Creative Management Buyout Strategies. Private equity firms particularly those that focus on buying smaller companies (less than $100 million in value), will often structure the financing of a buyout utilizing limited amounts of their own equity and aggressive debt structures. While such an approach can create spectacular returns for their investors, management and the sellers can often end up feeling shortchanged. Thankfully, owners and managers can use their own creative buyout strategies to create substantially more value for both buyer (management) and seller (owner).