Calling Operator with Laura Nicol

Resources mentioned in this episode:

MKT1 Newsletter

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

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Listen to this interview with Nicole Meaker and dive into... 

Unexpected Paths Lead to Rewarding Careers: Nicole's journey into tech was unplanned. Despite an initial lack of interest in math and science, her diverse experiences, including working in bars and a call centre, led her to discover a passion for technology. A reminder to never forget the importance of exploring and being open to unexpected career paths.

Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Nicole emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, as seen in her decision to study engineering in her twenties and her varied roles in IT. Listen to hear about how adaptability helps growth in an ever-evolving tech industry.

Challenges for Women in Tech: Nicole's experience reflects the challenges women face in tech, including being often the only woman in a team and encountering gender-based barriers and harassment. Her journey underscores the need for and is part of the solution for greater diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.

Balancing Parenting and Career in Tech: While admitting she is very tired, we explore concepts of flexibility and Nicole shares how she believes she's become a better operator, and parent  thanks to her career. 

Listen to the full episode and please send any feedback either email me at [email protected] or ping me directly here on Linkedin

Also get in touch if you or someone you know would be a great guest on the pod! ☎️

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

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Alex Crawshaw is a finance manager and chartered accountant at Halter, a New Zealand AgTech startup on a mission to enable farmers to run more productive and sustainable farms. Alex grew up in NZ and went to boarding school (with her now founder, Craig Piggott!) before university which ended up with her landing a grad job at Deloitte. We chat through Alex's journey, passion for her role at Halter and tips for anyone thinking of making the transition from corporate, to a startup environment. Guest ideas? Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.   A note from your host, Laura: My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.   Never miss an episode: Subscribe on your favourite platform: - Spotify - Apple Podcasts - (Other) CallingOperator.com

** Apologies for the radio silence! I have moved interstate, had some tough family news and am also at a new job - this episode is an absolute banger to come back to, so please enjoy 🙏 ** This week I sat down with Dr Izzy Bigio, Blackbirds Aotearoa-based Platform manager and my first colleague to come on calling operator. Izzy takes us through her journey to start-ups, after being fixated on med school as a teen, spending six years studying medicine, spending two years (during a pandemic) as a doctor only to have a bit of a life-altering realisation: she doesn't want to be a doctor, and perhaps the narratives she's fed herself her whole life... maybe they're not true? Thrown in with some practical tips on what to do when you find yourself in a new role that might feel like a completely different way of existing. Listen on for some laughs and life lessons. Guest ideas? Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.   A note from your host, Laura: My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.   Never miss an episode: Subscribe on your favourite platform: - Spotify - Apple Podcasts - (Other) CallingOperator.com

Interesting in Overnight Success? find them here

Resources mentioned: 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform:

Resources mentioned: 

Scaling People, Claire Highs JohnsonRosalyn Santa Elena, RevOps influencer RecOps Impact Newsletter, Jeff Ignacio Pavillion University 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform:

Resources mentioned: 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform:

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform:

**Content warning at the bottom of this section**

** Please note that this episode touches on grief and murder and may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is experiencing grief, please visit the below resources  and remember to take care of yourself.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 

Griefline 1300 845 745

Lifeline 131 114 

Headspace  1800 650 890

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform:

Resources mentioned: 

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Never miss an episode:

Subscribe on your favourite platform: