionable advice:

1. Start simple—don’t overcomplicate.
2. Ensure data accuracy and consistency.
3. Use the Flash Report to tell a story, not just recite numbers.
4. Leverage the Chief of Staff or a cross-functional leader to maintain the process.

Links Mentioned:
Flash Report Template

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

================================

Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Private Equity Experience podcast! In this episode, Emily Sander, Ed Barton, and Rory Liebhart dive into the controversial question: Is private equity too big to fail? As they discuss the parallels between the banking industry's "too big to fail" concept and private equity's massive influence, they explore the implications for investors, companies, and the broader economy.

Key Topics Covered:

• What does "too big to fail" mean for private equity?
• The role of private equity in the economy and employment.
• Historical precedents and lessons from past financial crises.
• Potential triggers for a private equity crisis.
• The intersection of politics, public perception, and private equity.
• Future outlook and actionable insights for investors and stakeholders.

Is Private Equity Too Big To Fail?

The discussion examines whether private equity firms have reached a stage where their failure could trigger a broader economic crisis, similar to the financial norms observed during the 2008 financial crisis.

Historical Context:

Exploration of historical events from the 2008 financial crisis to the recent banking troubles at SVB, providing context for our "too big to fail" discussion.

Interconnections and Stakeholders:

Conversation about private equity’s interconnection with pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and the economy, shaping perceptions and potential government responses during crises.

Risk Management and Disruptions:

Analysis of how private equity navigated the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19, focusing on liquidity and risk premium adjustments.

Potential PE Crises:

Discussion on what might trigger a private equity crisis, touching on the sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations and broader macroeconomic shocks.

Optical Challenges and Perception:

The hosts delve into the public and political perception of private equity, touching on its respective public image among sectors such as banking.

Highlights:

Economic Interconnections:

Discuss how private equity, including the PE-backed companies, can influence and be influenced by broader economic downturns.

Join Emily, Ed, and Rory as they delve into the nuances of private equity's resilience and its potential vulnerabilities, all while embracing the excitement of the upcoming football season!

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

================================

Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory