All Things Scaling, Managing and Hiring with Ryan Delk and Jared Fliesler
Apr 28, 2019
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Ryan Delk, COO of Omni, and Jared Fliesler, COO of Scribd, dive into the dynamic role of COOs in startups, likening their work to that of bumblebees—always buzzing around to ensure smooth operations. They tackle effective hiring tactics for senior roles, emphasizing personal involvement and alignments with company culture. Goal-setting and transparent performance reviews are highlighted as keys to team success. Lastly, they discuss the balance of compensation, championing equity to foster long-term commitment from employees.
The COO role has evolved in Silicon Valley, allowing companies to tailor COO responsibilities based on their unique needs as they scale.
Effective COOs enhance team performance by continuously gathering feedback and removing obstacles, rather than relying solely on rigid KPIs.
Creating open feedback channels and fostering a safe environment for team discussions is essential for promoting trust and accountability.
Dynamic goal-setting frameworks that connect team contributions to broader company missions help empower employees and drive organizational motivation.
Deep dives
Understanding the COO Role in Startups
The COO role complements the CEO, with its necessity depending on the strengths and focus of the CEO. Companies led by operationally strong CEOs may not require a COO until later, while those with CEOs focused primarily on other areas can benefit from bringing in a COO sooner. This contrasts with the past, where CEOs were expected to handle a broader range of operational responsibilities. As startups evolve, it becomes essential to recognize that different COOs can have significantly different roles tailored to their companies' unique needs and dynamics.
Evolving COO Responsibilities
In the early stages of a startup, the COO's responsibilities often evolve as the company grows. Initially, COOs may juggle multiple functions, such as product and operations, while aiming to ensure minimal layers of management are in place. However, as the company scales, the COO may begin to specialize, focusing on specific operational areas while empowering directors and other leads beneath them. This dynamic process allows the COO to act as a unifying force within the organization, ensuring aligned strategic outcomes as operations expand.
Measuring COO Performance
Assessing a COO's performance is often best achieved through constant feedback from their team rather than through rigid KPIs alone. Effective COOs prioritize empowering their teams by identifying and removing obstacles that hinder performance, which helps gauge their success. Regular feedback loops and one-on-one check-ins can reveal how well the COO is enabling their teams to function effectively. Overall, the effectiveness of a COO can often be measured by the growth and engagement of their direct reports and their ability to foster an accountable work environment.
Feedback and Communication Strategies
Open and honest feedback channels are crucial for ensuring successful team dynamics and performance management. Implementing a confidential feedback system and conducting regular one-on-ones can help achieve this, fostering a culture of honesty and growth within teams. Moreover, COOs should focus on creating a safe space for team members to give and receive feedback without fear. This approach further establishes trust and empowers employees to take ownership of their roles and challenges.
Effective Goal Setting
Coherent goal-setting frameworks connect individual team contributions to overarching company missions and visions. Goals should flow from long-term visions into specific milestones, allowing teams to understand how their work contributes to collective objectives. Employing dynamic methods for tracking progress can facilitate adaptability and ensure alignment as priorities shift. Ultimately, a clear and collaborative goal-setting process drives motivation and empowers teams to take meaningful action toward shared aspirations.
Hiring the Right Talent
Recruiting both experienced executives and undiscovered talent is crucial for a startup's growth and success. Identifying passionate candidates with relevant experience or a unique spark can lead to successful hires that significantly enhance the team. For those lacking experience, demonstrating work ethic and a strong desire to learn can indicate potential success within a company. Leveraging networks to find hidden gems and ensuring an inclusive recruitment process helps strengthen organizational talent while promoting a culture of opportunity.
Navigating Compensation
Determining appropriate compensation packages that balance cash and equity is essential for attracting talent in early-stage startups. As companies scale, aligning salaries closer to industry standards while maintaining generous equity options helps attract and retain talent. Transparent discussions on pay structure and the value of equity enable candidates to make informed decisions about their roles. Ultimately, effectively communicating the long-term value of equity can convince potential hires to prioritize equity over immediate salary concerns.
Erik is joined on this episode by Ryan Delk (@delk), COO of Omni, and Jared Fliesler (@JaredSF), COO of Scribd.
They talk about the fact that Chief Operating Officer is a relatively new role in Silicon Valley that has emerged over the last several years. They explain how they make sure they are effective COOs.
They say that being COO is analogous to being a bumblebee in that a COO is always moving from place to place within the company making sure things are running smoothly. They use “how often am I surprised?” as a question to use to take the measure of how well they are doing their job.
They move on to talking tactics, including how to set up your org structure, how to think about recruiting in a growing startup, and the nuances of assigning titles in your company. They also discuss goal-setting within the company, performance reviews, the tough task of letting people go, and much more.
Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform.
Check us out on the web at villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.
Venture Stories is brought to you by Village Global and is hosted by co-founder and partner, Erik Torenberg. Colin Campbell is our audio engineer and the show is produced by Brett Bolkowy.
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