Fractional COO Secrets for Scaling Through Change | The Fractional Operator #2
The Fractional OperatorShow Notes
What does a Fractional COO actually do, and when should a business bring one in? In this episode of The Fractional Operator, Michael Nelson sits down with Bill Tansey Jr., Owner of The OpEx Shop, to discuss operational excellence, leading organizational change, pricing fractional services, managing scope creep, and helping companies solve complex business challenges. Bill shares lessons learned from Fortune 50 leadership roles, consulting engagements, and more than a decade of helping organizations improve performance and profitability. Whether you're a fractional executive, consultant, business owner, or operator, this conversation offers practical insights into building trust, delivering ROI, and scaling through change. Connect with Bill Tansey Jr. and learn more about The OpEx Shop at theopexshop.com. 00:00 – Introduction to The Fractional Operator & Bill Tansey 01:31 – What The OpEx Shop Does and the Fractional COO Role 03:10 – Why Companies Hire Fractional Leaders During Change 05:47 – Bill's Background: Engineering, Startups & Fortune 50 Leadership 08:08 – Learning the Danaher Business System & Lean Operations 09:12 – Transitioning into Fractional Consulting 10:11 – Two Service Models: Hourly vs Fixed-Fee Engagements 13:03 – Demonstrating ROI and Justifying Consulting Investments 15:17 – Real-World Client Example: Solving a Cost Crisis 17:19 – Defining Problems Before Solving Them 20:19 – The Multi-Phase Fractional Engagement Process 21:07 – Building Trust During the Sales Cycle 24:09 – Managing Scope Creep in Fractional Work 30:23 – Client Relationship Management Lessons Learned 32:49 – Advice for New Fractional Operators & Finding Success 36:15 – Pricing Fractional Services and Choosing the Right Clients 38:58 – How to Connect with Bill Tansey & Closing Thoughts Hourglass SaaS: https://hourglasssaas.com/ Follow Michael Nelson: Facebook: https://facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: https://instagram.com/5tmichael X: https://x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 #FractionalOperator #FractionalCOO #BusinessOperations #OperationalExcellence #FractionalLeadership
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