In this episode of On The Edge, host Stephen Brown interviews Dan Mondor, a business transformation expert. They discuss Mondor's leadership philosophy, decision-making process, and the role of innovation in company transformation. Mondor emphasizes the importance of getting external input from customers and partners to develop a go-forward plan. He also highlights the need for clear communication and alignment with stakeholders when making tough decisions. Mondor shares his experience of facing challenges during the global financial crisis and emphasizes the importance of preserving key areas of the business. He also discusses the measures he puts in place to ensure long-term sustainability and prevent regression. Mondor advises current and future leaders to never hide bad news, actively listen to employees, and make tough decisions to retain top talent.

Bob Barbieri, a highly successful CFO, shares his insights and experiences in finance, business analytics, and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of active learning and understanding the situation when starting as a new CFO. Bob also discusses the attributes he looks for in leadership when building a team, including competence, style, and diversity. He highlights the need for speed and course correction in decision-making, especially during challenging times like the global pandemic. Bob shares his thoughts on AI and its transformational impact on businesses, emphasizing the importance of human touch alongside AI capabilities. Lastly, he discusses the value of coaching and collaboration in corporate America and offers advice for salespeople engaging with C-level executives.

Summary
In this episode of Getting to Know Your CXOs, host Stephen Brown interviews Doug Kahn, a highly accomplished business operations executive with over 30 years of experience in the technology industry. They discuss the role of a COO, the importance of listening and building credibility, and the process of building a successful team. They also touch on the impact of AI in business and the transformation of the sales profession. Doug shares his insights and advice for salespeople when meeting with C-level executives.
Keywords
CXOs, COO, business operations, leadership, team building, decision making, AI, sales profession
Takeaways
As a new COO or CXO, it is important to listen to your team, customers, and vendors to develop an accurate understanding of the company's performance and industry landscape.
When building a team, consider using an industry-standard organizational structure and fill the roles with individuals who have the necessary skills and passion for the job.
When making tough decisions, categorize them as reversible or irreversible and make reversible decisions quickly, monitoring progress and adjusting if necessary.
AI is a transformational technology that will have a significant impact on various industries and careers. Understanding AI and its applications can be valuable for both contributing to and avoiding careers that will be affected by AI.
Salespeople should focus on serving as trusted advisors to C-level executives, providing valuable information and assistance that helps them in their job and industry.
Developing relationships and rapport with C-level executives through education and assistance can lead to successful sales interactions.
Titles
The Role of a COO and the Importance of Listening
The Impact of AI in Business and Career Considerations
Sound Bites
"The top three most important things that you should do as a new COO or CXO, listen, listen, listen."
"I think listening is, it's, it has resounded as basically the core theme throughout this series."
"All decisions can be categorized into two categories. There are decisions that are reversible, and then there are decisions that are not reversible."