The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s Bethany Ayers & Brandon Mensinga

In this episode, we discuss: Is it possible to pivot to profitability? We are joined by Libby Penn, she is the COO of Improbable.
We chat about the following: 
What's the COO's role in the pivot to profitabilityWhat are the right bets to make in a business?How should we balance profitability and growth?What is the importance of well-documented data?What is realistic in terms of profitability?Who is responsible for capturing data?
References:
LinkedIn
Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke 
Biography: 
Libby Penn has experience in various business development and operations roles across a number of high-growth technology businesses on SaaS and enterprise models, B2B and B2C, in both the UK and the US. This has given her an in-depth insight into the complexities that come with the role as COO.
Summary:
Gender roles and microaggressions in the workplace. 0:05Bethany Ayres discusses the challenges of being a woman in leadership positions, including societal expectations and performative ally ship.Bethany launches a series of free webinars to support first-time female executives and aspiring executives, focusing on topics such as taking a seat at the table and choosing the right life partner.Brandon and Bethany discuss the challenges of navigating gender roles and microaggressions in their personal and professional lives.Bethany shares an example of a leadership team meeting where a male colleague's swearing and apologies towards her created an uncomfortable work environment.Pivoting to profitability for a B2B SaaS company. 4:55Bethany: Analyzes company's strategy, identifies unprofitable areas for cuts.Bethany: Looks at lease and office expirations, considers cost-cutting measures.Bethany and Brandon discuss strategies for improving profitability, including renegotiating cloud contracts, focusing on profitable channels, and optimizing GTM motions.They also discuss the importance of tracking data properly to make informed decisions about spend and identify areas for improvement.Brandon and Bethany discuss partner strategy, testing, and doubling down on successful partnerships.They emphasize the importance of hiring quality people who are well-respected within the partner company.Pivoting to profitability, focusing on market strategy, operations efficiency, and automation. 12:42Brandon and Bethany discuss the importance of qualitative analysis to validate data-driven insights for profitability.Brandon and Bethany discuss the importance of operational efficiency and automation in a company's shift to profitability.Balancing growth and profitability for startups. 15:55Libby highlights the importance of balancing risk and innovation in investments.Libby emphasizes product development as key to profitability, while Bethany focuses on balancing growth and profitability.Data analysis, product development, and customer focus in tech companies.a...

In this episode, we discuss: The life-ruining power of routines. We are joined by Markham Heid, he is a Journalist with TIME and New York Times. 
We chat about the following: 
How do we optimise our lives without falling into the trap of routine?Do we need routine and structure to be productive? Are you busy because it’s necessary? What’s the right balance between routine and creative space? How can companies get involved in breaking routine and encouraging creativity?
References: 
LinkedIn
Article - The life-ruining power of routines
Website
Biography: 
Markham has worked as a staff writer at both a major metropolitan newspaper and a national magazine, but for the past 12 years he’s worked as an independent (freelance) journalist.
Markham has written about England's Jurassic Coast for Travel & Leisure, covered workplace culture for an HR quarterly mag, and explored Germany's transition away from nuclear energy for Vox. But most of his writing has been in the health and science space. 
Between 2014 and 2018, he wrote a weekly health column for TIME.com, which was called You Asked. Since 2018, Markham has done something similar for Medium, where he’s followed by ~350k subscribers. He’s still a frequent contributor at TIME, and he also writes regularly for the New York Times. His work has received awards from both the Society of Professional Journalists and the Maryland, Delaware, and D.C. Press Association. 
He’s originally from Detroit, but right now he lives in southeast Germany with his wife and two kids.  
Summary:
The negative impact of routines and habits on personal optimization. 0:05Bethany aims to increase income by securing one more board seat.Markham Hyde argues in Financial Times article that routines lead to suffering, not personal optimization.Routines, productivity, and spontaneity in adulthood. 3:15Brandon: Routine-oriented, wants to package boring tasks for productivity.Bethany: Automate, eliminate tasks to free mental load, not create routine.Bethany and Brandon have different approaches to exercise and structure in their lives.Brandon has lived in different countries and jobs, categorizing his life by chunks of time, while now as an adult with a family, he questions whether that's possible anymore.Routine, spontaneity, and finding balance in life and work. 8:21Bethany suggests finding balance between structure and unstructured time to pursue interests and passions.Moderation is key to happiness, rather than being too rigid or spontaneous.Bethany suggests creating a routine to overcome fear and find inspiration (0:11:02)Bethany and Brandon discuss the balance between routine and spontaneity in business contexts (0:12:41)Innovation weeks in companies, with a focus on structure and culture. 14:04Innovation week at a...

In this episode, we discuss: Why does community matter for organisations? We are joined by Jaclyn Pascocello, she is the founder of Fabrik.  
We chat about the following: 
What are the trends in people and the connections they are building and want to build?Where should the L&D budget be spent?Is it part of the company's responsibility to help foster connections that are not within the company?Are we at the top of a community-building hype cycle? What are the optimal conditions for the hybrid worker?
References:
Jaclyn LinkedIn 
Fabrik
Biography: 
Mom + Founder of Fabrik. A driven leader with a passion for hospitality and customer experience and a proven track record of building and scaling startups. Building an IRL solution to uplift our communities and create more serendipity. Expert in creating unique and memorable consumer experiences in DTC, brick-and-mortar, hospitality, and F&B.

Summary:
Homophobia and the story of a forgotten fashion photographer. 0:06Brandon and Bethany discuss life stages, London, and the BFI's LGBTQ+ film festival.Bethany and Brandon discuss the documentary "Stonewall" and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the past.Loneliness in remote work and its impact on employees' well-being. 3:40Brandon: Loneliness crisis affects individuals, organizations, and communities.Bethany: Hybrid work is here to stay, but it may lead to more loneliness.Brandon and Bethany discuss the impact of remote work on employee loneliness and the responsibility of organizations to address it.Software developer quit previous job due to lack of pre-existing relationships, highlighting the importance of social connections in the workplace.Combating loneliness in the workplace through professional connections. 9:20Bethany shares her personal experience of feeling unseen and lonely in her marriage, despite being physically present with her husband.Bethany finds it freeing to make deeper connections outside of work due to reduced risk and potential for misinterpretation.Brandon suggests providing financial support for individuals to join professional organizations, such as the CEO roundtable, to combat loneliness and provide emotional support.Building communities for professionals, both internally and externally. 13:25Bethany and others discuss the importance of community and connection in the workplace.Speaker 3: Internal community building should be supported by L&D budget, but external communities can also be fostered.Bethany: External communities can be monetized to help employees feel less lonely, but internal connection is also important.Workplace community building, employee resource groups, and customer advocacy communities. 17:40Organizations should focus on supporting community within the employee base...

In this episode we discuss: What are the priorities for COO’s in 2024? We are joined by Cameron Herold, he is the founder of the COO Alliance and author of the Second in Command. 
We chat about the following: 
What are the priorities for COO’s in 2024? How should we think about budgets this year? How is the COO role changing?What are the commonalities across COO’s? How do you work with a controlling CEO?How should a COO think about their relationship with the CEO?Do you have tips on how-to give good praise? Is the CEO role the next step for a COO? 
References:
Cameron Herold
COO Alliance
YouTube Channel
Biography: 
Founder of the COO Alliance & Invest In Your Leaders Course
Author of Vivid Vision & The Second In Command
Meet Cameron Herold, the mastermind behind the exponential growth of hundreds of  companies. As the founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders course,  Cameron is a dynamic consultant who has coached some of the biggest names in  business, including Sprint Telecom and a monarchy in the Middle East. Known as the  "CEO Whisperer", Cameron has a reputation for guiding his clients to double their  profits and revenue in just three years or less.
Cameron's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, and by 35, he had helped  build his first two $100 million dollar companies. But his greatest achievement came as  the COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he engineered the company's spectacular growth  from $2 million to $106 million in revenue and from 14 to 3,100 employees - all in just  six years.
Cameron is not just a successful business leader, but also a captivating speaker. The  current publisher of Forbes magazine, Rich Karlgaard, stated "Cameron Herold is the  best speaker I've ever heard...he hits grand slams”. 
When he's not on stage, Cameron  continues to teach through his Second In Command podcast and his bestselling books,  including Vivid Vision, Meetings Suck, Free PR, Double Double, and The Miracle Morning  for Entrepreneurs.
Cameron is a top-rated international speaker and has been paid to speak in 26 countries  and on all 7 continents, including Antarctica in early 2022. He is also the top-rated  lecturer at EO/MIT's Entrepreneurial Masters Program and a powerful and effective speaker at CEO and COO leadership events worldwide.
Summary:
Budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning for businesses. 0:05Bethany Ayers is considering running for MP to advocate for cannabis legalization.Cameron Herold, CEO of several companies, joins the podcast to discuss priorities for a CEO in 2024.Brandon and Bethany discuss the importance of linking budget, revenue, and GTM assumptions in a financial model to make informed investment decisions and communicate effectively with leadership.Bethany agrees that this model is essential for aligning leadership with the company's situation and setting budgets based on financial forecasts.Bethany emphasizes the importance of a scorecard in tracking key elements of low cash flow and ensuring data integrity.Brandon discusses his experiment with a client, using a financial p&l tool for scenario planning and live data flow, and evaluating its effectiveness in serving three...

In this unique episode, Bethany Ayers and Brandon Mensinga share their personal stories. This episode is simply titled: Life Lessons. Bethany and Brandon are experienced scale-up COO’s and the co-hosts of the Operations Room. 
We chat about the following lessons: 
Know where you want to goLean into the fearDon’t try to be somebody elseFocus on the job that is in front of youKnow your superpowerAccept critical feedback for what it is Leadership is about serving othersFind people who stretch youTake opportunities when they present themselvesDon’t be a victim, take responsibility for your lifeDo uncomfortable thingsCultivate your networkBe kind. Be respectful. Accept the fact that people won’t like you
Summary:
Career goals and adaptability. 0:05Brandon and Bethany discuss their sleeping difficulties, with Bethany experiencing a bird phobia-related insomnia and Brandon going to a quiz night with his wife.Bethany struggles to fall asleep due to her bird phobia, while Brandon enjoys a UK-centric quiz night with his wife.Bethany Ayers shares her lesson learned from her career journey: know where you want to go, but be open to opportunities.Brandon Mensa adds to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of being clear on one's goals while remaining flexible and open to new experiences.Overcoming fear and ambition in business. 4:31Brandon shares his experience of struggling to land a job during an internship programme, despite applying for 10 marketing roles and interviewing 10 times without success.Brandon overcame his anxiety related to telephone interviews by taking small steps, such as practicing with friends and using positive self-talk, to build his confidence and land a job as a marketing specialist.Brandon leaned into his fear and ambition to secure a job, despite a long commute and initial discomfort.Leveraging his motivation and ambition, he drove himself to fulfill the potential of the company, learning to manage his fear along the way.Personal growth and career development. 9:37Bethany emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort and being the best version of oneself, rather than trying to be someone else.She encourages individuals to focus on their unique strengths and skills, rather than comparing themselves to others.Brandon recognizes the value of his own strengths and weaknesses, and stops comparing himself to extroverts.Brandon takes inspiration from others' ways of working and incorporates them into his own toolkit, rather than mimicking them exactly.Bethany prioritizes becoming a domain expert and a practitioner in her field, focusing on the job she has and building her skills to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.Brandon emphasizes the importance of focusing on the job and becoming a craftsperson, with opportunities for advancement and job security following suit.Embracing unique strengths and work ethic for career success. 17:09Bethany struggles with imposter syndrome and feeling unimportant in a leadership role due to her lack of a specific functional expertise.Bethany...

In this episode we discuss: Which HRIS do I need? We are joined by Matt Bradburn, Founder & CEO of the People Collective. 
We chat about the following: 
What are our views on Rippling? Personio? Factorial? BambooHR? HiBob? What is a good vendor choice for a scaling company of a few hundred people that wants something that is very customisable? What is a good all-in-one vendor choice that is good at employee engagement and for UK companies supports international expansion into the US? What are the “gotchas” when buying an HRIS?  What is the hidden, dark secret of all employee engagement tools? What is a good vendor choice for a mid-market ATS? What is a good vendor choice for compensation? Which products are really exciting for 2024?
References:
HRIS vendor evaluation
RipplingHiBobFactorialPersonioBambooHR
Other HRIS vendors mentioned
CharlieHRHumaansATS vendorsAshbyPinpointWorkableGreenhouseSmartRecrruiters
Other products mentioned
Sana LabsPandoHarrietHR
Biography: 
Matt is a globally recognised People and Talent leader. Through his work as the founder at People Collective, he's helped over 150 companies shape forward thinking people and talent strategies to scale sustainably.  
Passionate about how talent shapes business outcomes, he loves to discuss the best ways to help employees reach their full potential.
He previously led People Ops at Peakon prior to their exit to Workday. 
Summary:
Healthy eating habits and vegetable subscriptions. 0:05Bethany is trying a new vegetable subscription service called Odd Box, which delivers a random mix of fruits and vegetables each week.Bethany is not excited about the included cauliflower and tuna, but is looking forward to trying new vegetables during the summer.HRIS options for a 100-person company. 3:02Bethany is frustrated with the lack of great options for HRIS systems, especially for smaller companies.Brandon has a utilitarian experience with Rippling, with a cluttered drop-down menu and limited performance review functionality...