Deal Talk With 7ma

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a sense of uncertainty to business owners, strategic buyers, and private equity groups who continue to gauge the long-term ramifications to the stock market. In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, Ariail Barker and Andy Johnston explore a recurring question in the M&A space, are deals getting done during the COVID-19 pandemic? They examine how businesses are handling the fallout from the pandemic and how the team at 7 Mile Advisors has been able to help clients overcome these obstacles. Andy Johnston stresses deals ARE getting done. As the pandemic took hold, and the stock market was rapidly atrophying, uncertainty gripped the M&A world. However, companies appreciated that there was still plenty of value in acquisitions, whether it was making investments or acquiring other businesses to accelerate their growth. Many business trends accelerated exponentially, especially in industries such as IT services and outsource business services. IT services benefited immensely f

Despite the struggles of the Healthcare industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in executing transactions and deals remains high. Private equity and strategic investors continue to be on the lookout for providers with whom to strike deals. In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, 7 Mile’s Ben Garber leads the discussion on the evolving landscape of the healthcare M&A space in the wake of COVID-19. Ben is joined by https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/pellegrino-frank-m/ (Frank Pellegrino), https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/flatau-lara/ (Lara Flatau), and https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/humphreys-angela/ (Angela Humphreys) from https://www.bassberry.com/ (Bass, Berry & Sims). Frank and Lara discuss a few sticky areas to be aware of during transactions, including internal issues among stakeholders in the group. (5:10) They also examine how structures and terms have adjusted to the new environment and the complicating factors that affect executing a strategy during such uncertain tim

Businesses in industries across the board are still reeling from the impacts of the current COVID-19 health crisis. The majority have had to pivot and rethink many of their processes while generating innovative solutions to better serve their clients. In the M&A space, for instance, have transactions changed dramatically because of the pandemic? In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, host Leroy Davis joins Rod Martin, Chairman and CEO at https://www.voya.com/ (Voya Financial), and http://www.ppintl.com/ (PPI International’s) Jim Galli, to discuss their personal experiences conducting M&A transactions during the crisis. Rod shares how Voya has shifted its focus to retirement investment management and employee benefits, what that shift looks like for them, and the challenges they faced in making that pivot. (7:35) For Voya, the switch to remote work was nearly seamless due to the existing infrastructure and remote-capable tools, surprising even Rod. (9:22) Rod goes on to explore innovations and changes

This episode is the second part of a series discussing the loan programs currently in place surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic – listen to the first episode https://www.7mileadvisors.com/podcast_episode/exploring-the-main-street-lending-program-for-businesses/ (here). The U.S. government has taken strides in assisting small and midsize businesses that are suffering financially due to the https://www.mcguirewoods.com/coronavirus-impact (COVID-19 pandemic). In addition to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the Small Business Administration, the Federal Reserve will be offering the Main Street Loan Program (MSLP). Although, as of publication, the MSLP hasn’t launched, you can use this time to prepare your materials, should you decide to apply. In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, McGuireWoods Partner https://www.mcguirewoods.com/people/s/clayton-j-stallbaumer (Clayton Stallbaumer) and Associate https://www.mcguirewoods.com/people/m/kayla-mccann-marty (Kayla McCann Marty) join 7 Mile Advisors Partner And

Many businesses have suffered significant hardships, with some financial loss leading to bankruptcies and even closures, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While traditional lenders are hesitant to loan money at this time, the government is spearheading loan program options in an effort to provide economic stability and maintain access to credit. In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, https://www.elliottdavis.com/ (Elliot Davis’) associates Ryan Loveless and Josh White explore the intricacies of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The discussion includes an analysis of the benefits to businesses looking to pursue growth today and after the crisis has abated. They discuss the specifics of the Federal Reserves’ MSLP (03:29) and compare it to the PPP, the program run by Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department. (07:07) There are three types of loans available, which vary in terms of the amount you can borrow, amortization terms, and transaction fees. (14:

This episode of Deal Talk with 7MA features a panel discussion, held as part of a Carnegie Mellon series, on the effects of the current health crisis across some of 7 Mile's core industry verticals. Host Andy Johnston gathers the insights of 7MA Managing Director Mark Landry and Vice Presidents Ben Garber and Garth Martin on the state of the three key industries in terms of the market and M&A transactions. Regarding the Consumer industry, Mark highlights three key factors for companies in this space. It’s essential to first check what consumer behaviors have been influenced by the crisis and which of these will continue even after. You also need to consider shifting towards e-commerce and domesticating or near-shoring your third-party supply chain, as opposed to concentrating it in a singular location. (09:55) Garth, whose expertise is in IT services, examines the exaggeration in digital transformation that is happening in the IT space. More companies are focused on maximizing the use of enterprise techno

Within a relatively short period of time, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed many fast-paced changes to our every day lives. But despite our current situation, people still have to fulfill everyday needs without setting foot outside the home. Thankfully there are different types of technology at your disposal, which includes tools for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The AR/VR industry is gaining more attention recently, which can present a great opportunity for various businesses. On this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, SubVRsive’s CEO Anthony Burke, Pillsbury Partner Josh Tucker, and Mark Landry from 7MA talk about AR, VR, and other emerging technologies and discuss some of the advantages they offer during this worldwide crisis. They touch on how the Consumer landscape has changed rapidly over the past few weeks, with more people having access to these types of technology and being willing to use them. (06:38) Telemedicine, which is recently gaining increased endorsement from authority figures

Our world is in a new normal right now, as everyone is doing their part to help flatten the curve and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic the best way they know how. Besides the grave effects on public health, the crisis is also causing suffering across businesses, economies, and industries. On this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, Mark Hug from Paradigm Partners International and former Insurance Commissioner for the State of Iowa Nick Gerhart share how the Insurance sector has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They mention how this crisis has highlighted and attracted a growing interest in certain trends that previously existed even before the outbreak, including a variety of trends in technology like AI and wearables. (02:05) Hug and Gerhart further discuss how technology can be used by insurance companies, at a time when the industry is suffering a significant blow. (18:40) In addition, they share different strategies that insurance companies can adopt, such as exploring new lest interest-sensitive produc

In today’s digital space, it’s necessary for companies to leverage technologies in order to facilitate expansion and growth. There is value in being part of a prolific ecosystem of partners and vendors where you mutually benefit from each other’s products and services. Currently, there is a growing demand for geospatial technology, and it's a great time to take advantage of the expanding market and dive in. On this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, Director at Esri’s Global Partners and Alliances division Robert Laudati talks about geospatial technology in-depth and what it could mean for businesses today. Our world has become more virtual and you don’t need to have a physical presence in an area to operate in it. With the right technology, plan, and solution set, companies based in one region can do business in another across the globe. (17:16) Having this type of relevant and modern technology will help create a favorable image with potential clients. He also dives deep into collaboration and the value of bein

It pays to come prepared before entering any business transaction, particularly if you are selling your business. No one likes surprises and a lack of clarity during the process, both on the buyer’s side, as well as on your end as a seller, can lead to major problems. However, there are several accounting steps to consider ahead of time that can help the process run more smoothly. This episode of Deal Talk with 7MA features Pat McKay from Templeton & Co., a full-service accounting firm. McKay dives deep into the necessity of planning and preparing before a transaction, especially on the accounting and numbers aspect in the business. (02:50) She stresses how doing the books and other accounting tasks well in advance can help you tell the story of your business better. Having your books aligned shows stability in your business and you can gain confidence from potential investors. (06:45) It also allows you the opportunity to spot any issues and correct them beforehand. Besides confidence, you also increase

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, 7 Mile Partner Leroy Davis talks with Yevgen Sysoyev. Yevgen is a Managing Director and one of the founders at AVentures Capital, a venture capital firm based in Kyiv, Ukraine. AVentures Capital is a hybrid investment fund that invests primarily in firms based in Ukraine, but get most of their revenue from the United States and the European Union. Yevgen begins by talking about his home country of Ukraine and explores why he believes the Unkraine is responsible for producing so much talent in the fields of math, technology, and software engineering. (3:54) Yevgen then spends a few minutes discussing the venture capital industry in Ukraine and how that industry is developing. (7:27) We then hear Yevgen reveal where AVentures Capital is most interested in investing their money. (12:31) This leads to a discussion about Ukraine’s financial capabilities compared to other countries around the world. (14:48) Yevgen wraps up the episode by examining how the current entrepreneuri

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, our own Rory Julyan talks with Matthew Picciano of Alpine Investors. Matt is a principal at Alpine, most recently leading their deal origination team where he finds new platform investments, as well as add-on acquisitions.  Matt begins by discussing his current role and what differentiates Alpine from other private equity firms. (1:18) Matt talks about Alpine’s focus on talent development and CEO-in-training programs. (3:13) Matt then tells listeners why the buy-and-build Matthew Picciano model has been popularized in the private equity space and why Alpine likes the model. (6:47) Matt comments on whether he thinks the buy-and-build strategy is being driven by real value or due to the pressure to deploy record levels of cash. (11:57) Matt then points to Evergreen Services as a great example of the buy-and-build strategy within Alpine and explains how the company approaches the strategy with growth in mind. (15:10)   Matt spends a few minutes addr

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, 7 Mile host Ariail Barker talks with John Cooper and Josh Tucker, two experts in the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning space. John is a director at 7 Mile who has worked on many deals involving AI and machine learning. Josh is a partner with https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/ (Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) in the intellectual property group. Josh’s practice specializes in software and, in particular, AI/machine learning and data science invention.  John begins by discussing what the terms AI and machine learning really mean in practice and how they affect valuation. (4:45) Josh and John then outline typical questions from clients and prospective clients concerning patents and machine learning. (8:56) Increasingly, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) buyers are becoming more knowledgeable regarding topics such as AI and machine learning. John goes on to discuss the factors involved in the evaluation of companies in the AI and machine learnin

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, 7 Mile partner Leroy Davis talks with Barry Jacobson, insurance executive with Paradigm Partners who has over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. Before accepting his current position with Paradigm Partners, Barry spent years in product development and ran the U.S. life insurance business for Travelers. Barry was also the founder and former President of International Life at ACE, which is now Chubb. Barry is also the creator of https://www.actuarialfoundation.org/math-motivators-tutoring-program/ (Math Motivators), a volunteer-driven math tutoring program that pairs high school students in under served communities with tutors. Barry begins the episode by providing an overview of the current state of the direct-to-consumer market and why the life insurance industry has lagged behind most other industries when it comes to direct-to-consumer sales. (4:41)  Barry goes on to discuss the challenges the life insurance industry has faced in the direct-to-

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, partner Leroy Davis talks with Martín Umaran, Chief of Staff, Co-founder, and head of M&A at Globant. Martín discusses how Globant was formed, what the company is doing in the IT sector, and how the technology Globant is bringing to the market will change the future of technology. Globant is a publicly traded global IT services company based in Argentina, with more than 8300 employees and presence in the US, UK, Spain, India, Brazil, Colombia, México, Perú, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. First, Martín gives listeners a glimpse into Globant’s origin story. (2:16) Martín then discusses why he has chosen to remain with Globant and his vision for the company’s future. (6:58) As an IT services company, Globant must continue to be nimble and adapt. Martín explains how the company continues to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. (13:27) Martín talks about industry adoption of newer technologies such as AI and machine learning. (18:18) Given Globant’s role in bringing t

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, 7 Mile Director Neil Churman sits down with Ben Garber, the newest member of the 7 Mile team who will be expanding the firm’s healthcare practice. Ben opens the episode by discussing how his prior experience in the healthcare sector lines up with 7 Mile’s IT practice. (5:47) Ben and Neil then examine recent developments and trends in the healthcare market. (7:58) With this episode of the podcast originating from 7 Mile’s new office in Pittsburgh, Ben and Neil have an extended discussion about their connection to the city and the strong, entrepreneurial business climate. (12:05) Ben goes on to express his gratitude for the warm reception 7 Mile has received in the Pittsburgh market. (20:10) Ben then wraps up the episode by revealing a bit of his strategic plan for scaling 7 Mile’s healthcare practice (22:19) Quotes: Ben on the opportunities created by increases in outpatient healthcare facilities: “As the hospital becomes disintegrated and pushed out into a variety o

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA host Ariail Siggins talks with Amber Walsh, a partner at McGuire Woods. Amber discusses women in private equity, the impact of getting more women involved, compares how men and women network, and the way work-life balance has changed now that women have more control in the boardroom. Amber leads a team of nearly 50 attorneys heading up McGuire Wood’s healthcare practice. During her career, Amber has primarily focused on private equity-backed health care; working for portfolio companies and investors. She also founded and leads McGuire Woods’ Women In Private Equity Initiative. Amber starts this episode off with how she founded McGuire Wood’s Women In Private Equity Initiative and the importance of having more women involved in private equity. (3:03) Ariail and Amber then discuss studies talking about the differences in how men and women network. (11:17) After founding McGuire Wood’s Women In Private Equity Initiative, Amber talks about the change she would love to see c

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA host Ariail Siggins discusses research produced by 7 Mile Advisors examining trends in the digital marketing space of our consumer practice. Ariail is joined by the head of 7 Mile’s consumer practice, Mark Landry and associate Sydney Larese, both of whom contributed to the research. Sydney discusses the effects of digital marketing on consumer's desires and expectations (4:18), how consumers are coming out as the big winners in modern day digital marketing (9:32), and the impact of digital marketing on the M&A activity of companies. (11:15) Sydney then switches gears to talk about how digital marketing is affecting the work of traditional marketing agencies. (13:13) Sydney finally talks about how consumer companies can no longer afford to neglect digital marketing and how the millennial generation thinks about digital marketing. (15:15) If you are interested in trends in the digital marketing space through the lens of consumer companies and how these trends affect

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA host Ariail Siggins talks with 7 Mile Director Neil Churman. He heads up the firm’s infrastructure, industrial, energy, and environmental practice. Neil discusses trends, the impact of technology, and some events centered around the infrastructure, industrial, energy, and environmental sector of 7 Mile’s business. Neil, a civil and environmental engineer by education, comes to 7MA after many years with a publicly traded engineering firm out of Pittsburgh. There he moved from an engineer working in the field to a more corporate role where he worked in a corporate development focused on M&A and strategic growth. Now at 7 Mile, Neil uses his experience with more high-tech business to give perspective to the traditional engineering, industrial, and infrastructure oriented businesses on how technology can benefit their businesses. Neil discusses how businesses should think of technology in terms of either acquiring it through acquisition, in-house development, or through

In this episode of Deal Talk with 7MA, our own Mark Landry, managing director of 7M’s consumer and retail practice, talks with Robert Wells, a managing director at CFGI about the robotic process automation and the solutions intelligent automation can provide companies. Robert describes robotic process automation as finding processes in companies that can be controlled and customized by a bot with low risk but high return on investment. Robert discusses the driving factors of why companies are investing in RPA and how RPA can be deployed across an entire company and in many cases the efficiencies gained by automation allows money to be spent on more critical projects. If you are interested in how business leaders are thinking and deploying robotic process automation this conversation is for you. Quotes: Robert on why many RPA fail: “A lot of RPA projects that fail due to the fact that they run full-speed into building bots without doing any of the proper discovery that's needed in the beginning.” (10:25)