Alex Rawlings speaks with Jeff Helfgott, CEO of Boardroom Salon, about scaling PE-backed multi-unit businesses. They discuss talent strategy, retention, resilience, and how to turn operational fixes into sustainable growth.⏱️ Key Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & Jeff’s Background From barbershop beginnings to PE-backed CEO.01:04 – Common PE Mistakes Overlooking talent strategy during diligence.02:11 – Talent Assessment Evaluating teams based on current business needs.05:58 – Hiring Non-Negotiables Integrity and focus on top 3 priorities.08:18 – Resilience in Leadership Navigating crises like COVID.10:10 – Managing Growth & Change Using EOS and quarterly planning.14:11 – Driving EBITDA Growth Fix retention before scaling revenue.16:01 – Retention Flywheel Employee retention → customer retention → growth.18:24 – Membership Strategy Aligning offerings with real customer behavior.21:18 – Finding the Real Constraint Using data segmentation to identify core issues.24:31 – Data vs Insight Combining analytics with customer feedback.27:33 – KPI Pitfalls Avoid over-optimising a single metric.28:02 – PE Thesis vs Reality Treat strategy as a hypothesis, not fact.29:12 – Underrated Growth Lever Talent retention and adaptability.32:08 – Building Resilient Teams Supporting middle management and preventing burnout.35:25 – Resources & Closing🚀 Key TakeawaysAssess talent early in diligenceIntegrity and resilience are critical traitsRetention is a primary driver of growthData must be paired with real customer insightPressure-test your investment thesisMiddle management drives executionRaw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.
