Second First

#53: 5 Problems to Fix Before You Grow

Before you chase growth, fix these foundational cracks that could break your business.  Before you chase aggressive growth targets, you have to ask yourself a hard question: Is your business actually ready to scale? We work with leaders every day who are stuck in the messy middle: growing revenue while cash gets tighter, roles get […]

#50: Fifty Things I Wish I Knew as a COO (Rapid Fire)

50 Lessons for 50 Episodes In this special 50th episode, host Megan Long reflects on the hard-won wisdom gathered from years of working as (and with) Seconds-In-Command at founder-led companies. She shares 50 rapid-fire lessons she wishes she could give her younger executive self, ranging from mindset shifts and leadership tactics to strategic guidance and […]

#48: De-Risking the Business as a Second-In-Command

Protect the business and your team by identifying and eliminating risk before it derails your growth. One of the most powerful (and often invisible) things you can do in this role is proactively de-risk the business. That means thinking ahead, planning for disruptions, and removing single points of failure that could knock the business off […]

#46: Employee-Generated Content & How to Start Building a Personal Brand Online

Encouraging employee-generated content and building a personal brand on LinkedIn can position your company and team as industry leaders (while also making hiring easier than ever). In today’s episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, we’re diving into employee-generated content (EGC) and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for attracting top talent and building a […]

#45: Q&A: Early State Priorities, Scaling in Anticipation of Growth, and Employees That Just Don’t Care

Get practical answers to questions COOs are asking—about SOPs, staffing ahead of growth, and managing disengaged employees. In this Q&A episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, Megan Long tackles real-world questions from second-in-command leaders navigating fast growth, resource constraints, and team dynamics. Whether you’re wondering when to systematize your startup, how to staff for a 30% […]

#43: Quarterly Planning Pre-Work

Prepare for quarterly planning with a structured prework process that ensures alignment, clarity, and execution for your leadership team. Quarterly planning isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about ensuring your company is focused, aligned, and equipped to execute effectively. In this episode, Megan Long breaks down the essential prework every second-in-command should complete before heading into […]

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