We’re two fractional COOs who have spent our careers inside growing, complex businesses helping founders and leadership teams turn strategy into execution. While we share the same seat, we bring very different operating lenses, including different instincts, backgrounds, and approaches to solving the same problems. Alongside candid conversations between the two of us, we interview operations leaders, founders, and practitioners who live in the execution layer of business. This is a space for thoughtful, real-world discussions about how the work gets done right.
21 min
In this conversation, Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss the critical importance of succession planning and how it can transform leadership within organizations. They emphasize the need for cross-training and building a culture that allows leaders to take time off while ensuring business continuity. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show.
20 min
In this conversation, Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson discuss the importance of effective delegation in leadership. They emphasize that true delegation involves empowering team members to own their tasks while providing the necessary context and support. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
18 min
The conversation focuses on the importance of developing middle management to bridge the gap between strategic vision and execution in organizations. Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss practical strategies for enhancing leadership development and operational effectiveness within teams. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
21 min
In this conversation, Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss the critical importance of succession planning and how it can transform leadership within organizations. They emphasize the need for cross-training and building a culture that allows leaders to take time off while ensuring business continuity. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show.
20 min
In this conversation, Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson discuss the importance of effective delegation in leadership. They emphasize that true delegation involves empowering team members to own their tasks while providing the necessary context and support. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
18 min
The conversation focuses on the importance of developing middle management to bridge the gap between strategic vision and execution in organizations. Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss practical strategies for enhancing leadership development and operational effectiveness within teams. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
16 min
The conversation explores the parallels between sports and business, emphasizing the importance of systems, preparation, and continuous improvement for success. Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson discuss how effective planning, in-game adjustments, and post-performance reviews can enhance operational efficiency and team dynamics. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
16 min
In this conversation, Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss the importance of addressing small, overlooked issues in business operations and how these can lead to significant improvements. They introduce the Kaizen approach, emphasizing manageable changes and practical steps to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
21 min
The lever for operational leaders is the format of meetings, which can determine the effective use of resources and impact the entire rhythm of the organization. Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson discuss the importance of structuring status, decision-making, and creative problem-solving meetings to maximize productivity and collaboration. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose to see more about our show and a link to our new show, Behind Every Great Business.
16 min
The conversation delves into the challenges and key elements of successful business transformation. It emphasizes the cost of transformation, the importance of clearly defining the 'why', the distinction between transformation and tool acquisition, the significance of process identification and data discipline, and the role of emotional support in driving successful transformation. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website If you like hearing how operators actually fix things, check out Sarah and Penny's other show, Behind Every Great Business.
17 min
The conversation explores the ethical decisions woven throughout business operations, emphasizing the importance of trust, transparency, and ethical standards in leadership, vendor relationships, and brand promises. It highlights the impact of these decisions on team performance, reputation, and customer trust. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
16 min
The conversation explores the critical role of team chemistry in operational success, emphasizing the impact of role clarity, debriefs, and positive reinforcement on team performance and collaboration. It highlights the intentional design of team dynamics as a key factor in achieving effective chemistry and trust within a team. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
16 min
The conversation explores the importance of designing processes that can survive the realities of business operations. It emphasizes the need to start with the messy reality of the business, stress test and build adaptability into processes, and design moments within processes that people look forward to. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation explores the impact of trust on business operations, the process of rebuilding trust, and the importance of fixing the root cause of trust issues. It emphasizes the need to manage expectations, identify systemic issues, and utilize operational turnaround skills to address trust-related challenges. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
19 min
The conversation covers the importance of aligning sales and operations, the need for customer experience mapping before scaling up, and the significance of knowing when to bring in the right help, whether fractional or full-time, to transition out of the operator's seat for effective scaling. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook, both fractional CEOs and operational turnaround partners, answer listener questions on operational challenges. They provide insights on managing projects, navigating political issues, and standing out as a future ops leader. The conversation emphasizes empathy, communication, and process improvement as key strategies for success in operations. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation explores the transition into ops leadership, emphasizing the shift from being an individual contributor to an orchestrator, building a map for the first 90 days, and leading with intention and purpose. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
11 min
The conversation delves into the drawbacks of update culture, emphasizing the need to shift focus from excessive meetings to meaningful actions. It highlights the importance of celebrating successes, taking action on red numbers, and coordinating with other functions for effective teamwork. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
13 min
The conversation explores the critical aspects of leading a team through a pivot, emphasizing the importance of communication, decision-making, and realignment of organizational priorities. It provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for navigating a pivot effectively. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation delves into the complexities of the pricing function in business, exploring the challenges, strategies, and key considerations for effective pricing. It emphasizes the need for a clear owner, logical rules, and a systematic approach to pricing decisions. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
15 min
The conversation focuses on the strategic relationship between operations teams and vendors, emphasizing the value of treating vendors as partners rather than just suppliers. It provides insights on negotiating vendor relationships, leveraging vendor expertise, and building a strong, mutually beneficial partnership. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
12 min
The conversation delves into the challenges of managing cash flow and inventory, emphasizing the importance of understanding inventory turns, leveraging business size, and owning the number. It also highlights the narrative behind inventory numbers and the impact on cash flow. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
In this conversation, Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson discuss the challenges of overdelivering and the importance of launching a minimum viable product (MVP). They provide insights on defining the scope, avoiding feature overload, setting a realistic timeline, and establishing clear decision authority to protect the MVP line. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
18 min
The conversation explores the impact of silence during periods of uncertainty, emphasizing the need for early and transparent communication. It delves into the fear of losing control, the burden of leadership, and the importance of vulnerability in decision-making. The key takeaways include the impact of silence on speculation, the burden of carrying information alone, and the importance of creating an environment for moving forward. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
17 min
The conversation explores the challenges of operations within growing companies and provides three key questions for ops leaders to ask regularly. These questions focus on system adaptability, information capture, and continuous improvement. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation delves into the critical factors for ERP project success, emphasizing the importance of scope management, change management, and resource protection. It highlights the role of leaders in making key decisions and setting the tone for successful ERP implementation. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
16 min
The conversation explores the essential prerequisites for leveraging AI in business operations. It emphasizes the importance of providing context to AI, using AI for high-leverage tasks, and maintaining human oversight in AI operations. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation explores the concept of a 'try harder' culture and its impact on organizations. It delves into the identification of this culture, reframing errors as system signals, and designing operations at the right pace for sustainable growth and success. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
16 min
The conversation explores the transition from managing individual contributors to managing managers, highlighting the challenges, one-on-one check-ins, cultural check-ins, and performance check-ins as key aspects of effective leadership. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
12 min
The conversation delves into the connection between culture and performance, emphasizing the importance of teaching the number before chasing the number, making recognition bigger than the reward, and building a rhythm for success. Real-life examples and practical insights are shared, highlighting the impact of operational excellence on business metrics and the role of culture in driving performance. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
14 min
The conversation highlights the critical role of project sponsorship and the impact it has on project success. It emphasizes the need for sponsors to define and protect the project mission, know when to step in and when to step back, and ask the right questions to support the project team effectively. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect! Visit our website: Operating on Purpose OP Website
16 min
Penny Cook and Sarah Wilson, fractional COOs, share insights into their backgrounds, philosophies, and operational superpowers. They also reveal surprising facts about themselves and discuss their childhood business experiences, providing a unique perspective on operational leadership. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
12 min
The conversation explores the limitations of annual surveys and the need for real-time feedback. It delves into the implementation of pulse surveys and the utilization of AI for feedback analysis, emphasizing the importance of timely and actionable feedback for organizational improvement. Takeaways Real-time feedbackPulse surveys Chapters 00:00 Utilizing AI for Feedback Analysis
12 min
The conversation explores the challenge of using metrics effectively in decision-making, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right metrics, understanding lagging and leading indicators, setting thresholds for metrics, and using context to understand metrics. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
12 min
The conversation explores the challenges of the accountability conversation in businesses and provides practical moves to address the root cause of accountability issues. It emphasizes the systemic nature of accountability, the importance of aligning actions with expectations, and the role of leadership in modeling accountability and vulnerability. The discussion concludes by highlighting the transformative power of accountability in building organizational resilience. Also - congratulations to the duo for reaching the double digits in episodes! Thank you to all of those who tune in. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
12 min
The conversation provides insights on navigating the AI landscape, asking the right questions, understanding AI training and industry relevance, evaluating fit with workflows, managing the pressure to adopt AI, evaluating the impact on work processes, and running a pilot within your organization. Key takeaways include asking specific questions, evaluating fit with workflows, and running a pilot before committing to AI solutions. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
13 min
The conversation explores the challenges of managing change in business and provides actionable steps to effectively manage change. It emphasizes the importance of communication, identifying change champions, and empowering managers to lead change authentically.Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
12 min
The conversation explores the challenges of managing vendor relationships and provides actionable advice on evaluating, negotiating, and measuring vendor success. It emphasizes the importance of intentional and purposeful engagement with vendors to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
11 min
The conversation explores the importance of data visibility and the challenges of balancing data with execution in organizations. It delves into the data trap, the limitations of dashboards, and the significance of operational feedback loops in driving behavior change. Are you experiencing this issue in your business? Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
15 min
The conversation delves into the operational blind spots that quietly erode margin in growing companies. It explores hidden complexity, decisions made without the right data, and misalignment between teams as key themes impacting operational efficiency and margin erosion. Are you having these challenges, in your business? Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
13 min
The conversation explores the importance of building leadership courage and the framework for having difficult conversations. It also emphasizes the significance of timely and respectful conversations in a leadership role. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
17 min
The conversation delves into diagnosing organizational challenges while asking, is this busy or productive? It explores the signs of recurring problems and firefighting, providing insights into addressing these issues effectively. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
14 min
The conversation explores the impact of AI on operations and the importance of preparing teams emotionally for AI integration. It delves into the significance of documenting processes, understanding roles and responsibilities, and the criticality of data cleanup for AI implementation. Reach out to Penny Cook or Sarah Wilson on LinkedIn to connect!
14 min
In this conversation, Sarah Wilson and Penny Cook discuss the key factors that help put business operations in order as a business scales. They emphasize the importance of setting clear goals and execution plans, effective communication and tracking of results, and dealing with the unexpected through cohesive teamwork and open communication.
–
0 ratings from members
Rate this podcast
Log in to rate and review the shows you listen to.
No reviews yet — be the first member to rate "Operating on PURPOSE".
This podcast, its content and its artwork are not owned by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Castquire.
Keep listening
Up next
