In this episode we discuss: the challenges of asynchronous communication in a remote-first organisation. We are joined by Jeremy Slater, COO at Bob W.

We chat about the following with Jeremy Slater:

• How to do asynchronous communication well
• Managing information overload
• Why you need to invest in robust knowledge management -- hint: impacts customer service, operations, and scalability

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jack-slater/
• www.bobw.co
• https://bit.ly/jeremyslater

After an extremely brief foray into finance in the US and the UK and a short stop in India to work for a solar energy social enterprise, Jereny spent the majority of his career in the heavily operational world of property management and hospitality. He’s helping Bob W become the most loved hospitality brand in Europe.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of knowledge management, asynchronous communication, and the use of specific tools within a company. It highlights the importance of knowledge management and the impact it has on various aspects of the business, including customer service, internal operations, and scalability.

Chapters:

Chapter 1: Knowledge management systems (0:00-10:27)

Chapter 2: Using tools like Notion and Slack (10:27-16:19)

Chapter 3: Information overload on Slack (16:19-21:12)

Chapter 4: Tips for using Slack productively (21:12-25:10)

Chapter 5: Organising Slack channels (25:10-28:41)

Chapter 6: Challenges with instant messaging (28:41-32:56)

Chapter 7: Setting up asynchronous work (32:56-35:34)

Chapter 8: Implementing knowledge management (35:34-43:34)

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48. How to present and not suck

In this episode we discuss presentation skills and storytelling. We are joined by Jonathan Zatland, Operating Partner at Forme Partners.

We chat about the following with Jonathan Zatland:

• Secrets to crafting narratives that captivate.
• How authenticity can transform your leadership narratives
• Why your presentations are falling flat

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-zatland-992a1b12/

A creative and commercial leader with an extensive career in high growth technology companies, e-commerce and marketplaces across UK and Europe. I started out my career as a screenwriter, living and working in Los Angeles. This was the foundation of my learning to connect stories with an audience. After a decade, I took that experience and returned to the UK to start a retail brand, Mungo & Maud. The first of its kind high end dog and cat accessory store with a physical shop in London and other major outlets around the world. Opened the online store in 2006 in the very early days of e-commerce. Following my exit, I continued my narrative thread into my role as International Multichannel Director at Etsy, helping to build and scale all International markets outside of North America. Following the IPO, I went back into startup as Chief Commercial Officer for eve Sleep, a disruptor in the sleep wellness space which I helped build and scale through to IPO. I now work as an Operating Partner for Forme Partners working with founders and CEO's across the European tech landscape, aiding them with their commercial hires at all stages of growth.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

• Career goals, creativity, and personal growth. 0:05
• Brandon and Bethany discuss their career goals and personal growth.
• Bethany realizes she needs to take advantage of not working and prioritize personal development.
• Bethany expresses frustration with lack of passion and purpose in her life, feeling unfulfilled despite various projects and hobbies.
• She longs for a major project that consumes her and stirs her imagination, but nothing has yet emerged.
• Effective storytelling and pacing in business presentations. 6:09
• Brandon and Bethany discuss narrative structure in business context, focusing on conflict and pacing.
• They emphasize the importance of actively listening to the audience and adjusting the narrative in real-time based on their reactions.
• Bethany scripts an opening for high-stakes meetings to set the tone and manage nerves.
• She tailors her approach based on the meeting's purpose and audience energy levels.
• Public speaking, authenticity, and vulnerability. 11:21
• Bethany uses narrative techniques to engage and motivate her team, including owning her energy and projecting enthusiasm.
• She also practices or rehearses her delivery beforehand to ensure authenticity and effectiveness.
• Bethany shares her approach to authenticity, vulnerability, and relatability in presentations, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and confidence-building through therapy.
• Brandon...

In this episode we discuss: The Future COO in Tech Companies. We are joined by Tony Olvet and Andrea Siviero from IDC.

We chat about the following:

• How do COOs navigate the evolving landscape of digital transformation while ensuring organisational stability?
• What are the key priorities for COOs in 2024, and how do they drive strategic thinking beyond technology?
• What role do COOs play as the connective tissue of organisations, orchestrating digital initiatives and driving innovation?
• How can COOs transition from being protectors of the organisation to digital disruptors, driving new revenue models and ESG initiatives?
• What skills are essential for CEOs and COOs to thrive in today's digital age, and how do they communicate the future state of the organisation effectively?

References:

• https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tonyolvet
• https://it.linkedin.com/in/sivieroand

Biography:

Tony Olvet, Group Vice President at IDC, leads global research on the intersection of business transformation and digital investments. With extensive experience advising organizations worldwide, Tony provides fact-based insights to inform technology strategy and digital business decisions. A sought-after speaker, he delivers keynote presentations at conferences and virtual events. Based in Toronto, Canada, Tony holds degrees from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto.

Andrea Siviero leads IDC's European Digital Business and Future of Work Research group, providing insights to drive purposeful technology adoption. He also co-leads IDC's Worldwide MacroTech Research program, analyzing the impact of key macroeconomic factors on the digital landscape. With extensive experience in strategy and go-to-market projects, Andrea advises IT players on building forward-looking digital strategies. He holds a joint PhD in mathematics and is fluent in English, French, and Italian.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

Summary:

• Cricket and personal life, including death and ex-fiance. 0:00
• Bethany shares her struggles with grief after an unexpected death of a teenager, while Brandon listens and offers support.
• Bethany and Brandon discuss their past relationship and reasons for reconnecting.
• Career changes, life lessons, and tech CEO priorities. 3:08
• Bethany and Brandon M discuss their experiences working with Tony Elvet at IDC.
• Brandon M reflects on his decision to leave London and return to Toronto, and how it impacted his career.
• Brandon M shared his experiences as a tech CEO with a research report, discussing new priorities and future orientation.
• Bethany asked Brandon about his insights on CEO priorities, which were included in the report, with little fundamental change observed.
• CEO role, digital transformation, and AI adoption in businesses. 7:13
• Brandon M: CEO role in 2024: partnering with finance leaders, making investment bets.
• Bethany: High performance culture: how to make it happen, translate into business.
• Brandon M: Digital transformation is not always transformative, but AI is a real transformation for all companies.
• Bethany: AI is the top priority...

In this episode we discuss: Board Relationships. We are joined by Helen Hopper and Joy Harcup, authors of book, The Art and Psychology of Board Relationships.

We chat about the following:

• Unravelling Boardroom Dynamics: What's Really at Stake?
• The Power of Psychological Safety: A Boardroom Imperative?
• Self-Awareness: The Boardroom Game Changer?
• Mastering Conflict Resolution in the Boardroom: Strategies Unveiled
• Trust, Collaboration, Success: The Boardroom Trifecta?

References:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-hopper-h3/
• https://www.hcubed.co.uk/who-we-are
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-harcup-9392352/

Biography:

HELEN HOPPER trained in management consultancy with Accenture, and in occupational psychology with SHL, before co-founding the leadership consulting firm hCubed in 2010, where she is a Partner. h3’s mission is to stimulate growth through learning and Helen pursues this with individuals, teams and organisations as a coach and facilitator. She is an active supporter of mental health charities, most recently as COO of The Listening Place, and Trustee at The Mix.

JOY HARCUP is an executive coach with international coaching firm Praesta LLP, working with individuals, top executive teams and boards. She has 20 years’ leadership coaching experience with clients including the FTSE 100, professional services, public and not-for-profit sectors. Joy was President of the UK Board of the International Coaching Federation. A former lawyer specialising in dispute resolution, she’s also sat on boards in the education and charitable sectors.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

Summary:

• Bullying in board meetings and its impact on individuals. 0:06
• Bethany Ayers experienced issues with her phone number porting and international roaming, leading to a frustrating conversation with Oh Two customer support.
• Despite being told her case was closed, Bethany was able to get her number back after waiting for a couple of days.
• Bethany acknowledges being a potential bully in the past, recognizing behaviors that could be harmful to others.
• Brandon M. questions the use of the term "bullying," suggesting that it can be subjective and context-dependent.
• Effective board meetings, leadership, and conflict resolution. 5:18
• Brandon M. and Bethany discuss ways to address unhelpful behavior in meetings, including intervening, redirecting, and parking the issue for later discussion.
• Effective chairperson engagement is critical for maintaining a functional board, according to Brandon M. and Bethany.
• Bethany emphasizes the importance of having a pre-agreed contract, such as a team canvas, to establish expectations and prevent conflicts within teams.
• Bethany criticizes traditional board dynamics, citing a lack of modernization and unrealistic expectations of chairs, and argues for more inclusive and empathetic approaches to leadership.
• Effective board meetings, including setting a strong chair, providing clear agendas, and making an ask of the board.

In this episode we discuss: The depths of strategy. We are joined by Steve Spall, Board Advisor.

We chat about the following:

• What are the hallmarks of a good strategy?
• Do complex strategies hinder rather than help?
• How can leaders ensure that every employee understands and aligns with the strategy?
• Can leaders without a natural strategic mindset still drive a company's success through strong execution and team alignment?

References:

• www.linkedin.com/in/stevespall

Biography:

Over the past 15 years, Steven Spall has driven scale-ups through successful exits to FMCG giants, most recently serving as COO at tails.com after his tenure as Group Operations and Strategy Director at innocent drinks. Prior to this, Steven spent a decade in various senior operations, change, and strategy roles at British Gas, Tesco, and Kingfisher. His early career included positions as a supply chain project manager and distribution centre manager at Whitbread Beer Company and as an operations consultant at Ernst & Young.

Steven is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Cardiff Business School in the Logistics and Operations Management Section. He is now focusing on Non-Executive roles within operations-heavy smaller businesses.

Steven has been happily married to his delightful wife Kate for over 30 years. They have a grown-up daughter who creates the special effects for the London Dungeons and a son who is a co-founder of a deep physics tech start-up. In their leisure time, Steven and Kate enjoy travelling across Europe in their VW camper.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

Summary:

• Work-life balance and happiness in the corporate world. 0:05
• Hosts discuss seasonal affective disorder and London weather.
• Brandon and Bethany discuss the idea that success and happiness are not always directly linked, despite achieving career milestones.
• Strategy development, communication, and adaptability in business. 3:10
• Bethany: Good strategy has a clear purpose, vision, and market problem to solve.
• Brandon M: Strategy should be framed up on paper, adhere to OKRs, and be communicated effectively.
• Strategy should be enduring, but OKRs move faster to adapt to changing market dynamics.
• Brandon and Bethany discuss their company's strategy and OKRs, ensuring alignment and communication across teams.
• They prioritize listening to employees and adjusting the strategy based on market changes and feedback.
• Vision, purpose, mission, and strategy in business. 10:42
• Bethany defines vision as "what the company needs to look like in 5 years" and purpose as "why am I getting up on Monday morning" (12 words)
• Brandon defines strategy as "how the company will solve a problem in the industry to achieve its vision" (14 words)
• Strategy defined as understanding scope, figuring out unique solution, and aligning with values.
• Strategy development, execution, and alignment. 14:33
• Steve: Well-defined success and understanding situation are crucial for effective strategy.
• Identifying a unique solution to overcome...

In this episode, we discuss performance management and getting the most from your teams. We are joined by Jessica Zwaan, Author of the best-selling book, Built for People, and COO of Talentful.

We chat about:

• Can traditional performance reviews truly capture an employee's value?
• Are OKRs just a trendy buzzword or a real strategy for driving company success?
• How can organizational network analysis uncover the real influencers in your team?
• What does it take to measure true employee performance in today's remote work era?

References:

Jessica’s LinkedIn

Website

Biography:

Your company is building three products: A financial instrument, a customer product, and an employee experience. I advocate treating employees as customers purchasing an experience of work, and I encourage us to work like Product Managers in order to iterate and improve on that product. This paradigm shift positions work itself as the focal point of our strive for success, not just optimising the individuals as "human capital". Like the idea? I wrote a book all about it, called "Built for People" which you can buy basically anywhere books are sold.

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

Summary:

• Choosing a life partner and nannies as a "wife hire." 0:05
• Bethany discussed tips for choosing a partner for career success, including finding someone whose mother worked outside the home.
• Bethany values hiring a nanny for the mental load relief and organization.
• Performance management effectiveness and its various components. 4:40
• Brandon and Bethany discuss the ineffectiveness of performance management, with 64% of workers viewing it as a waste of time and 47% considering it a failure in their company.
• Jessica Swann distinguishes between performance assessment and management, highlighting the importance of individualized growth and development in the latter.
• Bethany expresses concerns about goal-measuring and its practicality in the workplace.
• Bethany and Brandon discuss the importance of organizational network analysis and its impact on problem-solving.
• Performance management and leadership development. 10:06
• Bethany suggests rolling out OKRs gently, learning along the way, and avoiding command and control.
• Brandon agrees, emphasizing the importance of measuring marketing and sales performance collectively and connecting it to business outcomes.
• Brandon and Bethany discuss the importance of effective performance management and leadership skills for line managers.
• Bethany questions the feasibility of performance management, citing potential biases and limitations in the process.
• Performance management and assessment in organizations. 15:27
• Jessica emphasizes the importance of understanding employee performance, citing it as the most critical question in HR.
• Bethany agrees, highlighting the need for effective performance management...

In this episode, we discuss usage-based pricing, seat pricing, maximising margin and customer expansion. We are joined by Mark Stiving, Founder of Impact Pricing.

We chat about:

• What exactly is usage-based pricing?
• How do we correlate pricing metrics with how customers are using the product?
• What are the criteria and considerations when choosing the value metric?
• How do you choose between true usage-based pricing and tiered usage-based pricing?
• How do we work around the pricing mechanisms that our clients or vendors are giving us?
• Is there more of a move towards straight usage or is tiered pricing here to stay?
• How do we expand our customers?
• Who should be responsible for pricing and packaging within the company?

References:

Mark on LinkedIN

Mark’s podcast, Impact Pricing

Biography:

Mark Stiving, Pricing Educator, Coach, Podcast Host & 2x Author. He has driven business initiatives worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is sought after for his superpower of finding invincible profits in every company he works with.

He is an award-winning international speaker known for helping audiences find hidden value and more profit, immediately.

Mark started and successfully sold three powerful companies in the tech sector.

His forthcoming book is "Invincible Profits: How to Lead a Value Revolution and Dominate Your Market"

To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here.

Summary:

• Usage-based pricing with a focus on personalization and avoiding seat-based pricing. 0:05
• Bethany shares her recent haircut experience with Brandon, including the surprise of finding a large amount of hair after cutting it.
• Brandon discusses usage-based pricing, highlighting its potential cleverness and limitations.
• Pricing strategies for SaaS companies, including usage-based pricing and subscription packages. 4:02
• Brandon: Value metric should be clear, easy to understand, and tie to usage (e.g., transcription files, contacts in HubSpot)
• Brandon: Finding a single value metric to scale can be challenging, as customers may not understand usage outside of vendor-supplied calculators
• Brandon discusses challenges in customer success with usage-based pricing, including unhappy customers who want to downgrade and the potential for unused value.
• Bethany and Brandon discuss the importance of commissioning based on usage and actual money being seen, with a...

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 profitability
• What 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. 0:05
• Bethany 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. 4:55
• Bethany: 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. 12:42
• Brandon 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. 15:55
• Libby 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.