The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s

In 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 successful exit?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanecharrisBiography Shane is a seasoned tech executive with a passion for building high performance teams, optimizing business systems and establishing KPI frameworks that drive scalable growth. As COO of enterprise software company Cameyo, acquired by Google, he has a proven track record of strategic leadership through scale and exit. Prior to Cameyo, Shane led operations and helped grow Vasion (formerly PrinterLogic) from 13 to 300+ employees and over 35x revenue growth. Shane has an MBA from Duke University where he graduated at the top of his class.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary06:46 Introduction27:05 Startups, goals, and roadmaps28:07 No frills28:49 Cameo's Exit Strategy and Company Culture30:42 Exit strategies32:18 The Value of Bootstrapping vs. Funding33:54 Navigating Growth Paths and Strategic Decisions35:26 The Role of Operations in Business Success39:38 Preparing for Acquisition: Metrics and Data42:58 Stages of Development and Strategic Objectives47:40 Lessons Learned for Future ExitsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 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 criteria for patentability, such as novelty and inventiveness?How can education and awareness about IP help startups maximize its value and explore alternative financing options like IP asset-based lending?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncalvert/www.clearviewip.comhttps://www.deloitte.com/au/en/services/financial-advisory/perspectives/deloitte-ip-360-survey.htmlReading list:Protecting Intellectual Property: What Startups Need To KnowWhat is Intellectual Property? IP Competitive Benchmarking — ClearViewIPIP Due Diligence — ClearViewIPIP Sales, Licensing & Tech Transfers — ClearViewIPIP Valuations — ClearViewIPValuing Intellectual Property AssetsBiography A globally recognised IP Strategist, Jon helps clients drive business value and competitive advantage through effective management of their intangible assets. Jon has advised investors, Boards and C-suite executives on hundreds of transactions and built winning Value Creation and Risk Management strategies for some of the World’s most innovative and successful organisations.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary03:07 Introduction to Intellectual Property and Its Importance14:22 Understanding Patent Types and Their Roles16:33 When Should Startups Consider Patents?19:35 What is Patentable? Exploring Novelty and Inventiveness23:15 User Interface Design and Intellectual Property25:25 Building an IP Strategy for Startups27:52 The Role of IP in Funding Rounds35:37 IP Asset-Based Lending: A Financial Strategy38:39 Valuing Intellectual Property for Buyers43:56 Final Thoughts on IP Education and StrategyAdditional ResourcesShort essential e-learning:WIPO Academy: DL001E - DL-001 Primer on Intellectual PropertyEPO Course: IP strategy Further learning:Academy Course CatalogDL-170 Specialized Course on the Essentials of PatentsDL301E - DL-301 PatentsDL-302 Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical IndicationsDL-450 Intellectual Property ManagementThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 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 dedicated tools for managing share data?What are the best practices for communicating compensation strategies and leveraging resources like the Index Ventures report?Referenceshttps://linkedin.com/in/john-fraser-a1bb8876Biography John Fraser brings a wealth of experience with over 20 years in finance and accounting. He spent 4 years specializing in VAT with HMRC and 10 years in the oil and gas industry, working with a NYSE-listed company in diverse roles spanning statutory reporting, management accounting, FP&A, internal audit, and controllership. For the past 6 years, he has been a key contributor at Peak, leveraging his expertise to drive financial excellence.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary19:52 Introduction to ESOP and Its Evolution21:17 Navigating the Initial Steps of ESOP Implementation24:05 The Importance of Employee Education and Communication26:07 Challenges in Seeking External Support for ESOP26:58 Strategic Considerations for Future-Proofing ESOPs29:00 International Considerations and Cross-Border Challenges32:21 Choosing the Right Share Management Tools40:12 Final Thoughts and Key TakeawaysThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 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 and employee retention challenges?What strategies should be implemented to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and adapt share schemes effectively for the post-IPO landscape?What does a clear and actionable post-IPO strategy look like for your organisation, and how will it guide long-term success?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/trecillalobohttps://resources.ledgy.com/ipo-readiness-playbookBiography People Leader with 20+ years of experience building, scaling, and transforming  VC/PE backed companies (fintech, biotech, B2B, and B2C) through their people.  With a strong track record of exits including IPO.  I grew my career in the people function with listed companies and transitioned those skills to building companies with a strong scaling and transforming smaller high-growth tech companies across multiple locations from 100+ to 2,500+. Experience of Fintech, Biotech and deep tech.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary20:18 What is unique about the IPO journey21:04 What happens to the people after an IPO?22:16 Key Work Streams in IPO Preparation25:50 Post-IPO Challenges and Cultural Shifts28:49 Preparing for Exit Events: IPO vs. Acquisition31:00 Best Practices for Early IPO Preparation39:33 Share options40:40The Role of External Expertise in IPOsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this discussion, Andrew Richardson, Co-founder of Foundation Partners, shares his extensive experience in building high-performance cultures across tech companies. He delves into defining what high performance truly means and how to align it with organizational goals. Andrew highlights the importance of a culture of ownership that empowers employees while maintaining alignment. He also discusses transforming performance management into a constructive practice, fostering collaboration over competition, and the critical role of continuous feedback.

In 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/simonmenashyBiography Simon Menashy is a Partner at MMC. He specialises in AI-related investments, and has led deals such as Ably, Senseye and Signal AI.Simon joined MMC in 2011. He is a member of the Investment Committee and co-leads the investment team. As one of the most active AI investors in the European early-stage venture market, Simon has led, sponsored or worked on close to 150 deals with more than 60 companies over the past decade.Simon believes AI innovation will happen at multiple layers of the tech stack, and is focused on investments from the application layer down to the data pipelines that feed the models. Simon’s background is in tech and media strategy consulting at Deloitte. He holds a degree in Physics and Space Research and previously started an IT consulting business.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary16:49 The Evolution of the European VC Market18:39 Navigating the New Normal in Funding22:02 The Software Market's Challenges and Opportunities26:13 Where should COOs be looking and how should they be pitching themselves?27:21 Identifying Hot Areas for Investment27:45 The Role of COOs in Today's Market28:29 The State of Exits in the VC Landscape30:39 Resetting Expectations for Exits36:54 The Future of the VC EcosystemThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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 a tool is a long-term solution before committing to a multi-year contract.What value does Intent data platforms provide? Why sales enablement is crucial for getting the most value out of marketing automation tools.The build vs. buy decision based on your current situation and long-term plans.References https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfarnell/Biography A senior marketing operations leader with more than 12 years experience in marketing technology and process. I build and scale the platform and insight needed to understand and grow predictable pipeline.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary6:42 Introduction and Background17:36 The Impact of AI on Marketing Operations18:01 Challenges of AI in Marketing Content19:02 The Value of AI in Marketing20:26 Building a Comprehensive Marketing Tech Stack23:26 Vendor Management and Tech Stack Optimisation24:29 Introduction and the Importance of Long-Term Tool Evaluation25:44 Essential Tools for a Startup's Series A Toolkit34:39 Challenges and Value of Intent Data Platforms35:08 The Build vs. Buy Decision37:14 Importance of Clean Data and Data Research Approaches39:14 Key Takeaway: The Importance of DataThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 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 founders, management teams, and employees.Is it possible to ensure alignment between company strategy and compensation structure?References www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-harris-a7333511www.pwc.comBiography I lead the Reward team in the Regions and have over 20 years’ experience of advising companies (both public and private/ private equity backed) and their remuneration committees on all aspects of executive compensation, including the design and implementation of tax efficient and commercially effective pay structures and management incentive plans in the UK and overseas.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary13:56 Introduction and Relevance of the Topic02:43 Exploring Different Equity Schemes24:33 Equity Structures in Different Stages of a Company's Lifecycle26:47 Considerations for US Taxpayers in Negotiating Equity Packages30:56 Key Elements of a Good Equity Package34:13 Changes in Strike Prices and EMI Scheme in the UK36:16 Balancing Performance-Based Vesting39:45 The Benefits of Accelerated Vesting41:00 Understanding the Differences in Equity Compensation Systems41:57 Main TakeawaysThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In 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 mistakes as opportunities for improvement while maintaining team trust and integrity?References: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-read-7681b8161/Biography: Ben is the founder and CEO of redeployable, and has spent over 10 years in the military as part of the Royal electrical and mechanical engineering unit. Andy Wright is the former regional VP for Salesforce, and also spent over 20 years in the military as a pilot.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary:00:00 Introduction and Background18:56 Command and Control in the Military20:23 Translating Military Values to the Business World22:26 Building Trust and Psychological Safety24:24 Psychological Safety and Leadership29:21 Leadership Under Duress30:02 Self-Regulation and Understanding Your Role34:03 Training, Education, and Development37:32 The Importance of Humility in LeadershipThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this engaging talk, bestselling author James King, advisor to elite military units and athletes, shares his insights on hiring excellence. He emphasizes aligning talent with strengths and values for peak performance. King tackles the role of cognitive tests and psychological profiling, illustrating how they enhance candidate assessment. He also discusses the effectiveness of simulations in determining leadership qualities. With a focus on real-life scenarios, he offers strategies to minimize bias and improve overall hiring processes.