by Matthew Ayers, Jen Gomez and David Portney
Stiles Associates

Now that the summer season has come to a close and the fourth quarter is around the corner, private equity is making a comeback after a modest dip in the first half of the year. According to Bain Capital’s Midyear Private Equity Report, Q2 PE deals slowed as increased uncertainty about inflation and geopolitics took hold around the globe. However, while these external reasons certainly played a role, it doesn’t tell the whole story – and we don’t believe the slowdown will last into the fourth quarter.

by David Portney
Stiles Associates

There are few things more intriguing than getting an email from an executive recruiter who says you (yes, you!) are a great fit for a role their client is hiring form. Even if you’re not really looking for a new job, the mystery of the client and the specifics of the role are often too compelling to ignore. You scan the email and see the recruiter is asking for an updated resume, so you immediately get to work on giving it a long overdue refresh. However, before you spend too much time revamping your resume, you should be aware of a scam currently making the rounds through the executive ranks.

by Christina Vermette and David Portney
Stiles Associates

A lot’s been written and discussed how the workplace has dramatically shifted since the start of the pandemic. Companies have struggled to keep up, resulting in talented employees leaving for new opportunities while being unable to replenish them at the same rate. Part of the problem is senior leaders have long managed employees and hiring a certain way, so not only acknowledging, but immediately updating areas that employees care most about will result in significant improvement in recruiting and retaining A-talent.

Lean Manufacturing can be confusing to understand, and further obscured by a high rate of variability in how Lean is applied and deployed. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering whether or not it’s right for your company.

by Jake Stiles and David Portney
Stiles Associates

At Stiles Associates, we’re always listening to our clients about their issues and pain points. One that we’re now hearing is related to an urgent need for top talent in private equity backed manufacturing companies.

by Ted Stiles and David Portney
Stiles Associates

Over the last several decades, American manufacturing organizations have become faster, more productive and more responsive to customers’ needs – they’ve had to. In an increasingly global manufacturing economy with plenty of low-cost labor options, those organizations that continue to manufacture in the United States need to be very, very good at it.

In the first quarter of 2022, Stiles Associates placed a number of A-level leaders in mission-critical roles located across the country.

by David Portney
Stiles Associates

So, you just accepted a new role in a city or state you’re largely unfamiliar with. First, congratulations on the job! Now comes the hard part.

by Caitlin Cassidy and David Portney
Stiles Associates

At Stiles, we see all types of companies representing different industries currently experiencing their own unique challenges with the labor market. We listen keenly, and as a result, have a unique perspective on many of the major pain points they face every day. While it depends on the ownership structure, we have noticed several trends affecting the private equity, publicly owned and privately owned sectors.

by Matthew Ayers and David Portney
Stiles Associates

There’s no better time to work in private equity, as PE firms from across the globe place further emphasis on fundraising and acquiring organizations to add to their portfolios. In fact, over the last decade, private equity has outperformed other asset classes and experienced less volatility since 2008, according to McKinsey’s Private Markets Annual Review.