Corey Torrence

🌟 Join Crane’s Exclusive CXO Advisory Board! 🌟 What Scott doesn’t mention below is that the “Fill in the Blank” survey is the path for enterprise tech executives to apply for a spot on Crane’s CXO Advisory Board, where your expertise will directly influence and shape the future of technology startups. To be considered, simply complete our “Fill in the Blank” survey. #CXOAdvisory #EnterpriseTech #TechLeadership #Innovation #CraneVenturePartners #FillInTheBlank #TechFounders

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If you're a founder, this article from our very own Cortado Group founder, Dan Bernoske, is a must read whether you're planning an exit now or some years from now. #exit #founder #PrivateEquity #GTM

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I’m filled with deep gratitude today as I reflect on my journey and this recent feature in the Austin Business Review. My path has been shaped by one powerful question: “Who can I become, and what skills can I master that will serve me no matter where I go?” For me, it began with raising my standards, focusing not just on achieving goals, but on who I needed to become to reach them. When I first saw AI, I knew this was the next skill to master. But it wasn’t just about technology—it was about committing to becoming the type of leader who could harness it to deliver exponential value. I’m grateful to the mentors, friends, and family who’ve supported me along the way. As Jim Rohn says, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Their influence has been invaluable in helping me elevate my mindset and my skills. For those leaders out there who feel the pressure to stay ahead but aren’t sure where to start—AI is an incredible tool, but it’s your ability to think strategically and lead that will make the real difference. I’m also excited to announce that my new book, The AI-Driven Leader, will be available Monday on Amazon in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook. It’s packed with insights and strategies to help you lead with AI as a strategic partner, not just a tool. Check it out and take that next step in your leadership journey. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. I hope you’ll check out the article and the book, and I look forward to continuing to share insights that can help you grow your business and improve your life. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/eTfX-6Cs Get The AI-Driven Leader here: https://amzn.to/3Tr6xVW #AILeadership #Gratitude #StrategicThinking #LeadershipJourney #GrowthMindset #TheAIDrivenLeader

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Why are distributors so hot in today’s M&A market? Get insights on the latest trends and the surge in acquisitions in this must-listen podcast! #MAMarket #Distributors #Podcast

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We see this very often in deals, the request of a staple, but I personally think there are ways to navigate this, with everything being above board , both for the selling LP, buyer and the GP. We have had situations where the GP preferred buyer who could also do a staple, actually price the fund better... because they want to strengthen that relationship, and ultimately of course have had situations where the GP preferred buyer is the bad actor in the equation, leveraging their preferred position to down play price for the seller... it's all part of the negotiation process. #secondaries #setterstrong

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🎶 Dive into key business lessons with David Hawkins of Your Song Maker! 📈 Learn how to harmonize success in your entrepreneurial journey. Click the link to uncover the secrets: https://wix.to/9TPXcCb #BusinessLessons #Entrepreneurship #SuccessStory

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When change is the only the constant, the ability to be "in" the turbulence without letting it overtake you is vital for success. This guide from Wharton offers some excellent advice for navigating uncertainty by strategically managing workloads and priorities. It stresses the importance of maintaining a sustainable pace, making for breaks in the action and rest. Most notably, it suggests creating a list of "anti-goals" that encourages you identify what you can reasonably accomplish and avoid stretching yourself beyond your limits. #Leadership #ChangeManagement #Wellbeing

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Awesome article on Forbes on how AI can be beneficial for company profitability and efficiency. Thanks for the feature Forbes Business Council and great advice from many of the members! https://lnkd.in/gtptvQ9T

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Anyone that has a Shopify store or works with clients that have one can learn from a financial wizard and should be on this webinar at 11am tomorrow with John Zdanowski

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Matt Sharrers reflects on the transition from CEO to Chairman, sharing a powerful lesson: Work should be part of your life, but not the defining part. Recognizing his mistakes along the way, Matt emphasizes the importance of planning for the long term—both for the business and for yourself. For him, stepping back before turning 50 meant gaining more control over his time and creating space to enjoy life outside of work. 💡 'Work is going to be a component of my life, but it’s not going to be the defining component.' This insight is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about growth—it’s about finding balance and building a life you truly want. 🎧 Watch the full conversation: https://loom.ly/X89dIDo

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In chatting with ENR CEOs and their innovation execs. Innovation as a “department” is creating a great focus to create innovative products/services. However, adoption is an ongoing challenge. Innovation has to look more like a “fabric” within a company. Generally the best was to do this is a combo of culture and brand strategy.

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In the last few days multiple large and small technology vendors have briefed us on their partnership strategy. The said things are well known such as, partners being critical, value is beyond just co-selling, making working with vendor simpler, etc. I was drawn to unsaid things and laying out three of those. What are your thoughts? Anything to add/delete? a) Cloud marketplaces have changed the partnership GTM model. Tech vendors need them but they may not necessarily like them. The balance of relationship is tilted towards cloud vendors b) Not all partners will make it. Partners and vendors are taking joint bets on specific clients, regions, industries, functions, and use cases. There is stronger focus on symbiotic relationship, but this can limit growth of some partners c) In addition to sales, driving partner profitability is critical for vendors. Many partners are willing to jump ship to other vendor for better profits. This is a very hard problem to solve for and is a cause of great friction SAP Amazon Web Services (AWS) Microsoft Google Cloud Red Hat ServiceNow Pegasystems Oracle Adobe Salesforce Accenture Wipro Tata Consultancy Services Infosys Capgemini Deloitte Digital EY Cognizant HCLTech Tech Mahindra Palo Alto Networks Snowflake Databricks

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This is spot on for how #AI will very quickly change the #retail industry and how quickly it will happen over the next 3-5 years.

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What's the fast river in alts? Listen to the latest Alt Goes Mainstream podcast with Mercer's Gregg Sommer & CAIS' Neil Blundell to hear how they are helping advisors approach private markets. Gregg, Neil, and I had a fascinating discussion about how the wealth channel can approach alternatives and how they can think about both diligence and customization. We covered: * The case for alternatives. * How advisors currently approach alternatives and how they can think about it differently going forward. * How to think about portfolio construction that includes alternatives. * How alts can help advisors differentiate their practice and attract clients. * Following the fast river in a career and why alternatives are “the fast river.” * The meaning of “structure over strategy.” * The rise in popularity of evergreen funds. Thanks Gregg and Neil for sharing your thoughts and expertise on private markets. Thanks to our sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions, for making this episode possible. https://lnkd.in/eBtyw6Fm

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Small businesses are leveraging digital transformation, customer-centric strategies, and operational efficiencies to thrive in competitive landscapes. By understanding and meeting customer needs effectively, businesses can build loyalty and differentiate themselves in crowded markets. Additionally, investing in technology and embracing data-driven insights are crucial for making informed decisions and optimizing operations. In today's rapidly evolving business environment, these strategies offer a roadmap for small businesses to not only survive but thrive. By staying adaptable, customer-focused, and leveraging technology, entrepreneurs can position their businesses for long-term success. #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

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🗞️ Breaking News: Red Ventures Selling CNET at a huge Loss❗️ Context: Red Ventures, the privately held digital media and marketing juggernaut based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is selling CNET, one of the largest tech publishers on the web, to Ziff Davis for just $100 million. For context: Red Ventures bought CNET for approximately $500 million. Reason for the Sale: Total traffic to CNET has dropped by a staggering 50% over the last three years. The main driver behind this decline is a 68% drop in organic traffic (loss off Google rankings and traffic). Tables turned: This sale is a stunning turn of events for CNET, which once bought Ziff Davis (then a tech magazine firm) in a deal worth roughly $1.6 billion - more than two decades ago. Catch Up: - Ziff Davis trades publicly with a market value of $1.94 billion. The company lost about half of its marketcap over the course of the last 48 months. Strategic rationale: If Ziff Davis is able to ink a content licencing deal with Google, Bing/Microsoft or ChatGPT (or else e.g. X.AI) - like Reddit did - it might turn out to be a very smart deal …

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Elliott's Full Slate of Nominees for Southwest Airlines Board "If elected, Elliott is confident that these Candidates will chart a brighter future for Southwest, provide the Board with much-needed expertise and relevant industry experience and help restore the Company's position as an industry-leading airline with best-in-class profitability. "The strong qualifications of these Candidates stand in contrast to those of the current Board, which prior to Elliott's June 10 letter lacked a single independent director with airline experience, and which continues to lack relevant experience in other key areas necessary to drive Southwest's evolution." The Southwest situation is reminiscent of the state of the board of Canadian Pacific Railway prior to a radical restructuring by Pershing Square. Although a poster child for "good governance" and winner of multiple "good governance" awards, the CP board did not have a single independent member with railroad experience and track record. And, for five years running, it had been the worst performing Class I North American railroad. Poor selection criteria for public company boards are not restricted to Southwest and CP. This is a prevalent result of the public company governance model. #corporategovernance #governance #boardsofdirectors #shareholdervalue #shareholderactivism #institutionalinvestors

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Come hear me talk about myths & truths about the board journey!

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Scout CEO Shadi Barhoumi shares a game-changing strategy for targeting new move-ins in Texas. 🎯 Efficient. Targeted. Effective. 👌 'No more door slams—just smart conversations that lead to results!' 🏡

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