We leverage decades of operational experience to deploy tools and methodologies that transform operations, and we’re equally committed to investing in people to hone leadership and strengthen organizational unity and purpose.

Operating

Operating Approach

Our operating approach is founded upon a collaborative, deep learning period at the beginning of the hold to establish conviction and priorities. We provide a structured yet flexible process for getting on the same page in a way that engages people, builds trust and demonstrates partnership. We believe this holistic approach helps growing SaaS companies clearly define what success looks like, orient and align all parts of the business around that future vision, and cultivate a set of essential disciplines that balance the needs and interests of key stakeholders:

  • Market

    Understanding the target customer segment, articulating the job-to-be-done, defining a solid go-to-market strategy, and anticipating future market demands and opportunities.

  • Team

    Growing, supporting, and developing an inspired and aligned team that is supported by an organic, unifying organizational culture and an intentional operating cadence.

  • Clients

    Seeing the world through clients’ eyes–truly grasping the problems they're trying to solve and designing and implementing solutions to address those needs.

  • Investors

    Setting balanced and intentional company goals, establishing systems to monitor leading performance indicators, and fostering the discipline to adapt to environmental changes–all in support of reaching performance milestones.

Lock 8 Learnings

Our role is to protect what’s working, strengthen what’s not, and leave things better than we found them.

Decades of experience has shown us what great looks like. We apply our accumulated knowledge with discipline and care to help each company operate at its best.

We trust the people closest to the work. Our job is to listen deeply, ask the right questions, and empower leaders to discover the best path forward.

Every company, every competitive environment, and every team is unique; that’s why we don’t believe in playbooks or a one-size-fits-all approach.

Celebrate the wins, but don’t rest on them. When things go wrong, keep moving forward–what matters is continuous progress.

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In their own words

“Lock 8 provided a roadmap to diagnose and create momentum behind a company strategy. Lock 8 was a guide, not a deciding party, believing the answer for success sits inside the company.”

Denis WhelanCEO, Projector PSA

“The Lock 8 ecosystem feels less like an investor network and more like a high-trust operating community, and that partnership has accelerated Firm360’s growth—and my own—in all the right ways.”

Patrick O’NeillCEO, Firm360

“I feel so much more gratitude than I could possibly have expected to feel. Individually, for the folks from Lock 8 that showed up. And when I say "showed up, I mean that at every level and in every sense of the word–they really showed up throughout this entire process.”

Spencer ImmelPartner, The Langston Company

“Lock 8’s strategic planning process was terrific: thorough, well-paced and pragmatic, with tools that enabled us to tackle tough questions in a positive and productive manner.”

Caitlin BowenCEO, Prism PPM

“The partnership and mentorship that Lock 8 has provided makes me feel like I am cheating in my first-time CEO role.”

Jeremy BarlowCEO, Carrot

CEO Support

Lock 8 provides portfolio company CEOs with an unparalleled level of multi-faceted support.

  • First-Time CEO’s

    In our experience, up-and-coming execs that possess a genuine “want-to” attitude, requisite skills, and an openness to consistent coaching are uniquely suited to take the reins of an evolving SaaS business and realize its full potential.

  • Assessments

    We utilize proven cognitive and behavioral assessments, coupled with real world performance and observations, to help us tailor individualized support we provide to each CEO in the Lock 8 portfolio.

  • Mentorship and Coaching

    Lock 8 takes an active role in mentoring company leaders where they need and want it; and we also support and encourage new CEOs to take advantage of outside executive coaching.

  • Peer Network

    Lock 8 brings with it a vetted network of SaaS professionals who’ve made the journey from aspiring first-time CEOs to seasoned chief execs–and they’re here to support emerging PortCo leaders.

Featured Posts

Some useful info from Lock 8.