In the world of private equity and growth investing, due diligence is a critical process that underpins investment decisions and shapes post-deal strategies. However, the sheer volume of information generated during due diligence can be overwhelming, leading to what we might call "due diligence indigestion…

…. We all know - by all the main metrics - that deal volumes and value have decreased significantly over the last, say, 18 months. Buyers and sellers both appear more reluctant to transact due to uncertain valuations, costly debt and economic sluggishness.

…. You’ve heard of shrinkflation in consumer products like chocolate bars, drinks and even toilet paper: smaller portions at the same or higher cost. Have you ever considered that the same might be happening with companies being backed by private equity, albeit for different reasons?

…. I suggested recently that private equity investors are involved in building ‘value machines’ built from four components: partnership; governance; expectations; team & organisation strategy.

Imagine the following scenario. As chief executive of a growth company, you have been working for months preparing a fund-raising process or sale to private equity. During the beauty parade of investors, almost all went out of their way to express…