Between Two COO's with Michael Koenig

COO of Productboard, Greg Strickland, discusses embracing new opportunities, mentorship in early-stage companies, continuous learning, innovation with AI, scaling up to enterprise market, fostering empathy and collaboration, and personal anecdotes of executives fighting over candidates.

(01:20 - 02:44) The Travel Experience Market's Growth(04:36 - 06:03) Peer to Peer Tour Guide Platform(07:27 - 09:26) Learning and Customer Obsession Importance(12:35 - 13:56) Creativity and Execution in Strategy(16:11 - 17:06) Identifying Core Values for Company Culture(21:48 - 23:03) Accelerating Digitization and the QR Code(36:32 - 37:43) Investment Strategy and Flywheel Approach(39:48 - 40:47) International Tensions and Investment Impacts(43:17 - 44:43) Applying AGI and AI to Operations  (00:11) The Travel Experience Industry Journey This chapter welcomes Tao, COO of GetYourGuide, to share insights into the burgeoning travel experience industry. I explore how GetYourGuide, a company that started in a dorm room, grew into a $2 billion enterprise, selling over 80 million tickets to travelers seeking unique experiences, such as private tours of the Vatican Museum. We look at the travel experience market as an untapped online frontier, previously dominated by offline transactions and now worth $300 billion. Tao recounts the founding story of GetYourGuide, from its original concept as a peer-to-peer platform for tour guides to pivoting towards professional activity operators, marking the beginning of its success. We also touch upon the company's recent $194 million funding round and discuss the increasing trend of travelers preferring experiences over material possessions. (13:56) Adapting Culture and Surviving Crisis This chapter begins by exploring the integration of culture with changing strategies, emphasizing the importance of a consistent culture that supports shifts without causing disruption. I discuss the development of authentic core values by sharing a story of initial failure and eventual success through a reflective process with the leadership team, highlighting the key role of core values in determining who fits within a company. The conversation then pivots to the impact of COVID-19, recounting the immediate challenges and strategic decisions made in response to the pandemic, including the choice not to lay off staff and to continue investing in the future. The chapter concludes with an optimistic outlook, noting a strong recovery and promising prospects for the years following the initial crisis. (21:10) Travel Industry This chapter focuses on how businesses adapted during the pandemic, particularly addressing the balance between long-term planning and immediate operational needs. We touch on innovative measures like salary sacrifices for stock options and government-subsidized work hour reductions. We highlight the insights gained from having co-founders with molecular biology backgrounds, which helped us stay ahead in understanding the virus's impact on the travel industry. Additionally, we discuss the acceleration of digitization due to the pandemic, using the QR code's newfound ubiquity as a prime example. This digital shift significantly impacted operations, especially for our partnerships with historical attractions and museums, which had to quickly adapt to digital ticketing and queue management. Lastly, we examine the surge in travel as restrictions lifted, debunking the idea that the spike was merely 'revenge tourism' and noting the persistent trend towards domestic tourism. (31:53) Board Members, Funding, Global Network Effects This chapter focuses on the strategy behind assembling a board of directors for a private company, highlighting the importance of selecting members who bring expertise and accountability. We explore the company's recent Series F funding round, which includes a mix of cash and a revolving credit facility, designed to provide financial flexibility. The significance of raising funds during a period when many tech companies struggle is discussed, emphasizing the company's steady growth and prudent financial practices that have led to a successful up-round without resorting to complex financial instruments. I share insights into the deployment of the raised capital, underlining the company's investment into a technology-driven flywheel model, which encompasses building customer audience, enhancing the product, and acquiring a diverse inventory to support their mission of expansion, particularly in the U.S. market. (40:48) Travel and AGI Building Connections This chapter begins with reflections on the value of a connected world and the peace dividend concept, emphasizing how less military spending can boost investment in other sectors like technology and education. I examine the impact of decoupling on trade efficiency and express hope for the role of travel in fostering empathy and cultural understanding. I share insights on the potential of AGI and chat GPT to transform operations in various fields, including machine learning, translation, customer service, and personalized recommendations. I highlight the impressive capabilities of AI in instant translation, which can facilitate global communication and commerce. Lastly, I recount the startling experience of near-zero revenue during COVID-19 and discuss how resilience led to recovery. To keep up with these themes, I encourage listeners to use GetYourGuide for their travels and connect with me, Tao Tao, on LinkedIn. Links: Playing to Win: How Strategy Really WorksThe Mind of the StrategistAmazon's Leadership PrinciplesNetflix's Core ValuesDelivering Happiness Turning on the Lights at the VaticanGetYourGuideEpisode URLMichael Koenig on LinkedIn

(00:12) Interview With Remote COO Alan Christensen COO Alan Christensen shares his journey and Duist's success without institutional investment, pioneering remote work and dividing responsibilities with CEO. (11:48) Future of Remote Work and Communication Remote work's significance in shaping the future, utilizing asynchronous communication, transparency, and documentation for effective management. (22:28) Recruitment, Career Growth, and Feedback Processes Hiring, company culture, flat hierarchy, career development, and professional growth are emphasized by the speaker. (31:04) Challenges With Trademarks and Feedback Remote company Todoist's values, challenges, hands-on management, stable squads, feedback framework, and trademark infringement case.  

Dan Siroker, CEO and Founder of Rewind.ai & Optimizely, discusses augmenting human memory with AI, building Optimizely, AI in operations, privacy and security, hiring extraordinary teams, AI's impact on STEM education, and AI summarization. They explore the intersection of technology and memory, leveraging AI for productivity, cultural values in teams, and accountability in successful teams.

(00:12) Clean Tech and Disrupting Energy Market(06:15) Community Solar and Renewable Energy Innovation(15:37) Data Platform and Energy Transformation(24:21) Acquisitions, Integration, and Board Composition(29:05) Startup Board Management and Risk Balancing(35:51) Leadership, Growth Mindset, and Overcoming Challenges(42:18) Connecting Through Cold Emails(00:12) Clean Tech and Disrupting Energy Market We discuss Energy 101 today with Kate Hemington, co-founder and COO of Arcadia Power. Kate has a degree from the University of Oxford and a background in corporate litigation, making her well-equipped to tackle the energy industry. We talk about energy being a regulated monopoly, the trillions of dollars in the market, and how Arcadia is bringing digitization opportunities. We also discuss the unique perspective of having a legal and policy background and how it allowed them to get into the market and innovate. Kieran and Kate bring their own experience with energy policy and law, respectively, to the conversation. (06:15) Community Solar and Renewable Energy Innovation We enter the complex world of community solar. She explains how the state incentivizes third party developers to build renewable power sources and how Arcadia simplifies the process by giving customers a guaranteed savings rate. We understand how electricity works and why community solar is a guaranteed win for the customer, as well as how it’s helping to displace dirty electrons with clean ones. (15:37) Data Platform and Energy Transformation We chat about the potential of retrofitting four billion machines to achieve maximum decarbonization. We explore how the market has shifted in the last 15 years, with over 90% of new electrons produced in the US being renewable. We also discuss how Arcadia's data platform, Arc, is providing other companies with data, such as EV manufacturers and solar developers, to help their customers with micro decisions. Finally, we consider how Arcadia is managing its mission and culture with its switch to serving enterprises. (24:21) Acquisitions, Integration, and Board Composition We discuss acquisitions and product integration. We explore the importance of growth and expansion, and how to know when an acquisition is right. We examine the challenges of integrating products, the risks of taking on too much too soon, and the importance of understanding a company and its culture before making an acquisition. We also look at the value of an independent board member, and the importance of having a plan when it comes to acquisitions. (29:05) Startup Board Management and Risk Balancing We explore risk management and cash management. Kate shares how they've become better at board management, and how to let board members know what you need from them. We discuss how macroeconomic events have led to a guard your flank mentality, but how regulated line of revenue has given them a floor. We also talk about how the energy transition is a larger market than the macroeconomic events and how it has helped them to be aggressive in a down environment. Finally, Kate shares her thoughts on tight times and how it has created a renewed focus. (35:51) Leadership, Growth Mindset, and Overcoming Challenges We explore the importance of understanding growth mindset and being comfortable with discomfort. We also look at the importance of communication in building a successful team and how to effectively manage people. Kate shares her experience of bringing a global operations team together and the challenges of leading a co-founder. Finally, we look at the moment of surprise when the team received five cease and desist letters from utilities and how they overcame the challenge. (42:18) Connecting Through Cold Emails The power of cold emails. We emphasize the importance of making connections, and provide advice on how to maximize reaching out to potential contacts. Tap into the power of cold emails and take the opportunity to make meaningful connections. Don't forget to subscribe to Between Two COOs and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to share your thoughts and help spread the word. Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-henningsen/Episode: https://betweentwocoos.com/arcadia-power-coo-kate-hennigsenArcadia Power: https://www.arcadia.com/Michael Koenig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-koenig514

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS --------- (0:00:12) - Remote Company Operations and Knowledge ManagementDaren explains the importance of low context communication, compounding interest, and over communicating for successful remote teams. (0:08:59) - Embracing Remote Work as Operating ModelDaren Murph and I discuss operations of successful remote companies, process definition, documentation, culture, macroeconomic downturn, investing in operations, and using history as a guide. (0:20:22) - Knowledge Management and Generative AIWe examine knowledge management, Generative AI data sets, and remote onboarding for successful companies. (0:25:52) - Remote Onboarding's Impact on EngagementRemote work success is achieved through discipline, connection, and a balanced work-life ratio. (0:41:25) - Engaging Town Hall Strategies and PerspectivesDarren shares advice on effective remote work, from town halls to partnering with business leaders, to keep pushing forward.

Nitin Gupta, COO of Prisma and a tech veteran with over 20 years in the industry, shares insights on making complex tech accessible to non-technical audiences. He introduces Prisma University, designed to boost internal knowledge and collaboration. The discussion dives into managing remote teams through hackathons and the unique role of a psychologist in preventing burnout. Nitin also addresses the delicate balance of open-source commercialization while nurturing a community, alongside his innovative approach to operational planning and alignment with KPIs.

Join us as we chat with Shanaz Hemmati, the COO of ZenBusiness, who gives us a fascinating insight into the workings of a public benefit corporation that generates more than $100M in ARR. Listen to her as she speaks about the various initiatives and programs that ZenBusiness undertakes to give back to the community and society. From a grant program to support their customers to her role evolution from CIO to COO, Shanaz’s experiences shed light on the strategies they use to navigate their responsibilities within a small team. In this chat, we also explore the potential of generative AI to increase speed, accuracy, scalability, complexity, and accessibility of structured language, and how ZenBusiness leverages this to expand capacity. From discussing the importance of data protection to understanding the potential threats to businesses, Shanaz provides a comprehensive overview of the operations side of the company, including their customer support in the contact center. Shanaz also talks about the company’s organizational structure, with CTO, HR, customer success, legal, program management, procurement, and corporate citizenship all reporting to her. Learn about the process of hiring great people, and how her passion and love for what she does is the key to success. She also shares her experiences with M&A, and how she and her team at HomeAway used the strategy of acquiring existing vacation rental services to make the company global. From tracking the macroeconomic environment to discussing the advantages of remote working, Shanaz provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in understanding the workings of a successful business.

Munish Gandhi, co-founder and COO of Productiv and former LinkedIn leader, dives into the world of SaaS governance. He highlights the pitfalls of underutilization in software applications and the hidden costs associated with SaaS. Munish discusses how generative AI can revolutionize contract renewals and procurement processes, enhancing efficiency and informed decision-making. He shares insights from managing crises, especially during the SVB collapse, emphasizing quick responses and communication as key to effective governance.

 Join us as we sit down with Allen Narcisse, former COO at Workrise and co-founder and CEO of Gigs, for an enlightening conversation about his journey in the gig economy. Allen takes us through his career trajectory, starting from his initial venture, eBuyLine, to his stints building Uber and Lyft, and finally, to his current venture, Gigs. Listen in as Allen shares valuable insights on building marketplaces, the importance of a great first impression, and the inspiration behind Gigs. In the second part of our discussion, we explore the intricacies of operating a gig economy platform. Allen shares the three-step process Gigs uses to source jobs and engage job seekers and the crucial role of having a team with previous founders, Lyft, and Uber DNA. He also shares his perspective on prioritization and ensuring the team has the resources and talent to accomplish winning moves. In the final part of our conversation, we discuss the future of the labor market in the face of automation and AI. Allen shares his thoughts on the need for job seekers to be equipped with the right information and tools to navigate the changing job market. Tune in to hear more about Gigs’ business model, the cost per application model, and how it ensures employers only pay for qualified applicants. Finally, we touch on the implications of automation on the labor force and the need for better communication between employers and workers.Links:Gigs - https://getgigs.co/Allen Narcisse - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-narcisse/Michael Koenig -https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-koenig514/Episode URL - https://betweentwocoos.com/gigs-ceo-allen-narcisseBetween Two COO's - https://betweentwocoos.com --------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS --------- (0:00:12) - Building the Gig EconomyAlan discussed founding eBuyLine, Uber/Lyft, Workrise, and Gigs, and the importance of making a great first impression in the job placement sector. (0:08:48) - Gigs CEO Discusses Approach and OperationsAlan discussed Gigs' three-step process, the importance of team DNA, prioritizing and providing resources and talent. (0:16:01) - Forming the DNA of a CompanyAllen Narcisse and I discussed customer focus, courageous conversations, scaling information, psychological safety, and everyone's opportunity to weigh in. (0:25:11) - Ownership and Coaching for Great CompanyHiring ambitious people, setting mutual expectations, weaving values into decisions, allowing mistakes, and coaching rather than filling gaps are discussed. (0:33:21) - Empowering Job Seekers, Addressing AutomationAllen Narcisse and I discussed Gigs' business model, job seekers' empowerment, cost per application, automation's implications, and employer-worker communication.