The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s

In this episode we discuss: The COO's Guide to The Jigsaw Puzzle Company. 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: How can a COO use the “jigsaw puzzle” metaphor to bring clarity and alignment to a fast-growing company?What should a new COO actually do in their first 30, 60, and 90 days to build trust and avoid missteps?How do COOs become the “leash, not the choke collar”, supporting visionary CEOs without slowing them down?What simple systems can COOs introduce early on that create long-term impact without overwhelming the business?How do you determine whether you’re truly operating as a COO… or actually a VP of Ops or GM in disguise?References:Cameron HeroldCOO AllianceYouTube ChannelBiography: Founder of the COO Alliance & Invest In Your Leaders CourseAuthor of Vivid Vision & The Second In CommandMeet Cameron Herold, the mastermind behind the exponential growth of hundreds of companies. As the founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders course, Cameron is a dynamic consultant who has coached some of the biggest names in business, including Sprint Telecom and a monarchy in the Middle East. Known as the "CEO Whisperer", Cameron has a reputation for guiding his clients to double their profits and revenue in just three years or less.Cameron's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, and by 35, he had helped build his first two $100 million dollar companies. But his greatest achievement came as the COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he engineered the company's spectacular growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue and from 14 to 3,100 employees - all in just six years.Cameron is not just a successful business leader, but also a captivating speaker. The current publisher of Forbes magazine, Rich Karlgaard, stated "Cameron Herold is the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams”. When he's not on stage, Cameron continues to teach through his Second In Command podcast and his bestselling books, including Vivid Vision, Meetings Suck, Free PR, Double Double, and The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs.Cameron is a top-rated international speaker and has been paid to speak in 26 countries and on all 7 continents, including Antarctica in early 2022. He is also the top-rated lecturer at EO/MIT's Entrepreneurial Masters Program and a powerful and effective speaker at CEO and COO leadership events worldwide.Summary:00:03:35 – The COO as a jigsaw puzzle builder00:11:29 – How to use AI as a COO (and where it goes wrong)00:11:52 – Advice for the first 90 days00:14:26 – Why early relationship-building matters00:15:20 – “Be the leash, not the choke collar”00:16:20 – How to say “no” without shutting people down00:28:00 – What’s missing in EOS & how COOs fill the gap00:32:42 – Pick satellite projects, not messy ones00:33:16 – Avoid big disruptive changes early00:36:00 – Are you really a COO… or something else?00:59:23 – Final takeawayThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this season wrap-up, the hosts reflect on the highs and lows of leadership. Beth shares her challenges transitioning from COO to CEO, highlighting the loneliness at the top and the constant mental load. They discuss the art of performance reviews and the intense responsibilities that come with scaling teams. Looking ahead, they tease exciting themes for the next season, including AI's impact on business and innovative operational strategies. Plus, a guest lineup filled with industry insights promises to keep things dynamic!

In this episode we discuss: AI employees. We are joined by Matt Lhoumeau, Cofounder & CEO at ConcordLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Matt Lhoumeau: How do you balance the need for structure with the chaos of fast-growing operations?What happens when marketing becomes a true conversation rather than a one-way message?Why are standards and expectations so critical to building trust in a growing team?How can leaders create clarity without stifling creativity?What’s the real difference between being busy and being effective?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlhoumeau/https://www.concord.app/https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0lMWln0Biography Matt Lhoumeau is the CEO and co-founder of Concord, the leading provider of AI-powered Agreement Intelligence solutions. With over a decade of experience transforming how businesses manage contracts, Matt helps operations leaders unlock strategic value from their agreements and turn contracts from cost centers into profit drivers.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary04:05 – AI tools and operational leadership.08:05 – The power of systems thinking in AI bots12:01 – Using AI to challenge you15:16 – AI-first mantra19:40 – Legal department AI substitutes22:36 – Being a systems owner24:30 – ChatGPT as a therapist27:37 – Using AI to evolve and be durable31:34 – How tools and frameworks are used over time.34:58 – The balance between AI and human intervention35:19 – Evolving with AI37:05 – The right inputsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this discussion, Jonny Burch, a designer-turned-founder and former CEO of Progression, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He explores how rethinking office spaces can enhance team collaboration and connection. Jonny emphasizes the importance of creating environments that foster productivity rather than merely managing people. He also discusses the emotional challenges leaders face, the value of understanding company culture, and the necessity of visibly supporting HR initiatives to enhance team dynamics.

David Pullan, author and co-founder of The Story Spotters, shares his expertise on how storytelling can elevate leadership. He explains why stories resonate more than facts, making messages unforgettable. Pullan introduces his DNA framework, emphasizing the importance of connecting narratives to create trust and psychological safety. He also offers practical tips for leaders to incorporate storytelling in everyday communication, enhancing engagement and influence within teams. Tune in for insights on making your message stick!

In this episode we discuss: Resilience in Organisations. We are joined by Aušrinė Keršanskaitė, Co-founder of Operations Nation.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Aušrinė Keršanskaitė: How can leaders tell the difference between true resilience and simply powering through burnout?When is “just-enough process” better than perfect systems in a growing company?Which of the five types of resilience—optimistic, stoic, pragmatic, active, or existential—do you rely on most at work?What happens when imposter syndrome hits even the most experienced operations leaders—and how can you use it to grow?Why might learning to walk away from the wrong role or battle be the most resilient decision of all?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausrinewww.operationsnation.comBiography Aušrinė Keršanskaitė is a seasoned operations leader, community builder, and connector at heart. With over a decade of hands-on experience guiding startups from scrappy pre-seed beginnings to thriving Series B stages, she knows firsthand what it takes to build strong foundations and empower people along the way.For the past five years, Aušrinė has been the driving force behind Operations Nation, a community-powered knowledge hub that connects and empowers hundreds of operations leaders around the world. Operations Nation offers a safe, supportive space for ops professionals to share advice and “ops war stories,” helping each other survive, grow, and thrive in their careers.A firm believer that operations is the backbone of every great company, Aušrinė combines her operational expertise with a deep passion for bringing people together and building community wherever she goes.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary05:00 — Balancing speed versus sustainability in scaling operations11:00 — Timing back-office investments and compliance readiness15:00 — Re-orgs, structural resilience, and organizational adaptability17:00 — Introduction to the Five Types of Resilience framework21:00 — Deep dive into each resilience type with personal stories28:30 — Imposter syndrome and trusting your gut as a leader33:00 — Redefining success and boundaries in operations roles37:00 — Shared vulnerability and leadership resilience39:30 — Final takeaway: putting your own oxygen mask on firstThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Join Mathias Meyer, an executive coach and startup founder, and Sara Hicks, a product leader from top tech firms, as they delve into the nuances of creating an intentional organization. They explore the transition from startup to scale-up, discussing the vital need for regular product shipping and the real costs of delays. They emphasized reshaping meeting culture for better outcomes and the careful balance of leadership dynamics. Plus, they share insights on hiring for growth while maintaining cultural fit and the pitfalls of misusing OKRs.

In this episode we discuss: Navigating through an uncertain world. We are joined by Jillian Reilly, Author, Global change facilitator,  Keynote speaker, and International aid veteran. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Jillian Reilly: What does it really take to be an effective facilitator of change within an organisation?How can operators lead confidently in uncertainty without overpromising outcomes?When should leaders rely on intuition over data—and how do they build that instinct?Can resilience be intentionally developed, or is it only forged through hardship?How do you balance empathy with accountability when leading teams through tough transitions?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianreilly/https://jillreilly.substack.com/www.tenpermissions.comBiography Jillian Reilly is a founder, writer, keynote speaker, and consultant with 30 years’ experience in social, organisational, and personal change across Africa, Asia, and Central Europe. She helps people navigate change and accelerate growth, and is the author of The Ten Permissions (forthcoming), which challenges outdated approaches to adult life in the 21st century. Her memoir, Shame: Confessions of an Aid Worker in Africa, reflects on her early career in international development. Jillian’s work has been featured in the Washington Post, Newsweek, and the LA Times, and her TEDx talk Vain Aid offers insights from the aid industry. She also created the Courageous Conversations podcast, funded by the Ford Foundation, spotlighting African activists.  To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary00:06:10 – Becoming a change facilitator00:08:43 – Leading in uncertainty00:10:46 – Trusting intuition00:14:19 – Navigating profound change00:18:29 – Leading without a grand vision00:22:40 – Building resilience00:28:15 – Reframing setbacks00:35:50 – Holding onto purpose00:42:10 – Empathy vs. accountability00:44:05 – Final reflectionsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Helen Goldberg, Fractional General Counsel and COO at LegalEdge, shares insights on navigating the complex legal landscape for startups and scale-ups. She discusses how to avoid founder bottlenecks, the importance of strategic hiring, and the evolving role of marketing in driving sales. Helen highlights AI's potential to streamline legal processes while maintaining quality and emphasizes the need for pragmatic risk management. She also tackles common pitfalls in contract management, cap table ownership, and the benefits of using playbooks for legal efficiency.

Dirk Sahlmer, Head of Origination at saas.group, is an expert in acquiring and scaling capital-efficient SaaS companies. In this discussion, he explores the balance between ambitious growth and team capacity, the dangers of micromanagement, and how offshoring can impact company culture. Dirk also shares insights on the 'bootstrap future' for scaling sustainably and the essential elements for effective due diligence. He emphasizes the importance of documentation and readiness to avoid deal-breakers, urging leaders to come prepared for success.