Secret Ops: Recent Episodes
Ariana Cofone
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with John Forbes Scrugham, Principal Solutions Architect at Coda. We chat about the evolving role of a solutions architect, shifting from a solely technical delivery to a more human-centric approach. John breaks down how he navigates the different phases of developing solutions within businesses, sharing stories and tricks that he’s picked up through his journey.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolving role of solutions architecture within businesses
- How to approach development through human-centric design
- The phases of the solutions architecture process from prototyping to scaling
- What the “I Build Solutions” Continuum is and where you fall on it
- Tips to begin developing in no-code and low-code platforms
Check out more about John at johnforbes.net!
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Alison Stewart, Co-Founder and COO of Overalls, a life concierge service. Alison shares her journey as a strategic doer—those who both devise and implement strategies. We chat about innovation, prioritization, and everything in between!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Differences in operational approaches between corporate and startup environments
- The concept of "strategic doers" and how to shift your mindset to be one
- How to prioritize your operational execution to be effective
- How a life concierge service holistically helps employees
- The significance of time management and reclaiming your time
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Maxwell Nee award wining entrepreneur and Chief Revenue Officer at ScoreApp. Maxwell shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor to Chief Revenue Officer, bringing to life the lessons he’s learned along the way.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Transiting from investor to an internal business role
- The importance of alignment among business partners
- The Necessity of self-awareness in business success
- Role of data in understanding customer needs
- The Scorecard Marketing playbook for getting better leads
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Erika Giuggio, Business Optimization Specialist at Schooley Mitchell. As a specialist in her field, Erika reveals her strategies for helping businesses in industries like construction and utilities, slash expenses and enhance their operations within 90 days. We also discuss her journey of patenting a cosmetic brush system!
In this episode, we discuss:
- What a business optimization specialist actually does
- Strategies for reducing business expenses quickly
- Challenges faced by industries like construction and utilities with operational inefficiencies
- Using return on investment to combat resistance to change
- Erika’s journey through the world of patents
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Kevin Dean, Founder and CEO of ManoByte. With over two decades of experience, Kevin walks us through how innovative automation solutions not only streamlines workflows and enhances customer experiences, but is a key driver to overall business growth.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolution of automation from traditional logic-based systems to AI
- Structured experimentation when rolling out automation
- Navigating change management in the automation process
- Practical applications of AI automation in customer service and personalization
- Challenges and opportunities presented by AI in business operations
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On the 50th episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Joey Cofone, CEO of Baronfig and author of the bestselling book The Laws of Creativity. This episode is an absolute favorite of mine with my favorite person in the world, so it’s not one to miss.
I’ve always believed that operators are creatives. It’s a vital part of our work. Joey takes that thought a step further and believes that everyone possesses innate creativity. The key is in learning how to reignite it, which is what his book is all about.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why everyone is creative, no matter their profession
- The decline in creative thinking from childhood to adulthood
- The process and stages of writing a book
- Pro-tips on how to author a book
- The impact of parenthood on rediscovering creativity
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with sustainability expert John Pabon, author, consultant, speaker, and UN advisor. This is truly one episode you don't want to miss.
Not only does John break down what sustainability actually encompasses, but he also talks us through practical approaches for individuals and businesses to engage in it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Definition and dimensions of sustainability, including environmental, social, and governance aspects.
- The significance of identifying personal passions to drive sustainability initiatives.
- The role of governance in monitoring and regulating sustainability practices.
- The necessity of quantifiable metrics in pursuing sustainability investments within business.
- The importance of transparency in supply chains and corporate practices.
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
As we wrap up 2024, I want to give all my gratitude to our wonderful listeners. You make this whole thing worthwhile and I will forever be grateful!
Make sure to check out the 12 Days of Operations, which are a bunch of bit-sized tips and tricks to help you become a top operator in business and in life. You can find it on our:
- Newsletter
- YouTube
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we flip the script where I am the guest and KC Procter, Marketing Operator extraordinaire, interviews me on the basics of becoming a fractional operator!
We dive into how to get started in fractional operations, what to look for in clients, tips on structuring your workload, how to navigate tricky conversation and much more!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Understanding the fractional operations model
- How to acquire clients and get better at pitching yourself
- Recognizing a potential client’s readiness for change
- Setting expectations and how to identify red flags
- Navigating the end of client relationships positively
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Tim Bynum Founder of Anchor Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. This conversation explores the vital link between financial operations and business strategy to drive growth and clarity in decision-making. We also discuss strategies on how to develop financial literacy for small business owners, with some great tips on how to get started!
In this episode, we discuss:
- The relationship between financial operations and overall business strategy.
- The importance of financial literacy for small business owners.
- How to translate financial data into actionable insights
- Lessons learned in developing a custom operating system
- The value of celebrating successes and recognizing progress
👀 Watch the episode on YouTube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Shaina Anderson Founder of Hello Generalist. The episode delves into what exactly a generalist is, the unique challenges generalists navigate, and how this motivated Shaina to found Hello Generalist, a platform connecting experienced operators with businesses that need their magic.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Transitioning from food startups to tech and operations roles
- Challenges faced by operators, including imposter syndrome
- Importance of recognizing and valuing diverse skill sets
- Founding Hello Generalist to connect operators with startups
- Lifelong learning and adaptability in the evolving job market
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Allie Stark, Co-Founder of Noria the learning and development platform for a new era of living and leading. With over 15 years in the health and wellness space, Allie brings to life why we are all feeling so burnt out and what the heck we can do about it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The collective feeling of burnout and confusion in our work
- The impact of systemic changes in the business landscape
- Aligning personal values with organizational principles
- How to navigate pivotal moments and crisis as a leader
- Strategies for self-care and wellness in today’s world
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Morten Bruun, Co-Founder and CEO of Flash Docs, a company that uses AI to create data-driven slide decks and visuals.
Morten shares how wrangling slide decks, while at Google and McKinsey, led him to develop Flash Docs to streamline the slide creation process. We chat through the transformative potential of AI, the importance of networking, and navigating global business environments as an operator.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolution of slide decks as a communication tool.
- The role of AI in automating content generation
- Shifting perspectives from regional to global operations
- Networking and building genuine relationships in business.
- Lesson from being a part of Forbes' 30 Under 30
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Hikari Senju, CEO of Omneky, a platform that scales sales with data driven creative using generative AI.
Hikari breaks down the transformative role of generative AI in advertising, highlighting its potential and ability to enhance marketing strategies. Also, we talk about his journey from fencing to entrepreneurship, detailing his experiences in edtech, advertising, and much more.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The intersection of advertising and generative AI.
- The disconnect between marketing and creative teams
- Enhancing the creative process in marketing through AI.
- The significance of user testing and iterative learning
- Practical advice for small to medium-sized businesses
- Embracing creativity and experimentation with AI tools.
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Antonia Landi and Joy Chatterjee, Co-Founders of One Camp, whose aim is to bridge the gap between Product & Data Teams by giving both groups the tools and knowledge to do their best work.
Antonia and Joy bring to life their own experiences connecting these two specializations together, giving advice on how to improve communication and teamwork while doing it. But that’s not all!
In this episode, we discuss:
- Challenges faced in aligning product and data teams.
- Evolving roles of product ops and data science in growing organizations.
- Product ops as a strategic function rather than a support role.
- Overcoming insecurities around data skills and analysis.
- Need for improved accessibility to data for product teams.
- Fostering a team culture of discovery and curiosity
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
On this episode of Secret Ops, host Ariana Cofone talks to Tom Wilshere, the Chief Technology Officer at Florence, where he heads up the product, engineering and data teams building and scaling products revolutionising staffing for over one million professionals in the healthcare sector around the world.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The role and responsibilities of a Chief Technology Officer
- Technology challenges faced in the healthcare sector
- Importance of collaboration between ops and tech teams
- Use of data in decision-making and operational improvements.
- Necessity of empathy in leadership and team dynamics.
- Strategies for fostering a supportive and innovative workplace culture.
👀 Watch the episode on Youtube
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
We are already more than halfway through 2024. Say what?!
So far this year, we’ve had incredible guests on Secret Ops, who have generously shared amazing tips, tricks, and lessons they’ve learned along their journey.
In this episode, I share my top five moments from those interviews for you to enjoy while you are chillin’ at the pool or eating a hot dog off the grill.
Hope you are enjoying your summer and stay tuned for our newest episode dropping on August 14th!
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
On this episode of Secret Ops we chat with Barbara Turley, Founder and CEO of The Virtual Hub, whose mission it is to eradicate business overwhelm and remove operational friction using a team of virtual assistants, clever automations, and streamlined processes.
During our conversation, we explore her transition from equity trading into entrepreneurship and how her background influenced her business approach. We also dive into the challenges of remote work, what it means to advocate for “trustless environments”, and the use of OKRs in moving your business forward. Last but certainly not least, Barbara reflects on her journey balancing motherhood with business, challenging traditional norms, and trusting one's intuition through the journey of her career.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The role of virtual assistants in supporting and scaling your business
- Managing remote workforces and building “trustless environments”
- Navigating different life stages while pursuing career goals
You can find Barbara on her LinkedIn.
🎙️ Check out the podcast at https://www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at https://www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Karan Rhodes is the Founder and CEO of Shockingly Different Leadership, a leading professional services firm who is changing the way HR-functions scale up during peak period of work. With over a decade of experience as an executive in Human Resources and Leadership Development, we dive into how to rethink and pivot global workforce infrastructures and people strategies, while also preparing their leaders to better lead the redefined operations.
We also explore the evolving landscape of human resources and leadership, discussing the shift from traditional performance management to a focus on conversations and skills assessment, the impact of AI and technology on the workforce, and the trend towards blended workforces. She also shares her research on effective leadership tactics and the significance of creating a safe space for idea presentation within organizations.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How human resource strategies, trends, and methodologies have changed over time
- Leveraging external talent (blended workforces) to boost and scale businesses
- The top seven traits her research has shown contribute to exemplary leadership
You can find Karan on her Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
On this episode of Secret Ops, we chat with Derek Osgood, former marketing exec turned Founder of Ignition — the collaborative GTM platform helping Product and Marketing teams to get new products to market faster and more effectively.
Prior to founding Ignition, he was an early hire at Rippling where he stood up the Product Marketing function and helped scale the company to an $8B valuation. As a Product Marketing leader everywhere from startups to major brands like PlayStation, Derek has launched over 100 products and his products have generated over $1B in revenue. Now he’s building the platform he wished he had along the way.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Bridging the gap between product and marketing in your business
- Challenges and strategies for bringing products to market
- Strategies on setting shared objectives and key results across teams
You can find Derek on his LinkedIn.
🎙️ Check out the podcast at https://www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at https://www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Kim Minnick is the Founder of Code Traveller HR. She is a long time People Ops professional with a healthy obsession for elegant processes, engaged teams, and great operational practices. She has the foundations and trainings skills to support innovative companies in building their digital environment. In this episode, Kim explores the importance of feedback, mentorship, and continuous learning for professional growth.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Effective Feedback Collection
- Taking Responsibility for Professional Development
- Misconceptions about HR and People Ops
You can find Kim on her Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Kate Parker is Chief Operating Officer at Transcend. Kate brings to Transcend over a decade of experience driving bold corporate-wide initiatives, from implementing CEO visions, shaping market dynamics, and changing user behavior. Prior to joining Transcend, Kate was the global director for Uber's top business priority, Consumer Safety. Tune in to explore the evolution of data governance and the operational challenges that come with it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Building Simple Smart Operations
- Challenges in Communication
- Technology Education and Empowerment
You can find Kate on her Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Diana Soler is the Director of Product Operations & Service Enablement at Assent, the leader in supply chain sustainability management solutions. Diana has over six years of experience in product operations, product enablement, and cross-functional collaboration in the tech industry. Currently, she leads a team of nine that creates & shapes the systems and processes that enable teams to deliver value to customers through an awesome product.
In this episode we discus:
- Setting Boundaries in Operations
- Visualizing Operations for Stakeholder Buy-In
- Building Trust and Culture
- Productivity Over Process
You can find Diana on her Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Jason Vago is the CEO & Co-Founder of Bevz, a SaaS platform for convenience stores. Jason is responsible for setting and executing the company strategy and vision, building a strong culture, maintaining consistent and scalable company growth, and recruiting, retaining, and coaching a superstar team. Prior to Bevz, Jason was the founder of a dog grooming software platform and spent almost a decade at a multi-billion dollar technology company called Citrix. Tune in as Jason shares the journey of pivoting his company from a marketplace to a SaaS platform for convenience stores, focusing on inventory management. He discusses the challenges of scaling, the importance of data normalization, and the shift towards operational efficiency in the tech industry.
In this episode we discus:
- Gaining industry knowledge and upskilling
- The importance of learning from past experiences
- Formal education versus real-life experience in startups
- Connecting Operations with a wider audience
You can find Jason on his Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at https://www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at https://www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Soumyadeb Mitra is the Founder and CEO of RudderStack, the Warehouse Native Customer Data Platform (CDP). With a strong background in software engineering and data analytics, Soumyadeb is passionate about helping data leaders and teams make data valuable in their companies. Before founding RudderStack in 2018, Soumyadeb worked in various technical roles at leading technology companies, where he gained valuable experience in big data, machine learning, and cloud computing. This episode dives into the evolution of artificial intelligence and machine learning, to really understand how it’s become so popular today.
In this episode we discus:
- Evolution of machine learning and AI
- Potential impact of machine learning in healthcare
- ChatGPT and Medical Information
- Hard decisions as a founder
You can find Soumyadeb Mitra on his Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at https://www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at https://www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Lindsey Bell is the Head of R&D Operations at Foursquare, the leading geospatial technology platform. She has spent over a decade in strategic planning, team dynamics and operations management. Her focus is converting chaos into order and making teams work like clockwork, all with a customer-first mindset. Tune into this episode to explore the intricacies of product operations and its three pillars: strategy, data and insights, and customer and go-to-market interlock. Learn all about product operations and how you can apply it in your own industry.
In this episode we discus:
- Core Tenets of Product Operations
- Misconceptions about Product Operations
- Redefining Process and Framework
- Product Development Lifecycle
You can find Lindsey Bell on her Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at https://www.secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at https://www.arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Matheus Riolfi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tint, a company created out of his motivation to build a company that could reinvent the industry, and change the world. Matheus shares his experience with Y Combinator, the importance of a co-founder in startups and his views on when to bring in an operations person in a startup. Matthias advises taking more risks and expresses his aspiration to positively impact the world through his work.
In this episode we discus:
- A problem-driven mentality
- The importance of a co-founder
- When to bring in an operations person
- Energizing founders and finding complementary skills
insurance #startup #cofounder #operations #secretops
You can find Matheus on his Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
On this episode of Secret Ops, Jared Kleiner discusses the importance of in-person connections in an increasingly remote world and shares his journey as the Founder/CEO Offsite, which focuses on retreat planning for remote and hybrid teams. Jared dives into the challenges and lessons learned in building his company and software platform, emphasizing the value of offsite meetings in retaining top talent and building stronger team connections.
Jared is a TED speaker and 3x award-winning author. Check out his most recent book, NETWORKING: How To Meet Influential People, Deepen Relationships, and Become A Super-Connector). As USA Today's "Most Connected Millennial", he has helped organize hundreds of events for over 30,000 attendees
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Importance of in-person offsites
- Challenges in the offsite marketplace
- Offsites as a retention strategy
- Challenges and best practices in planning offsites
You can find Jared on his Linkedin
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
On this episode of the Secret Ops, we talk with with Sage Randall, COO of 6th Ave Storytelling and Co-Founder of Hire Women Week. We sit down to chat about all things operations, marketing, and getting women hired in today's landscape, including the hurdles we’ve personally faced in our own careers.
Sage's unconventional career journey fuses her experience as a marketing executive and operator. We discuss the value of hands-on experience, defining a company's reason why, the role of culture building and storytelling, and the significance of promoting marginalized groups in the hiring space.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Defining your “why” behind your work
- The intersection of operations and marketing
- Importance of pay transparency and advocating for fair compensation
- The significance of culture building and storytelling
Sign up for Hire Women Week (for free!) to check out all the virtual and in-person events happening from January 22nd through January 25th.
You can find Sage on LinkedIn.
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Ekaterina Curry is a global operations leader. As the Managing Director and Head of Operations at Millennial Specialty Insurance, she is passionate about uncovering value in operations ‘engine room’ teams. She transforms support teams to high impact business partners who improve margin and enable growth.
Previously managing a global team of 240 operations specialists and editors in 22 countries, Ekaterina specializes in leading global teams with a focus on millennials and Gen-Z. Listen to her story as it began in Bulgaria during the collapse of communism, leading her to arrive in the U.S. with a suitcase and a dream. She’s had quite the ride!
In this episode, we discuss:
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The impact of change in leadership
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Balancing tactical and strategic thinking
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Reflection and learning from mistakes
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The value of reverse mentorship
You can find Ekaterina on LinkedIn.
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
As 2023 comes to an end, we wanted to thank you! For listening, sharing and helping to make Secret Ops a reality. Since we launched in November 2022, we've...
- Published 27 episodes with experts from across industries
- Had thousands of listeners from 38 countries tune in
- Launched the Secret Ops website, store, newsletter, and Youtube channel.
As the holidays approach, we will be taking a brief break, returning in the new year on January 3.
In the meantime, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter. We’ve been working behind the scenes on something special that subscribers will get access to first.
Have a very happy holiday and we will see you in 2024!
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
On this episode of Secret Ops 🎙️, we chat with Amy Kalnoki COO and Co-Founder of Bitwave, a software platform that provides cryptocurrency accounting, tax tracking, bookkeeping, DeFi ROI monitoring, and crypto AR/AP services for enterprise businesses.
We dive into Amy's experience as a serial entrepreneur and technology industry veteran with expertise in enterprise software sales, accounting, and cryptocurrencies. She also her passion about cryptocurrency and the potential for blockchain technology to change the world.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Challenges of operating in the digital asset accounting space
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Discovering Bitcoin and its potential
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The evolving nature of digital assets
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Staying organized in operations
🎙️ Check out the podcast at secret-ops.com
🤓 Learn more about Ariana Cofone at arianacofone.com
📧 Email us at shhh@secret-ops.com
Produced by Fina Charleson
Zach Rattner is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Yembo. In this episode we dive into the many ways AI can solve real-world issues, like providing accurate quotes for home and office moves. Zach opens up about his career path, including his time at Qualcomm and his journey to starting Yembo. He emphasizes the value of feedback, cultivating a culture of constant growth, and embracing failure.
In this episode we discuss:
- Using AI to Solve Complex Problems
- Optimizing workflow with global teams
- Creating a culture of feedback
- De-risking and engineering risk in entrepreneurship
Check out his book, Grow Up Fast where Zach explores the thrilling highs and lows of an AI startup journey.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Ty Givens is an accomplished trailblazer in the customer experience industry. With over 20 years of experience, Ty has earned a reputation as an exceptional leader and CX visionary as the founder and CEO of CX Collective. In this episode Ty shares how her background in customer service and workforce management led her to start her own company. Tune in to learn how she has revolutionized the way contact centers interact and engage with customers by providing organizations with tailor-made solutions.
In this episode we discuss:
- Challenges of managing a call center
- Starting CX Collective
- Customer service versus customer experience
- The process of change and improvement
- Importance of good customer experience
You can find Ty on LinkedIn
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Aušrinė Keršanskaitė is a seasoned operations leader and a driving force behind Operations Nation, a community-powered knowledge hub that connects and empowers hundreds of operations leaders globally.
Aušrinė is also Head of Operations at Reframe Technologies, a company rethinking our approach to work. With over a decade of hands-on experience navigating the unique challenges of early-stage companies, she has played an instrumental role in guiding startups through their evolutionary journey from pre-seed stages to series B.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Recognizing the need for Operations Nation
- Managing people in operations
- The importance of adaptable processes
- The value of mentoring
- The power of proactive thinking in operations
You can find Aušrinė Keršanskaitė on her LinkedIn
Check Out Operations Nation, the safe space for operations professionals to share advice and "ops war stories" to help each other survive, grow, and thrive in their careers.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
operations #secretops #OperationsNation #InternationalOpsFestival
Gareth Evans is s a leader and disruptor in the energy industry. As the CEO of Veckta, he committed to find solutions that create profitable and sustainable energy outcomes such that we can all thrive. His time in Iraq following the gulf war opened his eyes to a world without access to reliable energy and other basic essentials needed to survive. Tune in to learn about his mission of empowering businesses and communities to make the global transition towards a more affordable, secure and renewable energy future.
In this episode we discuss:
- Importance of education in the energy transition
- Placing decision-makers in control
- Simplifying the Complexities of the Energy Sector
- Challenges in the energy industry
- Gareth's vision for the energy industry
You can find Gareth on his website.
Listen to Veckta's podcast: Renewable Rides
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Lauren Lea is an expert when it comes to managing businesses in the online space. As CEO and founder of OBM Associates, she explores the world of Online Business Management and her special approach when partnering with business owners to achieve sustainable growth through high-level management.
After discovering what it actually takes to be an extraordinary OBM, her work steered toward a passion for teaching, supporting like-minded OBMs and launching her second business, OBM Associates®
In this episode we discuss:
- Role of an Online Business Manager
- Difference between an OBM and a COO
- Implementing processes and automation
- Power of processes in business
- Discipline and self-motivation
- Signs you might need to hire an Online Business Manager
You can find Lauren on her website
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
As a self-proclaimed ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of executive functions, Joe Aurilia has served at the executive level across diverse departments. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Cyware, an automated alert aggregation and advisory sharing platform designed to drive real-time situational awareness.
In this episode we discuss:
- The power of working in a range of different job roles
- Advice for non-technical individuals when approaching new technology
- How to quantify what a tool can actually do for you
- How to best communicate the importance of operational initiatives
- … and what do people mostly get wrong about operations?
You can find Joe on LinkedIn
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Ghazaleh Youshani is a seasoned operator in the financial and startup world. Ghazaleh brings a wealth of experience as a managing director, head of operations, and chief operating officer. Tune in as unpack being a woman in a male-dominated industry, promoting inclusive workplaces and what motivates her career ambitions.
In this episode we discuss:
- Advice for women pursuing careers in finance and operations
- The importance of education and training
- The type of soft skills and mindset that are crucial for success
- Working in hedge funds vs investment banks
- Succeeding in male-dominated industries
You can find Ghazaleh on LinkedIn
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Tim Tutt is the CEO and co-founder of Night Shift Development, a solutions provider on a mission to democratize data analytics and build data-driven solutions for users of any technical skill level. Tune in as we explore the big topics of artificial intelligence, augmented intelligence, augmented reality, cybersecurity… and how these concepts intersect with the world of operations.
In this episode we discuss:
- Search and discovery technology
- Data as a software career
- Automating mundane tasks for efficiency
- Augmented intelligence vs AI
- Clear Query and data insights
- Technology as a creative canvas
You can find Tim on LinkedIn
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Esther Trapadoux is a seasoned Growth Marketer and the Head of Community at Amplitude, a digital analytics platform that gives self-service visibility into the entire customer journey. As a digital marketer and content strategist, she loves working with curious and passionate teams. Esther gives us a sneak peek into the world of community building and growth marketing.
In this episode we discuss:
- Combining marketing, product and the customer
- Owning data for credibility
- Community building in the B2B world
- Marketing vs Community Operations
- Measuring quality in communities
- The ‘Scary Hour’ and how to build a genuine community
You can find Esther onLinkedIn
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
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Jon Blair is a Fractional Chief Financial Officer, who is very operationally-focused since he started out as a traditional accountant with an accounting degree. It was fascinating to hear his experiences of what shaped his career path, and what he has learnt working closely with founders. This podcast episode is a great introduction to the financial side of operations.
In this episode we discuss:
- Becoming an entrepreneurial accountant
- The skill of creativity in business leadership
- Jon’s process for choosing technologies
- Why every person in an organization needs to be profitable
- Inventory management strategies
You can find Jon onLinkedIn
Check out ‘Financial Planning & Analysis and Performance Management’
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Jon Darbyshire, the co-founder and CEO of SmartSuite, began his career majoring in finance and accounting. After working at Ernst & Young he realized he was great at creating processes, and went on to manage one of their global practices. Through setting up processes and working with the right people and technology he was able to achieve amazing things, culminating in becoming the youngest partner at Ernst & Young.
In this episode we discuss:
- What it is like hiring 100 developers
- The role of collaborative technology for the Gen Z workforce
- A feedback loop system and how to follow your customer
- Building visual processes
- The dangers of over-processing and the power of keeping things simple
- What Jon looks for when investing in companies (and the big mistake he made)
You can find Jon onLinkedIn and SmartSuite.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Write of Passage’s Founder David Perrell and COO Chris Monk discuss the building process of the business, as well as how to create a positive workplace environment. They offer advice on how to get someone to understand the importance of operations, as well as how to work with teams when building operations so that it can benefit the business in the long run.
In this episode we discuss:
- How to hire the right COO
- Defining company values and principles
- Scaling decision making
- Ways to enhance remote team communication
- Creating efficient meeting agendas
- David’s writing process and craft
You can find Chris onLinkedIn and David on LinkedIn.
You can check out Write of Passage.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Karina Mikhli is a Fractional COO and Workflow Consultant. She is also the Founder of Fractionals United – a fast-growing online community for all current and wannabe fractional professionals. She has had a fascinating journey into operations, from the days of being a creative writing teacher, to a production assistant in publishing, and so much more in between.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why being a generalist helps you succeed
- Learning systems thinking through Trello
- Using no-code or low-code tools
- What the difference is between fractional leaders vs consultants
- Building the community ‘Fractionals United’
You can find Karina on LinkedIn.
You can join the Fractionals United community.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
John Quayle is graphic designer turned operations specialist with over 13 years of experience in marketing, business operations, and entrepreneurship. He is currently the Chief of Staff for an industrial automation robotics company, Four Growers. As a self-proclaimed “catch-all generalist that gets things done”, it was fascinating to learn more about his journey to operations.
In this episode we discuss:
- Technical tools for process management
- Applying entrepreneurship to operations
- John’s playbook for logistics and shipping processes
- The role of technical knowledge and automation in operations
- Managing the complexities of robotics
You can find John on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
In this episode we flip the script. I am the guest and Joey Cofone, the CEO of Baronfig, designer, author of The Laws of Creativity (and my husband!) is the interviewer.
We reflect on what led me to operations and running my own business. From acting, backpacking to working at a gym – operations was threading throughout my career. Tune in as we talk about my different job roles, working in male-dominated environments, what is a fractional COO, at what (tipping) point companies need operational support – and a tale from my ‘karate days’.
You can connected with me on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Mickey Pearson, Operations Manager, approaches ops through the unique lens of both recruitment and operations, having wore both hats within the industry.
In this episode, we delve into using the right data to inform decision-making, auditing the best tools and platforms to use, bringing your secondary and tertiary skills to work – and why not all people in operations are Type-A.
I loved hearing how Mickey draws the parallel between operations and camping: “leave it better than you found it”.
You can find Mickey on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
As someone who never connected with the title ‘Human Resources’, Hannah loves her role as People Business Partner – where she gets to do the people-side of operations and come up with strategies to implement change. In this episode we discuss more about what the role entails, the power of understanding P&L statements, the performative nature of hospitality, and what it was like working for a Michelin Star restaurant.
I loved hearing Hannah’s take on driving change: “when you have people fully engaged and bought in – that’s what makes change successful”. It always starts with the people!
You can find Hannah onLinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
Blocknative is a Web3 infrastructure company, enabling dynamic user experiences and better decisions via pre-chain insights. Tune in as we unpack influences from Sean’s education technology background, demystifying Web3, asynchronous work and Blocknative’s process from onboarding team members.
It was refreshing to hear his thoughts on perfectionism: “the business is changing so rapidly, so I’ve learnt to be okay with ‘good enough’ and not spend too much time future-proofing”. We all need to remind ourselves about this, as the less you get things out the door and test, the less you learn.
You can find Sean onTwitter or at his websiteseanoconn.org.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
On this episode of Secret Ops, we go behind the scenes with Jay Desai, COO of Baronfig, to uncover his unique journey from aerospace engineering to operations in the world of ecommerce and physical product creation. Learn how Jay applies his engineering background to drive success in business operations and discover the key principles that guide his approach to successful execution.
What stood out to me was how he applies his background in engineering to his work: "Part of operations is planning for the worst and hoping for the best – so everybody knows what to do". It's a great reminder to have those things in place, so if or when something does go down, you have a manual at the ready to know what needs to be done.
You can find Jay on LinkedIn or at his website jaydesaibuilds.com.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Produced by Fina Charleson
On today's episode, we talk with Carmeanna Eberly, Director of Operations at Refine Labs, about how to think about operations strategically to minimize reactivity and maximize proactive preparedness. From technology glow-ups to the actual benefits of engagement surveys, we discuss different approaches to supporting businesses in building out their operations from the ground up.
Carmeanna has a wealth of knowledge, but it was this simple piece of advice that stuck out to me— "Understand what is the ideal state we want to get to and work back from there." In operations, at times, it's hard to know where to begin, but if you can articulate where we want to go, you'll have a north star to guide your efforts, resources, and time.
You can find Carmeanna on LinkedIn and checkout Refine Lab's Talent Destination Podcast.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Mixed & Edited by John Balderston
On today's episode, Chelsey Firor, walks us through all of the operational components that go into getting a product to market as the Head of Operations. Starting with R&D through to manufacturing into distribution, each phase has its own challenges that change from day to day and sometimes minute to minute.
Like many of us in operations, Chelsey captured perfectly what keeps us coming back to this field of work — "The fact that it's always changing. Your job is never the same, week to week or month to month. I feel like I've been doing operations 8 or 9 years and I have a different job every few months, since it's in constant flux." Every day is a new day in the world of operations.
You can find Chelsey on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Mixed & Edited by John Balderston
On today's episode, we talk with James Mazza, Chief of Emergency Medical Services of the Montclair Ambulance Unit, to bring to light all of the operational logistics and vital decision-making that go into supporting first responders. For over 15 years, he has worked in Emergency Medical Services, starting as a volunteer, to now becoming the Chief, managing everything from scheduling to payroll to fundraising.
In business, we often talk about the importance of making data-driven decisions, but for James, this is not a nice to have, it's a necessity— "The thing that we do is medicine and science driven, so as these studies come out, the field changes every couple of years." Evolve or die is not just a saying in the world of Emergency Medical Services,
If you can, please donate to the Montclair EMS or your local EMS teams.
You can find and connect with James Mazza on LinkedIn or email at chief@montclairems.com. Or check out his blog, whatifhistory.com
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Mixed & Edited by John Balderston
On today's episode, we hop into the brain of Tom Andrews, Director of Systems & Insights at Pavilion, to learn about what Revenue Operations actually is and the importance of implementing the right technology, in order to make your sales strategy come to life.
We also dive into what it means to truly make data driven decisions where insights come from the data instead of reinforcing already established opinions. As Tom said, "Shifting the mindset to looking at the data first and then having your opinions, which is being truly data driven... I think it's gonna take a very long time. But, I think it's up to everyone in revenue operations to permanently and only speak from that point of view because that's what we should be all building towards." We all know habits are hard to break, but this one, in particular, is worth the effort.
You can find and connect with Tom Andrews on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
On today's episode, we unpack the ever-evolving world of marketing operations with Joanna Lin, B2B Marketing Consultant, who for over 15 years has been at the center of the shift from physical marketing into the world of digital advertising. Starting at Time Inc, we are taken along her journey, learning how operations has laid the groundwork for change to occur globally across industries.
Joanna is a joy to learn from, but one important reminder I personally took away was, "Ops, to me, is actually super creative in a way that you are problem solving and you can come up with different ideas and different ways of doing things." We may not be painting on canvases, but our creativity as operators manifests in how we work and our approach to solving problems.
You can find Joanna Lin on her website at the Primary Marketing Collective, on Twitter at @joannaleelin, or drop her a line at joanna@primarymc.com
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
On today's episode, Al Chen, Solutions Architect at Coda, teaches us how leveraging tools, like Excel and Coda, can be a game changer for solving business problems. Over the years, he's gone from being an excel master (Check out his Skillshare courses) to evolving his toolbox using Coda, to help support teams to evolve their ways of working.
Al connected so many dots for me during our chat, but a key takeaway was— "If you can't convince and persuade the stakeholder, the champion, to fall in love with this process and be passionate about this process, then that solution, it's not gonna go anywhere." That's definitely a lesson I've learned the hard way and always a good reminder.
You can find Al on LinkedIn, Twitter, or on his own podcast Dear Analyst.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
On today's episode, we dive into the world of operations through the lens of data science with Marc Jansen, Senior Data Scientist at Amazon. Marc's journey is rich with stories of his time spent in supply chain operations and he generously shares the lessons he's gathered by applying data science within businesses.
There's a ton I learned from Marc, but one of my favorites was this key piece of life advice for all of us— "Find something that energizes you. Find something that you bring to the table. And marry the two up the best you can." I think I'll go do just that.
You can find Marc Jansen on LinkedIn.
Learn more about my work at arianacofone.com or drop me a line at hello@arianacofone.com!
Our first season will launch November 2022.
Until then, check out more details at www.secret-ops.com and follow us where you get your podcasts and