Through the SRT Lens: How Brandon Coan Forged His Path to CFO
In this episode, Brandon Coan, CFO of Hueman People Solutions, reflects on how his experience with the Shore Resource Team prepared him for his first CFO role. He shares stories from his work on 100-day Plans, the challenges of stepping into interim roles, and his transition into full-time leadership at Hueman. Brandon also discusses the lasting impact of his SRT projects and provides valuable insights on leadership, personal growth, and the importance of doing things the right way.
Research: Supporting the Shore Investment Lifecycle
In this episode, Caitlin Zager dives into how Shore Capital utilizes research to guide investments from initial analysis to exit. She discusses the importance of using data to identify market trends, validate strategies, and adapt to industry changes. Caitlin also provides practical examples of how research drives decision-making and enhances portfolio value, offering a comprehensive view of the insights shaping Shore’s investment approach.
What Makes a Great CEO: Part V | Executives Bill Clendenen & Michael Burcham on What Gets a CEO Fired
In this episode, Bill Clendenen and Michael Burcham discuss what can get a CEO fired. They outline the CEO’s core responsibilities: setting a clear vision, building the right team, holding people accountable, and fostering a culture of success. Failing to deliver results, lacking transparency with the board, or not hiring quickly enough are key reasons CEOs are let go. The discussion emphasizes the need for honesty, decisiveness, and readiness to meet the fast-paced demands of the CEO role.
What Makes a Great CEO: Part IV | Executives Bill Clendenen & Michael Burcham on Defining, Executing, and Adapting Your Strategy
In this episode, Bill Clendenen and Michael Burcham explore the essence of strategy for CEOs, explaining how it defines a company's plan to win, while the strategic plan outlines the steps to achieve that goal. Failing to align the organization around the strategy risks confusion and missed opportunities, making it crucial for everyone, from frontline workers to the board, to stay aligned. They also emphasize that strategy is a living tool, evolving with market changes and company growth.
What Makes a Great CEO: Part III | Executives Bill Clendenen & Michael Burcham on Building a Team
In this episode, Bill Clendenen and Michael Burcham discuss the vital role of team building for CEOs, particularly in scaling businesses. They highlight the importance of hiring a CFO early and stress the need for self-awareness in leadership. CEOs must recognize their strengths and weaknesses to assemble teams that complement their abilities. They stress that building the right team is not just about filling roles but about positioning the company for sustainable growth and long-term success.
Behind the CXO Title: How Ryan McNally Went a Mile Deep in His Niche
In this episode, Ryan McNally, COO of Courser, reflects on his journey from investment banking and private equity to operations. The CXO Fellows Program was the catalyst for his transition, enabling him to take a deep dive into the IT services industry and move from advising businesses to actively leading them. As Courser has grown, he has focused on process improvement and aligning strategic goals with execution, driving the company’s growth while advancing his leadership journey.
Behind the CXO Title: Recognizing Your Potential with Beth LaBossiere
In this episode, Beth LaBossiere, Chief of Staff at Whetstone Distribution, shares how the CXO Fellows Program helped her transition from consulting to operations. It was a transition that not only introduced her to a new career path but also to an entirely new industry. This required her to develop a new set of skills, which she accomplished with the support of her team and the CXO network. Through this journey, she uncovered her leadership potential and set her sights on becoming a CEO.
Behind the CXO Title: Shaping Mark Larsen’s Path to CEO
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Larsen, a CXO alumnus who now serves as the CEO of Connexure, to discuss his remarkable career growth. Mark reflects on his early days as a CXO, explaining why he chose this career path, how failure contributed to his professional development, and the importance of building relationships in the microcap space. He also offers advice for aspiring CXOs on how to optimize their time in the program.
Behind the CXO Title: Emily Kahn Reflects on a Year of Growth and Change
In this episode, Emily Kahn reflects on her first year with Shore Capital's CXO Fellows Program. She shares her transition from being a consultant to a private equity-backed executive, explaining the reasons behind her career shift. Emily emphasizes the importance of building relationships and the support she received from the CXO alumni network. She also discusses how her personal entrepreneurial venture has deepened her appreciation for the dedication and hard work Shore founders put into their companies.
Behind the CXO Title: Rising to the Challenge with Rob Collins
In this episode, Rob Collins of SENTA Partners discusses his experience with Shore Capital's CXO Fellows program. He details joining SENTA unconventionally, taking on leadership roles, and contributing to the company's growth. Rob highlights the importance of facing challenging tasks, the benefits of the CXO network, and key lessons learned, emphasizing curiosity, initiative, and reflection throughout his leadership journey.
What Makes a Great CEO: Part II | Executives Bill Clendenen & Michael Burcham on Excelling as a Shore Capital CEO
In this episode, seasoned executives Bill Clendenen and Michael Burcham discuss what it takes to become a successful CEO within a Shore Capital portfolio company. They highlight the importance of having a bias for action, grit, and determination, as well as the capability to lead and mentor simultaneously. They emphasize the need for true humility, acknowledging limitations, and engaging with board members for continuous improvement. The discussion also covers the critical role of storytelling in communicating vision and strategy throughout the organization.
What Makes a Great CEO: Part I | Executives Bill Clendenen & Michael Burcham on Leadership Excellence
In this episode, seasoned executives Bill Clendenen and Michael Burcham discuss the crucial attributes of a successful CEO, especially within private equity. They emphasize the importance of financial acumen, empowering the team without micromanaging, and the continuous education and coaching of teams. Both highlight the necessity for potential CEOs to develop strong foundational skills, including goal setting and relationship-building, to lead and scale businesses effectively.
The Partnership Development Team
In this episode, we welcome Jeff Williams, COO of Shore, and Max Martineau, Chief of Staff, who discuss the Partnership Development Team (PDT) and its role in identifying successful partners across our portfolio. The conversation offers a look at the process of investment and acquisition, underscoring the PDT’s impact on driving growth in the microcap space.
The CFO Cohort
In this episode, we welcome Jeff Williams, COO of Shore, and Riley Looser, Head of the Resource Team, who discuss Shore's approach to CFO operations including the partnership with the Shore Resource Team (SRT). They share insights into the power of the portfolio CFO cohort for sharing knowledge and best practices. They also highlight the necessity of implementing structured processes early to enable CFOs to focus more on strategic initiatives necessary to scale the business.
Chief Talent Officer - Conor Leamy
In this episode, we're joined by Conor Leamy, Shore's Chief Talent Officer, who sheds light on his team’s strategic use of pattern recognition and data analytics in executive talent acquisition across the Shore portfolio. Conor discusses how these tools help mitigate natural biases in hiring practices and enable our microcap companies to win the “war for talent.”
HR Center of Excellence -
Sarah Gabriel
In this episode we discuss Shore’s COE focused on Human Resources. Sarah Gabriel, Chief People Officer for Shore, talks about the unique employee value proposition that Shore provides our portfolio companies and their people. As part of this, she also shares how HR leaders from across the portfolio work together to support each other and problem-solve through both formal gatherings and informal relationships and interactions.
Technology Center of Excellence -
Imran Shaikh
In this episode we discuss Shore’s COE focused on Technology. Imran Shaikh, Chief Technology Officer for Shore, talks about the minimum IT operating standards that Shore requires of portfolio companies, and the way in which Shore uses IT as a value generator. He also discusses real world examples and solutions for dealing with IT security threats in the microcap context.
Continuous Improvement Center of Excellence - Kevin Williams
In this episode we discuss Shore’s COE focused on Continuous Improvement. Kevin Williams, Chief Improvement Officer for Shore, talks about the strategies he and his team employ to help our portfolio companies continuously improve. He discusses examples from our Healthcare, Food and Beverage, and Business Services verticals.
RCM Center of Excellence - Sarah Hirsch
In this episode, we discuss Shore’s COE focused on Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). Sarah Hirsch, Chief Revenue Officer for Shore, talks about the strategies she employs to help multi-site healthcare portfolio companies navigate the complex world of RCM. Sarah also discusses the RCM infrastructure that Shore offers to enable these companies to thrive and scale.
The Leadership Academy
In this episode, we discuss Shore Capital’s approach to Talent Development, specifically through Shore University’s Leadership Academies. We’ll explore how Shore is investing in talent development and the benefits for portfolio companies. We’ll hear from new and seasoned leaders about their experiences and how they’ve put learning into action.
Payor Center of Excellence - Christy Vitulli
In this episode, we discuss Shore’s COE focused on healthcare payor strategies. Christy Vitulli, Head of Payor Strategies for Shore, talks about the importance of implementing a payor strategy from platform inception through the typical 5-year holding period for our portfolio companies.
Data Center of Excellence - Ross Koenig
In this episode, we discuss Shore’s COE focused on Data. Ross Koenig, Chief Data Officer for Shore, talks about what good data infrastructure looks like, misconceptions about data, and how answering a few simple questions can lay the foundation of a powerful data strategy.
Strategy - Shore Support and Execution
Shore’s proprietary strategic planning process is a success enabler for companies to get out of the gates fast and effectively. This episode details the implementation process after a strategy session, including perspectives from new and established portfolio leadership, Shore Partners, and the Shore Strategic Planning team.
Strategy - The Shore Capital Approach
In this episode, we discuss the Shore Capital Partners collaborative approach to strategy setting. We'll explore the process and how it creates alignment and sets companies up to make early decisions bigger, stronger, or faster; featuring interviews with Michael Burcham, Mike Cooper, Chris Mioton, and John Nelson. In future episodes, we'll take a deeper dive into the preparation, process, and follow-ups.
Lead Independent Directors - The Evolution
Lead Independent Directors (LIDs) not only bring deep operational experience to Shore Capital Boards of Directors but their role grows and evolves with the executive team. In this episode, we talk about this evolution and the key role the LID plays in various stages of the company. This episode features interviews with Michael Burcham, Sean McEnroe, Jim Forrest, Dylan Bates, Bill Clendenen, and Kevin Offel.
Lead Independent Directors - The Defintion
In this episode, we talk about the role of the Lead Independent Director, who they are, how they help, and why Shore Capital Partners has invested in the role in every one of its Boards of Directors. This episode features interviews with Michael Burcham, Sean McEnroe, Jim Forrest, Dylan Bates, Bill Clendenen, and Kevin Offel.