Private Equity vs Venture Capital: What are the Key Differences?
The terms private equity and venture capital are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably. Both private equity and venture capital firms share some similarities, for example, they both invest in private companies and exit by selling shares publicly (e.g., through an initial public offering). In fact, venture capital is technically a sub-type of private equity investing, but […]
So You Want To Know More About Distressed Debt Investing
Rising interest rates, high inflation, and slow growth are usually not terms associated with great opportunity, but in distressed debt investing, it’s a different story. Last month we briefly covered how private equity investors are increasingly looking to invest dry powder in distressed debt securities. Distressed debt investing is an exciting, yet complex and risky […]
Private Equity Performance Improvement Strategies: 6 Steps to Maximise Returns
With economists predicting that several countries will head into a short and shallow recession this year, private equity investors will need to adjust their strategies to improve the performance of their portfolios. By thinking strategically about these 6 pillars of private equity performance improvement, fund managers and investors can mitigate the risks associated with the […]
The Benefits of a Value Creation Plan and 5 Steps to Creating One
What is a Value Creation Plan? In private equity, a value creation plan is a strategic document that outlines how an investor intends to turn a profit from a business venture, and often includes detailed plans for resource allocation and other operations. It serves as a roadmap for companies to identify, create, and realise the […]
7 Biggest Consumer Trends 2023
Inflation and economic uncertainty are big factors impacting consumer trend predictions in 2023, but there are also some surprising trends in the mix. Despite the pinch of a slowed economy, consumers are still making room to prioritise wellness, occasionally splurging on products and services that cater to their post-pandemic lifestyle. Read on to find out […]
A Practical Guide to Combatting M&A Deal Fatigue
There’s a term for the frustration, helplessness and exhaustion that comes during the negotiation process: deal fatigue. What once began as a hopeful, optimistic and energising prospect for your business or portfolio can fast become wrought with unforeseen complexity, miscommunication and lengthy timelines that sap the enthusiasm and resources from all involved parties and can […]
Risks and Opportunities of High-Quality Automatic Text Generators
If you haven’t heard about ChatGPT, where have you been? There’s been plenty of hype surrounding OpenAI’s automatic text generator and chatbot, including concern over the potential of this technology to impact review data, academia and veracity of online content. But how worried should we be, and what are experts doing to counter these threats? […]
PE Trends 2023: Predictions and Overview of 2022
Following last year’s predictions for the end of 2022, here’s a review of current Private Equity (PE) trends and predictions for the coming year in a volatile market. PE Trend Overview of 2022 H2 slowdown Despite an unexpected boom in deals in H1, as predicted, the global PE industry experienced a slowdown in the second […]
5 Steps to An Easy and Thorough Product Comparison Analysis
Product comparison analysis is a process by which you can determine the features and benefits of your product in relation to those of your competitors. It can help you to identify what areas of your product need improvement and shape future product development based on customer demands. In this blog post, we will outline five […]
Marketing Due Diligence Best Practices
When it comes to making decisions about a merger, acquisition or business partnership, marketing due diligence is essential. It’s easy to overestimate a target company’s success and underestimate the investment necessary to meet your sales targets following a merger or acquisition. What looks like a successful marketing campaign on the surface (in terms of engagement […]
No AI Training Data, No Problem: Bring AI To Your Business With No-Code AI Solutions
AI is increasingly commonplace as more and more businesses realise its power and capabilities to help with decision-making and to automate laborious processes. But AI has a huge problem: sourcing and effectively using AI training data to build a model that’s fit for purpose. But this could soon be an issue of the past with […]
A Very Unmerry Merger or how Symanto Saved Christmas…Yet again
With the jingle-sniffles pandemic under control, and the elves happier than ever thanks to Symanto, Santa was looking forward to a drama-free Christmas 2022. Little did he know that a Machiavellian plot was underway that threatened to sully Santa’s good name, and ruin Christmas forever. Chapter One Thank you 2021 It was January 2022 and […]
A Guide to Market Due Diligence Data
Is your target company future-proof? Market due diligence (also commonly referred to as commercial due diligence) is an essential step for investors and stakeholders to understand market trends, potential market opportunities, the competition, and how the target company can take advantage of those opportunities. Given ongoing market disruption and continually changing market trends, commercial due […]
How To Conduct Market Research for Product Development
Developing a new product is an exciting process, but it’s also a risky one. There’s no guarantee that your product will be successful, no matter how great it is. That’s why market research for product development is essential. Market research involves gathering information about potential customers and understanding their needs and desires. This information can […]
The ABCs of ESG Reporting Software: How to Choose the Right Tool and a Selection of Best Tools
ESG reporting software is a technology that helps organisations measure and report their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. ESG reporting has gained importance in recent years as investors have become more interested in sustainable investing, and many countries have begun to require ESG reporting by law. Given the complexity of ESG investigation and reporting, […]
How To Measure Product Market Fit and Position Yourself for Success
Whether you’re building a start-up or expanding your investment portfolio, the most important part of the due diligence process is knowing how to measure product market fit accurately. Being an ideas person is great, but turning a vision into a profitable business is an entirely different beast. How do you know if people will actually […]
Competitor SWOT Analysis: How To Gather Data and What To Do With It
“Know your enemy and know yourself” – This quote dates back 2500 years to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. And while your competitors aren’t your enemy, per se, in a fiercely competitive market where you’re vying for the same business, it’s important to understand your peers as much as you understand your own business. […]
Market Analysis Techniques to Draw Powerful Insights into Your Competition and Target Market
This blog outlines the best market analysis techniques to give you a clear guide on how to move forward and best make sense of your data. Market analysis can help you assess market potential, identify relationships between different factors, and even understand customer behaviour. And with the right tools, it can be easy and even […]
Asset Management Trends: 7 Industry-Defining Shifts for 2023
Stay ahead of the curve with these asset management trends. Continuing market volatility has many investors spooked. But professionally managed assets grew for a third consecutive year, suggesting that there’s still plenty of opportunity for those who know where to look. Those in the know are turning to innovative data strategies, new ways of reporting […]
Unleashing the Power of AI Decision Support Systems: The Future of Business and Investment
Artificial intelligence has been around for a while, but it is only recently that we have begun to see its true potential in practical terms. With the development of machine learning and natural language processing (NLP), AI is now able to provide decision support systems that can help businesses and investors make better decisions faster […]
The Loud Message Behind Quiet Quitting & What To Do About It
It’s the social phenomenon that’s dividing opinion online. Is so-called “quiet-quitting” the product of an entitled generation of lazy workers, or is it a legitimate act of defiance against a toxic workplace culture and lowered economic prospects? We take a closer look at quiet quitting, investigate its causes and suggest how you can address them […]
How To Step Up Your HR & Management Game with Employee Feedback Software
Employee expectations have shifted dramatically in the past few years. The great resignation began during the pandemic and continued well into 2022, dumbfounding employers across the globe. An economic downturn could spell another change regarding employee values and expectations. Employers are looking for accurate and effective ways to track employee engagement, and anticipate any issues […]
Digital Growth Scan: Uncover Opportunities and Predict Future Performance with Deep Insights
When Private Equity investors take on a new company, they’re looking for growth potential. They want to see where the company can grow and how quickly that growth can happen. Digital growth is one of the most important indicators of future success for a company. To find out where a company has digital growth opportunities, […]
A Guide to Measuring AIO Data for Marketing and Product Development
What are AIOs in marketing? In a nutshell, they’re the activities, interests and opinions of consumers. Marketers have been using AIOs to understand consumer behaviour for a long time now, but with the advent of big data and new technologies, we can measure them in more detail than ever before. This opens up a world […]
The Effect of the Pandemic on Airport Chaos in 2022: A Situation Analysis
After two long years of pandemic uncertainty, travel restrictions and strict COVID-19 measures, the summer of 2022 was expected to be a final release for travellers and separated families across the globe. But what was meant to be a happy time for many turned into airport chaos, with long delays, cancelled flights, and lost luggage. […]
A Complete Guide to Outside-In Analysis for Improved Business Decision Making
In business, an outside-in analysis is also known as “customer-centric” or “market-oriented analysis“. It is a process where you put yourself in your customer’s shoes and try to understand their world, their needs, and how your product or service can help them. This type of analysis is crucial for making informed decisions about everything from […]
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre inteligencia de mercado e investigación de mercado?
Cómo realizar un proceso de diligencia debida en una empresa
El objetivo de un proceso de diligencia debida es inspeccionar y evaluar todos los aspectos de una empresa para poder tomar una decisión informada con respecto a la idoneidad de una fusión o adquisición. Para eso, tendrás que descubrir la mayor cantidad de datos corporativos posible. El primer punto, y el más obvio, es revisar […]
Digital Due Diligence in 7 Steps: A Guide to Investigating Online Assets and Brand Health
When you are considering a merger, acquisition, or other significant business transaction, it is important to perform a thorough digital due diligence investigation. This involves reviewing all of the digital assets and data of the company that you are considering doing business with. In this blog post, we will discuss the 7 key elements of […]
How To Choose the Best Analytics Tools For Your Business
Business analytics tools are increasingly becoming a staple in a data-driven, digitalised world. However, “Business Analytics” is a broad, catch-all term, and deciding which tool is right for you depends on understanding which business analytics you need. Here are five types of business analytics, along with suggested tools for each. 1. Application Performance Monitoring The […]
