Ian Smith | The Portfolio Partnership

How will AI Transform M&A?

by Ian Smith | Aug 29, 2023 | Acquisitions

In this post TPP founder Ian Smith walks us through the TPP M&A playbook and invites Kalle Kilpi to predict how AI will transform it. Kalle’s remarkable bio gives him a distinct edge to help us understand the impact. He brings a uniquely relevant background to...

Service Launch – Pre-Sale Operational Excellence

by Ian Smith | Aug 24, 2023 | Execution Tips, Exiting your business, Operational Tips, Scaling, Strategy

This week we are launching a new service dedicated to private company owners who would like to sell their business in 2025 or later. Our Pre-Sale Operational Excellence Service is designed to address the following problem in the market. Hint it is not lipstick on a...

Scaling Private Companies – Challenges & Solutions 2000 to 2023

by Ian Smith | Aug 9, 2023 | Execution Tips, Exiting your business, Family Business, Grooming For Sale, Operational Blueprints, Positioning drives growth, Scaling

As an investment banker in London 23 years ago I wish I knew The Portfolio Partnership (TPP)! I would have said to many clients – you’re not ready for sale. You’re not ready for prime time. You need to scale to the next level to ensure that you and...

The Benefits of Simplification

by Ian Smith | Jul 6, 2023 | Leadership

We are traveling this week so a little repeat of a popular post from a few years ago. We all admire a leader who can simplify a complex problem into an understandable, simple, explanation of the essential elements. We are motivated by a leader who can set out a clear,...

Two Tools To Explain Your Financials To An 8th Grader

by Ian Smith | Jun 29, 2023 | Basic Finance

The financial analysis of a business can seem complicated but there really is no need for this complication. Every financial story in any currency, in any sector, and in any business model boils down to two things! Volume and yield. Let’s take a simple example...