Between Two COO's with Michael Koenig Michael Koenig

Empowering Leadership and Innovation with Stacey Ryan of School of Rock

In this episode of Between Two COOs, host Michael Koenig interviews Stacey Ryan, the COO of School of Rock, a global music school franchise. Despite common beliefs, the School of Rock predated its namesake 2003 film, with Stacey clarifying that the film was, in fact, inspired by the school’s real-life operations. Stacey discusses the significant impact of the global pandemic on the business, highlighting the shift to remote music lessons as a major innovation that the School has retained post-pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of community and mental health support for students, demonstrating how challenges like COVID-19 spurred innovation and team cohesion within School of Rock. Additionally, Stacey delves into operational challenges, the franchise model, and strategic international expansion. She also speaks on her personal journey, shedding light on creating frontwoman.org, a nonprofit focused on empowering women leaders across industries. Throughout the episode, Stacey shares insights on leadership, the value of community, and the transformative power of music education.

00:00 Welcome to Between Two COOs: Meet Stacey Ryan
00:28 The Real School of Rock: Beyond the Movie
00:52 Empowering Women Leaders: The Mission of frontwoman.org
02:10 Navigating Challenges: The Pandemic's Impact on School of Rock
05:27 Innovating Through Crisis: Adapting to a Pandemic World
08:58 Building a Community: The Power of Music and Belonging
12:49 Operational Excellence: Stacey's Approach to Efficiency
22:28 Expanding Horizons: International Growth and Master Franchising
31:25 Empowering Future Leaders: The Vision Behind frontwoman.org
40:40 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

In an insightful episode of 'Between Two COOs,' host Michael Koenig converses with Aidan Mirzaee, the founder and CEO of Fellow, about the art and science of optimizing meetings. The discussion dives into the staggering statistics of daily meetings in the U.S., the inception of Fellow as a product to optimize structured management processes, and Shopify's drastic measure to save hundreds of thousands of hours by canceling recurring meetings. Reflecting on personal experiences, Aidan shares his journey from managing a scrappy startup to embracing structured management processes post-acquisition by SurveyMonkey, leading to the realization that optimizing meetings is crucial for managerial efficiency. The conversation also touches on implementing Fellow at scale within companies like Shopify, the importance of action items in meetings, and the balance between meeting frequency and productivity. Additionally, they explore the role of AI in enhancing meeting efficiency and safeguarding proprietary information while fostering innovation. Aidan shares insights from leading Fellow, emphasizing the need for adaptable management styles, fostering company culture, and the transformative potential of AI in business processes. A lively discussion ensues about the uniqueness of remote meetings and the value of asynchronous communication. This episode not only provides a deep dive into the world of meetings and management but also offers actionable insights for leaders aiming to optimize their team's time and effectiveness.

Join me, Michael Koenig, on a journey with business guru Cameron Harold, as we celebrate his latest literary achievement, "The Second In Command." Listen in as Cameron, the brain behind COO Alliance, unpacks the essentials of his new book, offering a treasure trove of guidance for CEOs and COOs alike. Discover the pivotal shifts Cameron experienced transitioning from COO to CEO and how this evolution informed his approach to balancing work and life. His candid sharing of early business challenges and the power of delegation, saying no, and zeroing in on crucial tasks provide actionable advice for any business leader.

In our discussion, we tackle the nuanced decision-making process between promoting from within versus bringing in external talent. I share personal anecdotes, drawing parallels between the relentless improvement seen in elite sports and fostering a growth-oriented culture within organizations. We delve into the sentimentality of sports heroes, my encounter with Ken Dryden, and how these experiences shape our understanding of leadership. Furthermore, Cameron and I dissect the organizational agility, emphasizing a "bobbin' weave culture," and how a flexible mindset can steer a company towards its vivid vision.

Wrapping up this enlightening episode, we explore the impact of AI tools in business efficiency, with a nod to COO Alliance members' innovative weekly AI experimentation. The conversation pays homage to lauded COOs like Cheryl Sandberg and Matt Rawlings, whose leadership exemplifies the blend of effective management and creativity. And finally, I extend heartfelt thanks to Cameron for his invaluable insights, underscoring the significance of his book for strengthening leadership teams and the overall health of organizations. Tune in for this engaging exploration of leadership, technology, and the potent dynamic between CEOs and COOs.

Proudly sponsored by Fellow. Get better meetings today at https://fellow.app/coo/.

How you need to plan for the AI Act? What is permissible and isn’t? How the EU will regulate AI? What constitutes AI? Could the EU's new AI Act be the cornerstone of global AI regulation? That's what we're here to unpack with the expert insight of Flick Fisher, a leading privacy specialist and partner at Fieldfisher. As the digital age accelerates, the European Union is setting a precedent with the AI Act, a groundbreaking legislation designed to navigate the complex terrain of artificial intelligence. Flick and I dissect the Act's risk-based approach, dissecting the prohibited and high-risk AI systems categories, while giving a nod to the lighter touch on low-risk innovations. Our conversation delves into how this monumental regulation could shape data privacy and ethical AI practices on the world stage.



Join us as we explore not only the definitions and distinctions within the AI Act but also its everyday implications for business operations, from HR decisions to the product safety landscape. With generative AI technologies like ChatGPT on the rise, understanding the nuances of this legislative framework has never been more crucial. We'll navigate the potential new compliance roles the Act may create and predict whether this regulatory move could become the global gold standard. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that will equip COOs and business leaders with the foresight needed to thrive in an AI-governed future.

Join us as Greg Strickland, COO of Productboard, and I explore the power of embracing new opportunities and the crucial balance between business outcomes and personal advancement. Greg shares his journey of growth through accepting challenges that push boundaries, and we reflect on the times when a strategic 'no' can pave the way for others' development and align with company goals. Listen in for an insightful discussion on the mentorship gap in early-stage companies and the trial-and-error learning that COOs like Greg navigate in the startup landscape.

As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, we dissect the influence of continuous learning on company culture, inspired by industry pioneers. I open up about the enriching experience of partnering with product and engineering-driven founders and how passion plays a decisive role in a startup's trajectory. We consider how startups like Productboard are innovating in operations and product management with the use of AI, highlighting the agility required to manage rapid change and the ethical considerations of handling customer data.

In our conversation, we delve into the challenges of scaling up to the enterprise market and the importance of building a culture that can gracefully manage internal friction points. I share my approach to fostering empathy and collaboration across departments, revealing personal anecdotes and strategies for aligning diverse perspectives within a company. Tune in for a rich discussion full of practical insights, memorable moments, and tips for nurturing a successful startup environment. Follow Productboard on LinkedIn and check out their blog for more engaging content that can help steer your company towards growth and innovation.

Unpack the transformation of travel experiences with me, Michael Kanig, as Tao Tao, COO of GetYourGuide, reveals the secrets behind turning a dorm-room startup into a $2 billion industry titan. We're setting the stage for a fascinating tale of innovation, strategy, and resilience that's reshaping the way people discover and book their adventures. From the early days as a fledgling peer-to-peer network to its current stature as a global connector of travelers and professional activity providers, GetYourGuide's story is a masterclass in adaptability and foresight, particularly in embracing the digital revolution that's now a $300 billion opportunity.

As we navigate the company's journey, Tao and I explore the crucial role of company culture in weathering the storms of the industry, including the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We share the strategic thinking behind maintaining a cohesive team, underpinned by core values that not only helped survive tough times but also primed the company for a vigorous comeback. The episode also delves into the pandemic's silver lining – a rapid transition to digital engagements that's redefining the travel experience for millions around the globe.

Rounding out our conversation, we look at the art of crafting a board of directors that aligns with a company's vision and the nuances of navigating Series F funding amidst a complex tech investment landscape. Tao provides a window into GetYourGuide's future, driven by a technology-first approach aimed at enhancing customer experiences and expanding inventory. Plus, we contemplate the exciting potential of AGI and chat GPT technologies to revolutionize the travel industry further. If your wanderlust is calling, let this episode be the first step in your next journey, and don't hesitate to reach out to Tao on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.