In this episode we discuss: How to tackle mental health in an organization. We are joined by Chris Hatfield, Mindset & Well-being Coach.

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We chat about the following with Chris Hatfield:

1. What if naming your anxiety was the first step to taking back control?
2. How can leaders foster vulnerability without losing authority?
3. Is your ‘stress container’ full, and how do you know when it’s overflowing?
4. Are we truly addressing the root of anxiety, or just applying quick fixes?
5. What if managing mental health was less about avoidance and more about sitting with discomfort?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishatfieldsalespsyche/
• www.salespsyche.co.uk

A sales mindset and well-being Coach and Author of Sales Psyche. With over 15+ years of experience working with the likes of Meta, Google, Salesforce, Experian and O2. Focused on supporting salespeople and leaders in developing a healthy and high performing mind. Also founded a run community, Run Your Mind, that is focused on mental well-being.

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

16:31 Understanding Anxiety

16:52 The Nature of Anxiety in Men

19:14 Coping Mechanisms for Anxiety

20:36 Proactive vs Reactive Approaches to Anxiety

22:46 Identifying When Anxiety Becomes a Problem

25:10 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership

29:01 Understanding the Stress Container Exercise

36:05 The Importance of Reflection and Action

37:59 Tools for Managers to Address Anxiety

34:14 Creating a Mental Health Culture in Organizations

39:18 Training Managers for Mental Health Awareness

42:49 Sales-Specific Strategies for Managing Stress

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

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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’ reveal about ownership and impact at work?
• Are we equipping employees with the right tools and trust, or just expecting results without support?
• What makes relationships the hidden engine behind high-performance workplace cultures?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-stone-clear-path/
• ericdstone.com and clearpathventures.com
• https://www.instagram.com/clearpathventures_/ c. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100040382190383 d. https://www.youtube.com/@ericdstone1/about

ERIC D. STONE’S passion for business led him to an influential twenty-six-year career at the iconic rental car company Enterprise Holdings, where he quickly became one of the most decorated Regional Vice Presidents in the company’s history. His ability to connect and motivate employees from all different generations and demographics allowed his teams to sustain top-level results and a culture of pride. Eric attributes much of this success to his ability to create, ignite, and sustain a high-performance culture—one that enabled him to lead his teams through challenges like 9/11, the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Great Resignation—along with an extraordinary ability to adapt to the unexpected and help others do the same.

Eric is the author of the award-winning book Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture and an international speaker on leadership, employee engagement, and creating high-performance organizations. He retired from Enterprise in 2018 and founded Clear Path Ventures, which specializes in guiding young professionals and businesses as they navigate their path to success.

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

17:17 Core Thesis of 'Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture'

18:25 Understanding Employee Engagement

19:04 Building Strong Relationships in the Workplace

20:17 Leadership's Role in Workplace Culture

23:57 Effective Communication Strategies

26:54 The Johnny the Bagger Story: A Lesson in Ownership

30:05 Empowerment vs. Accountability in Leadership

31:04 Balancing Standardization and Empowerment

32:33 Ego and Leadership: Letting Go of Control

34:18 Identifying and Nurturing Culture Carriers

36:12 The Importance of Clear Communication and Culture

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 accelerate product development while overcoming emotional and technical challenges?
• In a world where restrictive AI policies hinder adoption, how can organisations balance data privacy concerns with fostering innovation?
• Rather than replacing jobs, how can AI be used to supercharge teams, enhance leadership effectiveness, and drive productivity?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecowan/
• charliecowan.ai
• https://v0.dev/
• https://replit.com/ai
• https://lovable.dev/
• Bolt.new
• https://www.cursor.com/
• https://codeium.com/windsurf
• https://notebooklm.google.com/

Charlie Cowan helps organisations accelerate AI adoption, guiding CxOs in embedding AI-driven processes to unlock new opportunities. As the founder of Kowalah, an AI-powered buying platform, he built the business from scratch—without prior coding experience—using AI tools. Now, he shares his journey to inspire others to embrace AI innovation.

An author of four books on sales, revenue operations, and go-to-market strategy, Charlie provides practical insights for scaling startups and sales teams. Passionate about AI and business transformation, he continues to drive conversations on the future of AI adoption and leadership.

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

20:13 Introduction to Charlie Cowan and His Journey

23:14 The Impact of AI on Business and Personal Reinvention

25:35 Building Koala: The Journey of a Non-Developer

28:00 Navigating Challenges in AI Development

30:48 Balancing Consulting and Product Development

31:27 Leveraging LinkedIn for AI Insights

32:40 The AI Bubble and Company Policies

34:55 Embracing AI: Opportunities and Risks

41:28 Transforming Organisations with AI

44:02 Innovative Tools for Information Management

46:38 Practical AI Applications in Leadership

49:23 Final Thoughts on AI and Automation

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 structured yet flexible meeting cadences?
• Why is developing P&L fluency and understanding market dynamics essential for senior executives, and how can organisations address these gaps?
• How can leaders strategically network and cascade critical insights to maintain clarity and alignment within teams?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassyoung/
• https://www.primary.vc/

Cassie Young is a General Partner at Primary Venture Partners, a $1B AUM early-stage venture capital firm in New York, backing companies like Chief, Alma, and K Health. She leads B2B software investments and oversees the firm's portfolio impact team, the largest of its kind among seed funds globally.

Previously, Cassie was Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Marigold (formerly CM Group), where she led global operations and strategy across a portfolio of marketing tech brands, following Marigold’s acquisition of Sailthru in 2018. At Sailthru, she held multiple executive roles, ultimately serving as Chief Revenue Officer. Earlier, she led marketing and analytics teams at GLG, Savored (acquired by Groupon), and TheLadders, starting her career as an analyst at Citigroup.

A Duke graduate with an MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where she earned the Dero Saunders Award, Cassie is passionate about advancing women in leadership. In 2023, she launched On the Business, a program helping hundreds of senior women in software enhance their P&L fluency and boardroom skills.

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

08:12 Introduction and Context Setting

19:17 Understanding the Concept of First Team

21:00 The Importance of Team Dynamics

21:35 Creating a First Team Mindset

23:00 Fostering Cross-Functional Collaboration

24:13 Aligning Incentives for Team Success

28:25 Overcoming Pushback on Team Engagement

31:12 Communicating with Empathy

34:04 Effective Meeting Cadences

41:03 Navigating Conflict and Accountability

42:23 Essential Skills for Executives

46:06 The Role of Founders and Leadership Styles

48:43 The Importance of Alignment and Communication

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?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/diviniaknowles
• www.daijo.io
• www.cooroundtable.com

Divinia Knowles is an accomplished operator and coach with extensive experience supporting startup and scale-up COOs, CEOs, and leadership teams through growth, exit, and beyond. With a career spanning roles as COO, CFO, CEO, and Board Advisor, Divinia has worked with companies like Pact Coffee and Mind Candy, helping scale global brands and drive success.

As the founder of the London COO Roundtable, Divinia has built a thriving network for operational leaders. Since 2017, she’s coached over 150 executives, combining advanced coaching accreditation with expertise in organizational psychology, resilience, and team dynamics.

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

16:42 Exploring COO Strengths and Weaknesses

26:36 Personality Types and Archetypes in Leadership

28:09 The Shadow Side of COOs

29:06 Servant Leadership

30:21 The Relationship Between COOs and CEOs

35:24 Ruminating vs. Acting: Different Leadership Styles

37:24 Embracing Public Speaking and Thinking on Your Feet

39:28 The Ruminator: Processing Information Over Time

41:04 The Caregiver Archetype in Leadership

45:39 Balancing Empathy and Performance Management

47:54 The Nature of Relationships in Leadership

48:44 Directness and Good Intent in Communication

49:33 Embracing Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

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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 build trust with key decision-makers while staying behind the scenes?
• What’s the secret to thriving in a role that demands constant adaptability?
• How can COOs master resource allocation when scaling feels chaotic?
• Why is being an external spokesperson a game-changer for COOs?
• How do COOs and CEOs create a partnership that drives success?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/diviniaknowles
• www.daijo.io
• www.cooroundtable.com

Divinia Knowles is an accomplished operator and coach with extensive experience supporting startup and scale-up COOs, CEOs, and leadership teams through growth, exit, and beyond. With a career spanning roles as COO, CFO, CEO, and Board Advisor, Divinia has worked with companies like Pact Coffee and Mind Candy, helping scale global brands and drive success.

As the founder of the London COO Roundtable, Divinia has built a thriving network for operational leaders. Since 2017, she’s coached over 150 executives, combining advanced coaching accreditation with expertise in organizational psychology, resilience, and team dynamics.

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

04:49 Introduction to COO Strengths and Weaknesses

19:23 Exploring COO Strengths

20:33 Identifying Gaps in COO Skills

21:22 The Role of External Spokesperson

26:37 Resource Allocation Challenges for COOs

31:16 Understanding Financial Reports and Business Metrics

32:44 The Importance of Financial Forecasting

31:23 Exploring Business Models and Metrics

40:18 Future-Facing Opportunities in Business

46:04 Strengths-Based Management and Just-in-Time Learning

In this episode we discuss: a COO's journey to a Google exit. We are joined by Shane Harris, Former COO @ Cameyo.

Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.

We chat about the following with Shane Harris:

• What role does sustainable growth, cash flow positivity, and dynamic budgeting play in a company’s success?
• How can company culture and strategic alignment influence decision-making and long-term growth?
• Why is understanding customer lifetime value and identifying productive customers critical for sustainable business strategy?
• What steps should startups take to prepare for a successful exit?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanecharris

Shane is a seasoned tech executive with a passion for building high performance teams, optimizing business systems and establishing KPI frameworks that drive scalable growth. As COO of enterprise software company Cameyo, acquired by Google, he has a proven track record of strategic leadership through scale and exit. Prior to Cameyo, Shane led operations and helped grow Vasion (formerly PrinterLogic) from 13 to 300+ employees and over 35x revenue growth. Shane has an MBA from Duke University where he graduated at the top of his class.

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

06:46 Introduction

27:05 Startups, goals, and roadmaps

28:07 No frills

28:49 Cameo's Exit Strategy and Company Culture

30:42 Exit strategies

32:18 The Value of Bootstrapping vs. Funding

33:54 Navigating Growth Paths and Strategic Decisions

35:26 The Role of Operations in Business Success

39:38 Preparing for Acquisition: Metrics and Data

42:58 Stages of Development and Strategic Objectives

47:40 Lessons Learned for Future Exits

In this episode we discuss: Patents and IP strategy for Scaleups. We are joined by Jon Calvert, IP strategy expert.

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We chat about the following with Jon Calvert:

1. How can startups effectively protect their innovations through intellectual property (IP)?
2. What are the key differences between patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, and when should each be used?
3. How can a well-crafted IP strategy enhance a startup's valuation during funding rounds or mergers and acquisitions?
4. What steps should startups take to meet the criteria for patentability, such as novelty and inventiveness?
5. How can education and awareness about IP help startups maximize its value and explore alternative financing options like IP asset-based lending?

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncalvert/
• www.clearviewip.com
• https://www.deloitte.com/au/en/services/financial-advisory/perspectives/deloitte-ip-360-survey.html

Protecting Intellectual Property: What Startups Need To Know

What is Intellectual Property?

IP Competitive Benchmarking — ClearViewIP

IP Due Diligence — ClearViewIP

IP Sales, Licensing & Tech Transfers — ClearViewIP

IP Valuations — ClearViewIP

Valuing Intellectual Property Assets

A globally recognised IP Strategist, Jon helps clients drive business value and competitive advantage through effective management of their intangible assets. Jon has advised investors, Boards and C-suite executives on hundreds of transactions and built winning Value Creation and Risk Management strategies for some of the World’s most innovative and successful organisations.

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

03:07 Introduction to Intellectual Property and Its Importance

14:22 Understanding Patent Types and Their Roles

16:33 When Should Startups Consider Patents?

19:35 What is Patentable? Exploring Novelty and Inventiveness

23:15 User Interface Design and Intellectual Property

25:25 Building an IP Strategy for Startups

27:52 The Role of IP in Funding Rounds

35:37 IP Asset-Based Lending: A Financial Strategy

38:39 Valuing Intellectual Property for Buyers

43:56 Final Thoughts on IP Education and Strategy

Short essential e-learning: