Between Two COO's with Michael Koenig By cover art

Between Two COO's with Michael Koenig

By: Michael Koenig
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  • Summary

  • Between Two COO's brings incredible Chief Operating Officers together to share their insights, advice, and crazy stories. Learn from current and former COO's from companies like Tucows, Automattic, Shippo, Chopra Global, & VC firms.
    2021 Between Two COO's
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Episodes
  • School of Rock COO Stacey Ryan on Navigating Crises, Change, Leadership, and Empowerment

    School of Rock COO Stacey Ryan on Navigating Crises, Change, Leadership, and Empowerment
    Apr 23 2024

    Navigating Leadership and Innovation at School of Rock with Stacey Ryan

    In this episode of Between Two COOs, host Michael Koenig interviews Stacey Ryan, the COO of School of Rock - a global music school franchise. Stacey debunks a common misconception about the business's origin, noting it predated and inspired the 2003 film. She discusses the operational challenges of managing a global franchise, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlights the innovative pivot to remote lessons and live-streamed shows. Stacey also delves into her role in founding Frontwoman.org, aimed at empowering women in leadership roles across various industries. The discussion covers her career trajectory, the importance of mentorship, operational strategies for scaling, and the significant impact of maintaining a supportive and innovative culture for both students and franchisees.

    00:00 Welcome to Between Two COOs: Meet Stacey Ryan

    00:28 The Real School of Rock: Beyond the Movie

    00:52 Empowering Women Leaders: The Mission of Frontwoman.org

    02:10 Navigating Challenges: Pandemic Response and Innovation at School of Rock

    12:49 Operational Insights: Building a Global Music Education Empire

    25:21 Empowering the Next Generation: Talent Assessment and Retention

    31:25 Frontwoman.org: Championing Women's Leadership and Empowerment

    40:40 Closing Thoughts and Resources
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    41 mins
  • Fellow CEO Aydin Mirzaee on Mastering Productivity and Efficiency with AI

    Fellow CEO Aydin Mirzaee on Mastering Productivity and Efficiency with AI
    Apr 9 2024

    Maximizing Meeting Efficiency and Navigating Management Challenges: Insights from Aidan Mizrahi of Fellow

    This episode delves into the complexities and potential inefficiencies of meetings in the professional world, emphasizing the staggering number of unproductive meetings held daily. Highlighting the innovative approach of Shopify in canceling recurring meetings to save significant time, the conversation introduces Fellow, a SaaS product aimed at optimizing meeting structures, agendas, and action items to enhance management processes. Aidan Mizrahi, the CEO of Fellow, shares his journey from being unaware of structured management processes to creating a platform that serves as a manager's co-pilot, focusing on the intricacies of managing differently for every team member and adapting over time. Furthermore, Mizrahi discusses the pivotal role of asynchronous meetings in remote work, the significance of setting meeting norms, and leveraging AI to improve efficiency and decision-making in organizations. The episode also explores the balance between security and innovation when integrating AI into business processes and concludes with Mizrahi sharing a personal anecdote on how AI has become a part of his daily routine for brainstorming and learning.

    00:00 The Meeting Epidemic: Unveiling the Problem

    00:58 Introducing Fellow: The SaaS Revolutionizing Meetings

    01:42 A Deep Dive into Fellow's Origin and Mission

    01:50 From Startup to Acquisition: A Journey of Learning and Growth

    05:14 The Power of Structured Management Processes

    09:43 Implementing Effective Meetings at Scale with Fellow

    15:51 Optimizing Meetings for Action and Accountability

    20:00 Redefining Meeting Culture: Strategies for Efficiency

    29:06 Embracing Remote Work: The Future of Meetings

    32:37 Unlocking the Power of Asynchronous Meetings

    33:43 The Value of Time and Asynchronous Work

    35:18 Inside the Operations of Fellow: Mastering Efficiency

    35:44 The Art of Meeting Types and Decision Making

    40:21 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency and Innovation

    45:58 Navigating AI Ethics and Security in Business

    48:34 AI Presentations: Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Innovation

    56:03 The Impact of Super Managers Podcast on Leadership

    01:02:07 Exploring New Frontiers with AI: A Personal Experiment

    01:04:41 Connecting with the Community and Wrapping Up
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Cameron Herold of COO Alliance and 1-800-got-junk on How to delegate, lead, fix problems, hire and promote, and be the second in command

    Cameron Herold of COO Alliance and 1-800-got-junk on How to delegate, lead, fix problems, hire and promote, and be the second in command
    Feb 13 2024
    Presented by Fellow.app. Streamline your meetings and make them more efficient and meaningful. Get Fellow for you and your team today. Head to https://fellow.app/coo/ to get started and start having better meetings. (00:12) Advice for CEOs and COOs This chapter welcomes Cameron Harold, the founder of COO Alliance and author of "The Second In Command," as we celebrate the release of his new book and examine its content, which serves as a guide for both CEOs and COOs. We explore Cameron's transition from COO to CEO, the mindset shifts that accompanied this change, and his insights into the balance between work and life. Cameron shares his experiences and lessons learned from running a business at a young age, including the importance of delegating, saying no, and focusing on the most critical tasks. The discussion also touches on how the book has already impacted the COO Alliance and the value it provides in understanding the CEO-COO dynamic. (12:37) Promoting From Within vs. Hiring Externally This chapter we explore the importance of creating a culture of continuous improvement within companies, akin to the mindset of elite athletes or performers. I share an anecdote about Patrick Roy to illustrate the resilience and determination that we aim to instill in our teams. We discuss strategies for fostering a safe environment where feedback is welcomed and viewed as a tool for growth, emphasizing that it's the systems, not individuals, that often need adjustment. We also touch on the sentimental value of sports heroes, as I recount a personal encounter with my childhood idol, Ken Dryden. Finally, I address the considerations involved in deciding whether to promote from within or hire externally for leadership roles, factoring in the individual's ability to complement the CEO's skills, their leadership qualities, and the strategic implications of such decisions, especially in companies with specialized knowledge or intellectual property. (17:24) Flexibility in Organizational Structure With AI This chapter examines the importance of flexibility in business operations and leadership. We explore the concept of a "bobbin' weave culture" where being too rigid can be detrimental, and the benefits of flowing like water, taking the path of least resistance towards the company's vivid vision. I discuss the necessity for leaders to align with core values and purposes, akin to a bobsled track, to guide the organization's journey. Additionally, we look at the challenges of introducing flexibility into rigid structures, using the example of Gerber Auto Collision's approach to acquisitions and the philosophy of "selling, not telling" to integrate new teams. The chapter also highlights the power of positive reinforcement and personal praise in leadership, drawing lessons from Howard Behar's practice of handwritten thank you notes at Starbucks, emphasizing the value of gratitude and recognition in driving employee success and satisfaction. (24:55) Exploring AI Tools and Admired COOs This chapter, we explore the significance of AI in the modern workplace, highlighting how our employees and CO Alliance members are encouraged to experiment with AI tools for one to two hours each week. We discuss the vast array of available AI applications, far beyond the widely mentioned ChatGPT, and the benefits of sharing experiences with these tools among teams to build momentum and enhance productivity. Examples include the transformative effects of AI on podcast production, such as using Descript to edit speech or Podium Stage for content creation. Additionally, we touch upon the importance of adaptability, illustrated by historical shifts in technology within NASA, and wrap up with admiration for influential COOs like Cheryl Sandberg and Matt Rawlings, noting how they exemplify effective leadership and innovation. (30:39) Leadership Lessons and Insights This chapter explores the contrasting leadership styles and trajectories of two COOs of 1-800-Got-Junk, with a focus on the impact of Eric Church's internal-facing, process- and people-centered approach as he grew the company from $70 million to $450 million, in stark contrast to my own media-facing, brand-building style during a different company growth phase. We also discuss the critical lesson of listening to team members, exemplified by a near-bankruptcy experience, and share a personal strategy for becoming a better listener by physically sitting on one's hands to encourage attentiveness. Finally, we examine the importance of asking systemic rather than symptomatic questions within leadership, illustrated by an anecdote involving Starbucks and the significance of maintaining operational systems for company-wide consistency. (37:02) Catch Up and Discuss Book Promotion This chapter celebrates the successful collaboration between CEOs and COOs as we unpack the critical dynamics of their partnership. I extend my gratitude to Cameron for sharing his insights and congratulate ...
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    38 mins
Leadership Management Career Success Economics
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