Secret Ops

On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Jenna Pederson, Staff Developer Advocate at Pinecone.io. Jenna shares her journey from software engineer to developer advocate building developer communities through the product development process. We chat about the practical tips for founders and discuss the importance of empathy, authentic community engagement, and listening to developers’ real needs.

In this episode, we discuss the:

On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Sarah Smart and Sofia Whelan, Co-Founders of HorizonHuman, to discuss the transformation of HR in today’s organizations. We explore HR’s shift from compliance to a strategic, tech-driven function, the impact of AI, and the need for agility and user-centric design.

In this episode, we discuss the:

On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Dr. Hannah Weisman, Clinical Psychologist and healthcare startup operator. We explore how clinical expertise informs operational decisions in mental health startups, tackling challenges like state regulations, ethical tensions, and the implications of AI within clinical psychology.

In this episode, we discuss the:

On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Jen Hamilton Fractional Chief Operating Officer and Founder of the Fractional COO Collective. We discuss the rise of fractional executive roles, especially in operations, and the importance of community and mentorship among fractional leaders.

In this episode, we discuss the:

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On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Adam Honig CEO of Spiro an AI-powered “Anti-CRM” CRM for manufacturers. Now, Adam has seen the evolution of CRMs first hand over the years and he knows all the heads that come with implementing one. That’s why he and his team are working on removing the manual input bottlenecks by leveraging AI to automate data entry and help overcome user adoption hurdles.

In this episode, we discuss the:

On this episode of Secret Ops, we talk with Todd Bracher acclaimed Industrial Designer and Founder of Betterlab. Our conversation explores context-based design, the importance of integrating design early in product development, and Todd’s philosophy of making products intuitive and impactful. We also dive into the mission of Betterlab to bridge scientific innovation and practical application.

In this episode, we discuss:

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:

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:

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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:

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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:

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:

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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 e...

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:

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:

📧 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:

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:

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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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 jour...

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...

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 plat...

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:

You can find Kim on her Linkedin

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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:

You can find Kate on her Linkedin

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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:

You can find Diana on her Linkedin

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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...

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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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.  

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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 drea...

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...

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.

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:

- Challenges of operating in the digital asset accounting space

- Disco...

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:

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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: