How a Fractional COO Helped My Company Scale by 50% in 12 Months
Client Overview
Industry: Refrigerated Warehousing, Transportation and Logistics
Company Size: 100 Employees
Location: Texas
Services Provided: Fractional COO Services
The Challenge
This company was experiencing rapid growth in its industry, but with expansion came challenges. The company struggled to maintain operational efficiency as it scaled, and internal processes were becoming overwhelmed by increasing demand. With their full-time executives stretched thin, critical tasks falling through the cracks, and communication across departments was becoming inconsistent. This lack of alignment was leading to missed deadlines, production inefficiencies, and a growing frustration among employees and clients.
The company needed experienced operational leadership to streamline processes, improve communication, and optimize resource management—but hiring a full-time COO was financially prohibitive. They needed someone who could hit the ground running and quickly provide the leadership and structure they desperately needed.
The Solution
Stephany Day from Duke BCG was hired as a Fractional COO to the Company, providing the executive-level leadership they needed without the long-term commitment and overhead of a full-time hire. As a Fractional COO, Stephany quickly assessed the situation and identified key areas where operational improvements could be made.
Key Actions Taken:
Process Streamlining:
The Fractional COO conducted an in-depth audit of the company’s current operations, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies. They implemented new workflows and optimized existing processes to improve production timelines and reduce errors. This included the introduction of automation tools within Netsuite and Outlook, along with Project Management tools like Asana to better understand resource allocation across teams.Resource Optimization:
One of the key areas the Fractional COO focused on was the optimization of resources. They restructured teams and redeployed staff based on skill sets and project demands. This ensured that the company’s talent was being used effectively and that no resources were being wasted on redundant or unnecessary tasks.Improved Cross-Departmental Communication:
The lack of communication between departments was a major pain point for this Company. The Fractional COO introduced a new communication framework that fostered transparency and collaboration across teams. Regular interdepartmental meetings and streamlined reporting systems were put in place, ensuring that everyone was aligned with the company’s goals and that any issues were addressed swiftly.
The Results
Within the first few months, this Company began to see significant improvements in their day-to-day operations. With streamlined processes, optimized resources, and improved communication, productivity increased, and team morale rose. The results were undeniable:
50% Business Growth in 12 Months:
With the new operational framework in place, this Company was able to scale its business by 50% over 12 months. The improved efficiency allowed them to handle the increased demand without compromising on the quality or delivery times.Improved Operational Efficiency:
Packing timelines were reduced by 10%, and overall operational efficiency increased significantly. The new processes and workflows enabled the company to do more with their existing resources, reducing costs and increasing output.Enhanced Team Collaboration:
With better communication across departments, teams became more cohesive and aligned with the company’s objectives. This not only improved project execution but also created a more positive work environment, leading to higher employee satisfaction, including an increased net promoter score online, and retention.
Client Testimonial
"Working with Duke BCG’s Fractional COO was a game-changer for our company. They brought the leadership we needed at a crucial time in our growth, and their expertise in operations helped us scale quickly and efficiently. We couldn’t have achieved this level of success without their support."
— Bill B., VP of Operations
Conclusion
This company’s decision to bring in a Duke BCG Fractional COO provided them with the operational leadership they needed to manage their rapid growth effectively. By streamlining processes, optimizing resources, and improving communication, they were able to scale by 50% in just 12 months while maintaining a high level of operational efficiency.
Ready to see how a Fractional COO can help your business scale? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our tailored fractional executive services.
