About us

BVG on client focus . . .

First and foremost, we listen to what you need. BVG has plenty of resources but all of that is irrelevant if we’re not addressing your most important issues and barriers to your value growth. We will never come to a prospective client with a boxed solution or team of consultants to employ. Instead, we work with our prospective clients to understand their particular situation and circumstances and work through an initial plan focusing on root cause assessment.

Once engaged, we become our client’s biggest advocate. We are, of course, initially engaged to accomplish specific strategic or tactical objectives but seek long term relationships and a deep understanding of our clients, leveraging that knowledge for the benefit of our clients along their value creation continuum.

BVG on PC/VC client and portfolio company client . . .

BVG serves two masters when equity sponsors are involved. Our relationship with equity sponsors is vitally important as those relationships provide introductions to their portfolio companies. Equity sponsor objectives are clear with respect to enterprise value growth. Their objectives are our objectives. Realization of enterprise value growth can only be accomplished through leadership and actions taken by the portfolio company. BVG is always hired by the company and quickly builds deep relationships with the executive team. BVG brings operations-seasoned individuals to work closely with the executive team and key employees to help build a strong and efficient company of which the executive team can be proud.

BVG on EBITDA, EBITDA Growth, and Health of the Machine^TM. . .

We frown on empty business school speak but find it valuable to have our unique and simple view of the world to which we can use to guide our thinking and behavior. Simple but not easy, the fundamentals of our mantra are as follows:

EBITDA is the foundation of enterprise value assessment and should be the one metric on which to focus

Focus on EBITDA centers on achieving the highest return from the current business environment and identification of opportunities to potentially exploit in EBITDA Growth. Areas to address often include:

profitability by product line, customer, or other dimensions,
organization staffing and dynamics,
profitability leakage,
efficacy of capital and research investment spending,
efficacy of management information,
acquisition integration shortfalls,
C Suite prioritization and focus
and many more.

Focus on EBITDA Growth centers on exploitation of capabilities including capabilities identified evaluating EBITDA. Evaluating EBITDA Growth often centers on organic growth strategies as acquisition growth strategies are typically established by the PE/VC. However, EBITDA Growth strategy development may identify additional strategic acquisition opportunities for PE/VC firm to pursue. We work long and hard with senior executives and management to identify, understand, or at times clarify implementable opportunities. We often lead senior executive and management teams through sessions evaluating Competitive Assets, an approach we believe is unique to BVG, and root cause analyses of EBITDA growth barriers to highlight only two techniques.

Focus on Health of the Machine centers on the creation of sustainable EBITDA returns. We believe investors value stability of EBITDA returns. We also believe a more stable operating environment during and after a period of substantial growth is good for executives and employees as well as the company overall. Infrastructure is important. Areas to address often include:

EBITDA diversification,
critical risk mitigation,
information technology,
organizational stability,
processes addressing investment spending and utilization of project-based staff,
critical processes and KPI’s,
and many more.

BVG on PE/VC firm commitment and support . . .

BVG’s objective is to be the go-to resource for equity sponsors in enterprise value growth realization. BVG partners with and complements other key service firms such as investment bankers and accountants. We bring the operational component to the table both when entering into portfolio company investments and when liquidating those investments. We embrace solving challenges presented to our PE/VE clients and welcome opportunities not solvable by others. BVG service commitments to equity sponsors include:

Operational due diligence and transaction support
Operational positioning of portfolio companies for optimal value
In the event of an asset sale, non-employee officer support as an Authorized Representative to terminate operation of remaining company activities such as 401(k) plan terminations; lawsuit resolution support; federal, state, and local tax authority terminations; and any other issue the remaining company is facing.

BVG on information technology . . .

There are many information technology resources in the market creating both opportunities for value creation and sources of confusion. BVG believes that IT initiatives require the same scrutiny and prioritization as any other major investment. BVG brings the investment prioritization perspective centered on EBITDA, EBITDA Growth, and Health of the Machine^TM along with highly seasoned IT professionals who are not biased toward one solution or another. We believe BVG has a unique perspective providing our clients with thoughtful and prioritized options.

BVG on Outcome Assurance . . .

Outcome Assurance is the set of activities we believe are unique to BVG for the planning, managing, and realizing of desired outcomes in information technology initiatives and other complicated projects. It is not a process or methodology, a tool or a style, but a way of thinking and working crafted over many years and many assignments that we use and continue to enhance. BVG advisors have extensive history particularly in critical IT initiatives establishing the ability to consistently deliver on commitments and to assure our project owners that their goals will be met.

BVG uses the Outcome Assurance mindset to achieve client success. The BVG multi-tiered approach focuses on helping build the strategy, execute on the plan, and enable the organization to adapt and adopt. Simple but not easy, the fundamentals of our approach are as follows:

Mastering both art and science – BVG focuses on both the art of people management and science of disciplined project management. Leadership in both is required to achieve desired projects outcomes.
Seeing the forest – BVG establishes the roadmap for the optimal, feasible solution that will help our clients reach their desired goals.
Seeing the trees – once the roadmap is understood, we roll up our sleeves and help drive accomplishment of the strategic initiative objectives. We often partner with client stakeholders to make it happen but accept sole leadership where necessary.
Focused execution leadership – BVG manages tirelessly to deliver tangible return on our client’s investments in a lean, cost/time effective manner.
Driving change throughout the organization – true success is demonstrated when the objectives of a strategy are realized, not when the project is done. Success often requires the organization to adapt and adopt. We integrate execution and change.
Measuring the impact – we work with stakeholders in the creation of metrics to validate and encourage continued improvement of the value created.

Getting involved with BVG . . .

Connecting with BVG is simple and anxiety free. We are not heavy-handed sales people. We are here to work with you in building sustainable enterprise value over your value creation continuum based solely on your interest and need. First time meetings with our clients are often over coffee, breakfast, lunch, or just a phone call. You can reach out to us through our web connection or simply call our CEO at (312) 466-5790.

Keep in mind that just as you are selective in the resources you engage, BVG is selective in clients we accept. We take pride in our successes achieved and relationships built and focus our energy and resources on challenging situations where BVG/client team effectiveness and success potential is high.

We are here to serve and would enjoy meeting you.