This is a short testimonial-style YouTube interview in which Matt Rathje (TrueNorth Companies) explains why he joined the COO Alliance. He joined in August 2022 to connect with other COOs during his transition to COO effective January 1, 2023. He highlights value from in-person events (September 2022), monthly webinars (about 3–4 attended), diverse cross-industry perspectives (insurance, manufacturing, construction, software), and practical takeaways (resources, tools, ideas). He praises Cameron Herold and expresses intent to remain a member and help grow the Alliance.
Questions this video answers
August 2022.
January 1, 2023.
An in-person event in September 2022.
Three to four webinars.
Growing from 170 members to 300 members.
Chapters
My involvement with the COO alliance really started back in August of 2022. I was looking for an organization where I could connect with other second in commands or COOs that can glean some insight from their experiences. Whether they're companies that are the same size, smaller or larger and being able to garner some insight, ideas and learn from others. One of the things I've really enjoyed the last eight to nine months, especially the in person events, is I'm a strong believer of connection generates power. So we've been able to build connections and learn and build some personal relationships with others. We've been able to share whether it's resources, tools or ideas back and forth. Yeah, I attempt to attend the monthly webinars. I've attended three to four at this point in time. There's been some that have been extremely valuable such as newer innovative topics such as ChatGPT, artificial intelligence. So camera brings in some great speakers on a month to month basis. Yeah, CO alliance has been extremely valuable. Built some good connections with others in different industries. But I can glean a lot of insight from their experiences that apply to what we're doing at True north and expect that my membership will continue for years to come. Yeah, for me and really part of the reason I joined originally back In August of 2022, I was on the path to becoming COO effective January 1st of 2023. So being able to connect with those individuals and help me through that transition, but also being able to understand okay, where is the puck moving and different areas that we can take and apply at True North. Initially when I was looking into the COO Alliance, I wasn't certain as to the value it would provide to me and the organization. But shortly after I was engaged, getting a chance to, even before I decided to join met several other coos and it was pretty, pretty clear to me that they have found value year over year as part of the alliance. And so that then prompted me to join the COO alliance in person event back in September of 22 and that was validating. I was able to quickly see the value and build connections again with people in relationships that I wouldn't have otherwise in other networks that within the insurance industry. So there isn't a, there isn't a network for COOs in our industry where we can get together on a regular basis in the insurance space. We do have other consultants or associations that we work with, but they are specific to the insurance industry. So again I do appreciate the diverse perspective that we get from whether it's manufacturing companies, construction companies, software companies, and we're all facing similar challenges as we look to advance the workforce and make sure that we are taking care of our team members. So being able as we work through and navigate those changes, it's been viable for me just to understand and appreciate what others are going through. Yeah, Cameron, I really appreciate what you've done and what I'd like to connect with you on at some point in the future is true North. Again, we believe in providing value added solutions to our clients and being a resource for our clients. And as you're looking to grow the COO alliance from 170 members to 300, I think we can be a big part of that together.
