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Figuring It Out: A Memoir About Connolly, Inc's Journey To The Top
Figuring It Out is the fascinating memoir written by Elizabeth “Libby” Connolly Alexander, detailing her role in the meteoric rise of a company started from scratch by her father, a company that later went public at a significant market valuation and after that was sold at an even greater price tag.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History from Tulane University, Libby joined her father’s payment integrity firm, Connolly, learned the business from the bottom up, and quickly advanced through the ranks. With her brother, Larry, and tech-savvy husband, Robert, they formed the proverbial “three-legged stool,” the triumvirate that drove exponential growth by figuring it out.
Figuring it out, indeed…
Initially, the trio created a significant technological competitive advantage by establishing a personal computer-driven data mining and analytics capability.
Then, they pivoted the company into the unknown healthcare payment integrity industry, harnessing a growth engine unlike any previously leveraged.
Libby took the lead in establishing and building the healthcare business, serving as CEO of Connolly Healthcare and subsequently as CEO of the entire company.
Thanks to Connolly’s data analytics capabilities and the incredible growth prospects of its healthcare business, Advent International came aboard as a major private equity investor and strategic business partner. Advent helped Connolly engineer a synergistic acquisition of Atlanta-based iHealth Technologies, at which point both companies merged and Libby became vice chairman of the board of the new company, which was renamed Cotiviti.
Cotiviti subsequently went public in May of 2016 at a market valuation of $2.55 billion.
Two years later, in August, 2018, Cotiviti was acquired by Veritas Capital-backed healthcare data solutions provider Verscend, at a transaction value of $4.89 billion.
That’s called creating serious value… by figuring it out.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History from Tulane University, Libby joined her father’s payment integrity firm, Connolly, learned the business from the bottom up, and quickly advanced through the ranks. With her brother, Larry, and tech-savvy husband, Robert, they formed the proverbial “three-legged stool,” the triumvirate that drove exponential growth by figuring it out.
Figuring it out, indeed…
Initially, the trio created a significant technological competitive advantage by establishing a personal computer-driven data mining and analytics capability.
Then, they pivoted the company into the unknown healthcare payment integrity industry, harnessing a growth engine unlike any previously leveraged.
Libby took the lead in establishing and building the healthcare business, serving as CEO of Connolly Healthcare and subsequently as CEO of the entire company.
Thanks to Connolly’s data analytics capabilities and the incredible growth prospects of its healthcare business, Advent International came aboard as a major private equity investor and strategic business partner. Advent helped Connolly engineer a synergistic acquisition of Atlanta-based iHealth Technologies, at which point both companies merged and Libby became vice chairman of the board of the new company, which was renamed Cotiviti.
Cotiviti subsequently went public in May of 2016 at a market valuation of $2.55 billion.
Two years later, in August, 2018, Cotiviti was acquired by Veritas Capital-backed healthcare data solutions provider Verscend, at a transaction value of $4.89 billion.
That’s called creating serious value… by figuring it out.
280 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2020
Starting from scratch and zooming to the top – An American success story
Author Libby Connolly Alexander pens one of the more impressive journeys to success in this warmly readable memoir that not only shares a rather amazing advancing business career and enterprise, but also supplies the reader with down to earth advice about how to succeed in business using hard work, persistence, integrity, risk-taking, being determined, creating a top-notch executive team and thus ‘creating serious value – by figuring it out!’
Libby’s family payment integrity firm, Connolly, was created by her courageous father, and following her joining the firm in 1984, she and her brother and husband moved the company into the Healthcare payment integrity realm with enormous success. She served as CEO of the ‘new’ Connolly Healthcare division and ultimately became the CEO of the entire firm, creating through her mastering of analytics the portal for the expansion of adding Advent International and iHealth Technologies to the armamentarium, the expanded firm became the now famous Cotiviti! If anyone is a resource of how to achieve success in business (and in life) it most assuredly is Libby Connolly Alexander.
The manner in which Libby shares her knowledge and her qualities as an inspiring human being is evident in her writing style. Quite simply she introduces the family company’s history: “After years of following the traditional American dream, forging a path that allowed him to rise through the ranks of the retail world, my father came home one day with an announcement that would change the future of our family for generations. While we were gathered for dinner, he announced he would be leaving his position as the chief operating officer of Gimbels department store in New York City. No longer would he be leading one of the country’s largest and most respected department stores. The comfort and security of his corporate accomplishments would be left behind to follow a dream of a different sort. With eyes void of doubt, my father shared his plans to embark on a new venture, one that none of us understood…Fully aware his decision posed a fair amount of risk, my father chose a different path, one that would immerse my entire family in a nascent business filled with uncertainty…My father gave us a blueprint masterfully explaining the core values and principles that support any successful business, a blueprint I’ve mapped out in this book.”
That degree of courage and commitment, presented in a most accessible manner, submits a guideline that governs all the different nuances contributing to a rewarding voyage of accomplishment. Informative, wisely delivered with sound advice, this book will likely become a staple in business schools. Very highly recommended for both those beginning or expanding a business – and for those who thirst for healthy guidance in achieving life goals.
Author Libby Connolly Alexander pens one of the more impressive journeys to success in this warmly readable memoir that not only shares a rather amazing advancing business career and enterprise, but also supplies the reader with down to earth advice about how to succeed in business using hard work, persistence, integrity, risk-taking, being determined, creating a top-notch executive team and thus ‘creating serious value – by figuring it out!’
Libby’s family payment integrity firm, Connolly, was created by her courageous father, and following her joining the firm in 1984, she and her brother and husband moved the company into the Healthcare payment integrity realm with enormous success. She served as CEO of the ‘new’ Connolly Healthcare division and ultimately became the CEO of the entire firm, creating through her mastering of analytics the portal for the expansion of adding Advent International and iHealth Technologies to the armamentarium, the expanded firm became the now famous Cotiviti! If anyone is a resource of how to achieve success in business (and in life) it most assuredly is Libby Connolly Alexander.
The manner in which Libby shares her knowledge and her qualities as an inspiring human being is evident in her writing style. Quite simply she introduces the family company’s history: “After years of following the traditional American dream, forging a path that allowed him to rise through the ranks of the retail world, my father came home one day with an announcement that would change the future of our family for generations. While we were gathered for dinner, he announced he would be leaving his position as the chief operating officer of Gimbels department store in New York City. No longer would he be leading one of the country’s largest and most respected department stores. The comfort and security of his corporate accomplishments would be left behind to follow a dream of a different sort. With eyes void of doubt, my father shared his plans to embark on a new venture, one that none of us understood…Fully aware his decision posed a fair amount of risk, my father chose a different path, one that would immerse my entire family in a nascent business filled with uncertainty…My father gave us a blueprint masterfully explaining the core values and principles that support any successful business, a blueprint I’ve mapped out in this book.”
That degree of courage and commitment, presented in a most accessible manner, submits a guideline that governs all the different nuances contributing to a rewarding voyage of accomplishment. Informative, wisely delivered with sound advice, this book will likely become a staple in business schools. Very highly recommended for both those beginning or expanding a business – and for those who thirst for healthy guidance in achieving life goals.
April 27, 2020
This book is a memoir about Elizabeth Connolly Alexander, the CEO of Connolly Healthcare and later of the entire organization. Together with her husband and brother, the three set out to take their fathers company and turn it into a veritable powerhouse in the healthcare industry. All three were whip smart and so turning the business around into a new direction came easy to them and under their guidance they were able to attract great partnerships such as with advent, that would further benefit the company.
This was a very interesting book. I like memoirs about people I have never heard of as it can always teach me about new things and this book was no different. While much of the book was spent on the thought process behind some of the decisions and how they went about this venture, there was much time spent on Libby herself as well as her husband and her brother. I like that failures and missteps were also included as it shows that no one is perfect, not even those on top of the world.
This was a very interesting book. I like memoirs about people I have never heard of as it can always teach me about new things and this book was no different. While much of the book was spent on the thought process behind some of the decisions and how they went about this venture, there was much time spent on Libby herself as well as her husband and her brother. I like that failures and missteps were also included as it shows that no one is perfect, not even those on top of the world.
May 7, 2020
Libby Connolly Alexander may not be a writer by birth but she has a lot to tell in this book, and she does it in a clear and truly extraordinary way.
Through this book she takes us on a journey of growth, hard work and commitment. It shows us how his father's example became the basis of every business movement. He was not afraid to be the first and built a millionaire business from scratch.
It is a book full of advice on how to learn to adapt to the environment.
There is no doubt that this book has two parallel stories. She tells us the story of how a company grew - the way for a company that is just starting out is transformed into a prosperous and constantly growing company.
This book has a unique and personal vision of Libby. It shows us not only the successes but also the procedures and decisions that brought this company to the top of the industry.
Figuring It Out: A Memoir About Connolly, Inc’s Journey To The Top is really worth reading.
It is a book that deserves 5 stars and I definitely recommend reading it more than once.
Through this book she takes us on a journey of growth, hard work and commitment. It shows us how his father's example became the basis of every business movement. He was not afraid to be the first and built a millionaire business from scratch.
It is a book full of advice on how to learn to adapt to the environment.
There is no doubt that this book has two parallel stories. She tells us the story of how a company grew - the way for a company that is just starting out is transformed into a prosperous and constantly growing company.
This book has a unique and personal vision of Libby. It shows us not only the successes but also the procedures and decisions that brought this company to the top of the industry.
Figuring It Out: A Memoir About Connolly, Inc’s Journey To The Top is really worth reading.
It is a book that deserves 5 stars and I definitely recommend reading it more than once.
May 10, 2020
An interesting true story to take as an example.
This is another useful book that I read about business. It is focused on the tenacity and commitment of a family. “Figuring It out: A memoir about Connolly, Inc´s Journey to the Top” was written by Libby Conolly Alexander who learned the business from the bottom. It is a great story.
As the title of the book says, the writer narrates the way she built a business along her life. This was possible because she started with her husband and brother and the three of them created something innovative. There are specific dates and situations that help understand how this family made their successful company. Finally, in this reading you will find how this family business flourished and became prosperous.
It is a very descriptive book and easy to follow since the author provides a detailed explanation for the readers. I found it very interesting and helpful! I think it is a must-read book for anyone who desires to set up a business.
This is another useful book that I read about business. It is focused on the tenacity and commitment of a family. “Figuring It out: A memoir about Connolly, Inc´s Journey to the Top” was written by Libby Conolly Alexander who learned the business from the bottom. It is a great story.
As the title of the book says, the writer narrates the way she built a business along her life. This was possible because she started with her husband and brother and the three of them created something innovative. There are specific dates and situations that help understand how this family made their successful company. Finally, in this reading you will find how this family business flourished and became prosperous.
It is a very descriptive book and easy to follow since the author provides a detailed explanation for the readers. I found it very interesting and helpful! I think it is a must-read book for anyone who desires to set up a business.
May 8, 2020
Figuring It Out By Elizabeth Connolly Alexander is a good-quality memoir of a woman who has played a significant role in the frenetic rise of her father’s company, Connolly Inc; one which he had started from scratch but climbed up the ladder thanks to the help of the “three-legged stool”: Libby, her brother, Larry and her husband, Robert.
In the first person, “Libby” writes about her own story, one that portrays her journey from her graduation from University until she becomes the CEO of the entire company. This journey is a journey to success.
Apart from being a memoir, this book provides readers with realistic pieces of advice on how to succeed in business. It helps readers who have companies or who would like to set up one “figure out” ways to become successful or even get to the top of the industry.
It is a completely inspirational book since it is based on a true life story. I recommend it to any person who wants to move steps ahead in life.
In the first person, “Libby” writes about her own story, one that portrays her journey from her graduation from University until she becomes the CEO of the entire company. This journey is a journey to success.
Apart from being a memoir, this book provides readers with realistic pieces of advice on how to succeed in business. It helps readers who have companies or who would like to set up one “figure out” ways to become successful or even get to the top of the industry.
It is a completely inspirational book since it is based on a true life story. I recommend it to any person who wants to move steps ahead in life.
April 22, 2020
Figuring It Out: A Memoir about Connolly, Inc's Journey to the Top by Libby Connolly Alexander is a riveting first-hand account of how to make it in business. This book provides a personal glimpse into the meteoric rise of a prominent company, and how that came to be. With a helpful chart at the beginning of the book that provides a timeline, you can see exactly how Connolly, Inc. grew as a formidable force in the world of business. Libby herself joined the company after graduating from college and worked and learned her way up the ladder. This is a positive story, one filled with details of how the company managed to pivot at critical times, capturing the market and gaining business and customers. A motivational and powerful example of what hard work and dedication can do if you simply apply yourself and make sound business decisions. Highly recommend.
May 8, 2020
“Figuring It Out: A Memoir About Connolly, Inc’s Journey To The Top” is a riveting book written by Libby Connolly Alexander a business woman who grew up a company that was set up by his father, which later went public at a great market valuation but in the end was sold at an even more expensive price.
This non-fiction book is written for a general audience and it is a perfect and precious moment to read it as woman have the power to change society and the way people consider us. We have to take advantage of this book to learn a lot from this incredible woman. (Acordate de nl tener 2 prep juntas - a lot of from)
This is a remarkable story that I couldn’t stop reading. It is wonderful and easy to read. This book is really helpful for everyone. It will give you a lot of pieces of advice. I would highly recommend it as everyone will find something to appreciate.
This non-fiction book is written for a general audience and it is a perfect and precious moment to read it as woman have the power to change society and the way people consider us. We have to take advantage of this book to learn a lot from this incredible woman. (Acordate de nl tener 2 prep juntas - a lot of from)
This is a remarkable story that I couldn’t stop reading. It is wonderful and easy to read. This book is really helpful for everyone. It will give you a lot of pieces of advice. I would highly recommend it as everyone will find something to appreciate.
May 13, 2020
“Figuring It Out: A memoir about Connolly, Inc’s journey to the top” is a book written by Libby Connolly Alexander. It is a book about the author’s own personal experience in the field of business. It is a very interesting narration that has a bit more than three hundred pages.
The author describes her key role in the rise of her family’s company. The company was set up from the very beginning by her father and now Libb, together with her brother and husband carry it out, under the proverbial “three-legged stool”.
She learnt the business from from the bottom and now she has great knowledge on the topic. The growth of the company may be thanked to all of the members but undoubtedly Libby has a very significant role in its rise.
This is a very inspirational, informative and easy to read book. I would certainly recommend reading it.
The author describes her key role in the rise of her family’s company. The company was set up from the very beginning by her father and now Libb, together with her brother and husband carry it out, under the proverbial “three-legged stool”.
She learnt the business from from the bottom and now she has great knowledge on the topic. The growth of the company may be thanked to all of the members but undoubtedly Libby has a very significant role in its rise.
This is a very inspirational, informative and easy to read book. I would certainly recommend reading it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews