Fifth Chrome Business Insights

Hosted by Anirvan Sen

Business Management

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Oct 2026

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Bringing you best business insights from the world of Growth Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), and Digital Innovation

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October 20, 2026Episode 657 min

S5 - E6: Boards, Design Debt & Why Buy-and-Build Fails Before the Deal | Nicholas Gleeson speaking with Anirvan Sen

Why do some businesses scale successfully through acquisitions while others struggle long before integration even begins? In this episode of Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories , Anirvan Sen speaks with Nicholas Gleeson, drawing on more than 35 years of experience across CFO, CEO, board, strategic advisory, and acquisition-led growth roles around the world. The central idea is: Buy-and-build succeeds or fails long before the deal is done. A substantial part of the conversation focuses on boards and governance — and why the board required by a $20M entrepreneurial company can be very different from the board required as that business becomes larger and more institutional. Anirvan and Nick explore: • how boards should evolve as companies scale • the five capabilities a scaling-company board may need: people, finance, compliance, commercial, and technical expertise • why boards should mentor and develop management, not merely supervise it • the role of independent directors and chairs • when the founder can become a constraint on future growth • how boards should approach CEO succession • why CEO and CFO roles change dramatically across scaling stages • design debt — what happens when organizational design fails to keep pace with growth • why design debt compounds as complexity increases • why a company may sometimes need to stop growing temporarily to repair its organizational foundation • why post-acquisition organizational design should begin before the deal closes • why postponing compensation alignment after an acquisition can be a major mistake • how communication and operating cadence need to evolve with scale • what makes an effective buy-and-build leadership team • Nick’s memorable description of exceptional people who deliver “the ask +20%” The broader lesson is that successful buy-and-build is not simply about finding good companies and completing acquisitions. Every acquisition adds more people, decisions, systems, incentives, leadership complexity, customers, and governance requirements. If the organization underneath the acquisition is not ready for that complexity, the deal can amplify existing weaknesses rather than create value. You cannot sustainably scale the business faster than you scale the organization that has to run it. ------- Books & Resources Mentioned: Buy-and-Build Operating System — Anirvan Sen The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — Douglas Adams Good to Great — Jim Collins The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk — Peter L. Bernstein ---------- Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen.

October 13, 2026Episode 51 hr 3 min

S5 - Ep5: Sell, Partner or Keep Control? What Business Owners Need to Know About Private Capital | John A. Bova speaks with Anirvan Sen

Should you sell your company completely, bring in growth capital, or sell a majority stake and retain equity for the next stage? In this episode of Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories , Anirvan Sen speaks with John A. Bova about the choices business owners face when considering private capital — and what happens after the transaction. The conversation covers growth equity vs. buyouts, rollover equity and earn-outs, seller preparedness, succession, current middle-market M&A conditions, and the reality behind valuation multiples. John also discusses why value creation cannot depend simply on financial engineering or hoping for a higher exit multiple. Eventually, investors and management have to create operating alpha through stronger execution, organic growth, commercial transformation, better data, and stronger management capability. A substantial part of the episode focuses on operating partners : what they actually do, when they should become involved, and the three broad reasons for bringing them in — to diagnose a problem, execute a solution, or accelerate something that is already working . We also explore why management must continue to own the value-creation plan, why execution and accountability so often become the real constraints, and why CEOs increasingly need to be data fluent. John also shares his perspective on current middle-market valuations, including the approximately 7.0–7.3x adjusted EBITDA range he had recently seen reported for middle-market private-capital transactions. The broader question for business owners is not simply: Should I sell? It is: What do I want the next chapter of my ownership, control, wealth, and involvement to look like? Connect with John A. Bova https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnabova/ Connect with Anirvan Sen https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirvansen/ Books & Resources Mentioned Buy-and-Build Operating System — Anirvan Sen https://www.amazon.com/Build-Operating-System-Buy-Build-ebook/dp/B0GNN7WR72/ The Patient Organization — Walt Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946633119 Think Inside the Box — Tim Nelson & Jim McGee https://www.amazon.com/Think-Inside-Box-exceptional-organization/dp/098925030X The 80/20 Principle — Richard Koch https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385491743 Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen.

October 6, 2026Episode 425 min

S5 - E4: The 5 Stages of Scaling: Why Companies Get Stuck | From $5M to $250M+ | Anirvan Sen Explains Buy-and-Build

Why do some companies continue scaling while others get stuck at $20M, $50M, or $60M in revenue? One of the biggest mistakes founders, leadership teams, and investors make is treating scaling as one continuous journey. It isn’t. In this special educational episode of Buy-and-Build & Scaling Insights , Anirvan Sen introduces a five-stage framework for understanding how companies evolve from approximately $5M to $250M+ in revenue: • $5M–$15M: Founder-Led • $15M–$30M: Foundation Formation • $30M–$60M: Capabilities Build • $60M–$120M: Institutionalization • $120M–$250M+: Strategic Capital Leveraged Growth The real value of the framework is not the revenue ranges themselves, but understanding what has to change between stages. Anirvan explores how Finance, HR, leadership, management systems, capital allocation, and the role of the CEO all need to evolve as the company grows. The episode also looks at three common scaling mistakes: relying too heavily on trial-and-error leadership development, bringing experienced capability in too late, and hiring professional managers without building the processes and systems around them. A particularly important question for founders is whether they actually want to become the kind of CEO the next stage requires. The central idea is simple: You do not scale a company simply by making the existing business bigger. You scale it by repeatedly rebuilding the organization for the requirements of its next stage. Connect with Anirvan Sen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirvansen/ About Buy-and-Build & Scaling Insights Buy-and-Build & Scaling Insights is Fifth Chrome’s educational series exploring practical frameworks and ideas around business scaling, professionalization, leadership, acquisitions, organizational capability, and buy-and-build. Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen.

September 29, 2026Episode 350 min

S5 - E3: From Corporate Leader to Entrepreneur: Building and Scaling a Global Technology Business | Samit Sengupta speaks with Anirvan Sen | Fifth Chrome Business Insights

What does it take to move from a corporate career into entrepreneurship — and then build and scale a technology business internationally? In this episode of Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories , Anirvan Sen speaks with Samit Sengupta, Founder and Managing Director of Geologix, about his journey from corporate leader to entrepreneur. But this is not simply a story about starting a company. It is about what happens as the company grows — when the founder’s expertise is no longer enough, hiring becomes harder, the organization becomes more complex, and the entrepreneur must evolve alongside the business. Samit shares how his early experience working on oil rigs gave him a first-hand understanding of his customers and helped shape the way he approached the market. He also speaks candidly about one of the challenges many founders eventually face: becoming a bottleneck in their own business. Our conversation then turns to one of the biggest challenges for growing SMEs — hiring. Samit discusses mistakes made by pursuing candidates with impressive “gold label” companies on their CVs and why experience in a major corporation did not always translate into success in a smaller entrepreneurial business. That experience led to a different approach: recruiting less-experienced people, looking closely at their attitude and problem-solving ability, and investing in developing their capabilities over time. We also discuss Geologix’s experience with freemium, international scaling, and why Samit continues investing in his own leadership development even after decades of experience. • Samit’s journey from corporate leader to entrepreneur • How experience on oil rigs shaped his understanding of customers • Winning the confidence of early customers • Building and scaling an international technology business • Recognizing when the founder becomes a bottleneck • Why impressive corporate CVs do not always produce the right SME hires • Hiring less-experienced people and developing their capabilities • Looking for attitude and problem-solving ability during interviews • Geologix’s experience with freemium • Why entrepreneurs need to continue upgrading their own leadership capabilities As your company grows, are you simply building a bigger business — or are you building an organization capable of operating at a bigger scale? One of the strongest lessons from Samit’s journey is that the capabilities required to start a business are not necessarily the capabilities required to scale it. Starting often depends heavily on the founder’s knowledge, relationships, expertise, and problem-solving ability. Scaling increasingly depends on building those capabilities throughout the organization. And that requires the entrepreneur to keep evolving too. ------------ Connect with Samit Sengupta ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/samit-sengupta-b560613/⁠ Geologix: ⁠https://www.geologix.com/⁠ -------- Connect with Anirvan Sen LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirvansen/⁠ ------------- About Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories brings together founders, CEOs, CFOs, investors, operators, and advisers who have lived through the challenges of building, acquiring, scaling, and exiting businesses. These are stories from inside the journey — the decisions, challenges, mistakes, and lessons that rarely appear in deal announcements or investment presentations. Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen.

September 23, 2026Episode 255 min

S5 - E2: You Can't Scale a Business Without Evolving the HR Function | Michelle Kaihani speaks with Anirvan Sen | Fifth Chrome Business Insights

Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories Talent and leadership are among the biggest challenges for companies pursuing rapid growth, scaling, and buy-and-build strategies. Yet HR is still frequently viewed primarily as an administrative function. In this episode, Anirvan Sen speaks with seasoned HR practitioner Michelle Kaihani about how HR's role needs to evolve as organizations grow. What does it take for HR to move beyond administration and become a genuine business enabler? What skills and capabilities are required? And how can HR earn the credibility and respect needed to influence senior leadership? The conversation explores the changing demands on HR and why developing organizational capabilities is essential to scaling a business. Topics covered: How HR's role changes as a business grows and scales. Talent and leadership as potential constraints to growth. The capabilities HR needs to become a genuine business enabler. Moving beyond administration toward greater business contribution. Earning credibility and respect with senior leadership. The importance of evolving organizational capabilities alongside business growth. This episode is relevant to HR professionals, CEOs, founders, investors, acquisition entrepreneurs, and senior leaders responsible for scaling businesses. ------------ Connect with Michelle Kaihani LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-kaihani-esq-sphr-181b168/ Email: mk@mkhrsolutions.com -------------- Books mentioned Functional Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions by Anirvan Sen | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9798290562636 Performance Intelligence at Work: The Five Essentials to Achieving the Mind of a Champion by Julie Bell | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9780071625142 -------- Connect with Anirvan Sen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirvansen/ ------------- About the podcast Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories features conversations with founders, executives, investors, operators, and advisers who have experienced the challenges of building, acquiring, scaling, and exiting businesses. Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen.

September 16, 2026Episode 11 hr 2 min

S5 - E1: What does it really take to be a CFO when a business is going through an exit?

What does it really take to be a CFO when a business is going through an exit? Jim Carver reflects on his experience with two business exits and how dramatically the CFO’s role changes during that period. We talk about long hours, intense management reporting, faster decision-making, the need to understand the entire business, and why the CFO often becomes the bridge between management and investors. Jim also compares his first exit with his second—and shares what changes when you have already been through the process once. Connect with Jim Carver LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcarver36/ Email: jim_carver59@yahoo.com Buy-and-Build & Scaling Stories Hosted by Fifth Chrome. Presented by Anirvan Sen. Have a question, a scaling story to share, or a guest you think we should speak with? Write to us at podcast@fifthchrome.com .

May 22, 2024Episode 326 min

S4 - E3: The $9 Trillion Disconnect: Solving the Employee Engagement Crisis | Anirvan Sen & Nigel Kilpatrick

Join ⁠⁠⁠Anirvan Sen⁠⁠⁠ , CEO of ⁠⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠Nigel Kilpatrick⁠⁠⁠ , CEO of ⁠⁠⁠Compassion-in-Business⁠⁠⁠ , as they tackle the colossal issue of employee disengagement in this eye-opening episode. Discover why businesses are losing an astonishing $9 trillion annually due to disengaged employees and explore practical solutions to this pervasive problem. Key Episode Highlights: 📌 Magnitude of the Problem: Unpack the staggering $9 trillion annual loss in business productivity globally, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic interventions. 📌 Root Causes of Disengagement: Dive into common workplace hurdles that lead to employee disengagement, including the overwhelming number of IT applications employees are required to manage. 📌 Practical Solutions and Strategies: Learn how businesses can effectively tackle disengagement, increase productivity, and create a more fulfilling work environment for their employees. Expert Insights: Anirvan and Nigel discuss real-world examples and share innovative approaches to boost engagement across various industries. This episode is crucial for business leaders, HR professionals, and managers seeking to understand and mitigate the impacts of employee disengagement. Subscribe to our channel for more insights on creating high-performance, compassionate workplaces. Watch now and take the first step toward transforming your organizational culture and productivity. #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessProductivity #Leadership #HRManagement #HumanResources #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #culturechange #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. 🎙️ Hosted by: ⁠⁠Anirvan Sen, CEO - Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Nigel Kilpatrick, CEO - Compassion in Business 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠ 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisor for Business Strategy, M&A, and Transformations. Visit our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ Our partner on this podcast is Compassion-in-Business. Visit their ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ ------- 🔹 For More Insights: Stay tuned for more episodes from ⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠ , where we explore the intricacies of business strategy, high-performance organizational models, and M&A dynamics. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments! #FifthChromePodcast #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

May 14, 2024Episode 221 min

S4 - E2: Aligning Company and Employee Values: The Role of Compassion in Bridging Gaps | Anirvan Sen & Nigel Kilpatrick

Join ⁠Anirvan Sen⁠ , CEO of ⁠Fifth Chrome⁠ , and ⁠Nigel Kilpatrick⁠ , CEO of ⁠Compassion-in-Business⁠ , in a revealing conversation about the often challenging alignment of company and employee values. This episode delves into the critical gaps that exist between a company’s stated values and the personal values of its employees, exploring how and why these discrepancies occur. Key Episode Highlights : 📌 Exploration of Value Discrepancies : Anirvan and Nigel discuss why company values can often feel forced or superficial, serving more as vanity metrics rather than guiding principles. 📌 The Importance of Authentic Values : Discover the significance of genuine company values that resonate with both the organization and its people, and why they matter. 📌 Compassion in Action : Learn how embedding compassion into company values can transform them from mere words on a wall to live experiences that drive meaningful engagement. 📌 Real-World Examples : The hosts share specific examples, such as customer-centricity, and discuss how compassion influences the adoption and integration of such values across organizational practices. This discussion is a must-watch for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone interested in creating a more authentic and compassionate workplace. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from thought leaders in the field of business strategy and organizational development. Watch, learn, and be inspired to bridge the value gap in your organization with compassion and integrity. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. #CorporateCulture #HumanResources #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #CultureChange 🎙️ Hosted by: ⁠Anirvan Sen, CEO - Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠ ⁠Nigel Kilpatrick, CEO - Compassion in Business 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠ 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisor for Business Strategy, M&A, and Transformations. Visit our ⁠website⁠ Our partner on this podcast is Compassion-in-Business. Visit their ⁠website⁠ ------- 🔹 For More Insights: Stay tuned for more episodes from ⁠Fifth Chrome⁠ , where we explore the intricacies of business strategy, high-performance organizational models, and M&A dynamics. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments! #FifthChromePodcast #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

April 30, 2024Episode 124 min

S4 - E1: Empathy Listens, Compassion Acts: The Critical Difference Fueling Business Success | Anirvan Sen and Nigel Kilpatrick

Join Anirvan Sen , CEO of Fifth Chrome , and Nigel Kilpatrick , CEO of Compassion-in-Business , as they delve into the critical differences between compassion and empathy and how these impact business performance. In this insightful episode, they explore how understanding and implementing these concepts can transform organizational culture and lead to significant performance boosts. Key Points Covered: 📌 Defining Compassion and Empathy: Learn the distinct roles each plays in personal and professional contexts. 📌 Impact on Business: Discover how compassion extends beyond empathy to actively foster a more supportive and effective business environment. 📌 Practical Strategies: Gain actionable advice on integrating compassion into your business practices using the PROMISE framework. 📌 Expert Insights and Real-world Applications: Hear stories from the front lines of businesses that have successfully embedded these principles into their operations. Don't miss this essential discussion on harnessing the power of compassion and empathy to drive business success. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. #CorporateCulture #HumanResources #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #CultureChange 🎙️ Hosted by: Anirvan Sen, CEO - Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile Nigel Kilpatrick, CEO - Compassion in Business 👉 LinkedIn Profile 🌐 This episode is brought to you by Fifth Chrome, your trusted advisor for Business Strategy, M&A, and Transformations. Visit our website Our partner on this podcast is Compassion-in-Business. Visit their website ------- Books mentioned: 🔹 Charley Mackesy: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. ------- 🔹 For More Insights: Stay tuned for more episodes from Fifth Chrome , where we explore the intricacies of business strategy, high-performance organizational models, and M&A dynamics. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments! #FifthChromePodcast #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome

April 10, 2024Episode 1748 min

S3 - E17: Bridging Cultures in M&A: Anirvan Sen & James Harris Unveil Key Strategies for Professional Growth

Join Anirvan Sen , a seasoned expert in building high-performance organizations, and James Harris , Integration Manager at Google with over 25 years of M&A experience, in an enlightening conversation that dives deep into the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. This episode sheds light on the critical role of culture and professional development in the success of M&A projects. Discover invaluable insights on the importance of understanding cultural differences, the power of direct coaching, and the need for open dialogue to seamlessly integrate diverse company cultures. Key Highlights: 📌 Unpacking the 'Why' Behind Cultural Differences in M&A 📌 The Impact of Founders’ Backgrounds on Organizational Culture 📌 Strategies for Effective Professional Development and Leadership in M&A 📌 The Role of Courage and Presentation Skills in Navigating M&A Challenges 📌 Practical Advice on Cultural Integration and Continuous Learning Whether you're a CEO looking to navigate your next merger, a leader aiming to foster a culture of continuous learning, or an M&A professional seeking to enhance your skillset, this podcast offers essential knowledge and strategies to help you succeed. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of mergers and acquisitions, and learn how to leverage cultural integration and professional development for organizational growth. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on business strategy, leadership, and organizational development. Your journey to building a high-performance organization through strategic M&A starts here. #MergersAndAcquisitions #CorporateCulture #HumanResources #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentManagement #CultureChange 📌 About James Harris: James Harris is a senior M&A practitioner with 25+ years of experience in the field. He has worked with some of the largest companies including Google and Amazon. His expertise encompasses various facets of M&A, with a special focus on the leadership and cultural dynamics of merging organizations. 👉 James Harris' LinkedIn ------- 🎙️ Hosted by: ⁠⁠Anirvan Sen, CEO Fifth Chrome 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Anahita Sen, Co-Facilitator Fifth Chrome Podcasts 👉 LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠ 🌐 This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Fifth Chrome⁠⁠ , your trusted advisor for M&A, Integration, and Business Transformations. ⁠⁠Visit our website⁠⁠ ------- Books mentioned by James Harris: 🔹 Jim Collins: Built to Last. 🔹 Eli Goldratt: The Goal. 🔹 Emilie R. Feldman: The Divestitures. ------- 🔹 For More Insights: Stay tuned for more episodes from Fifth Chrome, where we explore the intricacies of business strategy, high-performance organizational models, and M&A dynamics. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments! #FifthChromePodcast #MergersAndAcquisitions #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FifthChrome