Brand Velocity Group

There are few former NFL players who come with more instant name recognition than Eli Manning. The Manning surname carries a certain inherent cachet, considering his father, Archie, was a decorated NFL quarterback, and his older brother Peyton is an NFL Hall of Famer. Even so, Eli carved an identity of his own as a two-time Super Bowl MVP with the New York Giants. His accomplishments on the field over a 16-year career will put him in consideration for NFL Hall of Fame honors when he becomes eligible in 2025. Just as impressive is Eli’s post-NFL game plan. After taking a year off to really discover where his passions would lead him, Eli has hit the ground running with popular TV shows—like “Manningcast,” where he and Peyton offer alternative live commentary to each week’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast”; “Eli’s Places”; and even a viral video where he went incognito as walk-on Chad Powers in a spoof attempt to pass a Penn State tryout. (In a virtual QB “sneak,” Eli was unrecognizable—except for his cannon of a right arm.) A bit more undercover, as it were, is Eli’s career in private equity, where he has joined forces with founding partners Stephen Lebowitz, Drew Sheinman, and Austin Ramos at Brand Velocity Group. How has Eli’s sports background helped him jump to a completely new S curve? One key factor was not being afraid to ask questions. “I wasn’t trained in private equity,” Eli said, noting that everyone at BVG knew exactly what he’d been doing for the previous 17 years. “But I think one thing I learned in football or in sports is that I was never shy about asking a question. Just say what it is, [whether it was] stopping a coach or saying, ‘What is that? What does that mean? I don’t understand what you’re saying.’ . . . If he’s saying something I don’t know what it means, how can I go out there and perform my best? And, so, it’s the same with business.” Another big key with BVG leadership is treating the entire team with respect. For a conversation about private equity, I was struck by how many times we used the words “kind” and “kindness.” Like Steve said, private equity has an aura around it—a vision of a fire sale, men in suits storming in and gutting a company for spare parts. At BVG, however, the company’s Share the Gains program helps every employee take profits to the house. “That’s how a team works,” Eli said. “When an NFL team wins a championship, it’s not just the players that win a Super Bowl ring. It’s people in the film room, the training room, and the equipment room.” In a variety of circumstances, we’ve seen firsthand how Steve and Eli work together and how they trust each other. So, what does that trust look like on your team? How can you show your coworkers that you trust them? What are you doing to be worthy of their trust? You’re invited to join my huddle with Steve and Eli in this week’s Disruption Advisors podcast. Check it out here: https://hubs.li/Q02zj2CT0

I saw the article linked below today in the Financial Times about the need for PE to share the wealth with employees. I could not agree more with this sentiment! At Brand Velocity Group we pioneered the Share the Gains program, where we share 10% of our carried interest with the employees of our portfolio companies. Every single employee participates. This is the only program of its kind in the world where the general partner is sharing directly from its participation in the upside. This isn't just the right thing to do--to show gratitude for the people who create the value--but it is also good business. Employees who are appreciated and share in the upside are happier and more productive, which leads to better results. #privateequity #familyoffices #sharethegains #organizationalculture #kindnessmatters https://lnkd.in/eyQCYQxk

The legendary champion of startup fashion entrepreneurs, Gary Wassner, offered FIT Global Fashion Management MPS brilliant advice. His most profound words of wisdom addressed the importance of how you treat your employees and colleagues (from interns all the way to the buyers at Neiman Marcus). Your reputation follows you throughout your career. It can make or break you. His company Brand Velocity Group has a program called Share the Gains, https://lnkd.in/e2zSYmJM, that dedicates 10% of their carried interest and management fees in every investment to non-management team employees, who they recognize as critical to their continued success. Imagine if every corporation did that? Perhaps we could accomplish the goal of having a more equitable distribution of wealth. #fashionbusiness #startupentrepreneurs #fashioneducation