The Art of Asking ft Kit Lisle | Hard Corps Marketing Show | Ep 438
How can experimentation and relentless curiosity unlock faster growth in private-equity-backed businesses?
In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Kit Lisle, Founder of Acclaro Growth Partners and The Operators.pe. A former military intelligence officer turned veteran strategy consultant, Kit brings a unique lens to leadership and business transformation. He now helps companies shift from founder-led decision making to value-driven, private-equity-ready growth.
Kit breaks down why leaders should start with experimentation instead of narrowing their focus too soon, how honest customer conversations reveal real needs, and why continuous improvement and humble collaboration are non-negotiable for long-term success. Drawing from his military background, Kit compares the intensity of private equity to a SEAL team mission, where adaptability, rapid learning, and mission clarity are essential.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why a period of experimentation outperforms premature focus
- How to ask open-ended questions that deliver true customer insight
- The cultural shift founder-led businesses must make when PE steps in
- Leveraging strengths and running after-action reviews for constant improvement
- Encouraging a culture of curiosity that sparks innovation
If you’re ready to foster intellectual curiosity, unlock hidden opportunities, and drive value-first growth, this episode is full of actionable insights you won’t want to miss!
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Connect with Kit:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-lisle/
- The Operator’s website: https://theoperators.pe/
- Acclaro Growth Partners' website: https://acclaropartners.com/
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- YouTube: https://youtu.be/jr18uWStLfQ
Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
Creators and Guests
Host
Casey Cheshire
CEO & Founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. Casey Cheshire is a marketer, serial entrepreneur, and adventurer. He has been in EO for close to 10 years and counts his relationships as a key reason for his continued success. Casey’s passion for podcasting led to him founding Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. Ringmaster helps B2B businesses launch podcasts that drive growth and revenue. Previously, Casey founded and ran Cheshire Impact for 10 years. It became the top Salesforce Pardot marketing automation solutions partner in the world before a successful exit in 2021. He is also a US Marine Corps Veteran where he served in the Infantry and deployed to some very hot climates. In his free time, Casey likes to skydive, climb mountains, and pretend to be a hungry bear for his two kids.