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Jennifer Geary
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How to be a Chief Operating Officer: 16 Disciplines for Success (How to be a...) Kindle Edition

by Jennifer Geary (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 721 ratings
Chief Operating Officer is one of the most complex senior management roles in organisations today. It embraces a range of disciplines, from Technology to Human Resources, from Legal to Risk. Yet, unlike other senior executive roles, there is no established framework or body of knowledge to support the COO. This book de-mystifies the COO role and breaks it into 16 core elements; the three fundamental pillars of Culture, Strategy and Change, plus 13 technical areas. It outlines responsibilities, warning signs, and how to boost performance. It equips you with the questions you need to ask to gain early insight, diagnose the issues and move into execution. Drawing on industry standards and enriched with expert insight and real-life current examples, it condenses a vast range of knowledge and experience into one accessible read. This book, which can be consumed in one sitting, will make you a more effective leader, faster. This is the book that current COOs wish they had at the outset of their journey. It is the book that your CEO, Board and team need you to read.

CHECK OUT MY NEW PODCAST - THE C-SUITE FRAMEWORK - AVAILABLE HERE
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-c-suite-framework/id1777996451?i=1000675913654 OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

‘A must-read guide for all aspiring COOs. Packed with practical insights and based on real life experiences, it gives a clear and powerful road map for this transformational organizational role.’ Justin Forsyth, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF

‘It is rare for a single book to command such breadth of expertise, practical insight and advice that is so easy to put into action. This is a consequence of the superb clarity of Jennifer’s writing, and the fact that she has earned her expertise – and the scars that come with it – from working on the business end of the stick for over twenty years.’ Mark Waddington, CEO, Hope and Homes for Children

‘Crisply written, clear and to the point.’ Ben Brabyn, CEO, Level 39

‘An impressive read. De-codes the very tricky role of COO and inspires you on how to be a great one.’ Niamh O’Keeffe, Author of “Your First 100 days” and “Your Next Role”

‘The defining text on the role of the COO and its component parts. This is an informative and useful read for existing COOs. It is a must read for new COOs, aspiring COOs and most importantly CEOs and Heads of HR in hiring COOs for their organisations.' Paul Ford, CEO, Anchura Partners

‘The role of COO is a balancing act, and requires multiple hard and soft skills. This nifty handbook provides a shortcut to understand the critical skills required, and is filled with nuggets of practical and accessible advice.’ Sinead Mahon, Banking COO

‘This book takes one of the most frameless and unstructured roles in business today, and using personal experiences seeks to help others to demystify the role and deliver insight on how to be effective and successful. Insightful and extensive, a book I would have loved to have access to when I was starting out in my career.’ Pam Murphy, COO, Infor
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  4. Publication date
    June 27, 2017
  5. File size
    5.1 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'A must-read guide for all aspiring COOs. Packed with practical insights and based on real life experiences, it gives a clear and powerful roadmap for this transformational organizational role'
Justin Forsyth, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF

'It is rare for a single book to command such breadth of expertise, practical insight and advice that is so easy to put into action.This is a consequence of the superb clarity of Jennifer's writing, and the fact that she has earned her expertise - and the scars that come with it - from working on the business end of the stick for over twenty years.'
Mark Waddington, CEO, Hope and Homes for Children

'Crisply written, clear and to the point'
Ben Brabyn, CEO, Level 39

'An impressive read. De-codes the very tricky role of COO and inspires you on how to be a great one'
Niamh O'Keeffe, Author of "Your First 100 days" and founder of CEOAssist 'The defining text on the role of the COO and its component parts. This is an informative and useful read for existing COOs. It is a must read for new COOs, aspiring COOs and most importantly CEOs and Heads of HR in hiring COOs for their organisations.'
Paul Ford, CEO, Anchura Partners

'The role of COO is a balancing act, and requires multiple hard and soft skills. This nifty handbook provides a shortcut to understand the critical skills required, and is filled with nuggets of practical and accessible advice.'
Sinead Mahon,Banking COO

From the Author

I worked for over 20 years in several disciplines before securing my first COO role. I trained as an accountant, then moved into operational risk, technology programme delivery, held two chief of staff positions, led a global risk function, and finally worked in Legal, before taking on my first role as COO. Even with this breadth of experience, I was acutely aware that I was being asked to lead teams in disciplines in which I did not have deep experience; HR, communications, insurance, building and facilities management, to name a few. I had to work hard, dig deep and read voraciously. I reached out to contacts for subject matter knowledge, built a trusted community of advisors and, gradually moved up the learning curve. It was hard and I thought there must be a better way. This is what prompted me to write this book - it is the book I wish I had had at the outset.I hope you enjoy this book. Please feel free to send me your thoughts and comments. I can be reached at jennifer@coo-author.com or via my website coo-author.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B073G8BKCY
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 721 ratings

About the author

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Jennifer Geary

Jennifer Geary

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Jennifer Geary is a COO with over 25 years of experience in Finance, Technology, Risk and Legal, across diverse industries from financial services to not-for-profit.

After gaining a B.Comm and Masters of Accounting at University College Dublin, she trained as a Chartered Accountant with a global accounting firm in Dublin. She subsequently moved to New York to deliver risk-based consultancy for financial services clients.

In 2002, she came to London, where she spent 13 years in Barclays plc, initially in Investment Banking, followed by Wealth Management and finally as Chief of Staff to the Group General Counsel.

Having long held an interest in corporate social responsibility and sustainability, at that point, she seized an opportunity to serve as Chief Operating Officer of Save the Children UK, a £400m NGO which serves in 68 countries and helps 22 million children every year.

Since then, she has worked as a COO and CRO in fintech and financial services software, as well as publishing several successful business books covering C-suite roles.

Jennifer is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, PRINCE 2 foundation and practitioner certified, and has attained the CISA and CISSP accreditations and completed a course in Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing from NYU Stern.

When not working or writing, she can be found falling off a surfboard, finding her zen through yoga, running, swimming, or hanging out with her family. Jennifer lives in London with her husband and two children.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
721 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides useful information to excel at a COO position. They find it easy to read and recommend it as a worthwhile read. The writing style is simple and organized in easy-to-refer to chapters.

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Information qualityReadabilityWriting style
35 customers mention "Information quality"32 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides useful information for COOs. It provides an overview of operations, explains the basics, and is relevant to the job. Readers enjoy the clear message, up-to-date content, and references. They consider it an excellent resource with a checklist to ensure systems are aligned.

"...The lessons in the book are solid. It's well thought out, obviously based on experience and sound advice...." Read more

"I liked this book particularly because it shares real life experience, and has some very good focus points, next steps..." Read more

"...The content is up-to-date and highly relevant, I can see myself going back to reference it regularly...." Read more

"Great weekend book to either sharpen the saw or gain new insight into key considerations, questions and focus topics a COO should address...." Read more

26 customers mention "Readability"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They say it's a worthwhile read on being a COO, with good content and solid lessons. The book provides an eye-opening perspective on company culture and strategy. It's recommended for anyone in operations.

"...The lessons in the book are solid. It's well thought out, obviously based on experience and sound advice...." Read more

"...Gives a great overall scope of the COO and plenty of advise without trying to dictate a course of action...." Read more

"...It's a worthwhile read on being a COO but very different to Jennifer Geary's book, consider it complimentary...." Read more

"Great weekend book to either sharpen the saw or gain new insight into key considerations, questions and focus topics a COO should address...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and navigate. They appreciate the well-structured chapters and subheadings that make it easy to reference. The book breaks down the complex topic into manageable pieces and provides useful references.

"...The lessons in the book are solid. It's well thought out, obviously based on experience and sound advice...." Read more

"...I liked how the book was structured and dealt with each quality in a separate chapter which made the book easy to read...." Read more

"...to be a Chief Operating Officer: 16 Disciplines for Success is a well-written and informative guidebook that offers practical advice for anyone..." Read more

"...; takes a very complex, overwhelming position and breaks it down into manageable pieces...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • James from ShareLingo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entrepreneur? You need this book.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I heard about this new book through a Facebook group I'm in, so I grabbed it.

    It's great for me today, and I'm glad I found it, but I so wish it had been available years ago. I have a very different perspective - one of a startup founder. In fact, I'm on my 5th startup, and going through all the same stress, tension and headaches that I've experienced before. The thing is, in a startup, one person (ME!) is often the CEO, COO, CFO, etc. Many hats, right? But if you spend all your time doing the CEO "stuff" and ignore the COO "stuff", you fail. I guess what I'm saying is, if you are an entrepreneur, or have a startup, or part of a startup, you need this book. Even if you are not looking to BE a COO of a big company with lots of staff - you have to have all the SKILLS of a COO.

    The lessons in the book are solid. It's well thought out, obviously based on experience and sound advice. Read, or at least skim, the whole thing, and then use it as a reference each time you face a particular problem in a particular area of your business.

    Do not ignore the importance of this role which, whether you like it or not, you HAVE to be on top of.
    24 people found this helpful
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  • GOF666
    4.0 out of 5 stars Experiential sharing
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book particularly because it shares real life experience, and has some very good focus points, next steps (like the good-to-great recommendations) and things to watch out for. Gives a great overall scope of the COO and plenty of advise without trying to dictate a course of action. Leads the reader to other relevant materials.

    As a follow on book, I’d like to see one that digs into details of a ‘day in the life of a COO’.
    Helpful
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  • World Traveller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for aspiring and current COO's.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent and concise analysis of the key skills required to succeed in the role of COO. I liked how the book was structured and dealt with each quality in a separate chapter which made the book easy to read.

    The content is up-to-date and highly relevant, I can see myself going back to reference it regularly.

    For anyone buying this I would recommend following up by buying 'Riding Shotgun'. It's a worthwhile read on being a COO but very different to Jennifer Geary's book, consider it complimentary. Rather than go in-depth into the skills and qualities required, instead it takes a number of well-known firms and interviews their past/present COO's to get their take on the job, what the key challenges are, and where they see this often poorly understood role fitting into the organisation.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • R M Perry
    5.0 out of 5 stars easy, relevant and useful read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Great weekend book to either sharpen the saw or gain new insight into key considerations, questions and focus topics a COO should address. Found it useful as both to sharpen my skills and insight as well as learn new ways of seeing things across the enterprise as a COO.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Ian E.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for those with aspirations for higher levels but dry
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    How to be a Chief Operating Officer: 16 Disciplines for Success by Jennifer Geary is a comprehensive guidebook for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a Chief Operating Officer (COO). As a neutral reviewer, I appreciate the amount of detailed information and practical advice included in this book.

    The author draws on her own experience as a COO to provide insights and strategies for success, covering topics such as leadership, communication, financial management, and strategic planning. The book is well-organized and easy to follow, with clear headings and subheadings that make it easy to navigate.

    One of the strengths of this book is the emphasis on practical, actionable advice. The author provides numerous examples and case studies to illustrate her points, and includes exercises and checklists to help readers apply the concepts to their own situations. This makes the book a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills as a COO, whether they are just starting out in their career or are a seasoned executive.

    However, as a neutral reviewer, I should note that the book may not be suitable for everyone. Some readers may find the tone a bit dry or overly focused on technical details, and the content is primarily geared towards those working in corporate or business environments. Additionally, some of the advice may not be applicable to all industries or types of organizations.

    Overall, How to be a Chief Operating Officer: 16 Disciplines for Success is a well-written and informative guidebook that offers practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a COO. While it may not be for everyone, it is certainly worth considering for those in the industry.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Saundra B
    5.0 out of 5 stars The first book every COO (and CEO) should read to understand the complex position of Chief Operating Officer
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    "How to be a Chief Operating Officer" takes a very complex, overwhelming position and breaks it down into manageable pieces. It is very simply written and will guide you to success in your role as COO. Although I read this book cover to cover, it is an also an excellent reference guide for assistance in trouble areas and to take successful areas to the next level. You will rate yourself in key areas, allowing you to start off with a clear vision of the many hats you will need to wear, and your level of comfort in these key areas. Jennifer then walks you through each role, with concise information, including pitfalls to watch for. This is a must read for every COO.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jacqueline
    4.0 out of 5 stars So Far So Good!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'm in the process of reading this book.
    So far, the information I have read has been of great help!
    Helpful
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  • Nick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Orienting Book for Executives
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book moving into a COO role at a small sized medical device company. It was very useful to get one thinking about the scope of domains one might be responsible for and need to develop. As I moved later into a CEO role at a nonprofit, it was a great “checklist” book to ensure that all systems were good to go.

    No book is going to present you the solution for every aspect of your company, and this is not the goal here. It is a way to ask yourself questions about the health of your organization and address your attention to the right areas.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • AmazonCustomer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Un buon libro per cominciare a capire il ruolo
    Reviewed in Italy on April 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Come primo approccio al ruolo va benissimo. Preziosi e utili i vari riferimenti ad articoli, libri ecc
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  • G. Hendrie
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book I wish I had when I was first appointed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very easy to read. Each chapter reflects a part of the COO role and is laid out with the key concepts, what good looks like, top tips for someone new in the job and also some vignettes from the authors experience.

    I read this free through Kindle Unlimited, but I liked it so much, I think I'll buy a hard copy for the bookcase and future reference!
    Report
  • adrian roig
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in Sweden on December 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing
    Report
  • Renan M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and helpful
    Reviewed in France on July 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Veru clearly written, helpful reference to other books, thanks to the author
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  • faboarriaga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Un buen libro que te da todo el panorama de un Director de Operaciones. Hay cosas que aplican en México y otras que no. Recomendable
    Report

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