Podcast · Business

The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s

by Bethany Ayers & Brandon Mensinga · English · Business

We are the COO coaches to help you successfully scale in this new world where efficiency is as important as growth. Remember when valuations were 3-10x ARR and money wasn’t free? We do. Each week we share our experiences and bring in scale up experts and operational leaders to help you navigate both

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest: 19 Mar 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

19 Mar 2026 · 52 min

96. AI Native Ops, How Brex Rebuilt Operations

In this episode we discuss: AI Native Ops, How Brex Rebuilt Operations. We are joined by Camilla Matias, COO at Brex. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following: What actually breaks first when a company scales: people, process, or structure—and how do you know? How do you build operational rigour without killing speed and culture in a fast-growing business? What does “good onboarding” really look like beyond just paperwork and checklists? When tools or systems fail—how do you know if it’s the software or your implementation?…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S2 · E95 · 12 Mar 2026 · 57 min
95. Puzzle Setting, Not Goal Setting
In this episode we discuss: Puzzle setting, not goal setting. We are joined by Radhika Dutt, Author, Speaker, Consultant. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Radhika Dutt: What if traditional goal setting is actually limiting innovation rather than driving it? How might teams think differently if they framed challenges as “puzzles” instead of targets to hit? Are OKRs pushing organisations toward short-term optimisation instead of real problem-solving? How can leaders create space for curiosity and exploration in…
S2 · E94 · 5 Mar 2026 · 53 min
94. The BizOps Anti-Playbook
In this episode we discuss: The BizzOps Anti-Playbook. We are joined by Vessela Clewley, Strategy & Biz Ops Executive. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Vessela Clewley: What does it really take to step into leadership for the first time — and why do so many people underestimate the shift? How do you build confidence as a leader when you don’t yet feel “ready”? What’s the difference between managing tasks and truly leading people? How can organisations better support first-time managers before they burn out? What…
S2 · E92 · 26 Feb 2026 · 52 min
93. Collaborative AI for Revenue Teams
In this episode we discuss: Collaborative AI for revenue teams. We are joined by Mylo Portas, CEO of Choras. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Donna McCurley: What actually makes a podcast commercially sustainable — beyond downloads and vanity metrics? How do you build creative systems that scale without killing originality? What does it really take to grow an independent podcast network in today’s crowded market? Where do most founders misunderstand the operational complexity of media businesses? Is podcasting…
S2 · E92 · 19 Feb 2026 · 47 min
92. How to Really Use AI in Your GTM Team
In this episode we discuss: How to really use AI in your GTM team. We are joined by Donna McCurley, Creator of the AI Sales Operating System™ (AiSOS). Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Donna McCurley: Who should actually “own” AI inside your GTM function — and what happens if nobody does? What does real AI governance look like in practice — beyond policies and buzzwords? Are AI agents creating hidden shadow systems inside your organisation? Why are most AI rollouts in sales failing to drive measurable revenue…
S2 · E91 · 12 Feb 2026 · 59 min
91. AI in The Future of Work
In this episode we discuss: AI in the future of work. We are joined by Agata Nowicka, Managing Partner of the AI Visionaries Accelerator. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Agata Nowicka: Are high-growth founders underestimating the role of distribution from day one? At Series B and beyond, is your monetisation model actually aligned with value delivery? Could your onboarding and sales process be quietly eroding the value you promise? Will AI fluency soon become a non-negotiable capability in your workforce? Are you…
S2 · E90 · 5 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
90. What is The CEO's Job?
In this episode we discuss: What is the CEO’s job? We are joined by Keith Wallington, Chairperson and Investor in B2B SaaS businesses Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Keith Wallington: What actually changes in an operating model as a company scales – and what shouldn’t change, even under pressure? How do you design an organisation that moves fast without creating chaos or decision fatigue? When does adding structure genuinely unlock performance, and when does it quietly slow teams down? How can operators tell the…
S2 · E89 · 29 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
89. The Economics of VC Funds
In this episode we discuss: The economics of VC funds. We are joined by Edward Barrow, Co-Founder & CEO @ Cloud Capital. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Edward Barrow: Why do so many fast-growing companies only realise cloud spend is a problem once it’s already out of control? What actually breaks when finance and engineering don’t share a common language around cloud costs? Is “visibility” into cloud spend enough, or does it create a false sense of control? How should operators think about financial risk when…
S2 · E88 · 22 Jan 2026 · 52 min
88. Discovering Your Strengths
In this episode we discuss: Discovering Your Strengths and Living The Life That You Want. We are joined by Alicia Diamond, COO and Transformation Leader. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Alicia Diamond: What happens when you stop waiting for “perfect clarity” and start sharing half-formed ideas with your team? How much operational value is lost because your best thinking happens outside formal meetings? Are your leadership decisions driven by energy and context — or by calendar availability? What if the real…
S2 · E87 · 15 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
87. The COO's Guide to The Jigsaw Puzzle Company
In this episode we discuss: The COO's Guide to The Jigsaw Puzzle Company. 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: How can a COO use the “jigsaw puzzle” metaphor to bring clarity and alignment to a fast-growing company? What should a new COO actually do in their first 30, 60, and 90 days to build trust and avoid missteps? How do COOs become the “leash, not the choke collar”, supporting visionary CEOs without slowing them down? What simple systems can COOs introduce early on that create long-term…
S2 · E86 · 13 Nov 2025 · 32 min
86. Season 2 Wrap Up
It’s been a whirlwind of a season! In this special wrap-up episode, Bethany and Brandon look back on the last ten weeks of The Operations Room — the highlights, lessons, and chaos that shaped Season 2 — and share a sneak peek of what’s coming in Season 3. We reflect on: What it really feels like to step into a CEO role (and why it’s lonelier than expected). The intensity of leading through change — and learning to switch off when the buck stops with you. The balance between growth, leadership, and staying human. The power (and pain) of performance reviews done right. Why our next season will…
S2 · E85 · 6 Nov 2025 · 40 min
85. AI Employees
In this episode we discuss: AI employees. We are joined by Matt Lhoumeau, Cofounder & CEO at Concord Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Matt Lhoumeau: How do you balance the need for structure with the chaos of fast-growing operations? What happens when marketing becomes a true conversation rather than a one-way message? Why are standards and expectations so critical to building trust in a growing team? How can leaders create clarity without stifling creativity? What’s the real difference between being busy and being…
S2 · E84 · 30 Oct 2025 · 38 min
84. What Scale Up Founders Go Through
In this episode we discuss: What scale up founders go through. We are joined by Jonny Burch, Designer turned Founder. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Jonny Burch: How can rethinking the office itself completely change how people connect, collaborate, and feel part of a company? What happens when leaders stop managing people — and start designing environments where people can do their best work? Is your company culture something you say — or something you can feel when you walk through the door? What’s the real…
S2 · E83 · 23 Oct 2025 · 51 min
83. How Storytelling Can Get You What You Want
In this episode we discuss: How storytelling can get you what you want. We are joined by David Pullan, author, speaker, coach, and gold miner. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with David Pullan: How can leaders use storytelling to make their ideas unforgettable? What makes a message stick in people’s minds long after the meeting ends? Why do leaders often overlook the importance of how they communicate, not just what they say? How can storytelling build trust and psychological safety within teams? What practical steps…
S2 · E82 · 16 Oct 2025 · 41 min
82. Resilience in Organisations
In this episode we discuss: Resilience in Organisations. We are joined by Aušrinė Keršanskaitė, Co-founder of Operations Nation. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Aušrinė Keršanskaitė: How can leaders tell the difference between true resilience and simply powering through burnout? When is “just-enough process” better than perfect systems in a growing company? Which of the five types of resilience—optimistic, stoic, pragmatic, active, or existential—do you rely on most at work? What happens when imposter syndrome…
S2 · E81 · 9 Oct 2025 · 40 min
81. The Intentional Organization
In this episode we discuss: The intentional organization. We are joined by Mathias Meyer, The Startup CTO Coach, and Sara Hicks, Product Leader and Founder. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following: How should leadership roles evolve as a company shifts from startup to scale-up? What’s the real cost of not shipping products regularly, beyond just revenue impact? How can meeting culture be reshaped to truly drive collaboration and outcomes? Where’s the balance between a CEO’s product vision and a COO’s operational priorities?…
S2 · E80 · 2 Oct 2025 · 45 min
80. Navigating Through an Uncertain World
In this episode we discuss: Navigating through an uncertain world. We are joined by Jillian Reilly, Author, Global change facilitator, Keynote speaker, and International aid veteran. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Jillian Reilly: What does it really take to be an effective facilitator of change within an organisation? How can operators lead confidently in uncertainty without overpromising outcomes? When should leaders rely on intuition over data—and how do they build that instinct? Can resilience be intentionally…
S2 · E79 · 25 Sep 2025 · 45 min
79. Making Legal Work for Your Scale-Up
In this episode we discuss: From red flags to green lights, making legal work for your scale-up. We are joined by Helen Goldberg, Co-Founder & COO, Fractional General Counsel, Startup & Scaleup Adviser, and Mentor. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Helen Goldberg: How can founders avoid becoming the bottleneck when every decision passes through them? What should drive hiring decisions—current skill gaps or future strategic needs? How is the evolving role of marketing reshaping sales strategy and growth? Can AI truly…
S2 · E78 · 18 Sep 2025 · 44 min
78. The Pitfalls on The Path to Exit
In this episode, we discuss: The pitfalls on the path to exit. We are joined by Dirk Sahlmer, Head of Origination at saas.group. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Dirk Sahlmer: How should leaders balance ambitious growth metrics with the realities of current team capacity? When does leadership involvement cross the line into micromanagement—and how can you avoid it? Can offshoring and distributed teams truly maintain a unified culture and performance standard? What does a “bootstrap future” look like, and is it a…
S2 · E77 · 11 Sep 2025 · 34 min
77. How does AI change the approach to professional development?
In this episode we discuss: How does AI change the approach to professional development? We are joined by Anna Tavis, Clinical Professor and Chair of the Human Capital Management Department at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Anna Tavis: If career growth is no longer about climbing the ladder, how should we redefine success in professional development? Are our current learning systems truly preparing people for real work, or are they just ticking boxes outside the flow of…
S2 · E76 · 4 Sep 2025 · 45 min
76. Authenticity in Leadership
In this episode we discuss: Authenticity in Leadership. We are joined by Matthew Stone, from ME Consulting and Creating Liberating Working Cultures. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Matthew Stone: What message are you sending when you cancel a one-on-one — and is it the one you want employees to hear? Could listening more than you speak be the simplest way to strengthen trust and engagement? One-on-ones aren’t just meetings — how can they become your most powerful tool for retention and inclusion? Without proper…
S2 · E75 · 20 Mar 2025 · 9 min
75. The Announcement Episode
In this episode we chat about what's going on in our lives, share some life changing news, and announce the new seasoned approach. Going forward, we'll be releasing 10 episodes at a time, starting June 5th 2025. Join our WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J8w0bDV0pBtHUPzlvmzTgb Stay tuned! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
S2 · E74 · 13 Mar 2025 · 39 min
74. The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings
In this episode we discuss: the art and science of 1 to 1 meetings. We are joined by Dr. Steven Rogelberg, CEO, Board Member, Editor, Author, Chief Talent Officer, Director. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Steven Rogelberg: Are your one-on-ones actually driving engagement, or are they just another meeting on the calendar? What message are you really sending when you cancel a one-on-one—and how does it impact employee trust? Why is listening more than speaking the secret to making one-on-ones truly effective? How…
S2 · E73 · 6 Mar 2025 · 56 min
73. Building an AI First Organisation Part 2
In this episode we discuss: Unlocking AI for Non-Technical Leaders. We are joined by Charlie Cowan, Founder of Kowalah and author of "How To Sell Tech" and “The Revenue Operations Playbook”. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Charlie Cowan: Is AI more accessible than we think? What’s the difference between AI agents and workflows—and why does it matter for businesses looking to scale? How can organizations build their own AI-powered tools instead of relying solely on SaaS solutions? What role does leadership play in…
S2 · E72 · 27 Feb 2025 · 53 min
72. Is the COO the Single Source of Truth?
In this episode we discuss: Is the COO the single source of truth? We are joined by Eric Collins, Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO & Founding Member at Impact X Capital investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs; Author of We Don’t Need Permission (amzn.to/3Qp6G9d); & Host of Channel 4's The Money Maker. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Eric Collins: What makes the COO the true "source of truth" in scaling a venture-backed company? How can COOs balance growth while CFOs maintain financial discipline—and why does…
S2 · E71 · 20 Feb 2025 · 48 min
71. Proactive Mental Health Strategies for Leaders
In this episode we discuss: How to tackle mental health in an organization. We are joined by Chris Hatfield, Mindset & Well-being Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Chris Hatfield: What if naming your anxiety was the first step to taking back control? How can leaders foster vulnerability without losing authority? Is your ‘stress container’ full, and how do you know when it’s overflowing? Are we truly addressing the root of anxiety, or just applying quick fixes? What if managing mental health was less about…
S2 · E70 · 13 Feb 2025 · 41 min
70. Jumpstarting Your Workplace Culture
In this episode we discuss: Jumpstarting your workplace culture. We are joined by Eric Stone, International Keynote Speaker | Award Winning Author | Expert in Building High-Performance Cultures | Empowering Leaders to Drive Engagement & Transform Workplaces Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Eric Stone: Is your workplace culture truly driving success, or just a ‘flavor of the week’ experiment? How can leaders balance structure and empowerment without losing control? What does a simple story like ‘Johnny the Bagger’…
S2 · E69 · 6 Feb 2025 · 52 min
69. Building an AI First Organisation
In this episode we discuss: Making AI happen in 2025 for your organization. We are joined by Charlie Cowan, Author of "How To Sell Tech" and “The Revenue Operations Playbook”. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Charlie Cowan: How can professionals stay updated in an era where AI is rapidly disrupting industries like sales and marketing? With AI advancing faster than its everyday adoption, how can businesses bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation? How can non-developers leverage AI tools to…
S2 · E68 · 30 Jan 2025 · 53 min
68. First Team Loyalty: The Key to Executive Success
In this episode we discuss: how to implement the first team concept. We are joined by Cassie Young, General Partner at Primary Venture Partners, and seasoned SaaS CRO/CCO. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following with Cassie Young: How can leaders ensure that their "first team" prioritises organisational success over individual functions? What steps can teams take to align incentives and build trust to resolve conflicts more effectively? How does empathy in communication and transparency enhance team dynamics, especially in…
S2 · E67 · 23 Jan 2025 · 52 min
67. COO Superpowers Revealed Part 2
In this episode we discuss: What is a COO's strengths and gaps? We are joined by Divinia Knowles, The COO Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here . We chat about the following: How do COOs turn their knowledge gaps into strengths through experience? What can personality tests like the Enneagram teach us about effective COOs? How do COOs balance servant leadership with the challenges it brings? What’s the secret to building a powerhouse CEO-COO relationship? How can COOs use self-awareness to grow as leaders and advisors? References…

About The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s

The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s is a English business podcast from Bethany Ayers & Brandon Mensinga. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Bethany Ayers & Brandon Mensinga
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest episode: 19 Mar 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1693592355
Rights: The Operations Room

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English business

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.