Alex Partners

📈 Podcast with Huw Slater: Managing Performance vs Results 📈 In this episode of our Tech Space podcast, Giles Daniels is joined by Huw Slater the Co-founder and COO of Oliva, a UK-based mental health platform. Huw discusses the difference between managing for results and managing for performance, sharing how psychological safety has become a cornerstone of team success and a driving force behind Oliva's mission. 🔗 Listen now for fresh perspectives: https://lnkd.in/eixaTyJq What you'll learn: 💡 Key insights on managing Performance vs Results 💡 How to build high-performing teams through Psychological Safety 💡Valuable advice Huw would give his 20-year-old-self #TechSpace #PerformanceResults #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety

💡Valuable insights from Michael Watkins on 'dual transformation' - guiding organisations how to excel in current operations while building for an AI- driven future 🤖. The case studies make this particularly relevant for leadership teams. #LeadershipDevelopment #InnovationStrategy #AITransformation #FutureOfWork #DualTransformation #BusinessExcellence

✨ As 2024 comes to a close, we would like to thank all our Partners. It’s been a pleasure to support your growth and success 🙏 ✨ We look forward to celebrating new milestones together in 2025. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year! 🎉 #2025 #ExecutiveSearch #Partnerships #TechLeaders

🌟Words of Wisdom 🌟 Reflecting on the past can provide powerful lessons for the future. ✨That’s why we asked these inspirational leaders - Samantha Mudd, Cristina Fonseca, Maggie Buggie, Melanie Lawn, Solvej Biddle and Angie Vaux - this thought-provoking question: "What’s the one piece of advice you’d share with your 20-year-old self?"   ✨Their insights offer valuable guidance for anyone shaping their career. Discover their words of wisdom👇 🎙️ For their full stories, listen to the Women in Tech podcast series (link in comments) Which piece of advice resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments!   #WomenInTech #CareerAdvice #Growth

🚀 How to Attract Top European Talent 🚀 ✨ Scaling a business in Europe’s competitive talent market is no easy task ✨ Today’s candidates have fresh perspectives on what ‘work’ should be - and they’re choosing employers that inspire, support, and align with their values ✨ Understanding what potential employees want is critical to successful hiring ✨ Through our partnerships with European scale-ups, we’ve seen firsthand what gives businesses the edge ✨ Our article 'What Today’s Candidates Really Want from Employers' breaks down the 8 factors that matter most—and how focusing on them can give you competitive advantage 👉 Read it now! https://lnkd.in/eJKc28aD #TalentAcquisition #Leadership #Growth #Culture

This is another great read... As always, these are not our views. They are taken from speaking to our partners who are leading growing technology and services companies, and people who are currently a Chief of Staff!

✨Why Scale-up Tech Companies Need a Chief of Staff✨   👋 Growth CEOs and Investors:    Running a scale-up company can feel like a juggling act - fundraising, setting strategy, managing teams, and keeping everything on track. Sound familiar? Enter the Chief of Staff (CoS) 🚀    Our latest blog looks into the why, what, and how of this role, covering:    📌 Why a Chief of Staff is more than a right-hand to the C-Suite – Think strategic alignment, decision-making support, and driving cross-functional collaboration  📌 What makes a great Chief of Staff – From M&A expertise to transversal project management and leadership influence  📌 How a CoS transforms business execution – Helping executive leadership focus on what they do best and streamlining operational efficiencies   👉 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/eBQcQvAt   ✨If you’re a scale-up leader or an investor looking to set your portfolio companies up for success, this is a ‘must read’.✨    #executivesearch #europe #strategy  

🌟 Customer Success: The Growth Engine for Tech Companies 🌟 Discover why #CustomerSuccess has evolved into the ultimate growth engine for business. With insights from Customer Success (CS) expert Melanie Lawn, this blog highlights how CS can be a strategic advantage in driving revenue, strengthening customer loyalty, and shaping product innovation. Key Takeaways:  💡Why CS is essential for growth, retention and innovation 💡Practical advice on hiring and structuring CS teams for maximum impact 💡The key skills and qualities that make a high performing CS team 🔑 Curious how you can unlock growth with Customer Success? 🔍 Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eDNk_YrQ #growth #saas #businessvalue #talentacquisition 

✨What’s Next for European VC? ✨ Sharing final insights from the Alex Partners team at Web Summit 2024 With the number of active VCs in Europe halving since last year and funding levels cooling from the highs of recent years, is European venture capital at a turning point?  An expert panel comprising Cristina Fonseca of Indico Capital Partners, Pär-Jörgen Pärson of Northzone, and Rainer Märkle of HV Capital discussed where European VC is headed. 📈 Funding Focus & Sector Strategies Early-stage funding remains strong in Europe, especially for sectors like sustainability, healthcare, and energy, where significant capital can drive meaningful impact. In contrast, tech areas such as SaaS and e-commerce often operate with leaner funding. European VCs are increasingly focusing on sectors that combine societal impact and financial promise. ⚙️ AI-Driven Transformation AI is key to competitive advantage, even if a startup isn’t solely focused on AI. Strategic AI applications can create value across all aspects of business, from addressing specific challenges to automating repetitive processes. As corporations accelerate their AI adoption, demand for AI-capable startups is driving growth across Europe’s tech sector. AI proficiency is now a hallmark of resilience, and businesses that adopt it wisely are building a stronger future. 🌍 Geopolitics & Market Realities The group emphasised the importance of a united European market. Initiatives like EU Inc. are promising steps toward enhancing Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage, though some barriers remain. For instance, deal-closing processes in certain countries, such as Germany, can be slower, impacting growth. In AI, European companies often adopt models developed in the U.S., where regulatory controls tend to be less complex. The U.S. attracts a significant share of AI innovation and talent, positioning Europe as a valuable "pipeline" for successful startups. To fully realise its potential, Europe will benefit from more streamlined regulations and a stronger focus on retaining top talent. 🤝 Diversity and Inclusion Diversity in VC and portfolio companies is more than a checkbox exercise; it’s the key to stronger decision-making and innovation. Companies that genuinely commit to diversity and inclusion gain the benefit of varied perspectives, leading to more informed decision-making. In a changing market, diversity remains a priority for VCs who recognise its impact on better outcomes and long-term success. 🚀 Advice for Entrepreneurs Looking Ahead to 2025 VCs are advising founders to focus on differentiation, with a particular emphasis on solving large, complex problems with fresh perspectives. Real innovation, especially in sectors with societal importance, is what attracts European VCs today. Entrepreneurs with unique angles on big challenges are best positioned to secure funding as VCs look for lasting impact and genuine innovation. #WebSummit2024 #EuropeanVC #AI #Innovation #Startups 

🌟 So, You’re the New CEO? Here’s What You Should Know 🌟   Sharing more insights from another day at Web Summit 2024! Stepping into a CEO role, especially as a woman in tech, is no small feat—it takes guts, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose. At WebSummit, several inspiring leaders, Sarah Franklin, Lidiane Jones and Danielle Belton, shared their advice on taking on this challenge:   🌟 Be Bold and Unapologetic Be unapologetic about your style—integrity, transparency, and collaboration matter more than fitting in. Show up as your true self and build a culture where others feel safe to do the same. Lead with authenticity.   🌟 Value Women Supporting Women A genuine network of women is invaluable. Seek out those who uplift, guide, and provide honest feedback. Mentorship is key - learn from mentors at every level, as they’ll bring fresh perspectives that can challenge and inspire.   🌟 Tackle Unconscious Bias and Imposter Syndrome The tech world is still male-dominated, and biases persist. Don’t let stereotypes distract you. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and don’t let self-doubt stifle your growth.   🌟 Know It’s Okay Not to Have All the Answers Leadership doesn’t mean knowing everything or doing it all yourself; surround yourself with a great collaborative team who complement each other. Teams look to leaders for honesty and openness - being authentic builds trust and inspires a shared vision.   🌟 Balance with Boundaries Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Be fully present, whether you’re leading a team or spending time with family. Modelling this balance shows others that it is OK to prioritise too.   🌟 Mentorship and Allies—Both Are Key Strong networks include both women and men. Men who advocate for women in tech can be impactful allies. Building long-lasting relationships, founded on mutual respect, drives meaningful change.   🌟 Inspire Through Role Models and Purpose Representation is crucial - “they can be what they see." Show up every day with purpose, connecting your work to broader goals. Being a role model, especially for younger female generations, helps shape a more inclusive future.   🌟 Believe in the Power of Your Image Picture who you want to be and work toward it. Know that you can be whatever you dream, but don’t lose yourself in the process. Create a clear identity, connected to purpose and passion.   At Alex Partners we believe we can challenge the status quo, support one another, and create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Let’s build a future that reflects the full diversity of talents, perspectives, and ideas.   #Leadership #WomenInTech #CEO #Mentorship #Talent #Diversity