Keep removing bottlenecks, one workflow at a time.
An ongoing engagement for businesses that have proven the model and want senior operations support to keep tuning workflows, automations, reporting, and SOPs as the company grows.
After the first major fix, the next bottleneck shows up. Without ongoing attention, automations drift, SOPs go stale, and the gains from a one-time engagement slowly erode. Most businesses don't need a full operating partner at this stage. They need the systems already in place to keep working as the business changes around them.
This engagement fits you if…
- You've already removed your first major bottleneck, through a Sprint or otherwise
- You're growing fast enough that systems need continuous tuning, not a one-time fix
- You need more than a single project, but you don't need someone embedded in leadership decisions
- You want a senior operator who already knows your systems, on an ongoing basis
Deliverables
- Ongoing workflow optimization as the business and team change
- Automation maintenance, monitoring, and improvements
- SOP and reporting updates kept current as processes evolve
- A monthly strategic review with a prioritized roadmap for what's next
The process
Monthly review
A regular check-in on what's working, what's starting to drift, and what the next highest-value fix is.
Prioritize & execute
The next bottleneck or improvement gets selected and built, scoped to what the month's priorities actually require.
Document & measure
Every change gets tracked for outcome and folded into updated SOPs, so the system stays current and the team stays informed.
What changes after this engagement
- Operations improve month over month, not just at project boundaries
- Automations stay current as tools, team, and volume change
- Reporting reflects what the business actually needs to see right now
- You have a senior operator to think through operational decisions with, on a predictable cadence
Scope & investment
- Engagement type
- Monthly retainer
- Format
- Scoped to ongoing work, documented in the engagement contract
- Investment
- Confirmed during a discovery call, based on scope
FAQ
Do I need to have done a Sprint or Audit first?+
It's preferred but not required. If you haven't completed either, the first part of the retainer establishes a starting baseline so the work has a clear point of reference.
Is there a minimum commitment?+
Yes, retainers are structured with an initial minimum term, confirmed in the engagement contract, with month-to-month continuation after that.
What's the difference between this and Fractional COO?+
The Retainer keeps specific systems and automations running and improving. It's focused, functional work tied to outcomes like reporting accuracy or process efficiency. The Fractional COO is Ricardo embedded in the business as a leadership resource, available for the broader operational questions and decisions a founder would otherwise have to carry alone. One has a defined function. The other is a seat at the table.
Not sure if this is the right starting point?
Take the Growth Capacity Assessment first. It tells you where the real bottleneck is and which engagement fits.
Start the Assessment