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On this episode of The Founder's Sandbox, Brenda McCabe sits down with Jen Apy, Area Managing Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, to explore how scaling companies can unlock growth through fractional marketing leadership. Jen shares insights from her 30+ years of marketing experience—spanning Mattel, Adobe, Intuit, and now Chief Outsiders—and introduces listeners to the Growth Gears framework: a strategic methodology designed to help small and mid-sized companies grow efficiently and sustainably. Jen and Brenda also dive into key trends such as the rise of “flash teams,” how AI is transforming the marketing playbook, and the importance of being a learning organization in a fast-moving world. You can find out more at https://www.chiefoutsiders.com        transcript:  00:04 So  welcome back to the Founder's Sandbox. I am Brenda McCabe, the host of this monthly podcast where I am joined by business owners, founders, and professional service providers that are scaling businesses. 00:34 with great corporate governance. This podcast is now in its fourth season and very excited to have Jen Apy as my guest today. For those that are subscribed to the Founder Sandbox, you always know that we have a story that's going to be told about the origins of the company and the founder  and the professional's experience as the introduction here. And we will always come back to the... 01:02 the sandbox where we're talking about resilience, purpose-driven and scalable growth. And when Jen, who I've known now for several years, we work in the same ecosystem, spoke to me about the growth gears, that is kind of the overarching framework  of chief outsiders. I was fascinated and wanted to offer the platform of the podcast to get the message out to  business owners that are 01:30 scaling and have not yet thought about using fractional marketing services. So welcome, Jen, to this fourth season. um Absolutely delighted to have you here. Oh, I'm delighted to be here. Excellent.  So we did choose a title. We're gonna you're gonna hear the word growth gears throughout this podcast. So the title for the podcast today is growth gears for scaling. And 01:56 Jen and I kind of share a similar background in the sense that we've been out there over three decades.  I um had my own consulting business. I worked in the McKinsey & Company and reinvented myself uh around really bringing the expertise that I had at multinationals into the ecosystem  of growth stage companies. Jen, tell me you are multifaceted marketing professional over three decades. 02:26 of experience contributing to marketing excellence. Tell us a bit about your origin and your currently, I think since five years ago, the area managing partner and chief marketing officer of Chief Outsiders. So share a bit how your role has evolved and what's it like to be with this company that was once a startup itself. Well, thank you so much for having me, Brenda. It's been a wild ride. 02:56 I feel like I was so lucky  early in my career to work with fabulous marketers at Mattel and Intuit and Adobe.  And now to have  the opportunity to apply those skills to help small to mid-sized companies grow. It's really been a fantastic experience. I feel like this is my purpose. Oh, beautiful. To share these enterprise little marketing skills with smaller companies that 03:25 are hungry for growth.  you when I, when I meet founders or I meet CEOs, I'm always really curious about, know, what's working, what's not working. You know, how do we create this flywheel that can help them grow in scale? It really is, is something I enjoy. You know, you found your purpose and then  I guess your purpose found you  working with chief outsiders because you were also a solopreneur  for years. What would be your 03:54 tagline if if anybody were to just listen to five minutes of the founder sandbox, what would be. Jen appease tagline such a good question. I think it would be be something like committed to growth. I feel like that is my purpose. That's what I enjoy. And you know now it's part of outsiders. I I now have 125 colleagues who feel the same way. They've all been fortune 1000. 04:23 and larger company marketers from a variety of different industries. think collectively we've probably covered over 80 industries, over 5,000 engagements. I mean, it's just incredible that the people at Cheap Outsiders that I get to work with every day. And I do feel like commitment to growth is almost a shared purpose for all of us. That's why we're here, because we love to make an impact, to see that impact on smaller companies and  be a part. 04:52 of their leadership team. We say that we're outsiders, but we're really embedded as insiders and therefore we can have that impact on  companies and watch them grow in scale. It's very gratifying as a marketer. m I  also work in the small and medium sized enterprise area.  And last month I actually wrote a blog on enterprise,  forms of enterprise and the like. 05:18 Did some research  on actually SMEs.  How many  SMEs in your estimation actually  reach  or go beyond $10 million in revenues? SMEs are 47%, I believe, for the number of enterprises in the United States. But how many actually scale beyond the $10 million revenue? You know, it's a surprisingly small number,  like maybe less than 1%. But you know, that's why we're here. 05:47 We want to increase the chances that those companies can scale, you know, 10 million, 50 million, 100 million. We believe that by really applying the market insights, customer insights, competitive insights into, you know, the strategies around positioning and offers and target marketing will lead to the cost of 06:14 efficient and cost effective strategies and execution that will help companies scale. that really is the heart of the growth gears methodology and approach. Well, that's  a great segue. You and I met at the recurring revenue conference, I guess, in the seventh year. And as you walk me through  the growth gears,  you also have an assessment tool. Would you like to  share? 06:42 overarching what is what are the gears, the growth gears, what are the key aspects that  one can be surveyed about and then and how to engage with  the chief outsiders, because I found it fascinating.  And I actually used it with one or two of my clients to kind of get the wheels, no pun intended, right to  to start moving, right? 07:12 Yes, so the assessment that we use asks companies and leaders questions about the business, about how much do they know about their customers, their competitors,  the company, they looked at market trends? And then starts to ask about, do they know where their revenue  comes from, where their growth is gonna come from? they  understand what channels are most efficient and are they measuring uh the effectiveness  of the marketing? 07:41 programs that they have in motion. And it's not every single question that we could ask, but just enough to get them thinking about where growth is gonna come from. And so we use this assessment, usually around this time actually, we're getting close to Q4. And we use it about this time in order to help them think ahead in terms of what are the priorities that are needed for the following year in order to stimulate. 08:08 enable or actualize growth. So if anyone's interested in doing this assessment with me, it's free. Just, you know, reach out to me on LinkedIn, happy to provide you with the link and then have a conversation about what the answers mean. Absolutely. Jen, we'll put those, the survey or the assessment, pardon me, in the show notes. All right. Great. In addition to other areas. So talk to me a little bit about Chief Outsiders. You did say it was a startup at one time. 08:37 How long has it been around? What's the organization look like? And what are the challenges that you particularly are dealing with with the advent of AI? That's a very little question.  That's a great question,  though. But  Chief Outsiders has been around for over 10 years. I think we've been around before the term fractional  executive or fractional marketer was even a term. think 09:01 Maybe early on we might've been discussed as strategic business consultants, right? Because we're helping companies grow in scale. But we've been around for over 10 years. We've been on the Fortune 5000 for quite a few years. I think definitely 10 or more. the way that we've grown is by really focusing on what marketing leadership needs to do. 09:30 for companies, which at the end of the day, it's about  knowing who your customers are, where to find them,  and  then how to grow the company  based on  that focus on finding and retaining customers, whether it's increasing market penetration within a certain target segment or  finding new markets or launching new products,  whatever that growth strategy is, how to harness that  and  help 10:00 a company,  um, scale over time  and marketing has changed so much. I know over the years, mean, I've seen that with your companies is  overwhelming. I pardon. I will get back to the question, but I, many, many years ago, McKinsey, was a marketing expert research. We didn't have all these amazing tools we have today to conjoin analysis, you know, with your Excel sheets, right. And focus groups. 10:29 Right. So the sophistication, channel, you know, growth explosion is, you know, I threw my talent a long time ago. Well, you know, it used to be, you know, direct mail and then websites, right. And then e-commerce and, and then it was about social media and content marketing and then SEO. I mean, it's just daunting. And now we have to be thinking about AI in all facets of the 10:59 the marketing toolkit, right? It's  impacting every aspect of what we do as marketers.  And we have to be thinking about AEO, like answer engine optimization in addition to SEO. So it really is rather overwhelming. So I think that over the years, Chief Outsiders has recognized that the marketing tactics and strategies are going to change and we need to change with it. But that the focus on 11:27 growth is going to come from really the growth gears, right? The approach to understanding the market, understanding how to go to market,  understanding how to  execute cost effectively. So recently in the advent of AI, knowing that it was going to impact so much of the marketing mix, we actually started to develop an AI platform for us to use. Yes, for us to use internally. What it does is confidentially, 11:57 takes all of the insights for all of the engagements that we've done with companies so that when we are working with clients, we can benefit from that collective knowledge and be able to deliver  better, deeper, faster insights from day one for our clients. So deeper insights, proven strategies, best practice execution. There isn't a workstream for marketing sales that isn't going to be impacted by AI. 12:25 So we've definitely thought about that and made sure that we can  leverage all this knowledge in order to help us be better marketers for our clients. That's  fascinating. It's kind of scary, right? So you've basically like in the healthcare industry, you've anonymized, right?  The plethora of data, right?  Within the  walls  of 12:54 chief outsiders of the 10 years of experience and I don't know how many clients, right? To then really document and have your own, for lack of another word, I guess, is it? The knowledge base. The knowledge base, but it's kind of an ocean, right? Data ocean. Yeah. And, you know, and this is how the AI tools work. 13:19 We figured we might as well have something that we can use on a proprietary basis and that can help us not only create our deliverables and have better deliverables, but also to help us manage processes.  Because as we talked about with marketing, there's just so much going on, so much to consider, so much to do. This AI platform also helps us to manage those processes.  And one of the things we haven't talked about yet is fractional resources. 13:47 I believe really are the future of work. And that's one of the reasons why I'm so excited to be a part of Chief Outsiders because we believe that as well. And that's also part of the reason why we built this platform.  Right. So one thing that I want to  highlight just from the last discussion here is 14:08 AEO rather than SEO or in addition to SEO that I mean, heard it here on the founder sandbox. Not only do we have to be looking to have our SEO optimization, it's AEO optimization. Yes. So answer engine optimization. And that's coming of course, from the AI tools. You know, I think the stat is something like 70, 71 % of searchers, anyone searching. 14:37 They're now using the AI engines instead of, or sometimes in addition to regular search. But it's the reason why Google is losing traffic share, right? Because people are going to these AI engines sometimes exclusively for certain things. And so this has had an impact on marketing in a couple of ways. One is we need to now optimize our content for answer engines, which it's not that much different from SEO. We still have to adopt the same good. 15:06 SEO practices, you keywords, relevance, backlinks, things like that. But now we call it LL  or large language model optimization in 2025. uh In order to be able to rank in those answer engines, we need to also consider  brand strength and authority, oh citations, quality of content, sentiment.  You know, we really 15:35 PR  from  authoritative sources is really going to become  more important. And so we do a lot of testing ourselves  in terms of how Chief Outsiders ranks in these engines. I was going to ask you, have you done that?  Yes. And that's how we know that it's not just the SEO good practices that's helping to rank in answer engines. um 16:02 It's also these other things, brand strength and authority. The content needs to answer questions. these engines are understanding when content is authoritatively answering a question. And there's so many factors involved in figuring that out. There are a number of tools we use to see how we're ranking. There are a number of tools we use to figure out how we're 16:33 uh how we're able to, uh I guess, for lack of better words, out the competition, right? And score, right? In our content. And we use this knowledge of how it's working for us  to help our clients as well. And we've been doing this from the beginning because we were very aware of all the changes. um So you have your own growth gears operating system. 17:00 It's a remote working AI enabled platform, right? That also enables remote and hybrid teams  that come together.  Speak to me a little bit about that. GrowthGear's operating system is effectively your LM?  Yeah, that's the, well, that's the AI platform that we developed is called the GrowthGear's operating system. And so not only does it leverage  the best content, the best tools, but because of the way that we're designing it and it's really to support us, right? And how we work. 17:29 we are really enabling fractional resources  and remote and hybrid teams to work together effectively on  the projects,  the marketing, the growth plans that companies need to scale.  this is kind of the way, I mean, if we believe that fractional resources are  of economic benefit to both companies because they don't have to hire 17:56 A lot, you know, heavy talent, right for long term. They can hire just what they need when they need it.  And also as they evolve and grow, they might need different resources, right? So they can they can cycle through  the skill sets they need, but but also because there's economic value because workers, if they want to be more flexible, if they want to leverage a specific skill set and not necessarily be tied to one company gives them  the freedom and flexibility to. So I think for for both reasons, there's there's a lot of. uh 18:26 momentum toward this style of working. the platform that we have, you know,  it  can enable these operational fractional resources, not only marketing, but any part of the organization in the future.  Let's go. Let's take that idea or what you're observing in the market and actual client work a little bit further. So how would a potential client 18:54 engage with chief outsiders. They're at, you know, 3 million AR, they have not yet hired a marketing full time, right? How, what would would walk us through a typical, for lack of another word, engagement, or how do they engage with chief outsiders? And particularly, the second part of that is, if you're talking about 19:21 Flash teams, I think is the term that you and I discussed, right? Yeah, it's actually the title of a book being launched by a professor from Stanford,  Melissa Valentine. She's coined this phrase flash teams, which essentially  is what cheap outsiders does, right? We  pull together the resources that a company needs at that moment in time in order to solve their growth problems.  we're essentially a flash team enabled by 19:51 the growth gears operating system. Cool. So I'm not I'm the CEO. I've got to hit some revenue milestones. I've interviewed some candidates. I'm not yet sold for you know, bringing in full time, full time chief marketing officer. Jen gives me a call. How do I how do you how do I engage with you? Yeah, well, the first thing I want to understand is, is what what keeps you up at night? 20:21 Right? What, what are some of your growth challenges that, you're struggling with? Because the first thing I want to do is really understand, you know, what resources do you need at this moment in time in order to get you from A to B?  so oftentimes  we'll look at this and say, is this, is this going to be solved by a marketing led team or sales led team? Sometimes that's the first  thing that we're thinking about. And then how much do we know already about the situation in terms of. 20:49 customers, competitors, market insights, customer buying journey, channels that are working and not working. We're wanna know all of that so that we can figure out the most efficient way to approach solving those growth challenges and what work streams are needed. So we'll bring in a fractional executive that's a good fit for that company and then orchestrate the resources that are required to get to the next step. And then when that engagement  is through, 21:18 we'll figure out what the next level is. Maybe the next level is bringing in full-time permanent resources to help execute and to help scale where we paid ourselves out of the picture. Or maybe it's just dialing back to more of an advisory role and then bringing in fractional resources from different places in order to be able to test and scale and see what's going to work, what's going to land  before we orchestrate on a more. 21:48 So we're very flexible with what a company needs at any point in time. And no two companies are alike. You when you're a $3 million company, you might have talent and skills and gaps that are different from the last client that we had. And we know that. We can recognize those situations just because we've had so much experience working with so many different companies. We can very quickly figure out what's needed for the next step and just give a company exactly what it needs. 22:16 to it. You do tap into your, your network of your 125  professionals with them, know, goodness,  the years of experience that you all have obtained while at fortune 1000 companies. Amazing. Oftentimes, I've seen you  with as keynote speaker, you do give conference speak and you speak at conferences. What one of the most recent 22:42 conferences.  I'm not uncertain where it was, but you the topic you spoke to, Jen, was winning website traffic in the age of AI, what CEOs need to know? Can you without sending us to  you know, that I don't know whether it's on online, we can put that in the show notes. But what's the top, you know, line messages from that conference where you spoke about winning website traffic? Yeah. 23:10 Well, I did it with a couple of my colleagues who are very experienced in digital transformation and now how to win traffic with the answer engines. And  so we talked about some of the uh tactics that we're finding work nowadays and how that's going to change how companies need to think about orchestrating their marketing mix. So Mike. 23:36 Colin Angela gave an example of a very specific example of an article that had been written for SEO that now needs to be written for AEO just so that people  could see the difference. But I think the main message that we were trying to send uh to companies is uh marketing is not static. Just because you've figured out your marketing mix doesn't mean it's going to work two years down the line. It's constantly evolving. And so you need leadership. 24:04 who can be thinking about how are customer behaviors changing? How do I reach them differently?  And the fact that  71 % of searchers are going to answer engines, that's a huge shift and marketers need to be ready to  address that. So  if you're a smaller company and you just don't have the resources to keep retraining your staff. 24:29 every year or so  and you need that expertise in the know how do I compete now today? How do I set myself up for success? That's where we as Fractional Resources can come in and help you be that learning organization, that resilient organization that's going to survive through the next sea of change. 24:51 That is  fascinating. Yeah, it's it's a living beast, right? marketing and it's moving so rapidly, it would be hard. I'm to actually have the inside resources, the talent inside unless they're constantly being retooled. So it is  an opportunity to use fractional resources, depth of expertise that you have.  Yeah.  And that's one thing that I value about the chief outsiders culture is the fact that I think what's made us 25:21 so resilient is the fact that we're really a learning and sharing organization. We've recognized that change happens rapidly. To be resilient, we need to change and constantly be learning and retooling ourselves. And that is something  we highly value.  But to be able to do that quickly,  no one person can do all this on their own. It's nearly impossible and very overwhelming. You can't do it in a silo. So we have a culture of sharing where 25:50 If we learn something new, um we'll share with the rest of the organization. So that, that, uh, that webinar that we did was just as much for us and our executives as it was for the clients that we, that we serve in this culture of sharing really creates resiliency in the sense that  if, a company brings in one of our fractional executives and let's say they encounter a market challenge or a sales challenge that that particular 26:19 executive hasn't seen before, they can turn to the other 125 marketers and say, hey, let's get together. Let's put our best brains on this business and determine what things we might be able to try or what things we should put in place in order to benefit this organization. And I think there's no individual fractional out there that has access to that much talent and expertise. 26:49 on a moment's notice as we do. And that's part of what's going to create the resiliency that we need as an organization  to survive in the next decade, because everything is just going to start to move faster and companies are going to just need that much more speed. So, but we also believe that's a value that we can bring in addition to being interim  and not being full-time and bringing in the expertise they need to write at that moment.  We can also draw on the collective expertise of the tribe. So the brain trust. 27:19 Well, that's a good term. love that. Right. Brain trust. I love that brain trust. One  technical question of the 125  professionals within chief outsiders and interim roles. Is it solely in the marketing area or do you also offer maybe in the sales?  there other interim roles?  That's a really good question. So we do focus on marketing and sales primarily, but sometimes we're actually brought in as fractional COOs. 27:49 as well or division heads. And it's because of our broad leadership expertise. And some of our executives have been  CEOs  of their own companies. They founded companies, they've sold companies. So they do have that broader business perspective, but primarily it's marketing and sales. Excellent. We're going to switch gears, to  the standby. No pun intended. 28:17 That's right. That's  here in the founder sandbox. I'm passionate about building resilience, scalable and purpose-driven companies. And I like to ask my guests briefly, what is the meaning of resilience? What does that mean to you? Or does he chief outsiders? It's a fascinating part of the podcast for me become that you have very different definitions. And that's the beauty of asking this. Yeah.  Well, I think that resilience, at least for for me, for us, a chief outsiders means 28:46 being able to survive and move forward and grow in the face of massive change.  Right. It's not, it's not bending to the will of the market. It's,  it's, it's basically saying, you know what? We know how we can add value at this moment in time. And we have the tools to address this change and add value. that, you know, it is one of the reasons why we constantly are thinking about 29:15 how do we bring more  to the table for our clients? So in addition to the growth years operating system that we created, we also have an ecosystem called team outsiders of fractional marketing execution resources that we can draw on at any point in time and create our own flash teams for our clients. So let's say we've gone through the strategy and we've determined that we really need an e-commerce expert 29:45 that can optimize Amazon or we really need somebody who can take charge of developing the content that's going to  address not only SEO and or but also AEO and we'll draw from our pool of team outsiders resources and we'll put together that fractional team for the client at a moment's notice. So we believe that that is going to make us a lot more agile. 30:13 for our clients because sometimes they just need to get started,  but they don't have time to go higher or they don't have time to go evaluate a new agency. We can bring somebody in. We can, we can set the stage. We can get things going and then let them have the time to decide really who they want on a longer term basis. So, you know, agile teams, flash teams, it comes from our ability to be able to,  draw on this network  of. 30:42 team outsiders and to be resilient.  How about purpose? What's purpose mean to you?  Purpose. You know, I think that when I look back on my career and also what I'm doing here at Chief Outsiders, I get the most satisfaction from seeing smaller companies grow from helping founders make their dreams come true. You know, there are so many great companies out there. 31:12 that just need a shot at the big time, right? And we can do that because we've seen it. We know how to get a company from one to a hundred. We've seen it. We know what a company at one or a company at zero, what they're faced with from the standpoint of  challenges, time, resources, focus, right? And so we can adjust what we do in order to adapt to that environment. But we know what an organization is going to need 31:41 to be competitive and to need to grow at 30, 50, 100. And we can keep our sights on what that needs to be and advise the companies we're working with on how they're gonna get there. So yes, we're implementing this today, but it's gonna look like this tomorrow, but we're not ready for that yet. We're just gonna do this here today because you don't have the time or the bandwidth or the money to do that many things. But this is, we've done the analysis, we've done the research, we've done the testing. 32:11 This is what you need to scale for right now. So, you know, being able to do that and then see  these companies grow from 10 to 30 to 50 million, it's a thrill. it  is very, very rewarding. So I think that, you know, I found my purpose and this is the, in speaking with my colleagues, they're all, we're all here for the same reason. So we really do have that shared. 32:39 purpose and we really enjoy what we do. Fantastic last one and then we'll move to how to contact you scalable growth. I'm certain you're going to talk about those the growth gears, but what's scalable right? What's that mean to you?  Scalable growth to me means we figured out what works and we can replicate it cost efficiently and cost effectively. So that is 33:07 our focus when we're working within the growth gears methodology, we're looking for the way to scale most cost-efficiently effectively. I know that one of the things that you are really big on with your  companies, the companies you invest in is governance. Yes. You're really big on governance.  And when I think about governance, I think about responsibility and accountability. And what that means to me as a marketer, 33:35 And  as a revenue leader is making sure that the spend that we commit to in marketing and sales is going to drive revenue and growth cost effectively.  so by making sure that we've done the analysis, that we figured out what's going to work, that we've tested before we scale is that responsible governance approach, right? To marketing and so 34:05 You know, I think that there are some companies that are in situations where they have to scale no matter what. They just throw money at it, you know, scale no matter what. And there are situations where that needs to happen. But we find with the companies that we work with that the more responsible, prudent, accountable, you know, organic growth is what the founders are looking for. And we know how to do that. 34:35 Replicable, right? Replicable, yes.  Amazing.  So Jen, um last question before  we listen to how to contact you. you have fun today in the Founder's Sandbox? Oh, it's always a pleasure to talk with you, Brenda. I really enjoy our conversations. We're of like minds. That's true. That's true. Avid readers and bringing the best to our clients. So thank you. How can my listeners 35:04 find you  and best reach chief outsiders. Yes. So they can find me on Jenna,  but they can also find me on the chief outsiders website on the leadership tab. And from the chief outsiders website, you can also learn about all of the things that we do. can meet all of the 125 executives that we have. You can learn more about growth gears, OS and team outsiders. Excellent.  And 35:32 In the show notes, will provide the assessment so that you listeners that are actually considering, you know, what do I need to do at this last quarter of the year, right? To plan my marketing resources, just download the assessment. It's a very interesting tool. So thank you. Well, to my listeners, if you enjoyed this episode with Jen Appie of 35:56 chief outsiders. I'd encourage you to subscribe to this monthly podcast where we have founders, business owners, corporate board directors and professional service providers that are really building scalable, purpose driven and resilient companies with great corporate governance. Signing off for this month. Thank you for joining us here on the Founder's Sandbox.  

Jack, Wendy, and Danny Torrance stay at The Overlook Hotel, caring for the estate during its off-season period. Jack has been outlining a new writing project and believes that five months of peace is just what's needed, but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Fortunately, Danny has been mentored by Dick Hallorann, who provides cautionary advice and special instructions such as, "Stay out of Room 237," guidance that helps Danny stay one step ahead of dangers that lie within The Overlook, helping Danny evade the horrors that his father Jack will unleash. Designer, brand strategist, and writer Chris Cureton talks about what makes Stanley Kubrick's The Shining a perfect horror movie, and why writing in and of itself can sometimes be a scary endeavor.-Designer, brand strategist, and writer Chris Cureton helps executive teams move from confusion to clarity. His forthcoming book, The Five Laws of Brand Design, is a field guide for aligning product, marketing, and sales around one powerful, unified strategy. With nearly 20 years of experience, he's assisted leadership teams by helping them cut through complexity, clarifying their unique value, and confidently going to market. He loves helping CEOs, CMOs, CROs, and COOs build one clear strategy, creating actionable steps for teams.https://chriscureton.com https://chriscureton.com/the-five-laws-of-brand-design-book https://www.instagram.com/chriscureton -The Shining (1980)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/ https://www.afi.com/news/afi-movie-club-the-shining/https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/the-shining/https://youtu.be/U8wxjIecmD4?si=mhwfxDBqNZuoXRy6&t=292 https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/saul-bass-the-shining -Other movies and shows discussed, alphabetical listThe Book of Boba Fett (2021)Black Panther (2018)The Exorcist (1973)Get Out (2017)Hostel (2005)The Mandalorian (2019-)Poltergeist (1982)Room 237 (2012)John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)Tron (1982)US (2019)

Trust isn't a “soft” metric—it's the conversion engine. Buyers don't buy products first; they buy us, then the solution arrives as part of the package. Below is a GEO-optimised, answer-first version of the core human-relations principles leaders and sales pros can use today.  How do top salespeople build trust fast in 2025? Start by listening like a pro and making the conversation about them, not you. When trust is low, buyers won't move—even if your proposal looks perfect on paper. The fastest pattern across B2B in Japan, the US, and Europe is empathetic listening that surfaces goals, constraints, and internal politics. Post-pandemic norms (hybrid work, async decisions) mean you must read what's said and what's unsaid: tone, pauses, body language on Zoom, and email subtext. In enterprise sales, this shifts you from “pitching” to “diagnosing.” You become the buyer's trusted business advisor—especially in consensus-driven cultures like Japan where ringi and nemawashi favour rapport and patience over pressure. Do this and high-stakes deals stop stalling because stakeholders finally feel safe to share the real blockers.  Do now: Open with one agenda question—“What outcome matters most by [date]?”—then listen without interrupting for 90 seconds. What questions reliably open buyers up? Use simple, human prompts that invite stories. Who have they worked for? What was it like? Where's the office? When did they start? Why choose this company? What do they like most? These “Who/What/Where/When/Why/How” prompts turn small talk into signal, revealing priorities (speed vs. safety), risk appetite, and decision cadence. Across SMEs, startups, and multinationals, these prompts work because they're culturally neutral, non-intrusive, and buyer-centred. In APAC, they respect hierarchy; in the US, they feel pragmatic; in Europe, they invite thoughtful context. The goal isn't to interrogate—it's to let people talk about themselves while you capture needs, metrics, and names of influencers you'll later engage.  Do now: Prepare six openers on a card; ask two, go deep on one, and mirror key phrases back. How do I remember personal details without being awkward? Use the “Nameplate → House → Family → Briefcase → Airplane → Tennis Racquet → Newspaper” memory chain. Visualise a giant nameplate smashing into a bright house; inside, a baby with a briefcase pulls out an old plane; its propellers are tennis racquets threaded with rolled newspapers. Each hook cues a safe, human topic: name, home, family, work, travel, hobbies, and industry news. This light mnemonic keeps first meetings natural across cultures. In Japan, it supports relationship-first norms (meishi exchange, hometown ties). In the US/EU, it avoids prying while still finding common ground (sports, routes, recent sector headlines). Use tact and sequence flexibly; skip topics if they feel private. The point is to remember them so follow-ups feel personal, not transactional.  Do now: Before calls, jot the seven cues; after calls, log one fact per cue in your CRM. What if I don't know the buyer's interests yet? Keep asking—then mirror their language and frame benefits in their terms. Early on, many buyers withhold interests until they decide you're trustworthy. That's normal. Persist with respectful questions, then translate features into “so-whats” they already value: uptime for CTOs, cycle-time for COOs, compliance for CFOs, psychological safety for HR. As of 2025, complex deals involve multi-threading (RevOps, Legal, IT, Security). Tailor each touch: startup CTOs want velocity and unit economics; enterprise VPs want risk mitigation and stakeholder alignment; Japanese heads of division may prioritise harmony and precedent. The win is relevance—your proposal reads like their strategy memo, not your brochure.  Do now: After each meeting, write one line: “They care most about ___ because ___.” Lead with that next time. How do I make someone feel important—without manipulation? Spot real wins and praise them sincerely and specifically. Most professionals get little recognition. When you catch people doing something right—clear brief, crisp data, fast feedback—name it. Never over-flatter; buyers detect tactics instantly. The goal is dignity, not drama. Practical example: “Your timeline reduced rework across Legal and IT—that saved us both weeks.” In Japan, sincere appreciation that acknowledges team effort (not just the individual) lands better; in the US, direct credit energises champions. Across sectors (SaaS, manufacturing, services), this fosters reciprocity and deepens trust far faster than discounts ever can.  Do now: In your next email, add one honest, specific thank-you sentence linked to a business outcome. What should leaders systemise so this sticks? Bake these principles into playbooks, onboarding, and CRM hygiene. Codify the seven memory cues, the open-question matrix, and a “buyer interest” field in CRM. Coach for silence (count to three before replying). Review call snippets for interrupt rate and question balance. Reward teams for discovery quality, not just revenue. Executives at firms from startups to conglomerates can run fortnightly “deal trust reviews”: is the sponsor heard, interests mapped, and recognition given? In Japan, align with nemawashi—map stakeholders and pre-wire decisions. In the US/EU, pressure-test value hypotheses with RevOps and Finance. Consistency beats charisma.  Do now: Add three fields to your CRM today—Interests, Stakeholders, Recognition Given—and make them required. Conclusion When you listen deeply, speak in the buyer's interests, and recognise people sincerely, you stop selling and start being chosen. Make this your firm's operating system and watch cycle times shorten and referrals grow.  FAQs Isn't this just “be nice” advice? No—these behaviours reduce friction, surface risks early, and accelerate consensus, which shortens sales cycles.  Do these tips work in Japan? Yes—especially the memory chain and sincere group-focused recognition, which fit relationship-first norms.  How do I measure progress? Track interrupt rate, number of stakeholder interests captured, and instances of specific recognition logged in CRM. Next Steps Add the seven-cue mnemonic and open-question set to your onboarding. Require “Interests” and “Recognition Given” fields in every opportunity. Coach teams to wait three beats before replying on calls. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers—Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery—along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. Japanese editions include ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, followed widely by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

Preacher: Revd Christopher Ho, Vicar of Church of Our Saviour Date: 19 October 2025 (8.30am)

You have about ten seconds to grab a prospect's attention on LinkedIn. If you're spending more time scrolling than positioning yourself as a thought leader, you're not using your profile to its full potential. Here's how to turn it into the perfect “first discovery call.”Profile Positioning· If you go back to episodes 1941 and 1088 with Brynne Tillman, you'll hear her explain why it's time to move past the resume mentality.· Your profile is prime real estate. Start with a compelling banner that clearly shows who you help and how. Use a professional, up-to-date photo, and try LinkedIn's name pronunciation feature to add a personal touch.Headline & About Section· Craft a headline that's punchy and credibility-building—skip the job title and highlight the value you deliver.· In your About section, speak directly to your ideal client's pain points. Use storytelling and short testimonials to build trust and connection.Target and Engage· Create micro-lists for targeted outreach—CFOs, CEOs, COOs—so you can personalize your messaging around real problems.· Before pitching a meeting, engage thoughtfully with your prospects' posts to build rapport and show genuine interest in their needs.Homework Challenge· Update your banner, headline, and profile photo. Rewrite your About section to focus on the problems you solve, and build a micro-list of prospects. · Also, don't forget about using my LinkedIn Sales Navigator trial to jump-start your outreach.“Your profile needs to be a lead-generating tool. It needs to attract prospects; they need to see it. And within five seconds, know what you have to offer.” - Donald Kelly.ResourcesIf you want to try LinkedIn Sales Navigator, start your 60-day trial here. My LinkedIn Prospecting Course will show you exactly how to start attracting more prospects right away. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn!Sponsorship Offers1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.2. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.3. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.CreditsAs one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here:

In this episode of Convergence.fm, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, to go behind the scenes of how Shopify not only keeps pace with rapid change but leads it.  The discussion explores how Shopify became one of the first platforms to allow merchants to sell products directly inside ChatGPT, why that move challenges Amazon's dominance, and what it takes to build a company that learns faster than it fails.  Farhan explains the systems that make being first repeatable rather than accidental, including Shopify's internal LLM proxy, MCP servers, experimentation culture, and democratized tooling.  If you are a CEO, COO, or CTO looking to scale through culture, systems, and intentional technology adoption, this episode shows what it looks like to operate with conviction and long-term relevance. Key Topics and Moments: Shopify and OpenAI's commerce integration. The same day OpenAI enabled in-chat shopping, Shopify merchants were already live. Farhan explains what it takes for a company of Shopify's size to move with that kind of speed Competing with Amazon through culture, not size. Shopify has 3,000 engineers compared to Amazon's 35,000+, yet continues to outpace bigger players by focusing on coherence, focus, and empowered execution rather than bureaucracy and scale. The meaning behind Tobi Lütke's April AI memo. Farhan discusses how Shopify operationalized its “AI is non-optional” stance, what baseline expectations look like, and how performance is evaluated in an AI-native organization. AI reflexivity and the “three buckets.” Farhan explains how teams are taught to recognize “AI not allowed,” “AI optional,” and “AI mandatory” problems so that employees develop instinct for when to reach for AI — and when to pick up the screwdriver. The risk of ‘vibe coding' and why hand tools still matter. Farhan shares lessons from real incidents inside and outside Shopify, like the Cloudflare outage caused by unreviewed AI-generated code, and how engineering leaders teach judgment, not just prompting. The LLM Proxy and MCP Servers. Inside look at how Shopify democratized AI across departments by building an internal platform that connects all major models and corporate data sources, enabling every employee to build workflows and ask intelligent questions — not just engineers. AI budgeting vs. SaaS budgeting. Farhan explains why AI usage isn't treated like traditional SaaS spend and how Shopify encourages heavy experimentation by rewarding impact rather than punishing token consumption. Experimentation as a system. How teams are encouraged to show work at 20%, not 80%, and why the speed of learning, not perfection, is the true productivity metric. Subtraction as leadership. Farhan shares how founders and executives must delete outdated processes, rules, and layers of bureaucracy to make room for new ideas — why process should only exist if it makes something possible or 10x better. Hiring and growing AI-native talent. Why Shopify doubled down on internships, hiring 1,000 interns this year and next, and how younger engineers push full-timers to stay current by being born AI-native “centaurs.” Responsibility versus accountability. Why leaders can delegate tasks but not responsibility, and how to stay in the work without disempowering the team. Certainty as intolerance. Farhan's reflection on why overconfidence kills creativity, and how leaders can replace fixed beliefs with wayfinding, curiosity, and adaptive decision-making. Rapid-fire reflections for CEOs. Ashok and Farhan close with lessons on showing unfinished work, modeling curiosity, and removing friction as a cultural operating system. Who Should Listen: Mid-market CEOs, COOs, and CTOs building adaptable organizations that can scale.  Leaders focused on culture and transformation, not just technology adoption.  Operators who want to apply product thinking and modern software practices to traditional industries. Notable Quotes: “We have a baseline expectation of using AI. If you have two people, one using AI and one not, they will both be evaluated the same.” – Farhan Thawar on AI usage expectations  “We don't like waste, but we don't have limits. If you believe in your workflow, use the best model for your problem solving.” – Farhan Thawar on AI token cost and consumption   “You can now buy directly in chat from Shopify merchants. That is a major shift in how people discover and buy online.” – Ashok Sivanand on Shopify launching all their merchants on ChatGPT's Shop feature on the very day it was launched  Related Reading and References: Shopify Blog: Shopify and OpenAI bring commerce to ChatGPT (official announcement) - https://www.shopify.com/news/shopify-open-ai-commerce?podconvergence   Reuters: OpenAI partners with Shopify, Stripe, and others to expand ChatGPT integrations - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/openai-partners-with-etsy-shopify-chatgpt-checkout-2025-09-29/?podconvergence   TechCrunch: Inside Tobi Lütke's AI Memo and Shopify's Cultural Shift - https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/07/shopify-ceo-tells-teams-to-consider-using-ai-before-growing-headcount/?podconvergence  Farhan's opinions about token consumption - https://x.com/fnthawar/status/1930367595670274058  Farhan's article about “looking stupid”- https://medium.com/helpful-com/why-looking-stupid-is-my-superpower-2ee3fe00a748?podconvergence  The Convergence.fm first episode with Farhan in 2024 - https://convergence.fm/episode/from-code-to-culture-how-shopify-thrives-under-farhan-thawars-thought-leadership  The Convergence.fm Episode about Tobi Lütke's leaked AI memo mandate, and our 6 takeaways - https://convergence.fm/episode/shopifys-leaked-ai-mandate-explained-6-takeaways-for-your-product-team  Tobi's memo Tweet - https://x.com/tobi/status/1909231499448401946 Unreasonable Hospitality (book) - https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573  Farhan's Twitter (public handle) - https://x.com/fnthawar  Reflection and Action Steps: Start with your mission. Before choosing tools, clarify what problem you are solving and what your business stands for.  Enable your team. Ask whether you are removing barriers or creating them.  Are employees empowered to experiment?  Model the change. Use AI tools yourself. Share your learnings, wins, and failures openly. F Foster learning. Consider introducing internal forums or “thinking clubs” that encourage curiosity and reflection across your team.  

In this episode of the Second in Command Podcast, Cameron Herold speaks with Brent Hagan, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, a direct mail automation platform delivering billions of personalized mail pieces every year.Brent shares how he helped a 12-year-old startup kick off its “second act” by transforming complex logistics into scalable systems powered by technology and disciplined leadership. He opens up about developing next-generation leaders, learning to balance autonomy with accountability, and why the best operators focus less on “doing” and more on developing people who can think for themselves.From saying yes to opportunity to mastering feedback and context-switching, Brent breaks down how to lead through clarity, consistency, and reflection - and why great COOs act as both a shock absorber and a multiplier for the entire organization.Resources & MentionsLobUSPS (United States Postal Service) Amazon Discover Insights ProgramWharton Executive EducationPurdue UniversityInvest In Your Leaders Online CourseAbout the GuestBrent Hagan is the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, overseeing logistics, vendor partnerships, and operational excellence for one of the fastest-growing direct mail automation companies in the U.S. A former Amazon leader and Wharton executive education graduate, Brent specializes in scaling operational systems, building resilient teams, and turning feedback into a strategic advantage.

Preacher: Pastor Samuel Jubi Lee Date: 12 October 2025 (8.30am)

What really separates a COO who keeps the lights on from one who drives exponential growth?In this episode, Cameron sits down with Imad Jbara, COO of L2 Infinite Insurance and former COO of WoJo Media, who transformed a company's client retention from 20% to 80% in just six months. Together, they unpack how COOs can build trust, fire with confidence, elevate leaders, and use systems to scale companies without chaos.From the painful lessons of firing too aggressively to the wisdom of patient onboarding and leveraging AI, Imad shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to succeed as a second in command.If you're tired of firefighting and want proven systems to grow your company with less chaos, you can't afford to skip this episode. Listen now for exclusive insights you won't hear anywhere else.About the GuestImad Jbara is the COO of L2 Infinite Insurance and former COO of WoJo Media, where he helped transform client retention and scale revenues dramatically. He's trained some of the largest sales teams in the world and worked alongside icons like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Alex Hormozi. Imad is known for building systems, empowering leaders, and creating the cultural foundations that allow companies to thrive.

Preacher: Pastor Daniel Teu Date: 5 October 2025 (8.30am)

What does it take to scale a $100M company into a $365M powerhouse and beyond?In this episode, Cameron Herold sits down with longtime friend Erik Church, President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands portfolio. Together, they reflect on 30 years of leadership lessons, from fraternity houses and College Pro Painters to running one of the most recognized franchise brands in North America.Erik reveals how he uses the Painted Picture (now Vivid Vision) process to align his teams, why saying “no” is often the most important leadership move, and how 101 Life Goals have become a cultural cornerstone at O2E. He also shares the realities of working with a high-profile visionary founder, balancing bold, sometimes “crazy” ideas with operational discipline.If you're a second-in-command navigating rapid growth, culture challenges, or a visionary CEO, this episode delivers actionable insights from one of the most seasoned COOs in the franchise world.About the GuestErik Church is the President & COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and the O2E Brands family (WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, Shack Shine). Since joining in 2011, he has helped scale the company from $100M to over $365M in revenue, focusing on culture, operational excellence, and leadership development. Previously, he served as President of EF Education Canada and held senior leadership roles across EF's global businesses. Erik is also an avid outdoorsman, traveler, and motorcycle enthusiast.

Preacher: Pastor Andrew Leong   Date: 28 September 2025 (8.30am)

In this episode, we challenge the disconnect between how organizations judge CHROs on metrics like attrition, engagement, and onboarding success—yet deny them the power to actually fix the root problems. Too often, CHROs are treated as strategists without the authority to hold underperforming leaders accountable, even when the data clearly points to managerial failure as the source of turnover and disengagement.I break down why companies must give CHROs the same weight in leadership decisions as CFOs or COOs—complete with the autonomy to influence, develop, or even remove leaders who fail to create healthy, high-performing teams. Without that authority, measuring CHROs on retention is an unfair and hollow exercise.If your organization truly wants better culture, stronger retention, and a competitive edge, this episode makes one thing clear: respect the CHRO's voice, or stop blaming them when people leave.

 In this episode of The Teacher's Lounge Podcast, Isa explores how early sounds like babbles and coos are more than just noise — they're the foundation of language and learning. You'll learn about key infant communication milestones, why back-and-forth exchanges matter more than word count, and simple strategies teachers can use to turn everyday routines, songs, and stories into powerful opportunities for connection and growth. Because when it comes to infant communication, every sound truly counts. LET'S CONNECT!We would love to connect with you!  Here are all the ways we can support you in your early education career!The Teacher's Lounge Website:     theearlyeducationteacherslounge.comPodcast:   The Teacher's Lounge For Early EducationFacebook:  The Early Education Teacher's LoungeInstagram:  @eecteacherslounge

Thinking about hiring a second in command? Getting it wrong can stall your growth, drain your energy, and wreck your culture. Getting it right can unlock scale, freedom, and balance.In this solo episode, Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and author of Second in Command, walks you through how to start the process of hiring a COO. He explains how to build a scorecard, define the role with precision, and identify the yin to your yang, so you can avoid a bad “marriage” and find the partner who actually complements your strengths.Cameron also shares why the CEO and COO should sit at the bottom of the org chart supporting their team, how to lean into your Vivid Vision to reverse-engineer the right fit, and why clarity on your weaknesses is the single most powerful step you can take before you hire.If you're a CEO considering a second in command, this episode gives you a proven roadmap for making one of the most important hires of your career.Highlights[00:30] – Why great COOs are rarely “on the market” and where to actually find them[01:27] – The scorecard exercise that reveals exactly who you need[02:11] – How to spot the yin to your yang (and avoid culture clashes)[03:43] – Why you don't have to be the cheerleader CEO if that's not you[05:00] – Flipping the org chart upside down: why CEOs and COOs belong at the bottom[06:08] – Using your Vivid Vision to clarify the COO role before you hire[08:00] – Why “Who Not How” should guide your hiring decisions[09:32] – The mistake of trying to become good at what you suck at and what to do instead[12:12] – Why hiring a COO is more like marriage than recruitment[13:28] – Why most CEOs who ask Cameron to be their COO would be a terrible fitResources & MentionsWho Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Ben HardyImportant LinksWebsiteLinkedInCOO AllianceSecond in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookInvest In Your Leaders Online CourseDelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

As first reported by Oregon ArtsWatch, a new education pavilion is opening on Sep. 20 at Tryon Creek State Natural Area located in Southwest Portland, near Lake Oswego. The new education center allows the nonprofit Friends of Tryon Creek to hold community events and educational programming year-round for students to gather for classes, day camps and field trips inside the roughly 660-acre day-use area.   Friends of Tryon Creek is also leading the fundraising and construction of the $2.6 million education pavilion, which was built on the forest floor and features a design based on traditional plankhouses used by Indigenous Northwest tribes as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, potlatches and other events. Four Indigenous Northwest artists have also been commissioned to create artwork that will be put on permanent display inside the pavilion. Six western red cedar lodgepoles were sustainably harvested from local forests and used for the new construction, along with bluestone that was used for the interior hallway to represent Columbia River basalt preserved in the landscape.    Friends of Tryon Creek executive director Gabe Sheoships is Cayuse and Walla Walla and a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Artist Shirod Younker is Coos, Miluk, Umpqua and a citizen of the Coquille Indian Tribe. They join us to share how they hope the new education pavilion will help students and visitors appreciate the pre-colonial history of Tryon Creek and the surrounding region.  

Episode Overview In this episode, John sits down with Kristyn Drennen, founder of Transform CXO, to dive deep into leadership, scaling, and the power of fractional executives. They explore how business owners can break through growth ceilings, leverage the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and free themselves from solopreneur chaos. From the difference between visionaries and integrators, to how fractional COOs help real estate teams scale without overextending, this is a masterclass in leadership clarity, accountability, and sustainable growth. Kristyn shares her unique perspective from working across multiple industries, showing why the right frameworks and talent can transform both businesses and lives. What You'll Learn in This Episode The Power of Operating Systems Why Scaling Up often overwhelms smaller businesses How EOS provides clarity and simplicity for real estate teams Why consistency, not complexity, drives growth Fractional Executives Explained What fractional COOs and integrators actually do Why “fractional horsepower” beats hiring too early How to know if fractional talent is the right next step Visionary vs. Integrator Roles The difference between creating ideas, executing, and managing Why many team leaders get stuck wearing too many hats How to free yourself into the visionary role without losing momentum Leadership & Team Development Why most growth challenges come down to people or process How to use Working Genius to identify strengths and frustrations Why leadership development gets pushed aside—and why it shouldn't Scaling with Intention Why loyalty can cap your team's growth The importance of building an accountability chart How to hire people who've already been where you want to go Resources & Mentions Traction by Gino Wickman – The foundation of EOS Scaling Up by Verne Harnish – Framework for larger businesses The Motive & The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni – Must-reads for leaders The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Productivity assessment for leaders and teams Transform CXO → transformcxo.com Follow Kristyn on Instagram: @kristyndrennencxo John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Final Takeaway Leadership clarity is the ultimate growth accelerator. By understanding your true role, bringing in the right fractional support, and implementing proven systems, you can scale your business without sacrificing your freedom. “Fractional means fraction of the time, fraction of the cost—but full horsepower.” – Kristyn Drennen Connect with Us: Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time!

Meet: Ashis GuptaHelping businesses unblock growth with access to a proven COO who's already scaled businesses like yours at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.I've had a long journey in business and tech (co-founded and sold a wireless company to Qualcomm; managed a ninja operations team at Apple responsible for a $2B/year budget; turned a loss-making E-Comm to +25% EBITDA and sold in 4 years, and now running a “100 Most Promising Companies of 2024” with ScaleUpExec), and in that time I've learned a lot about what truly makes businesses tick.Through these experiences and my years having led teams in large enterprises and startups, I've formulated and implemented counter yet impactful ways of making teams actually impactful to the business while being motivated through the process. I'm a fan of being hands-on with execution (not just with strategy) and have developed an industry-agnostic skillset to solve problems such as creating sales and marketing channels that scale fast; building super-effective yet affordable remote teams; getting founders out of day-to-day operations.I've already had the chance to help 20+ businesses in different industries navigate every kind of problem - from businesses going through existential crises, to ones growing at breakneck speeds - with disproportionate results. And now it's my mission to be of support to more entrepreneurs. That's why I'm building ScaleUpExec, to provide SMBs access to the rare “gems” of COOs who will not only operate and optimize, but also fast-track your business's growth, at a fraction of the cost of a full-timer.DM me if there's any way you think I can be of assistance in your business, or if you just want to get another pair of eyes looking at the problem. I'd love to help.More:Website:https://scaleupexec.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/

Is Your Marketing Strategy Built on Magic or Business Fundamentals?In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Laura Luckman-Kelber, a seasoned marketing leader and strategic powerhouse. Laura brings her real-world experience to debunk one of the biggest myths in marketing today; that success comes from a single viral moment or some kind of “magic.” Instead, she lays out why effective marketing is built on business fundamentals like margins, revenue goals, and deeply understanding your customer.Laura dives into the classic “Four Ps” of marketing, Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, and explains why too many marketers focus only on the last one. She challenges marketing teams to go deeper, collaborate with finance and sales, and ensure their efforts are tied directly to business objectives.We also explore the importance of differentiation in a saturated market, how to uncover your brand's true value, and why marketers should start thinking (and acting) more like COOs.In this episode, we cover:Why “viral video” thinking is dangerous and what real marketing success looks likeThe importance of the Four Ps and why focusing only on promotion leads to failureHow to find your brand's point of difference and avoid becoming a commodityThe power of cross-functional collaboration with finance and salesWhy marketers need to blend creativity with business acumenIf you're a marketer looking to ground your strategy in real business results, this episode is packed with wisdom, perspective, and practical advice you can start using today.

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, co-host Sivana Brewer is joined by Sarah Harris, Fractional Chief Operating Officer at OMG Commerce.In this episode, you'll be taken behind the scenes of a dynamic leadership role that's often misunderstood but critical to a company's growth and health. Through candid stories and practical insights, the conversation explores the unique balance required to lead both strategically and operationally, juggling long-term vision with short-term problem-solving. You'll hear how strong delegation, prioritization, and clarity of communication help keep leaders out of the weeds and focused on what matters most.Sarah dives into the hidden challenges companies face as they scale, especially around team structure, decision-making, and culture. You'll learn why emotional intelligence, feedback systems, and psychological safety are not just soft skills but essential operational levers. The episode highlights how creating space for team autonomy, fostering accountability, and removing decision bottlenecks can unlock innovation and engagement at all levels of the business.From moments of breakthrough growth in team members to practical rituals for prioritization, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and mindset shifts that challenge traditional notions of leadership and invite a new way of thinking about operational excellence.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:Sarah's unique background, starting in commercial roles and eventually becoming a managing director, while also being a qualified therapist and coach.The differences between working with a CEO and a founder CEO, as well as the emotional and personal stakes for the founder.The use of post-mortems and team retrospectives to uncover underlying issues and gather data for making informed decisions.The importance of building a culture of feedback and creating an environment where people feel safe giving feedback in all directions.How Sarah's background in therapy and coaching helps her approach problems with empathy and curiosity.And much more...Guest Bio:Sarah Harris is a Fractional COO at OMG Commerce with a unique blend of operational expertise, coaching depth, and psychological insight. With a background as an ICF-certified coach and MBACP-registered counsellor, she supports growth-stage companies by aligning strategy, leadership, and mindset to scale sustainably. Sarah has spent her career leading business transformation—building leadership teams, optimizing operations, and guiding founders through the complexities of growth. Her integrated approach balances execution with people-centered change, helping leaders shift how they think, lead, and show up. From organizational transformation to mergers and acquisitions, Sarah partners with businesses to create resilient, high-performing teams and structures. She knows scaling isn't just about growing, it's about building something that works and lasts.Resources:Connect with Sarah: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website |

This episode features Mark Solazzo, Chief Operating Officer of Northwell Health, as he shares insights from his 30-year career, discusses the importance of culture and people in healthcare leadership, and reflects on his transition toward retirement. He also offers advice for future COOs navigating the evolving health system landscape.

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Cameron Herold, founder of COO Alliance and the man known as "The CEO Whisperer." Cameron shares profound insights on why vision alone never drives scale and how the smartest entrepreneurs systematically delegate everything except their genius. Discover the hidden taxonomy of second-in-command roles, why context matters more than concepts in delegation, and the "Jigsaw Puzzle of Business" framework that Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to capturing business wisdom? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Cameron's unconventional entrepreneurial journey 06:42 Why having 14 businesses by age 18 was actually the perfect preparation 14:28 The 1-800-GOT-JUNK transformation and what board members really need to see 22:15 Why "scale is not an extension of vision" and where most entrepreneurs break 30:36 The taxonomy of second-in-command roles and matching COOs to company stages 38:52 The Jigsaw Puzzle of Business metaphor and systematic framework for growth 45:18 The delegation trap that keeps companies stuck under $10 million52:07 Context vs concepts and why onboarding time should match recruiting time 58:44 The emotional regulation skills that matter more than technical knowledgeAbout Cameron HeroldCameron Herold is the founder of COO Alliance and host of the Second In Command podcast, known globally as "The CEO Whisperer." As the former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, he engineered the company's spectacular growth from $2 million to $106 million in revenue in just six years. The publisher of Forbes magazine stated, "Cameron Herold is the best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams."Cameron is the author of 6 bestselling books, including The Second In Command, Vivid Vision, and Double Double. He has spoken in 26 countries across all 7 continents, and his Second In Command podcast consistently ranks in the top 5% of all business podcasts with over 2 million downloads.Connect with Cameron Herold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/ Website: https://cameronherold.com/ COO Alliance: https://cooalliance.com/ Second In Command Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhrkfRg9PlkvgEGJ5Xmcaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores what it truly means to have a second in command and why that role extends far beyond traditional job titles. You'll hear how title inflation over the last few decades has blurred the lines between what it means to hold a C-level position and the actual responsibilities required for such a role. The discussion highlights the essential qualities of a true second-in-command, including strategic insight, autonomy, and the ability to carry real financial and operational responsibility.Cameron dives into the importance of alignment between a leader and their counterpart. Through examples from high-growth companies, he explains how the ideal second-in-command often changes depending on the stage of the business. What works for a scrappy startup may not be right for a billion-dollar enterprise, and leaders must carefully consider timing, industry, and personal compatibility when filling the role. The yin-and-yang balance between a CEO and their chosen partner becomes a central theme.From conducting self-assessments to defining clear responsibilities, compensation, and cultural fit, this episode offers actionable advice for leaders seeking their own second-in-command. See how hiring the right second-in-command at the right stage can make or break your company's growth.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:How the internet revolution from 1995 to 2000 led to the use of titles as marketing tools, often given in lieu of actual compensation. (2:48)The importance of finding the right COO for different stages of company growth. (4:28)Why the job of a leader is to grow the skills, confidence, and connections of their team members. (7:32)The need to describe the COO role accurately, including responsibilities, metrics, and compensation, to attract the right candidate. (8:48)The benefits of using executive search firms that specialize in recruiting COOs and senior executives to find the right fit for the company. (9:07)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your LeadersConnect with Cameron on DelphiDisclaimer:The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Second in Command podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use....

Tim Cook has generated more than $3 trillion in shareholder value as Apple's CEO, yet tariff pressures and the AI arms race are putting his operational rigor to the test. On the Zero100 Podcast, Chief Research Officer Kevin O'Marah and VP, Research Geraint John dissect whether Cook's “balanced excellence” can keep Apple relevant and resilient in a morphing trade landscape. Tim Cook vs Steve Jobs: Who was the better CEO? (00:35) From leader to laggard: Apple's product innovation downturn (02:42)  Trade, tariffs, and Trump (06:42) The plausibility of a US-made iPhone (09:26) Reflections of Cook's big bet on China (11:59) What aspiring COOs can learn from Cook's legacy (14:09) Is it time for Cook to pass the baton? (19:18)

Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of executive leadership and pivotal moments of transition in this engaging episode of the Business Lunch podcast. Hosts Roland Frasier and Ryan Diess kick off with a lively banter, setting the stage for a deep dive into the complexities of being a CEO. The episode features a detailed discussion on the stepping down of Bumble's CEO, exploring the nuanced reasons behind such significant career decisions.Throughout the conversation, Ryan and Roland offer insights into the multifaceted nature of executive roles, particularly focusing on the differences and responsibilities of CEOs and COOs. They bring their own experiences into the discussion, providing listeners with real-world examples and practical advice.This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the intricacies of business leadership, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or simply curious about the dynamics of high-level management.It's an insightful journey into what it means to lead, adapt, and grow in today's fast-paced business environment.Highlights:"I think that the most important thing is to be able to have a conversation with somebody and to be able to disagree with them and still respect them."“I want to know all the people I'm working with by name and you know, see how they're doing and know about their families and do barbecue.”“No one can run your business like you do.Highlights: "I think that the most important thing is to be able to have a conversation with somebody and to be able to disagree with them and still respect them."“I want to know all the people I'm working with by name and you know, see how they're doing and know about their families..."“No one can run your business like you do.”Timestamps: (0:00:00) - Considering Leadership Transitions(0:14:17) - Consider Hiring CEO or COO(0:23:07) - CEO vs COO and Hiring Specialists(0:33:02) - Acquiring Successful Businesses Is More EffectiveCONNECT • Ask Roland a question HERE.RESOURCES: • 7 Steps to Scalable workbook • Get my book, Zero Down, FREETo learn more about Roland Frasier

Personal AI is pioneering the next generation of artificial intelligence with their memory-first platform that creates personalized AI models for individuals and organizations. Having raised over $16 million, the company has evolved from targeting consumers to focusing on enterprise customers who need highly private, precise, and personalized AI solutions. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Suman Kanuganti, CEO and Co-Founder of Personal AI, to explore the company's journey from early AI experimentation in 2015 to building what he envisions as the future AI workforce for enterprise organizations. Topics Discussed: Personal AI's evolution from consumer-focused to enterprise B2B platform The technical architecture behind personal language models vs. large language models Privacy-first approach and competitive advantages in regulated industries Go-to-market pivot and scaling from small law firms to enterprise contracts Unit economics advantages and 10x cost reduction compared to traditional LLMs Vision for AI workforce integration in public companies within 3-5 years GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Recognize when market timing doesn't align with your vision: Suman's team was building AI solutions as early as 2015, nearly a decade before the ChatGPT moment. When ChatGPT launched in November 2022, Personal AI faced confusion from investors and customers about their differentiation. Rather than forcing their sophisticated personal AI models on consumers who wanted simpler solutions, they recognized the market mismatch and pivoted. B2B founders should be prepared to adjust their go-to-market approach when market readiness doesn't match their technical capabilities, even if their technology is superior. Find your wedge in enterprise through specific pain points: Personal AI discovered their enterprise entry point by targeting "highly sensitive use cases that LLMs are not good for" where companies would be "shit scared to put any data in the LLM." They focused on precision and privacy pain points that large language models couldn't address. B2B founders should identify specific enterprise pain points where their solution provides clear advantages over existing alternatives, rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Let customer expansion drive revenue growth: Personal AI's enterprise strategy evolved organically as existing contracts "started growing like wildfire as more people had a creative mindset to solve the problem with the platform." They discovered that their Persona concept allowed enterprises to consolidate multiple AI use cases into one platform. B2B founders should design their platforms to naturally expand within organizations and reduce vendor fragmentation, creating stickiness and increasing average contract values. Leverage architectural advantages for unit economics: By positioning their personal language models between customer use cases and large language models, Personal AI achieved "10x lower cost" per token. This architectural decision created both privacy benefits and economic advantages. B2B founders should consider how their technical architecture can create sustainable competitive advantages in both functionality and economics, not just features. Geography matters more than you think for fundraising: Suman identified his biggest fundraising mistake as not moving to San Francisco earlier, stating "back in 2022 or 2023 is when I should have moved to San Francisco, period." He learned that being part of the Silicon Valley ecosystem and conversation is critical for fundraising success. B2B founders should consider the strategic importance of physical presence in key markets, especially when raising capital, and not underestimate the value of in-person relationship building.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM 

In this episode of "It's the Bottom Line That Matters," host Jennifer Glass is joined by Daniel McCraine and Patricia Reszetylo to break down the world of fractional CXOs—those key executive roles filled on a part-time or contract basis. They dive into what the "CXO" title covers, how fractional officers differ from full-time hires, and explore the value and flexibility that fractional leadership can bring to growing businesses. The discussion covers practical scenarios, such as engaging a fractional Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer, pricing models, and how business needs dictate the right engagement structure.The trio also debates the difference between consultants, outsourced work, and true fractional officers, highlighting when each makes sense and the benefits of ongoing, embedded strategic support versus one-off projects. Rounding out the episode, they offer candid advice on how business owners can assess their needs, look to industry benchmarks, and avoid common pitfalls when selecting the right fractional leader. If you're considering adding executive horsepower to your business without the full-time price tag, this episode is packed with insights to guide your decision-making.Key Takeaways:Cost-Effective Expertise: Fractional CXOs allow access to high-level leadership (like CFOs, COOs, CMOs, etc.) without the commitment and cost of a full-time executive. You pay for the expertise you need, only when you need it.Strategic Impact Over Execution: Unlike consultants (who tackle specific projects) or outsourced firms (who execute tasks), a fractional officer becomes part of your leadership team, steering strategy, overseeing divisions, and driving outcomes.Timing & Fit are Critical: If your business needs hands-on, strategic guidance or is at a scale where leadership bandwidth is stretched, a fractional CXO might be the answer. But always vet candidates carefully—ensure they're capable of delivering the value and results your business requires.Curious to learn more or considering if now is the time to bring a fractional officer on board? Tune in or reach out to continue the conversation.#businessgrowth #leadership #fractionalCXO #strategy #podcastKEYWORDS: fractional CXO, chief marketing officer, chief operations officer, chief revenue officer, chief technology officer, chief financial officer, small business, business success, hiring, salary, fractional officer, outsourcing, consulting, consultant, business coach, business operations, packages, part-time executive, cost savings, business growth, strategic advice, financial advice, accountant, bookkeeping, capital raising, fundraising, pitch deck, business expansion, managerial roles, trust in advisors, business networks

Is founder-led growth helping or holding you back?Early wins often come straight from the founder's voice. Nobody knows the problem better, or tells the story with more passion. That credibility is what gets the first customers to sign, keeps them close, and often carries a young company through its earliest deals. But founder-led growth has limits. Time runs out. Markets expand. What worked at $1M ARR may stall out at $15M.In Episode 89 of B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks, host Brian Graf and Kalungi founder Stijn Hendrikse unpack both sides of founder-led growth: why it's such a powerful accelerator in the beginning, and why it can quietly become a ceiling if companies don't evolve.You'll hear how to recognize the signs that your business is over-reliant on the founder, and what founders, teams, and investors can do to keep growth compounding even as the company matures.Critical topics in this episodeWhy founder-led growth works: The credibility, subject matter expertise, and customer intimacy that early adopters can't resist.Where it breaks: The hidden ceiling that appears when everything still flows through the founder.Transition challenges: Letting go of sales, messaging, and culture without losing the magic.Investor view: How search funds and acquirers spot businesses that need to move past the founder model.The Kalungi story: What happened when Stijn stepped away, and how Brian navigated the shift to a broader team-led approach.Amplifying the founder's voice: Ways to scale thought leadership without burning out the founder.By the end, you'll see founder-led growth for what it is: a launchpad, not a permanent operating model. And you'll walk away with sharper instincts for when to double down on the founder's voice—and when it's time to build beyond it. B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks is one of the most respected voices in the SaaS industry. It is hosted by two leading marketing and revenue growth experts for software:Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 CMO Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiBrian Graf: CEO of KalungiB2B SaaS companies move through predictable stages of marketing focus, cost and size (as described in the popular T2D3 book). The best founders, CFOs and COOs in B2B SaaS rely on a balance of marketing leadership, strategy and execution to produce the customer and revenue growth they require. Staying flexible and nimble is a key marketing asset in a hard-charging B2B world.Resources shared in this episode:BSMS 77 - Leveling up your go to marketThe 4 SaaS Marketing Leadership Maturity Stages ExplainedLooking for a Startup Marketing Agency? Here's What Every B2B SaaS Founder Needs to Know T2D3 CMO MasterclassSubmit and vote on our podcast topicsABOUT B2B SAAS MARKETING SNACKSSince 2020, The B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks Podcast has offered software company founders, investors and leadership a fresh source of insights into building a complete and efficient engine for growth.Meet our Marketing Snacks Podcast Hosts: Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiAs a serial entrepreneur and marketing leader, Stijn has contributed to the success of 20+ startups as a C-level executive, including Chief Revenue Officer of Acumatica, CEO of MightyCall, a SaaS contact center solution, and leading the initial global Go-to-Market for Atera, a B2B SaaS Unicorn. Before focusing on startups, Stijn led global SMB Marketing and B2B Product Marketing for Microsoft's Office platform.Brian Graf: CEO of KalungiAs CEO of Kalungi, Brian provides high-level strategy, tactical execution, and business leadership expertise to drive long-term growth for B2B SaaS. Brian has successfully led clients in all aspects of marketing growth, from positioning and messaging to event support, product announcements, and channel-spend optimizations, generating qualified leads and brand awareness for clients while prioritizing ROI. Before Kalungi, Brian worked in television advertising, specializing in business intelligence and campaign optimization, and earned his MBA at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business with a focus in finance and marketing.Visit Kalungi.com to learn more about growing your B2B SaaS company.

Send us a textToday's guest is Daniel Cheetham — the founder and principal of Captains Club, a boutique executive search firm that helps owner-operators find the kind of leaders they can actually trust to run the business.  Daniel specializes in placing second-in-command roles — Presidents, COOs, EOS Integrators — in gritty, founder-led companies that are ready to scale but don't want to lose their soul in the process. He's known for going deep with clients, building trust quickly, and finding operators who lead with both head and heart.  Beyond his work in executive search, Daniel is a dad, a husband, and a believer in intentional living. This is his story, Listen NOW!Website:  https://www.captainsclub.com/Contact him:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/DanCheetContact US:  Rumble/ YouTube/ IG: @powerofmanpodcastEmail: powerofmanpodcast@gmail.com.Twitter: @rorypaquetteLooking for Like-Minded Fathers and Husbands? Join our Brotherhood!"Power of Man Within" , in Facebook Groups:https://www.facebook.com/groups/490821906341560/?ref=share_group_linkFree Coaching Consultation call whenever you are ready... Message me!Believe it!

In this special 500th episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Meridith Kuba, Vice President of Operations and Sales for the COO Alliance.This time out, you're invited into a candid and energetic conversation that explores the unique dynamic between two long-time business collaborators. Through shared memories and deeply personal reflections, Cameron and Meridith peel back the curtain on what it truly takes to build and maintain a successful leadership partnership over nearly a decade. It's more than just strategy and execution. It's about trust, loyalty, and the unspoken understanding that fuels great teamwork.Throughout the discussion, Meridith touches on lessons learned from her personal journey, including the surprising turns that shaped her career and the core values that now guide her professional and personal decisions. Expect laughs, a few hard truths, and meaningful takeaways about pursuing work that inspires a deep sense of fulfillment. You'll also hear how intentional communication and alignment have helped this team navigate growth without compromising culture.With a heartfelt look at the past and an optimistic eye toward the future, this episode delivers a blend of wisdom, wit, and real-world leadership insight that will resonate with entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone in between.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The early days of the COO Alliance, the importance of connections, and the high rate of members wanting to continue participating.Meridith's experience of completing an Executive MBA and the lack of new business insights gained.The challenges of delegating and the importance of follow-up and systems like ClickUp.Why Meridith's genuine love for the COO Alliance and the ability to convey its value contribute to her sales success.The value of CEOs being informed about their COOs' learning and experiences.And much more...Guest Bio:Meridith Kuba is the VP of Operations & Sales at COO Alliance, where she's the go-to fixer—whether you need strategies planned or problems solved. Known affectionately as the “Wonder Woman” of the team, she balances big-picture thinking with a delightfully down-to-earth vibe. With a playful streak, farm-inspired grit, and a knack for multi-tasking, Meridith brings both heart and horsepower to leading teams in today's fast-moving business world.Resources:Connect with Meridith: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your LeadersDisclaimer:The views,...

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Eric Ritchie sits down with Chief Operating Officers Doug Morrison and Justin Porter to recap how the 2025 season is shaping up in both the Northern and Southern regions. From major projects in the Mid-Atlantic to developing new leaders on utility crews in New England, the conversation highlights the growth in both workload and workforce. The COOs reflect on success stories of mentorship, the impact of a growing internship program, and the intentional investment in people that drives Sargent forward. They also emphasize safety, sharing standout observations from the field and encouraging employee-owners to keep watching out for one another.If you liked this week's episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to:sbennage@sargent.us

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the dynamic interplay between visionary entrepreneurs and the operational leaders who help bring their ideas to life. The conversation centers on the constant flow of ideas that many CEOs generate and the need for a reliable system to evaluate, filter, and manage those ideas without derailing a company's strategic direction. One key tactic discussed is turning a spontaneous brainstorm into a structured dialogue, helping leaders stay aligned while respecting each other's distinct strengths.You'll discover the importance of clearly defined roles and responsibilities to prevent what's jokingly called "seagull management"—when leaders swoop in with ideas but leave behind confusion. Tools like the Impact Filter and return-on-investment questions are presented as effective methods for sorting through ideas and prioritizing the ones that align with current goals. Learn why having a documented set of commitments for the CEO can reduce the tendency to chase new concepts at the expense of ongoing work.This episode offers practical tips for generating personalized communication strategies for leadership pairs, leading to highly productive partnerships that fuel sustainable growth rather than constant chaos.Curious how to tame visionary chaos without killing innovation? Tune in to learn proven strategies for turning idea overload into growth momentum. If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:Why COOs should express interest in CEOs' ideas and then ask follow-up questions to understand them better, creating a type of verbal impact filter. (0:10)The challenge of delegating for CEOs and the importance of clear written roles to avoid "seagull management." (1:07)The process of deciding whether to green light, yellow light, or red light an idea based on its potential impact and resources. (3:15)How the communication differences between CEOs and COOs resemble the differences between men and women, and the need for effective collaboration (5:14)The importance of specialized coaching for both CEOs and COOs to build stronger, more effective partnerships. (6:32)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your LeadersDisclaimer:The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Second in Command podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult...

Is mid-level management a stone you're ready to step off of? Making that move is difficult but doable, and Amy B and her three guests will direct, inspire, and reassure you. An executive coach validates the challenges of scoring a position that's scarce. Then, two COOs whose careers stagnated in mid-level management before accelerating again, recount the conversations, decisions, and networking that jump-started them.

Is your product really ready to sell itself?Plenty of founders spot Slack, Loom, or Canva and claim, “We'll just go product-led.” The idea feels neat. No big sales team. Faster cycles. Viral growth. Yet Product-led Growth only works when the product already clears tough hurdles for ease, onboarding, and unmistakable value. Miss those, and momentum never starts.In Episode 88 of B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks, host Brian Graf sits down with long-time CMO Stijn Hendrikse to explore why early teams often overrate PLG—and how investors can identify the warning signs before wiring funds.You'll hear hands-on ways to test whether a product can truly pull in its own demand, along with the questions VCs should ask to be sure the numbers make sense.Critical topics in this episodeThe appeal and the reality of PLG:  Why founders romanticize the model and where hidden costs creep in.A “10×” rule for product-market fit:  Milestones that must scale from tens to thousands before PLG is viable.Metrics investors must see:  Value moments and pay–stay–refer ratios (share of users who pay, stick around, and invite others) needed when ARPU is small.Keeping costs in check:  How careless spending on ads, onboarding, or extras can turn a lean approach into a cash fire.Mixing self-serve with sales:  When a small sales touch helps—start small, then grow each account.Using new capital wisely:  Deepening the winning niche instead of chasing every shiny segment.By the end, you'll know how to vet a PLG claim—whether you're shipping code or writing checks. Get ready to rethink the checklist for PLG readiness and to ask sharper questions before betting on a self-service vision. B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks is one of the most respected voices in the SaaS industry. It is hosted by two leading marketing and revenue growth experts for software:Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 CMO Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiBrian Graf: CEO of KalungiB2B SaaS companies move through predictable stages of marketing focus, cost and size (as described in the popular T2D3 book). The best founders, CFOs and COOs in B2B SaaS rely on a balance of marketing leadership, strategy and execution to produce the customer and revenue growth they require. Staying flexible and nimble is a key marketing asset in a hard-charging B2B world.Resources shared in this episode:How to Assess If Your B2B SaaS Company Is Ready for Scalable GrowthBSMS 23 - Product led growth vs. sales led growthLooking for a Startup Marketing Agency? Here's What Every B2B SaaS Founder Needs to Know T2D3 CMO MasterclassSubmit and vote on our podcast topicsABOUT B2B SAAS MARKETING SNACKSSince 2020, The B2B SaaS Marketing Snacks Podcast has offered software company founders, investors and leadership a fresh source of insights into building a complete and efficient engine for growth.Meet our Marketing Snacks Podcast Hosts: Stijn Hendrikse: Author of T2D3 Masterclass & Book, Founder of KalungiAs a serial entrepreneur and marketing leader, Stijn has contributed to the success of 20+ startups as a C-level executive, including Chief Revenue Officer of Acumatica, CEO of MightyCall, a SaaS contact center solution, and leading the initial global Go-to-Market for Atera, a B2B SaaS Unicorn. Before focusing on startups, Stijn led global SMB Marketing and B2B Product Marketing for Microsoft's Office platform.Brian Graf: CEO of KalungiAs CEO of Kalungi, Brian provides high-level strategy, tactical execution, and business leadership expertise to drive long-term growth for B2B SaaS. Brian has successfully led clients in all aspects of marketing growth, from positioning and messaging to event support, product announcements, and channel-spend optimizations, generating qualified leads and brand awareness for clients while prioritizing ROI. Before Kalungi, Brian worked in television advertising, specializing in business intelligence and campaign optimization, and earned his MBA at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business with a focus in finance and marketing.Visit Kalungi.com to learn more about growing your B2B SaaS company. 

Unlock Exponential Growth with a World-Class COO | Cameron Herold (CEO Whisperer) on Building a Thriving Culture Is your business growth plateauing? Are you wearing too many hats and struggling to scale?  This episode of the Build On Purpose podcast is your roadmap to building a leadership team that transforms your vision into reality. Max interviews Cameron Herold , the "CEO Whisperer" and founder of the COO Alliance, who shares invaluable insights on hiring the perfect second-in-command to unlock your business's full potential. — Key Takeaways: A great COO is the Yin to the CEO's Yang, perfectly complementing their strengths and weaknesses. Hiring a COO frees up the founder's time to focus on high-impact activities and personal pursuits. Delaying the hiring of a COO can significantly slow down business growth. The right COO can transform your company culture and drive deeper team engagement. — Connect with Cameron Herold COO Alliance – Join the leading network for second-in-command executives: https://cooalliance.com Second in Command Podcast – Hear behind-the-scenes insights from top COOs: https://cooalliance.com/podcast Books by Cameron Herold: The Second in Command Vivid Vision Double Double Meetings Suck Free PR Available on Amazon or CameronHerold.com Invest in Your Leaders – Leadership development course: https://investinyourleaders.com Newsletter & Resources: https://cameronherold.com Follow Cameron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold — YScouts Company Links: Website: https://yscouts.com/ About Us: https://yscouts.com/about-us/ Process Demo: https://yscouts.com/resources/ Meet the Team: https://yscouts.com/meet-the-team/ Free Book “Hiring on Purpose”: https://yscouts.com/hiring-on-purpose/ Built on Purpose Podcast: https://yscouts.com/podcast/ Blog: https://yscouts.com/blog/ Contact: https://yscouts.com/contact/ Max Hansen (Y Scouts Founder): Profile: https://yscouts.com/max-hansen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxhansen Forbes HR Council: https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Max-Hansen-CEO-Y-Scouts/9d4bcbb0-c76f-41b5-aafd-ba0e0e30fdf0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mhansen44/ YScouts Social Media & Channels: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/y-scouts Instagram: https://instagram.com/yscouts/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/Yscouts/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/YScouts  

What happens when a spiritually sensitive musician follows the whispers of his ancestors into the forests of Coos County — and ends up face-to-face with something pacing on a rock, staring down a fishing boat?In this riveting and emotional episode of Bigfoot Society, Jeremiah Byron sits down with Chris — a gifted storyteller from the Oregon coast — who shares decades of mind-bending encounters with what he calls the “Hairy Folk.” From an ocean-bound Sasquatch pacing in front of a breaching whale to haunting dreams, glowing red eyes, stick signs, and psychic messages, this episode explores a side of Bigfoot rarely talked about… but deeply felt.You'll hear firsthand stories from Russian River, Stanislaus River, Willow Creek, Coquille, and more — including unexplained tree breaks, vocalizations that sound like human calls, and gifts left in the forest that predicted future relationships. More than just a chronicle of encounters, this is a look into how Bigfoot connects across spirit, land, and bloodline — and how one man's family legacy may have called him back into the mystery.Resources:Pulse Pace music video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J6EI7Om1-0

In this episode of Now That's IT, Aaron Betts shares his remarkable journey—from launching his first MSP in 2005 and losing it all during the financial crisis, to taking a corporate detour, burning out, and ultimately returning to lead Intelesys as President.Aaron opens up about the hard-earned lessons of entrepreneurship, the shift from break/fix to managed services, and how a life-altering health scare reshaped his leadership style. He shares how he's rebuilding company culture, redefining success, and guiding his MSP toward a $10M vision—all while empowering his team to think bigger.Whether you're navigating burnout, scaling operations, or preparing your next generation of leaders, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways for MSP owners, COOs, and IT leaders.

What's keeping today's top supply chain leaders up at night? And what opportunities are they most excited about? The Zero100 team shares their biggest takeaways from Off the Grid 2025, our recent gathering of 50+ CSCOs and COOs in Ireland, exploring everything from the future of tariffs and agentic AI to the power of fusion teams and the expanding COO remit. Featuring: Content Director Allyssia Alleyne and VPs, Research Kelly Coutinho and Geraint John.First things first: What is Off the Grid? (1:50) Key themes: New rules of global trade and the rise of agentic AI (02:48) How supply chain leaders are thinking about tariffs now (06:12)Evolving perspectives on the ROI of AI (10:20) China's digital innovation advantage (11:28) Visibility, agility, and cross-functionality: CSCO and COO priorities for the rest of 2025 (13:53)

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron breaks down the misunderstood and often misused role of the Chief Operating Officer. Drawing from both personal experience and established research, he uncovers how the COO is not a one-size-fits-all title—it's a role that shifts depending on the needs of the CEO and the stage of the business. With anecdotes from his own time at 1-800-GOT-JUNK and references to thought leaders in the field, Cameron explores how many leadership titles are incorrectly handed out, and why defining the true second in command begins with understanding the personality and skill gaps of the CEO.The conversation dives into seven key archetypes of COOs, from executors and change agents to mentors and MVPs—each fulfilling a unique function within a company. Whether serving as a stabilizing force in turbulent times, guiding a young founder through explosive growth, or acting as a public-facing counterpart to an introverted CEO, the COO's impact is always rooted in complementing leadership. Cameron also explores the often unseen dynamic of the CEO-COO relationship, likening it to a marriage where balance, trust, and mutual respect drive real progress.This episode shows that the role of the COO is anything but static; it's a powerful, adaptive force that, when aligned correctly, becomes the backbone of growth, execution, and sustained success.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today! Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The common misconceptions about COOs and how they are often confused with other leadership roles, like directors or VPs.The seven main categories of COOs identified by Nate Bennett and Stephen A. Miles in their book "Riding Shotgun." The importance of finding a COO who complements the CEO's strengths and weaknesses.How the role of the COO has evolved over time, with more CEOs investing in their own leadership growth and involving their senior leadership in coaching and mentorship.Why the role of the COO is seen as a source of culture through their vision, core values, and motivation towards goals.And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your LeadersDisclaimer:The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Second in Command podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you...

In this no-holds-barred solo rant, AJ peels back the layers of what's really driving (or stalling) organizational transformation in 2025. This one's for the CHROs, COOs, and strategic operators who are actually in the trenches—grappling with reorgs, AI adoption, middle management drag, and sluggish decision-making structures that choke scale and stunt innovation.With 75% of orgs facing workforce shifts and 51% of HR leaders citing slow decision-making as their biggest barrier to transformation, AJ delivers a fast-paced breakdown of what must change—now. From internal talent marketplaces to AI-assisted decision tools, cross-functional pods to change ambassadors, he challenges leaders to radically reimagine autonomy, accountability, and alignment.This episode is part sermon, part strategy blueprint, part organizational therapy—and all fire. If your org is scaling, stalling, or somewhere in between, there's a playbook hidden in this episode that you need to hear.

Points of Interest0:00 – 1:20 – Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly and sets the stage for a deep dive into the roles of fractional COOs versus building operational intelligence within growing agencies.1:21 – 2:25 – The $1M Growth Threshold: Kristen explains how agencies crossing the $1M mark often face operational strain and confusion about whether to hire help or improve their systems.2:26 – 5:05 – Defining a Fractional COO: Marcel outlines what a fractional COO typically does—bridging strategy and execution—and highlights the lack of standardization across ops roles in agencies.5:06 – 7:59 – Scope Differences by Agency Size: The team discusses how the expectations and responsibilities of a COO differ dramatically between a 20-person and 200-person agency.8:00 – 10:16 – Operational Intelligence vs. Role Ownership: Marcel explains why data and modeling are essential for prioritizing and sequencing initiatives—work that can't fall solely on a fractional COO.10:17 – 13:03 – Metrics Frameworks as a Foundation: The conversation shifts to the importance of shared definitions for key metrics (like utilization and gross margin) to avoid costly misalignment.13:04 – 16:51 – The Risks of Poor Data: They explore the consequences of relying on messy or inconsistent project and financial data—including delayed decisions, accuracy issues, and limited insight.16:52 – 20:21 – When to Hire vs. When to Model: Marcel outlines when it makes sense to bring in a fractional COO versus starting with operational intelligence, depending on strategic versus tactical needs.20:22 – 22:25 – How Parakeeto Supports Agencies: The hosts explain how Parakeeto provides not just reporting tools but also the advisory layer to help agencies convert intelligence into action.22:26 – 24:42 – Bringing Operational Alignment: Kristen emphasizes how Parakeeto helps unify internal teams around a shared understanding of the business model and key profitability levers.24:43 – 27:32 – The Scope of Operational Intelligence: Marcel breaks down the full picture of operational intelligence, from framework creation to data integration, reporting, and cadence-building.27:33 – 34:15 – Final Advice & Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Marcel and Kristen caution against relying on underqualified ops hires to build complex systems, advocating instead for investing in clarity and frameworks first.Show NotesConnect with Kristen via LinkedInFree Agency ToolkitParakeeto Foundations CourseFree access to our Model PlatformLove this PodcastLeave us a review here.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting features Raymond Hino, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Coos Hospital. Ray shares how implementing the Epic EHR system transformed operations, how the hospital is addressing reimbursement challenges through service diversification, and why creating a strong culture and leadership presence is key to workforce retention in rural healthcare.

Last year, we predicted that 1 in 5 supply chains would adopt AI agents by the end 2025 – and six months in, the data suggests we're already there. This week on the podcast, Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and VP, Research Lauren Acoba discuss how we got here and provide an adoption framework for COOs trying to realize the opportunity ahead.Zero100's prediction: 1 in 5 supply chains adopt AI agents by the end 2025 (00:37)What sets agentic AI apart from other forms of automation? (3:47)Agentic AI hotspots across operations (6:15)How Alibaba leverages agents for supplier selection and negotiation (7:34)Porsche's innovative approach to quality management using agentic AI (9:45)Unpacking the COO's 5-Point Agentic Adoption Framework (11:53)

Building a Sound Foundation For Your New Small Business with Stephanie WarlickStephanie Warlick is the Founder and CEO of 5FT View Consulting. Stephanie and her team support small and medium businesses as fractional COOs, EOS (R) Integrators and HR execs building rock-solid organizational foundations to scale their startups. She applies her knowledge and experiences from 30 years of entrepreneurship, HR, and operations to stand by her clients and help relieve the everyday burdens of small business owners and entrepreneurs. She's an international bestselling author with her book Dark and Silent Office: A Digital Accessibility Guidebook for Inclusive Communication in the Workplace. 5FT View provides consulting and educational services to organizations, teaching individuals how to achieve content accessibility for inclusive communication in the workplace. When Stephanie is not consulting, she coaches individuals how to excel in the workplace through her Stand in the Gap Method and Owner Mindset philosophy where individuals are trained to think like an owner with an entrepreneurial spirit. Stephanie enjoys speaking at conferences and events about her books and techniques and when she's not working Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and playing pickleball.Link:https://www.stephaniewarlick.com/TAGS:Accessibility,Best-Selling Author,Business Coach,Dream Jobs,Family Business,Female Entrepreneur,Getting Promoted,Human Resources,Inclusion,Overcoming Barriers,Building a Sound Foundation For Your New Small Business with Stephanie Warlick,Phantom Electric Ghost Podcast,Podcast,Podcasting,Interview,PodmatchSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

When it comes to tech innovation, one topic has dominated the first half of 2025: the meteoric rise of AI agents. And at Unilever, this tech isn't just “coming soon” – it's already here. This week, Willem Uijen (Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer, Unilever) and Lauren Acoba (VP, Research, Zero100) discuss how the company is leveraging agents, as well as its broader AI strategy. Looking back at the evolution of AI, from Deep Blue to autonomous agents (1:17) Unilever's approach to AI implementation and ROI (03:29) The key drivers for agentic success: upskilling and guardrails (05:50)Where agentic AI is delivering value within operations at Unilever (09:30)“Choose the race that you want to run”: An investment litmus test for CSCOs and COOs (11:21) Tackling governance and data quality infrastructure (14:46) How Unilever is modernizing and standardizing its digital core (16:47)The decision Willem would never let AI make – and the one he happily would (18:50)

They have become a huge part of tourism fo9r Scotland and they could not be more adorable. Hear all about the Highland Coos and where you can spend some time with them yourself...in this episode of Erin's Isle.

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron shares unconventional strategies for leadership, team building, and decision-making. Throughout the conversation, he challenges traditional hiring methods, advocating for a deeper, more intuitive approach to evaluating potential team members. The discussion touches on the importance of behavioral assessments over standardized profiling tools, emphasizing the need for leaders to sharpen their ability to assess talent beyond surface-level metrics. You'll learn about the complexities of organizational transitions, offering practical advice on maintaining stability and focus during times of uncertainty. Cameron highlights the necessity of clear communication, structured short-term planning, and fostering a culture of transparency to ensure alignment within a team. With an emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and intentional leadership, this episode will provide you with actionable insights you can apply immediately to strengthen your teams and organizations.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!In This Episode You'll Learn:The motivation behind the COO Alliance: the need for a community specifically for COOs and second-in-command roles.The benefits of attending in-person events, participating in monthly calls, and utilizing the member portal for resources.The value of the Colby profile for understanding and working with CEOs and other team members. Cameron's approach to interviewing and hiring, focusing on behavioral profiling and past performance.And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your Leaders

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron discusses the process of identifying and attracting the right leadership talent who not only possess the necessary skills but also align deeply with your company's vision and core values.You'll discover the importance of building a “virtual bench” of potential candidates and why proactive recruiting beats passive job postings when searching for a high-impact executive. Discover a structured interviewing process that evaluates both cultural fit and technical expertise, ensuring your new leader complements the CEO and drives the company forward. You'll also understand how rigorous reference checks provide critical insights into a candidate's true character and capabilities before making a hiring decision.Cameron uncovers best practices for defining compensation, clarifying roles, and setting organizational expectations that attract and retain top executives. You'll learn how to balance respect for existing leaders while empowering your new hire to remove obstacles and foster alignment across the company, creating a strong foundation for long-term success.The podcast explores how careful alignment of expectations and responsibilities can help create a harmonious, effective leadership structure that drives a company forward without unnecessary friction.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The difficulty of finding COOs as they are rarely unemployed and often need to be poached. (1:05)Why the old adage of 'hire for attitude, train for skill' no longer applies, and why you must hire for both cultural fit and skill set. (4:15)The importance of choosing the right job title to match the responsibilities and compensation. (7:11)The concept of maintaining a "virtual bench" of potential candidates for future roles. (23:04)The role of HR in supporting the search 9not recruiting) and the importance of rigorous interviews. (24:32)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your Leaders

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron dives into the unique dynamics between COOs and CEOs, comparing them to how men and women perceive the world differently. Cameron discusses the relatively short tenure of most COOs and how the role evolves as a company scales. He also touches on how the COO's skill set may not always keep pace with the company's growth, leading to frequent turnover.You'll learn about the changing gender dynamics within the COO position, noting how women now comprise a significant portion of COOs. With examples from well-known companies like Facebook, Cameron delves into the idea that the COO role is often misunderstood as a stepping stone to the CEO position, when in reality, many COOs don't aspire to take on that higher-level responsibility.This episode offers insights into the evolving responsibilities of COOs in today's business landscape, particularly their role in digital transformation and technological adaptation.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!In This Episode You'll Learn:Why the role of a COO is often more dynamic and requires a broader set of skills compared to other functional heads. (2:19)The significant decrease in the gender gap in COO roles over the past 15 to 20 years. (2:44)Why compensation for a COO should be tied to strategic insight, P&L responsibility, and the number of partners brought into the company. (7:12)The role of the COO in project alignment and resource allocation (8:11)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course – Invest In Your Leaders