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The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s75. The Announcement EpisodeIn this episode we chat about what's going on in our lives, share some life changing news, and announce the new seasoned approach. Going forward, we'll be releasing 10 episodes at a time, starting June 5th 2025. Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J8w0bDV0pBtHUPzlvmzTgb Stay tuned! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy2025-03-2008 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s74. The Art and Science of 1:1 MeetingsIn this episode we discuss: the art and science of 1 to 1 meetings. We are joined by Dr. Steven Rogelberg, CEO, Board Member, Editor, Author, Chief Talent Officer, Director.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Steven Rogelberg: Are your one-on-ones actually driving engagement, or are they just another meeting on the calendar?What message are you really sending when you cancel a one-on-one—and how does it impact employee trust?Why is listening more than speaking the secret to making one-on-ones truly eff...2025-03-1338 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s73. Building an AI First Organisation Part 2In this episode we discuss: Unlocking AI for Non-Technical Leaders. We are joined by Charlie Cowan, Founder of Kowalah and author of "How To Sell Tech" and “The Revenue Operations Playbook”.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Charlie Cowan: Is AI more accessible than we think?What’s the difference between AI agents and workflows—and why does it matter for businesses looking to scale?How can organizations build their own AI-powered tools instead of relying solely on SaaS solutions?What role does...2025-03-0655 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s72. Is the COO the Single Source of Truth?In this episode we discuss: Is the COO the single source of truth? We are joined by Eric Collins, Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO & Founding Member at Impact X Capital investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs; Author of We Don’t Need Permission (amzn.to/3Qp6G9d); & Host of Channel 4's The Money Maker.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Eric Collins: What makes the COO the true "source of truth" in scaling a venture-backed company?How can COOs balance growth while CFOs mai...2025-02-2752 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s71. Proactive Mental Health Strategies for LeadersIn this episode we discuss: How to tackle mental health in an organization. We are joined by Chris Hatfield, Mindset & Well-being Coach.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Chris Hatfield: What if naming your anxiety was the first step to taking back control?How can leaders foster vulnerability without losing authority?Is your ‘stress container’ full, and how do you know when it’s overflowing?Are we truly addressing the root of anxiety, or just applying quick fixes?What if managing mental...2025-02-2047 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s70. Jumpstarting Your Workplace CultureIn this episode we discuss: Jumpstarting your workplace culture. We are joined by Eric Stone, International Keynote Speaker | Award Winning Author | Expert in Building High-Performance Cultures | Empowering Leaders to Drive Engagement & Transform WorkplacesLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Eric Stone: Is your workplace culture truly driving success, or just a ‘flavor of the week’ experiment?How can leaders balance structure and empowerment without losing control?What does a simple story like ‘Johnny the Bagger’ reveal about ownership and impact at work?Are...2025-02-1340 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s69. Building an AI First OrganisationIn this episode we discuss: Making AI happen in 2025 for your organization. We are joined by Charlie Cowan, Author of "How To Sell Tech" and “The Revenue Operations Playbook”.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Charlie Cowan: How can professionals stay updated in an era where AI is rapidly disrupting industries like sales and marketing?With AI advancing faster than its everyday adoption, how can businesses bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation?How can non-developers leverage AI tools to accel...2025-02-0652 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s68. First Team Loyalty: The Key to Executive SuccessIn this episode we discuss: how to implement the first team concept. We are joined by Cassie Young, General Partner at Primary Venture Partners, and seasoned SaaS CRO/CCO.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Cassie Young: How can leaders ensure that their "first team" prioritises organisational success over individual functions?What steps can teams take to align incentives and build trust to resolve conflicts more effectively?How does empathy in communication and transparency enhance team dynamics, especially in structured yet f...2025-01-3053 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s67. COO Superpowers Revealed Part 2In this episode we discuss: What is a COO's strengths and gaps? We are joined by Divinia Knowles, The COO Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following: How do COOs turn their knowledge gaps into strengths through experience?What can personality tests like the Enneagram teach us about effective COOs?How do COOs balance servant leadership with the challenges it brings?What’s the secret to building a powerhouse CEO-COO relationship?How can COOs use self-awareness to grow as leaders and advisors?...2025-01-2352 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s66. COO Superpowers Revealed Part 1In this episode we discuss: What is a COO's strengths and gaps? We are joined by Divinia Knowles, The COO Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following: How do COOs build trust with key decision-makers while staying behind the scenes?What’s the secret to thriving in a role that demands constant adaptability?How can COOs master resource allocation when scaling feels chaotic?Why is being an external spokesperson a game-changer for COOs?How do COOs and CEOs create a partnership that driv...2025-01-1648 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s66. COO Superpowers Revealed Part 1In this episode we discuss: What is a COO's strengths and gaps? We are joined by Divinia Knowles, The COO Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following: How do COOs build trust with key decision-makers while staying behind the scenes?What’s the secret to thriving in a role that demands constant adaptability?How can COOs master resource allocation when scaling feels chaotic?Why is being an external spokesperson a game-changer for COOs?How do COOs and CEOs create a partnership that driv...2025-01-1647 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s65. A COO’s journey to a Google exitIn this episode we discuss: a COO's journey to a Google exit. We are joined by Shane Harris, Former COO @ Cameyo. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Shane Harris: What role does sustainable growth, cash flow positivity, and dynamic budgeting play in a company’s success?How can company culture and strategic alignment influence decision-making and long-term growth?Why is understanding customer lifetime value and identifying productive customers critical for sustainable business strategy?What steps should startups take to prepare for a su...2024-12-1942 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s64. The Essential Guide to Intellectual PropertyIn this episode we discuss: Patents and IP strategy for Scaleups. We are joined by Jon Calvert, IP strategy expert.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Jon Calvert: How can startups effectively protect their innovations through intellectual property (IP)?What are the key differences between patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, and when should each be used?How can a well-crafted IP strategy enhance a startup's valuation during funding rounds or mergers and acquisitions?What steps should startups take to meet the c...2024-12-1244 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s63. What you need to know about ESOPsIn this episode we discuss: What you need to know about ESOPs. We are joined by John Fraser, Financial Director for PEAK.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with John Fraser: How can companies effectively educate employees to ensure the success of their ESOPs?What steps should organizations take to navigate the complexities of share options and stakeholder involvement?How can companies balance basic implementation steps with long-term implications when designing share schemes?At what point should companies transition from spreadsheets to d...2024-12-0543 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s62. How to prepare for an IPOIn this episode we discuss: How to prepare for an IPO. We are joined by Trecilla Lobo, Chief People Officer, board member, advisor, and mentor to other people leaders. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Trecilla Lobo: How can your organisation prepare early for the IPO journey, ensuring alignment across teams and addressing unique challenges in advance?What steps can you take to foster collaboration and effective communication among all stakeholders during the IPO process?How to address the cultural shifts an...2024-11-2844 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s61. How do you create a high performance culture?In this episode we discuss: How do you actually create a high performance culture? We are joined by Andrew Richardson, Managing Partner at Foundation PartnersLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Andrew Richardson: What does high performance truly mean in the context of your organisation, and how can it be clearly defined to align with its goals?How can a culture of ownership, where employees feel empowered yet aligned with organisational objectives, be fostered to enhance motivation and success?In what w...2024-11-2143 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s60. The State of the European Venture MarketIn this episode we discuss: The State of the European Venture Market. We are joined by Simon Menashy, Partner at MMC Ventures.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Simon Menashy: The European VC market’s significant changes in the last few years.Sustainable growth prioritised over growth at all costs.What are the main challenges the software market is facing?What are realistic exit expectations? What are the crucial components for a successful exit?References www.linkedin.com/in/si...2024-11-1440 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s59. What should a marketing tech stack look like in 2024?In this episode we discuss: what should the marketing tech stack look like in 2024. We are joined by Mark Farnell, Head of Marketing Operations at DeepL.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Mark Farnell: How is AI impacting marketing operations? Where to start with building a marketing tech stack.Why it's important to consider the complexity and scalability of current platforms.Regularly reviewing and optimising the marketing tech stack is crucial for success. Use the first year or two to understand if...2024-11-0742 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s58. Decoding Option Grants: What You Need to KnowIn this episode we discuss: Executive compensation and option grants. We are joined by Daniel Harris, Exec Compensation Partner.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Daniel Harris: What to consider when negotiating equity packages.What are the different equity schemes, such as sweet equity, and their implications?When to be aware of with tax implications and when to seek expert advice.Paying attention to strike prices and their impact on the value of equity.How to align incentives and interests between f...2024-10-3144 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s57. Military lessons in leadershipIn this episode we discuss: What leadership lessons we can learn from the military. We are joined by Ben Read, Founder & CEO of Redeployable, and Andy Wright, Consultant. We chat about the following with Ben Read and Andy Wright: How can trust and delegation enhance command and control in leadership?What behaviours and actions are essential for building trust and psychological safety within a team?How do confidence, humility, and self-regulation impact leadership effectiveness in high-pressure environments?What role does continuous learning and development play in personal and professional growth for leaders?How can leaders use mi...2024-10-2441 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s56. How to hire for excellenceIn this episode we discuss: How to hire for excellence. We are joined by James King, Author of 'Accelerating Excellence'.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with James King: How can we align talent identification with individuals' strengths, interests, and values to maximise performance?How can cognitive tests and psychological profiling improve our ability to assess baseline skills and training potential?What role do simulations and role plays play in assessing candidates for specific roles effectively?How can focusing on concordant goals a...2024-10-1745 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s55. How do you build trust across an organisation?In this episode we discuss: How do you build trust across the organisation? We are joined by Nellie Wartoft, CEO, Founder of Tigerhall and Chair of the Executive Council for Leading Change.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Nellie Wartoft: Why trust is a crucial element in building successful organisations.How leaders can give trust before they can receive it.Why transparent and authentic communication is key to building trust.The importance of constant communication.Transparency around the pros and cons o...2024-10-1049 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s54. How to successfully scale from 2 million to 2 billionIn this episode we discuss: The Evolution of a COO: From Doing to Coaching. We are joined by Andrew Robb, Marketplace & Technology Executive, Board Member & InvestorLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Andrew Robb: What does it take to scale a company?How does the role of the COO evolve? What does it take to stay engaged and motivated in a role for a long time?Focus on what you can control and don't lose sleep over things outside of your co...2024-10-0350 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s53. Practical ways to be more inclusiveIn this episode we discuss: What can companies do to become more inclusive, equitable and diverse? We are joined by Audrey ROOFEH, Founder & CEO Mariana Strategies-Tory Burch Foundation Fellow-DEIA leadLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Audrey Roofeh: What are the crucial components for implementing effective DEI policies?Why investing in middle managers and equipping them with skills in emotional intelligence, conflict management, and building psychological safety is essential.What does the retention of diverse talent require? How leadership can become mo...2024-09-2649 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s52. How to know when it's time to goIn this episode we discuss: When it is the right time to quit. We are joined by Eleena Broadfoot, Advisor and Executive Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Eleena Broadfoot: What are the important factors to consider when deciding to leave a job.Adding value to the business and making a meaningful impact should be a priority.Leaving a job requires careful planning and consideration of personal and professional factors.Why is identity so closely tied to job titles?What is...2024-09-1951 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s51. Fractional COO: Is it worth it?In this episode we discuss: fractional COO, is it worth it? We are joined by Karina Mikhli, Founder, Fractionals United.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Karina Mikhli: What is the role of a fractional COO?How difficult is it to find a role as a fractional COO? What is crucial for winning fractional COO roles?What are the channels of entry for fractional work? What should pricing and structuring fractional work be based on? References: https://www.linke...2024-09-1243 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s50. How to be a COOIn this episode we discuss: how to be a COO in today's complex world. We are joined by Jennifer Geary, Seasoned C-Suite executive across multiple industries and roles from fractional COO to Managing Director. Author of bestselling books How To Be a COO, CRO, CPO and CSO.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Jennifer Geary: The role of a COO involves being the second-in-command and bridging the gap between strategy and operations.Can AI enhance the efficiency and creativity of the C...2024-09-0537 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s49. How To Stop Your Company From Drowning In InformationIn this episode we discuss: the challenges of asynchronous communication in a remote-first organisation. We are joined by Jeremy Slater, COO at Bob W.We chat about the following with Jeremy Slater: How to do asynchronous communication wellManaging information overloadWhy you need to invest in robust knowledge management -- hint: impacts customer service, operations, and scalabilityReferences https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jack-slater/ www.bobw.co https://bit.ly/jeremyslater Biography After an extremely brief foray into finance in the US and the UK and a short stop in India...2024-06-2747 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s48. How To Present And Not Suck48. How to present and not suckIn this episode we discuss presentation skills and storytelling. We are joined by Jonathan Zatland, Operating Partner at Forme Partners. We chat about the following with Jonathan Zatland: Secrets to crafting narratives that captivate.How authenticity can transform your leadership narrativesWhy your presentations are falling flatReferences https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-zatland-992a1b12/Biography A creative and commercial leader with an extensive career in high growth technology companies, e-commerce and marketplaces across UK and...2024-06-2040 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s47. What are the priorities for COO's in 2024? Part 2In this episode we discuss: The Future COO in Tech Companies. We are joined by Tony Olvet and Andrea Siviero from IDC.We chat about the following:How do COOs navigate the evolving landscape of digital transformation while ensuring organisational stability?What are the key priorities for COOs in 2024, and how do they drive strategic thinking beyond technology?What role do COOs play as the connective tissue of organisations, orchestrating digital initiatives and driving innovation?How can COOs transition from being protectors of the organisation to digital disruptors, driving new revenue models and ESG initiatives?What...2024-06-1447 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s46. The Secret Life Of BoardsIn this episode we discuss: Board Relationships. We are joined by Helen Hopper and Joy Harcup, authors of book, The Art and Psychology of Board Relationships. We chat about the following:Unravelling Boardroom Dynamics: What's Really at Stake?The Power of Psychological Safety: A Boardroom Imperative?Self-Awareness: The Boardroom Game Changer?Mastering Conflict Resolution in the Boardroom: Strategies UnveiledTrust, Collaboration, Success: The Boardroom Trifecta?References: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-hopper-h3/https://www.hcubed.co.uk/who-we-arehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-harcup-9392352/Biography: HELEN HOPPER trained in management consultancy with...2024-06-0634 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s45. What is strategy anyhow?In this episode we discuss: The depths of strategy. We are joined by Steve Spall, Board Advisor. We chat about the following:What are the hallmarks of a good strategy? Do complex strategies hinder rather than help?How can leaders ensure that every employee understands and aligns with the strategy?Can leaders without a natural strategic mindset still drive a company's success through strong execution and team alignment?References: www.linkedin.com/in/stevespallBiography: Over the past 15 years, Steven Spall has driven scale-ups through successful exits to FMCG gian...2024-05-3039 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s45. What is Strategy Anyhow?In this episode we discuss: The depths of strategy. We are joined by Steve Spall, Board Advisor. We chat about the following:What are the hallmarks of a good strategy? Do complex strategies hinder rather than help?How can leaders ensure that every employee understands and aligns with the strategy?Can leaders without a natural strategic mindset still drive a company's success through strong execution and team alignment?References: www.linkedin.com/in/stevespallBiography: Over the past 15 years, Steven Spall has driven scale-ups through successful exits to FMCG gian...2024-05-3039 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s45. What is strategy anyhow?In this episode we discuss: The depths of strategy. We are joined by Steve Spall, Board Advisor. We chat about the following:What are the hallmarks of a good strategy? Do complex strategies hinder rather than help?How can leaders ensure that every employee understands and aligns with the strategy?Can leaders without a natural strategic mindset still drive a company's success through strong execution and team alignment?References: www.linkedin.com/in/stevespallBiography: Over the past 15 years, Steven Spall has driven scale-ups through successful exits to FMCG gian...2024-05-3039 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s44. Does performance management work?In this episode, we discuss performance management and getting the most from your teams. We are joined by Jessica Zwaan, Author of the best-selling book, Built for People, and COO of Talentful.We chat about: Can traditional performance reviews truly capture an employee's value?Are OKRs just a trendy buzzword or a real strategy for driving company success?How can organizational network analysis uncover the real influencers in your team?What does it take to measure true employee performance in today's remote work era?References: Jessica’s LinkedInWebsite2024-05-2347 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s43. Is usage-based pricing the answer?In this episode, we discuss usage-based pricing, seat pricing, maximising margin and customer expansion. We are joined by Mark Stiving, Founder of Impact Pricing.We chat about: What exactly is usage-based pricing?How do we correlate pricing metrics with how customers are using the product?What are the criteria and considerations when choosing the value metric?How do you choose between true usage-based pricing and tiered usage-based pricing?How do we work around the pricing mechanisms that our clients or vendors are giving us?Is there more of a move towards straight usage o...2024-05-1634 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s42. Is it possible to pivot to profitability?In this episode, we discuss: Is it possible to pivot to profitability? We are joined by Libby Penn, she is the COO of Improbable.We chat about the following: What's the COO's role in the pivot to profitabilityWhat are the right bets to make in a business?How should we balance profitability and growth?What is the importance of well-documented data?What is realistic in terms of profitability?Who is responsible for capturing data?References: LinkedInThinking in Bets by Annie Duke Biography: Libby Penn has exp...2024-05-0947 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s41. The life-ruining power of routinesIn this episode, we discuss: The life-ruining power of routines. We are joined by Markham Heid, he is a Journalist with TIME and New York Times. We chat about the following: How do we optimise our lives without falling into the trap of routine?Do we need routine and structure to be productive? Are you busy because it’s necessary? What’s the right balance between routine and creative space? How can companies get involved in breaking routine and encouraging creativity? References: LinkedInArticle - The life-ruining power of routinesWebsi...2024-05-0240 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s40. Why does community matter for organisations?In this episode, we discuss: Why does community matter for organisations? We are joined by Jaclyn Pascocello, she is the founder of Fabrik. We chat about the following: What are the trends in people and the connections they are building and want to build?Where should the L&D budget be spent?Is it part of the company's responsibility to help foster connections that are not within the company?Are we at the top of a community-building hype cycle? What are the optimal conditions for the hybrid worker?References: Jaclyn LinkedIn Fab...2024-04-2533 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s39. What are the priorities for COO’s in 2024?In this episode we discuss: What are the priorities for COO’s in 2024? We are joined by Cameron Herold, he is the founder of the COO Alliance and author of the Second in Command. We chat about the following: What are the priorities for COO’s in 2024? How should we think about budgets this year? How is the COO role changing?What are the commonalities across COO’s? How do you work with a controlling CEO?How should a COO think about their relationship with the CEO?Do you have tips on how-to give good praise? Is the CEO r...2024-04-1844 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s38. Life LessonsIn this unique episode, Bethany Ayers and Brandon Mensinga share their personal stories. This episode is simply titled: Life Lessons. Bethany and Brandon are experienced scale-up COO’s and the co-hosts of the Operations Room. We chat about the following lessons: Know where you want to goLean into the fearDon’t try to be somebody elseFocus on the job that is in front of youKnow your superpowerAccept critical feedback for what it is Leadership is about serving othersFind people who stretch youTake opportunities when they present themselvesDon’t be a victim, take responsibility for your lifeDo uncomfort...2024-04-1153 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s37. Which HRIS do I need?In this episode we discuss: Which HRIS do I need? We are joined by Matt Bradburn, Founder & CEO of the People Collective. We chat about the following: What are our views on Rippling? Personio? Factorial? BambooHR? HiBob? What is a good vendor choice for a scaling company of a few hundred people that wants something that is very customisable? What is a good all-in-one vendor choice that is good at employee engagement and for UK companies supports international expansion into the US? What are the “gotchas” when buying an HRIS? What is the hidden, dark secret of all empl...2024-04-0445 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s36. What does a good COO framework look like?In this episode we discuss: What does a good COO framework look like? We are joined by Simon Wakeman, former COO of TPXimpact and creator of the B3 Framework. We chat about the following: Are investment bets the responsibility of the COO? What is an operating model? What is minimum viable governance? How much process is too much process? How to best manage a risk register to make it usefulWhat is in the “systems” box? How do you structure data teams? What are some practices around cadences? References: B3 FrameworkSimon WakemanBiography: 2024-03-2834 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s35. Is wellbeing a complete waste of time?In this episode we discuss: Is wellbeing a complete waste of time? We are joined by Gethin Nadin, cited as one of HR’s Most Influential Thinkers and author of the bestseller “A Work In Progress: Unlocking Wellbeing to Create More Sustainable and Resilient Organisations.”Bethany and I discuss: What is the COO’s role in solving workplace stress? What can a COO do to optimise employees and support their mental health? We chat about the following with Gethin: What is wellbeing? In the context of a company, what are we talking about? What is the v...2024-03-2152 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s34. How do you build an organisation to compete with Google?In this episode we discuss: How do you build an organisation to compete with Google? We are joined by Omid Ashtari, ex-COO of Streebees and President of Citymapper.We chat about the following with Omid: How do you think about organisational structure? How proactive should you be in anticipating organisational challenges? What is the highest impact communication challenge you helped resolve? How do you prevent drift from the customer as the company scales? References: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtarihttp://www.startuppragmatism.comBiography: I have t...2024-03-1443 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s33. How do you scale from 100 employees to IPO?In this episode we discuss: How do you scale from 100 employees to IPO? We are joined by Mark Logan, ex-COO of Skyscanner and currently Chief Entrepreneurial Advisor to the Scottish GovernmentWe chat about the following with Mark: What are the foundations of scale? How do you prevent command and control from creeping in? What goes wrong with organisational alignment over time? Why doesn’t OKR cascading work? What are the three golden processes of an organisation?Why do things break when you scale? What do you need to look out for? What are the three golden p...2024-03-0746 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s32. What can VC and PE backed operators learn from each other?In this episode we discuss: What can VC and PE backed operators learn from each other? We are joined by Sam Smith, the founder & MD of PepTalks, a training provider for private equity backed CEOs and their management teams.We chat about the following with Sam: What are the types of PE companies? How are company valuations determined? How does the commercial model work between PE companies and LP’s? Can you shift track and move from VC-backed to PE-backed? How does a PE firm structure funds when they invest in an organisation?How does that structu...2024-02-291h 00The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s31. How do you build a business that is smarter than you?In this episode we answer the question: How do you build a business that is smarter than you? Our guest is Jennifer Sundberg, the co-CEO of Board Intelligence and author of Collective Intelligence.We discuss the following with Jennifer: Why is it so hard to get great conversations in business review meetings? How do you get good at asking the right questions? How do you develop the habit of asking good questions in the organisation? How do you create phenomenal meetings? How do you cut through obfuscation of underperformance when it comes to KPI’s? What are the...2024-02-2236 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s30. Why is hybrid working an inclusivity issue?In this episode we unpack the topic of: Why is hybrid working an inclusivity issue?. We talked with Brian Elliott, he is the co-founder of Future Forum, author of the bestseller How the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams to do the Best Work of Their Lives We then discuss the following with Brian: What does the data say on return to work and the push back from employees? What is the connection between inclusivity and remote working? What do you do when the CEO blames missed targets on remote working? Is Thursday the new Friday? Why is the...2024-02-1545 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s29. What is it like being COO of a private equity backed business?In this episode we unpack the topic of: What is it like being COO of a private equity backed business? We are joined by Pete Harris, COO of Pipedrive. Bethany and I discuss: When are we at our best? Our worst? What are we passionate about in a business context?What is our why? We then discuss the following with Pete: Why the title COO versus CRO or CCO? How are you being evaluated by your PE investors? How do you motivate employees given you are not founder led? What does a board meeting...2024-02-0852 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s28. Do product leaders make good COO's?In this episode we unpack the topic of: Do product leaders make good COO's? with Martyn Fagg, COO of Tillo and Matt Jones COO at ex-COO at ParentPay. Bethany and I discuss the following: What does a good product leader look like? What does a good product manager look like? We then discuss the following with Martyn and Matt: How did the transition to COO happen?Was picking up the people function challenging? How do you get the people function to be more data-driven? How do you get product development and commercial to learn f...2024-02-0143 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s27. How do you tame a visionary CEO?In this episode we unpack the topic of: How do you tame a visionary CEO? with Rob Liddiard, B2B SaaS Founder (acquired 2022); Reformed Lawyer.Bethany and I discuss the following: Forecasting in 2024Simplifying performance managementSurfacing issues in leadershipDocumenting the processes of the companyWe then discuss the following with Rob: Is the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) just another OKR styled book? How do you tame a visionary founder? What are the components of EOS? What are the two principal roles in EOS? What can experienced operators learn from EOS? How do you achieve...2024-01-2545 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s26. The COO Role: Why Would You Ever Want the Job?In this episode we unpack the topic of: The COO Role: Why Would You Ever Want the Job? with Chuck Orzechowski, CEO of the COO Forum. Bethany and I discuss the following: How do you avoid being the dumping ground for things that others don’t want to do? Why would you want the COO job? We then discuss the following with Chuck: What are the most common issues you see across your COO membership? What is the best approach to clarifying decision-making authority with the CEO? Why is “pace of change” a common frustra...2024-01-1846 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s25. Do COO's have a two year shelf life?In this episode we ask the unpack the question of: Do COO's have a two year shelf life? We discussed this topic with Casey Woo, CEO @Operators Guild. We discuss the following with Casey: What is the role of the COO? Why does the COO have a two year shelf life? If that is the reality, how should one think about their career? What does this mean for 4 year option grants? What are the key terms every COO should negotiate? Referenceswww.operators-guild.comhttps://summit.operators-guild.com/2024Biography: Casey Woo is a...2024-01-1137 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s24. Leadership Transitions: Uncompromising Strategies for SuccessIn this episode we unpack the topic of: Leadership Transitions: Uncompromising Strategies for Success with Andrew Duncan, Talent @ Atomico (ex-UpGroup) and Maddy Cross Partner @ Erevena (ex-Notion Capital)We discuss the following with Maddy and Andrew: Given the average tenure of senior execs in scaleups, what advice would you give execs and what should companies that are hiring consider? How uncompromising do you need to be to get the right leaders in place?What is the difference in leadership skills needed between early and late stage? Do we need someone that has been there and done that? What...2024-01-0445 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s23. Cracking the Code: Exploring Emotional Literacy and Embodiment Part 2In this episode we unpack the topic of: "Cracking the Code: Exploring Emotional Literacy and Embodiment” This is Part 2 in our emotional literacy and embodiment series. Our special guests are returning alumni with Divinia Knowles, Founder of the COO Roundtable and Maddie Fox, a leadership development coach across venture-backed organisations. We are also joined by Pippa Richardson, Somatic Therapist, Educator, Speaker and Clinician. We discuss the following with Pippa, Maddie and Divinia: Our personal journey’s into embodimentWhat do we disconnect from our body? What is dysregulation? How do you manage through a day of back-to-back meetings...2023-12-2849 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s22. Cracking the Code: Exploring Emotional Literacy and Embodiment Part 1In this episode we unpack the topic of: "Cracking the Code: Exploring Emotional Literacy and Embodiment” This is Part 1 in our emotional literacy and embodiment series. Our special guests are returning alumni with Divinia Knowles, Founder of the COO Roundtable and Maddie Fox, a leadership development coach across venture-backed organisations. Bethany and I discuss the concept of “reading the room” and “the pause”. We discuss the following with Maddie and Divinia: How far can you push as a challenger COO to the CEO? What is emotional literacy and embodiment? How do you move from your head and i...2023-12-2149 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s21. Transitioning Roles: From COO to CEOIn this episode we unpack the topic of: "Transitioning Roles: From COO to CEO". This is Part 2 in our transitioning roles series. Our special guest is John Saroff, CEO of Chartbeat. Bethany and I discuss what a CEO does, and how a COO can build competence in these areas: VisionFundraisingBoard relationshipsSetting the tone for the cultureWe then discuss the following with John: What is the role of a CEO and how does it differ to the COO role?Do you have a COO now? Why not? How does the stress of the CEO...2023-12-1441 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s20. Transitioning Roles: From COO to Venture CapitalistIn this episode we unpack the topic of: "Transitioning Roles: From COO to Venture Capitalist". This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Our special guest is Cleo Sham, Venture Partner at StrideVC. We discuss the following: Why did you decide to move from operator to investor? How did being an operator inform your role as a VC? Where did you find joy in the COO role? As a VC?Which role is more stressful: COO or VC? When you received critical feedback as a leader, how did you deal with it? How do you carve out quality thinking time...2023-12-0744 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s19. The Wartime COOIn this episode we discuss: "The Wartime COO”. Our special guest is Huw Slater, COO of Oliva Health, formerly COO of TravelPerk and Bella Riemer, Head of Operations at Joblift. We discuss the following with Huw and Bella: What is a Wartime COO? How does this impact how you operate the business?How do you surface existential threats to the organisation and inject a sense of focus, without scaring folks?What have been some of the worst storms you’ve weathered? Lessons learned?More broadly, what are risks the COO should always be vigilant about? What would you recomm...2023-11-3037 minThe Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s18. Efficiency Unleashed: NoCode Revolutionising OperationsIn this episode we discuss: "Efficiency Unleashed: NoCode Revolutionising Operations”. Our special guest is Philip Lakin, Co-Founder & CEO of NoCodeOps. He is the ultimate MacGyver and an ambassador for reimagining the future of internal innovation. We discuss the following with Philip: What is NoCode? Why does it matter? What is a tangible example of business impact? Should ops professionals report into the COO or the functional lead? How do you get buy-in to internal operations initiatives? How do you manage dependencies and scale no-code automations? What is the impact of AI on NoCode? What should we do in ops to g...2023-11-2328 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s17. Surfacing the COO's Crucial Role in Revenue GenerationIn this episode we discuss: "Surfacing the COO's Crucial Role in Revenue Generation". Our special guest is Pete Crosby a coach, lecturer & advisor, focussing on the successful design & execution of SaaS revenue & growth strategies. He is a 4x successful scale up revenue leader, most recently as CRO at Ometria. We discuss the following with Pete: What kind of focus helps enable revenue generation? How should the COO’s “system thinking” be leveraged? Where should revenue operations live? What are the types of revenue ops leaders? How does that define their relationship with operations? How important is it for the...2023-11-1641 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s16. The COO's Endless Battle: Navigating Legal and Enterprise ContractsIn this episode we discuss: "The COO's Endless Battle: Navigating Legal and Enterprise Contracts". Our special guest is Ahmed Badr, COO of GoCardless. Ahmed also worked for Microsoft, where he supported multi-billion pound licensing deals. Bethany and I discuss the following:The importance of a generic contract templateEmpowering sales to get contracts doneDefault and deal-breaker positions on indemnity and limitation of liabilityWe discuss the following with Ahmed: What did Microsoft do well and what could be reused at GoCardless? What did the empowerment playbook look like with contracts? What is a deal...2023-11-0945 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s15. Revolutionising Workplace Honesty: The Radical Candor ExperimentIn this episode we discuss: "Revolutionising Workplace Honesty: The Radical Candor Experiment". Our special guest is Ben Gateley, CEO at CharlieHR. Ben is an outspoken champion of positive workplace culture and is a passionate advocate for all things “people”. Bethany and I discuss the following:Praising publicly and criticising privatelyGiving criticism within 24 hours Killing the “shit” sandwichWhat to do with moaning The synergy between asking for feedback and giving feedbackCoaching vs. Evaluation feedbackWe discuss the following with Ben:What made you decide to implement Radical Candor? How did you implement Radical Candor? What...2023-11-0251 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s14. Nurturing High-Performance Leadership TeamsIn this episode we unpack the topic of: Nurturing High-Performance Leadership Teams. Our special guest is Becca Sweetman, a leadership team coach who has worked across leading VC backed organisations like Kano, MOO and Babylon Health. We discuss the following: What is a high performing team? How do you achieve it? What is the PERILL framework and why is that a good one to use? How do you do an audit of leadership team performance? How do you work through areas of tension between two leadership team members? How can psychometric or behavioral analysis tools help in understanding team...2023-10-2640 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s13. Navigating Leadership Team Success and TransitionsIn this episode we unpack the topic of: Navigating Leadership Team Success and Transitions. Our special guest is Maddies Fox, a guru in leadership development across venture-backed organisations including Blippar, Lantum and Mixcloud. We discuss the following: How do you set-up a COO for success when they join the organisation? Do job titles matter and how important is transparency around levels in early stage companies?What does good look like in exiting a leadership team member? How should you approach the conversations? What are the potential snags? How should you communicate a leadership exit to the organisation? How can a...2023-10-1939 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s12. Decoding the CEO-COO Relationship: Strategies to ThriveIn this episode we discuss the topic of: Decoding the CEO-COO Relationship: Strategies to Thrive Our special guest is Scott Gellman, COO of Nowsta. We discuss the following:How do you think the role of a COO differs from that of a CFO in terms of responsibilities and dynamics with the CEOHow do you think the power dynamic between CEO and COO can affect decision-making and the overall functioning of an organization?How can effective communication positively impact the working relationship between a CEO and a COO?How do you think gender dynamics can influence the working relationship...2023-10-1246 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s11. Why licensing 170 SaaS tools is a great idea!In this episode we discuss the topic of: Why licensing 170 SaaS tools is a great idea! Our special guest is Joe Aurilia, Jr., Senior VP Operations at Cyware. As a former CIO, Joe comes at the COO role from a really interesting angle. We discuss the following:Why 170 SaaS applications in an organisation with 270 employees?What does best practice look like in the procurement process? What should it look like in a smaller organisation?How do you ensure ownership ensuring the organisation is receiving the expected value from a given tool?How do you ensure you don't miss...2023-10-0546 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s10. What are the five traits of successful COO’s?In this episode we unpack the topic of: What are the five traits of successful COO’s? Our special guest is Charlene Chen, a key figure in the startup operations community and former COO of Lantum and AZA Finance. We discuss the following: How do different personalities and styles of Ops leaders contribute to the overall success of a company?In what ways do Ops leaders act as the connective tissue of a company? How can communication breakdown be addressed as a company scales and teams become siloed?What are the key responsibilities of Ops leaders in terms of i...2023-09-2839 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s9. Generative AI & the Impact on the COO roleIn this episode we discuss the topic of: Generative AI & the Impact on the COO role. Our special guest is Aarti Samani, an experienced executive leader with a fascinating career in AI, spanning investment banking and high growth technology businesses. We discuss the following: How does a smaller, tech-enabled company get started? Who should own the quality of data ingested into a generative AI model? Is it good enough to throw a bit of policy around the use of chatGPT and how SaaS tools with generative-based features should be used? Is it realistic to think more broadly around orch...2023-09-2128 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s8. How does a co-founder COO survive and thrive?In this episode we discuss the topic of: How does a co-founder COO survive and thrive? Our special guest is Tom Mundy, is the COO of Goodlord which has scaled to over 350 employees, raising more than £50m in capital and turning over tens of millions of pounds.How did you end up being COO? Why was that the right title? What were the inflection points for your growth? How did you manage to survive for the last 8 years given the ups and downs? What is your view on mentorship? What is a good investor and what does it matt...2023-09-1430 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s7. How does a COO work effectively with the board?In this episode we discuss the topic of: How does a COO work effectively with the board? Our special guest is Keith Wallington, the former COO of Mimecast and currently Chairperson working across five B2B SaaS organisations. Keith lays out “what good looks like” in board stewardship for growth stage businesses. He also lifts the hood on expectations for the COO.What do you know now that you wish you had known as a COO?What do you want from a COO in board meetingsHow much do you tow the line if you are disagreeing with your CEO wh...2023-09-0745 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s6. Growth mindset and the COO roleIn this episode we discuss the topic of a growth mindset and how that informs the COO role. Our special guest is David Norris, a three time COO for venture-backed organisations. David talks about managing critical feedback, personal growth and the transition to Chief Growth Officer.How has studying theology informed the type of COO you are? Is there a playbook for COO’s? What does the transition from COO to Chief Growth Officer look like in an 800-person company? What does the transition from a 16 person company to an 800 person company look like as COO? What is the co...2023-08-2436 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s5. Efficiency vs. Growth: What does the new world look like?In this episode we discuss a topic that is one everyone’s agenda: Efficiency vs. Growth: What does the new world look like? Our special guest is Reece Howe, CFO at C TWO. Reece tells it like it is when it comes to efficiency, ownership and organisational impact. How do you shift the culture of a company used to “growth at all costs” to one of capital efficiency and prudence? How should one think about the value and risks attached to sharing the cash burn and cash runway with the organisation?What does it mean to get “...2023-08-1042 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s4. Do OKR's work?In this episode we address the elephant in the room: Do OKRs work? Our special guest is Jenny Herald, Vice President of Product Evangelism at Quantive which delivers better business outcomes for companies providing a strategy execution platform based on the OKR methodology.In this episode we get her experiences on the following questions: What are we doing wrong and how can we do it better? (we sneakily asked this twice!) If you have a good strategy, a series of solid plans and well understood KPI’s, what is the incr...2023-07-2756 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s3. How do you scale from 50 to 500 employees?In this episode we tackle the question of: How do you scale from 50 to 500 employees? Our special guest is Kristen Shannon, founder and CEO of Highliner a consultancy that helps high-growth businesses scale across people, systems and processes. In this episode we get her experiences on the following questions: What was the lesson in hiring 800 people in one year? How do you get out of your own way when it comes to structure and process?What are the scaling infl...2023-07-2048 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s2. How do you hire a COO?In this episode we tackle the question of: How do I hire a COO? Our special guest is James Mitra, Founder of JBM, an executive search firm that specialises in placing COO’s. In this episode we get his experiences on the following questions: When a CEO comes to you and says “we need to hire a COO”. What is your approach? What is your take on “assignments”? What does that salary equity ban situation look like right now?What advice do you give to women or to others who might not, who might be accep...2023-07-1330 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s1. What is a COO?In this episode we tackle the question of: What is a COO? Our special guest is Divinia Knowles, Founder of the London COO Roundtable. In this episode we get her words of wisdom on the following questions:What is a COO? What does a COO do? What are the differences between: COO, Chief of Staff and Operations Lead?Which COO is more successful, those that are promoted internally or those people who have joined externally? How do you measure the success of a COO?What is your advice for COO’s struggling with t...2023-07-0645 min
The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’sWelcome to the Operations RoomWe are the COO coaches to help you successfully scale in this new world where efficiency is as important as growth. Remember when valuations were 3-10x ARR and money wasn’t free? We do. Each week we share our experiences and bring in scale up experts and operational leaders to help you navigate both the burning operational issues and the larger existential challenges.
Beth Ayers is a seasoned Chief Operating Officer and has helped raise over $200m from top funds - Softbank, Bessemer, TCV, MCC, Notion and Oxx. She’s built the GTM engines at Peak AI...2023-06-2101 min