Fractional COO: Ongoing strategic ops leadership & guidance

John Lightcap

Starting at

$

3,000

/mo

About this service

Summary

No matter your business size or challenges, this service provides executive-level operational expertise to help you gain clarity, efficiency, and momentum.
Whether you need strategic clarity, operational improvements, or a trusted advisor to keep you on track, this service empowers you to focus on growth while reducing the burden of daily decision-making.

Process

1. Onboarding and Discovery
Objective: Understand the client’s business, challenges, and goals.
What Happens:
Initial consultation to discuss the current state of the business and key pain points.
Review of existing processes, workflows, and organizational structure.
Define clear goals and priorities for the engagement (e.g., scaling operations, improving team efficiency).
Establish KPIs to measure success and identify quick wins.
Deliverables:
Engagement roadmap with immediate priorities and timelines.
Initial recommendations or areas to address first.
2. Weekly Strategy Calls
Objective: Maintain focus, identify challenges, and implement actionable solutions.
What Happens:
Weekly 60-minute calls to discuss progress, address obstacles, and explore new opportunities.
Collaboration on high-impact initiatives, such as streamlining operations or clarifying leadership roles.
Adjustments to the engagement roadmap based on evolving needs or challenges.
Deliverables:
Weekly action plans with clear next steps for the client and their team.
Solutions to immediate operational or strategic issues.
3. Ongoing Support and Guidance
Objective: Provide flexibility and real-time support between scheduled calls.
What Happens:
Priority email access for questions, feedback, or updates on ongoing projects.
Emergency consultation as needed for critical decisions or unexpected challenges.
Review and feedback on documents, processes, or team proposals.
Deliverables:
Rapid responses to questions or problems to keep progress on track.
Documentation or feedback on specific tasks or initiatives.
4. Monthly Review and Planning
Objective: Track progress, measure results, and align on upcoming priorities.
What Happens:
Monthly review of KPIs, project milestones, and overall business performance.
Evaluate what’s working, what needs adjustment, and areas for improvement.
Set priorities for the next month’s work, ensuring alignment with long-term goals.
Deliverables:
Progress summary report outlining achievements and metrics.
Updated roadmap with priorities for the next month.
5. Scaling and Optimization
Objective: Implement long-term strategies and sustainable solutions.
What Happens:
Focus on refining workflows, scaling processes, and empowering the team.
Identify opportunities for automation, delegation, or restructuring to reduce the owner’s workload.
Develop scalable systems that support growth while maintaining operational excellence.
Deliverables:
Optimized processes and documentation.
Leadership and team alignment strategies.
Recommendations for continued growth and efficiency.
6. Transition or Renewal (Optional)
Objective: Conclude the engagement or plan for continued support.
What Happens:
Final review of progress and deliverables, ensuring all goals are met.
Transfer of knowledge, tools, and documentation to the client’s team for ongoing use.
Discuss options for renewing the retainer or transitioning to project-based support.
Deliverables:
Final summary report with actionable insights and recommendations for future growth.
Handoff of all relevant documents, processes, and strategies.

FAQs

  • What is a Fractional COO, and how is it different from a full-time COO?

    A Fractional COO provides executive-level operational expertise on a part-time or as-needed basis. Unlike a full-time COO, this service is flexible and cost-effective, giving you strategic and operational leadership without the commitment or overhead of a full-time hire.

  • What types of businesses benefit most from this service?

    This service is ideal for growing small to mid-sized businesses that need operational clarity, improved efficiency, or leadership alignment but aren’t ready for a full-time COO.

  • What is included in the weekly strategy calls?

    Weekly strategy calls focus on identifying priorities, addressing challenges, and planning actionable next steps. These sessions keep momentum high and ensure alignment with your business goals.

  • How much time will you dedicate to my business each month?

    The retainer includes four, 60-minute strategy calls, email support, monthly review calls, and additional emergency consultations as needed.

What's included

  • Ongoing operational leadership and strategic guidance

    1. Weekly Strategy Call Summaries (tactical wins) 2. Monthly Metrics Dashboard (tied to goals and health indicators) 3. Quarterly Process Refinement Guide (address growth pain points) 4. Team Development Recommendations (trust + performance culture) 5. Crisis Management Framework (fast, relationally grounded solutions) 6. Priority Action Plans (monthly near-term wins)

Skills and tools

Business Consultant

COO

Business Operations

Asana

Asana

HubSpot

HubSpot

LucidCharts

LucidCharts

Notion

Notion

Industries

Business Management
Environment
Energy