The PE Play
A PE-backed company achieved 40% cost reduction in operational overhead while preparing for a successful exit.
Cost Reduction
Multiple Expansion
Days to First ROI
NPS Improvement
The Challenge
The PE firm had acquired a business services company with a clear thesis: improve operating margins and position for exit within three years. They believed AI could accelerate transformation, but the previous firm's efforts had been tactical and fragmented—lots of pilots, no sustained impact.
With 18 months until their target exit window, the pressure was on. The portfolio company leadership was skeptical of another "AI transformation," having seen previous initiatives fail to deliver.
The PE partners needed results they could defend to LPs. The portfolio company team needed solutions that worked without disrupting client relationships.
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Our Approach
We approached this as a value creation plan, not a technology project. Our Discovery phase focused on understanding the exit thesis: which operational improvements would drive valuation multiple expansion, and which were nice-to-have?
What emerged was a clear prioritization: back-office automation and customer service optimization would drive the multiple, while front-office enhancements were lower priority for exit value.
We designed a focused 12-month transformation targeting three areas: automated contract processing, intelligent customer service routing, and predictive workforce planning. Each initiative had clear financial metrics tied to exit preparation.
Governance was key. Monthly reviews with PE operating partners ensured alignment on progress and quick course corrections. We built financial models that showed exit value creation at each stage.
The Results
Cost Reduction
40% reduction in operational overhead costs
Exit Value Creation
Contributed to 2.8x multiple expansion
Service Quality
NPS scores increased despite headcount reduction
Speed to Value
First initiatives delivering ROI within 90 days
"This wasn't about implementing AI—it was about creating exit value. That focus made all the difference. Every decision filtered through the question: does this move the needle on valuation?"
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