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The Double-Edged Sword of COO Roles: On the Way Up or Out?

The COO role, some universities are known for finding founders and read the JD before you apply

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The Deputy
September 05, 2024

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“In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product and profits."

Lee Iacocca

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In today’s email:

  • Job News: The Double-Edged Sword of Senior Operations Roles: On the Way Up or Out?

  • Overheard at coffee: Great Entrepreneurs Can Come from Anywhere, but Some Universities Lead the Way

  • Trending AI News: Make that boring history exam fun with Qwiser.

  • Hot Jobs: (keep scrolling down ⬇️)

  • Recruiting Fails: Reading the Job Description Matters More Than You Think ❌

Job News

In many companies, a Chief Operations Officer (COO) or senior-level operations role is viewed in one of two ways: it’s either a stepping stone to the top or a soft landing on the way out. 

Over the past few months, at Ramp Talent, we have noticed a trend in how companies handle these roles. Some executives are promoted to COO because they're seen as rising stars. Others, however, end up in these positions because the company doesn’t know what else to do with them. 

Take, for example, a candidate who spent years as a CFO but became stagnant in their role. The company, eager for change but not ready to let them go, shifted them into a COO position. The result? The candidate is miserable, stuck in a role they don’t want. Sure, there's always an opportunity to excel, but without genuine interest, it’s an uphill battle.

Contrast this with another candidate who climbed the corporate ladder to the Chief Customer Officer position. This person is valued, but the CEO isn’t leaving anytime soon. The company knows they can't hold onto this talent forever. Their solution? Create a COO role with a clear path to the CEO position—or risk losing them to a competitor who offers that path.

Titles can be handed out like candy, but it’s the intent behind them that truly matters. Look at Tim Cook: Apple promoted him to COO in 2005 with a clear purpose. As Steve Jobs’ right-hand man, Cook was being groomed to take over as CEO, a role he assumed in 2011. He was clearly on his way up, not out.

So, if you’re looking for a senior operations leader, find someone you trust and define their path. Are they a potential future CEO, if not, are you giving them the toughest challenge in your business to solve? 

Make sure you are not moving someone to the COO role because you don't know what to do with them…

Make the call, and let's get moving.

Overheard at coffee ☕️

Great Entrepreneurs Can Come from Anywhere, but Some Universities Lead the Way…

While entrepreneurial talent can emerge from any corner of the world, certain universities have established themselves as standout breeding grounds for future founders. These institutions have a remarkable knack for attracting individuals with a passion for innovation and the drive to turn ideas into reality.

Every year, PitchBook releases its highly anticipated university rankings, which shine a spotlight on the schools whose alumni have excelled in the entrepreneurial landscape. These rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis of nearly 167,000 venture capital-backed founders over the last decade, drawing from PitchBook's extensive data set.

Curious to see which universities are leading the pack? For starters, University of California, Berkeley leads the pack with 1,811 Founders coming out of their school. BTW - my home state of Utah has BYU at #28 (519 Founders) and University of Utah at 96 (194 Founders) on the list.

The global list breaks down the top-performing schools by their undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs. You can also explore how these schools compare based on their size, location, and funding status—whether public or private.

These insights are a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and those looking to join a thriving network of innovators and changemakers.

Read the FULL LIST HERE. 

🚀  Finally you can make that boring history exam fun. Meet Qwiser, the tool that transforms courses into interactive study material.

🔥 Hot Jobs - $1K Referral Fee

Recruiting Fails: Recruiters Deserve a Free Coffee – Here’s Why

Why Reading the Job Description Matters More Than You Think

You’d be surprised how many candidates skip a crucial step: actually reading the job description. We receive countless applications, and a lot of them come from people who don't have the qualifications we're looking for. 

Look, I get it—you want a chance. But if the job requires you to work in the office in El Centro, California, make sure you're actually able to be there!

Don't waste your time applying for jobs you’re not qualified for. If you think you might be a good fit but aren't entirely sure, take a few minutes to read the job description carefully and tailor your resume accordingly. It might not guarantee you the job, but it will show you put in the effort.

Keep pushing forward, and good luck!

Do you have recruiting Fail Stories?Reply with your epic fails – we'll feature them. Own your blunders, embrace vulnerability, and let's all level up together.

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