Learning Objectives

• Acquire a deeper understanding of how private equity (“PE”) works to engage with private equity firms more effectively.
  
  

• Understand the motivations and incentives of private equity investors to enhance engagement with them as clients or counterparties.
  
  
• Develop the ability to understand the private equity investor mindset—whether as a principal investor, advisor, or counterparty—to increase effectiveness in advising and navigating transactions, and create value for clients, the firm, and oneself.
  
  
• Distinguish how depth in the capital structure, the form of investment capital (e.g., primary vs. secondary), and a business’s position along the investment continuum can influence transaction dynamics and the relative importance of various diligence workflows to produce consistently superior investment insights.
  
  
• Differentiate between private equity firms and other investor types that engage in private equity-style investments to understand the unique characteristics and strategies of each.
  
  
• Explain how private equity firms operate, their typical organizational structures, incentive mechanisms, and the various value levers they employ to generate returns.
  
  
• Develop an intuitive understanding of leveraged buyout (“LBO”) math to effectively address issues and valuation concerns in transactions involving private equity.