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The Executive Business Partner
by Tariq A. Johnson
Trusted by execs at: Kokua Education, Knowhere Ventures, Vayner Media, Omers Capital
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
How I Work Best
Ideal Environments
  • Truth-seeking cultures
  • High-growth settings
  • Collaborative teams
  • Results driven
C-Suite Preferences
  • Visionary CEOs
  • Growth-minded leaders
  • Transformational executives
  • Direct feedback
Not a Fit For
  • Ego-based cultures
  • Micromanagement
  • Resistance to change
  • Politics > purpose
Visibility Tiers
1
2
3
4
5
1
Tier 4: Public
Media Briefings, Brand Events, Talent / Celebrity Logistics, Executive Visibility
2
Tier 3: Stakeholder
Investor Communication, Legal + NDAs, Vendor Management, Board Members
3
Tier 2: Org-Wide
Team Communication, Meeting Cadence, Project Management, Event Management
4
Tier 1: Executive
Calendar Management, Inbox Management, Executive Prep, Decision Support
5
Tier 0: System-Only
Automation, Process Design, Tool Setup, Internal Documentation
This framework illustrates the proportional allocation of executive support across five visibility tiers. Mapping how operational effort translates into strategic value, from invisible system designs to high-exposure public execution. Each reveals the altitude, influence range, and decision proximity of Tariq as the operator.
Increasing Exposure
Decreasing Control Bandwidth
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Executive Assimilation Plan: 30 / 60 / 90 Day
1
Stabilize
2
Immerse
3
Lead
Day 0–30
Objective: Protect the CEO’s time and provide clear direction on key priorities for immediate impact.
  • Initial executive onboarding
  • System access and setup
  • Calendar audit & optimization
  • Inbox triage & strategy
  • Meeting prep & follow-up
Day 31–60
Objective: Integrate the Executive into daily operations without compromising strategic focus.
  • Operational tool implementation
  • Project management support
  • Stakeholder communication plan
  • Travel logistics
  • Expense reporting & approvals
Day 61–90
Objective: Enable the Executive to present as a confident and effective leader as the business grows.
  • Public engagement strategy
  • Media/PR coordination
  • Brand event support
  • Talent/celebrity logistics
  • Executive thought leadership
Deployed across founder-led, VC-backed, and public-facing executive teams
© Melissa Devenish · Executive Business Partner
Weekly Metrics That Matter
1
Raw Metric Inputs
Functional KPIs (Product, Ops, Finance, People)
2
Ownership + Cadence
Tagged by Owner / Update Rhythm
3
OKR Filter
Filtered by Active Business Objectives
4
Consolidated View
Merged Cross-Function Summary
5
Executive Signal
Weekly 1-Pager + CEO Briefing Tool
6
Board-Ready Report
Investor Update Format (Monthly / Quarterly)
These are examples of tools that provide raw metric inputs:
  • Asana
  • Salesforce
  • BambooHR
  • NetSuite
  • Google Sheets
  • Tableau
  • Looker
  • Notion
  • Quantive
  • WorkBoard
  • Figma
  • Google Slides

This slide illustrates how a CEO or Senior Leadership Team receive all critical metrics in one centralized, decision-ready format
© Melissa Devenish · Executive Business Partner
Every email, tagged the way the Executive thinks.
1
1
Board
2
2
Media/PR
3
3
Urgent Decision
4
4
Strategic Vision
5
5
Talent
6
6
Financials
Emails are pre-categorized using executive-specific mental models so every message mirrors how they think.
From: Board Chair

Subject: Q3 Forecast Questions + Slide Prep

Tags: Board, Urgent Decision, Financials

Status: Tagged in today’s 9AM Superhuman digest

Notes: "Needs decision by Friday" flag triggered CEO visibility
Tag System: Labels set in Superhuman (or Gmail, Front, etc.)
  • Sender
  • Subject line
  • Decision context
  • Project association
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Be honest... did you switch to desktop yet?
Calendar Color Key
Red = Dealflow / Investor
Signals: Urgency, decision-making, executive energy
Why: Triggers alertness and primes for fast judgment
Green = People / Talent / 1:1s
Signals: Calm, relational, open
Why: Grounds for emotional presence, coaching, and EQ leadership
Orange = External Visibility (PR, Speaking, Brand)
Signals: Expressive, magnetic, forward-facing
Why: Prepares mind for outward articulation and perception
Blue = Ops / Cross-functional Reviews
Signals: Structure, systems, analytical
Why: Sharpens mental focus for detail-heavy topics and rhythm checks
Yellow = Strategic Thinking / Vision Work
Signals: Optimistic, abstract, reflective
Why: Creates space for zoomed-out clarity and long-horizon decisions
Purple = Deep Work / Writing / No Interruptions
Signals: Sovereignty, silence, creation
Why: Creates sacred space for uninterrupted strategy or output
Black or Grey = Travel / Hold / Buffer
Signals: Transition, recharge, unknowns
Why: Offers margin between stimuli for optimal reset
This is a color-coding system that transforms time blocks into instantly recognizable mental zones. It acts as a semantic signal layer, showing not just what is scheduled, but how the Executive mentally prepares for it. By reducing context-switching fatigue and clarifying the type of work ahead, it enables both the executive and their team to enter each meeting or block with precision, alignment, and full cognitive readiness.
© Melissa Devenish · Executive Business Partner
Travel Management Protocol
1
1
Solo Movement
Minimal Protocol
  • Iitinerary planning
  • Standard ground transport
  • Pre-booked accommodations
2
2
Family Movement
Full Concierge Activation
  • Detailed family itineraries
  • Private ground transport
  • Childcare/pet arrangements
  • Residence preparation
3
3
Cross-border
White-Glove Tier
  • Visa & customs management
  • Diplomatic liaisons
  • Global security briefings
  • Emergency contingency plans
This tiered protocol ensures every travel scenario receives the appropriate level of support, from solo domestic trips to complex international family movements.
"What-If" Scenarios
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Family Operations
96%
On-time Departures
Ensuring punctuality for all family movements.
9.7/10
Executive & Family Satisfaction
Based on weekly qualitative feedback.
100%
Escalations Handled
De-escalation rate without disrupting primary executive flow.
98%
Budget
98% adherence across rotating grocery, household, and hospitality expenses

Child Education & Family Activities
Here's how I ensure unparalleled support for your family's education and activities:
Proactive Planning & Seamless Logistics
  • Anticipate academic schedules, extracurricular commitments, and social engagements well in advance.
  • Orchestrate all transport, bookings, and material preparations (e.g., uniforms, instruments, project supplies).
  • Establish direct communication channels with schools, tutors, coaches, and activity coordinators.
Personalized Enrichment & Development
  • Identify bespoke learning and growth opportunities aligned with each child's interests and academic needs.
  • Research and vet top-tier tutors, specialized programs, and unique experiences globally.
  • Manage enrollment, payments, and progress tracking, providing regular updates.
Contingency Management & Executive Peace of Mind
  • Develop comprehensive backup plans for unexpected cancellations, illness, or travel disruptions.
  • Handle all last-minute changes and emergencies with discretion and efficiency.
  • Ensure minimal disruption to the executive's schedule, providing immediate solutions and clear communication.
Family Integration & Quality Time Enablement
  • Strategically plan family vacations and special events, handling all intricate details.
  • Coordinate social calendars for playdates, family visits, and school events to maximize quality time.
  • Liaise with household staff (chef, driver, housekeeper) to ensure a holistic, integrated support system.
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Cadence for Senior Leadership Teams
95%+
Decision Accuracy
Decisions made within planned cadence.
3+
Hours Reclaimed
From ad hoc chaos weekly.
100%
Pre-read Compliance
Achieved before board meetings.
Cadence
  • Strategic Intent: Each meeting frequency aligns with strategic objectives and decision velocity.
  • Executive Input: Cadence is co-created with CEO, integrating their peak performance times and energy cycles.
  • Adaptive Framework: Flexible enough to absorb high-priority disruptions without derailing core objectives.
Materials
  • Anticipatory Briefs: Pre-digested insights and data, delivered well in advance, flagging key decisions.
  • Action-Oriented: Every document is framed around actionable next steps, not just information.
  • "Read-Ahead" Focus: Complex materials distilled into concise executive summaries for rapid comprehension.
Timing
  • Strict Adherence: Meetings start and end precisely on time, protecting the CEO's bandwidth.
  • Buffer Zones: Strategic gaps between intense blocks allow for cognitive resets and unplanned urgencies.
  • Proactive Adjustments: Real-time monitoring and re-prioritization to ensure the CEO's focus is always on the highest-leverage activities.
CEO & SLT Cycles
Each week includes the right types of meetings (like team check-ins, board prep, investor updates, product reviews), timed intentionally so decisions happen in order, and no one's overwhelmed.
1
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • 1:1s: Direct Reports
2
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • Product Review: Product & Engineering Leads
3
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • Board Prep: Internal Leadership
  • 1:1s: Direct Reports
4
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • Board Meeting: Board Members & CEO
  • Investor Briefing: Key Investors
5
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • Strategic Planning: Leadership Team
  • 1:1s: Direct Reports
6
  • Leadership Sync: Internal Team
  • Product Review: Product & Engineering Leads
  • All-Hands: Company-wide
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Boardroom Before & After
The Old Way: Traditional Board Pack
  • 30-page slide deck (Overwhelms instead of informs)
  • Metrics buried in noise (Board members can’t connect dots fast enough)
  • Risks acknowledged only once they materialize (You’re managing fallout, not influence)
  • Discussions hijacked by surprise stakeholder reactions (Burns agenda time)
  • CEO forced into real-time defense, not strategy (Strategic authority gets replaced by firefighting)
What I Deliver Instead: The Executive Briefing
  • Flagged Issues (before CEO asks)
  • Decision Tree Options (pre-triaged, with consequences mapped)
  • Stakeholder Reactions Predicted (emotional and political reads included)
  • Risks Neutralized Without Discussion (handled via side-channel moves)
  • Narrative Control Suggestions (language calibrated for trust and alignment)
What Board Members Actually Want
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Executive Decision Stack
1
Tier 1: Auto-Decide (Automated by EBP)
Instant / <5 mins
  • “Decline 30-min check-in from unknown contact”
  • “Forward vendor cold email to ops lead + archive”
2
Tier 2: Pre-Decide
Same-day
  • “Renew Figma contract under $5K annually”
  • “Greenlight contractor onboarding for pre-approved vendor pool”
3
Tier 3: Co-Decide (CEO + EBP real-time triage)
Within 24 hrs
  • “Investor asks for product roadmap preview—triage before CEO reply”
  • “Media wants CEO quote, drafted by comms, CEO to approve”
4
Tier 4: Core Decision Meetings
Weekly cadence
  • “Weekly Strategic Sync: Review Q3 OKRs and product risk”
  • “Monthly Talent Review: Decide on leadership promotions”
5
Tier 5: Escalation or Board-Level
Monthly/Quarterly
CEO leads, EBP manages prep, inputs, recap
  • “CEO to present revised GTM strategy to Board”
  • “Approve M&A exploration after partner inquiry”

Fail-Safe / Override Layer
EBP can override tier if signals misalign (pattern break, ethics, risk)
This framework shows how decisions are made inside the Office of the CEO without wasting the Executives time.
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Launch Week Operating System
Core Team & Roles
Define clear responsibilities for executive, product, marketing, sales, and support teams, ensuring seamless coordination.
  • Cross-functional lead assignments
  • Decision-making matrix
  • Escalation paths
Daily Communications Cadence
Establish structured daily stand-ups, internal updates, and external messaging for consistent information flow.
  • Internal war room meetings
  • Press release timing & distribution
  • Social media schedule
Executive Preparedness Flow
Rigorous briefing sessions, Q&A prep, and media training for leadership to ensure consistent messaging and confidence.
  • Key message alignment
  • Scenario planning & rebuttals
  • Spokesperson assignments
Contingency Protocols & Mitigation
Proactive identification of potential risks with pre-defined response strategies to minimize disruption.
  • Risk assessment matrix
  • Crisis communication plan
  • Technical rollback procedures
Post-Launch Debrief & Iteration
Comprehensive review of launch performance, gathering feedback for continuous improvement.
  • Performance metric analysis
  • Lessons learned workshops
  • Future iteration roadmap

Deliverables
To Do
  • Asset Name: Executive Briefing Deck
    Owner: Alice
    Due Date: May 20
    Tags: Strategy, Comms
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Product Demo Video
    Owner: Bob
    Due Date: May 22
    Tags: Product, Marketing
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Media Outreach List
    Owner: Carol
    Due Date: May 20
    Tags: PR, External
    Attachment: Google Drive link
In Progress
  • Asset Name: CEO Talking Points
    Owner: David
    Due Date: May 24
    Tags: Executive, Comms
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Press Release Draft
    Owner: Eve
    Due Date: May 23
    Tags: PR, Content
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Social Media Assets
    Owner: Frank
    Due Date: May 25
    Tags: Marketing, Social
    Attachment: Google Drive link
Complete
  • Asset Name: Launch Strategy Document
    Owner: Grace
    Completed: May 15
    Tags: Strategy, Planning
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Website Landing Page
    Owner: Henry
    Completed: May 18
    Tags: Web, Product
    Attachment: Google Drive link
  • Asset Name: Internal Comms Plan
    Owner: Ivy
    Completed: May 17
    Tags: Comms, Internal
    Attachment: Google Drive link

Stakeholder Alignment Map
This map ensures all key players are identified, understand their role, and receive tailored communications throughout the launch.
Internal Leadership
Influence: High, Direct decision-makers
Messaging: Concise, data-driven, strategic impact
Escalation: Direct to CEO/EBP for critical path issues
Key Partners/Investors
Influence: High, Strategic alignment, funding
Messaging: Value proposition, mutual benefits, progress updates
Escalation: EBP-managed outreach for major changes or concerns
Employees
Influence: Medium, Operational execution, morale
Messaging: Clear expectations, transparent progress, team wins
Escalation: Department leads to HR/EBP for team-wide issues
Media/Analysts
Influence: Medium, Public perception, market narrative
Messaging: Approved talking points, key announcements, success stories
Escalation: Comms lead to CEO/EBP for sensitive inquiries
Customers/Users
Influence: High, Adoption, feedback, advocacy
Messaging: Benefits-oriented, support channels, updates on features
Escalation: Support team to product/EBP for critical issues
Approval Authority Chain
1
Level 1: EBP & Project Leads
2
Level 2: Department Heads
3
Level 3: Executive Team
4
Level 4: CEO Final Approval
Communication Frequency
  • Daily: Internal Core Team Stand-ups (War Room)
  • Bi-weekly: Executive Sync & Strategic Check-ins
  • Weekly: All-Hands Updates (Internal Teams)
  • As Needed: External Press Briefings & Partner Updates
  • Post-Launch: Debrief & Feedback Sessions
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
EA Stakeholder Heat Map
To categorize stakeholders effectively, consider the following attributes:
  • Access Level: How much direct access this stakeholder has to the exec (e.g., Direct, Routed, Gatekept)
  • Context Load: How much mental/emotional energy the stakeholder requires from the exec
  • Time Sensitivity: How urgent their needs are (e.g., Daily, Weekly, Quarterly touchpoints)
  • Preferred Channel: The primary communication method (e.g., Call, Email, Slack)
High Urgency + High Energy Drain
These are critical relationships or tasks that demand significant executive time and mental effort. They are often reactive and complex.
  • Strategy: Needs delegation, mitigation, or immediate executive intervention with a clear exit strategy.
  • Example: Crisis management, urgent investor relations, critical product launch issues.
High Urgency + Low Energy Drain
Important and time-sensitive matters that can be handled efficiently with proper systems and pre-work, minimizing executive effort.
  • Strategy: Implement streamlined processes, pre-briefs, and clear decision frameworks.
  • Example: Scheduled board meetings with well-prepared materials, quick decisions on pre-vetted proposals.
Low Urgency + High Access (Distractors)
Individuals or recurring tasks that don't have immediate urgency but frequently seek executive attention, potentially disrupting focus.
  • Strategy: Restructure access, establish clear communication channels, set boundaries, or delegate initial filtering.
  • Example: Internal team members with frequent, non-critical questions, low-priority external requests.
Low Urgency + Low Energy Drain (VIPs & Strategic)
Key relationships or long-term initiatives that are essential for future success but don't require constant, intense engagement. These are often nurtured proactively.
  • Strategy: White-glove handling, proactive prep, strategic touchpoints, and scheduled relationship building.
  • Example: Key advisors, long-term strategic partners, potential future hires.
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
COS Stakeholder Heat Map
This visualizes key stakeholders against their areas of influence, highlighting where my intervention is most critical due to misalignment.
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Executive Panel
Summary of the C-suite titles I've directly supported, highlighting their organizational influence and industry context.
Board of Directors
Managed board meeting preparation, communication, and governance support.
Supported in: Education
Founder / CEO
Drove strategic initiatives, investor relations, and key operational execution.
Supported in: Venture Capital, Startups
President
Led overall business operations, market expansion, and leadership team oversight.
Supported in: Venture, Education
CEO
Managed financial operations, strategic budget planning, and investor reporting.
Supported in: Education, Venture Capital, Tech, Media
CFO
Oversaw financial strategy, capital allocation, and risk management.
Supported in: Venture Capital, Tech, Media, Education
COO
Focused on operational efficiency, process improvement, and cross-functional alignment.
Supported in: Venture Capital, Tech, Education
CTO
Led technology strategy, infrastructure development, and R&D efforts.
Supported in: Tech, SaaS
CPO
Guided product development roadmap, engineering operations, and tech strategy.
Supported in: Tech
CMO
Developed marketing strategy, brand development, and campaign execution.
Supported in: Media, Brand, Advertising
CHRO
Spearheaded people operations, talent acquisition, and organizational development initiatives.
Supported in: Education
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner
Tech Stack Management (103)
Internal Ops + SOP Systems
  • Notion
    Admin Ownership
  • Coda
    Admin Ownership
  • Confluence Shared Use
  • Slab Shared Use
  • Tetra Strategic
  • Airtable
    Admin Ownership
Project & Task Management
  • Asana Shared Use
  • ClickUp Strategic
  • Linear Strategic
  • Trello Shared Use
  • Monday.com Shared Use
  • Jira Shared Use
Communication Systems
  • Slack Strategic
  • Microsoft Teams Shared Use
  • Discord Shared Use
  • Zoom Shared Use
  • Google Meet Shared Use
  • Twist Shared Use
Calendar & Scheduling
  • Google Calendar
    Admin Ownership
  • Calendly Strategic
  • Motion
    Admin Ownership
  • Clockwise Strategic
  • Reclaim.ai Strategic
Email Systems
  • Superhuman
    Admin Ownership
  • Gmail (advanced filters/labels)
    Admin Ownership
  • Outlook
    Admin Ownership
Automation & Integration
  • Zapier Strategic
  • Make (formerly Integromat) Strategic
  • n8n Strategic
  • Pipedream Shared Use
  • Unito Strategic
  • IFTTT Shared Use
Board + Investor Reporting
  • Airtable Shared Use
  • Google Slides Shared Use
  • Figma (for visual dashboards) Strategic
  • Roam Research Shared Use
  • Pitch.com Strategic
Document Collaboration
  • Google Docs Shared Use
  • Dropbox Paper Shared Use
  • Microsoft Word Shared Use
  • Notion (again) Shared Use
  • DocSend Strategic
CRM + Stakeholder Tracking
  • HubSpot Shared Use
  • Salesforce Shared Use
  • Streak Shared Use
  • Affinity Strategic
  • Folk Shared Use
  • Clay Strategic
Finance / Expense Tracking
  • Expensify
    Admin Ownership
  • Brex
    Admin Ownership
  • Ramp
    Admin Ownership
  • QuickBooks
    Admin Ownership
  • Bill.com Shared Use
  • Airbase Shared Use
  • Tiller Shared Use
File Management + Storage
  • Google Drive
    Admin Ownership
  • Dropbox
    Admin Ownership
  • OneDrive Shared Use
  • Box Shared Use
Password + Security
  • 1Password
    Admin Ownership
  • Dashlane
    Admin Ownership
Favorite AI Tools (Top 5)
  • ChatGPT
  • Tactiq
  • Guidde
  • AskViable
  • Notion AI
© Tariq Johnson · Executive Business Partner