Does this sound familiar?
You're busy, and your hands are full, yet you're not entirely sure the business is moving forwards.
You may already recognise the problems, but finding the time or the right approach to solving them feels impossible. Somewhere along the way, you became the person everything goes back through - every decision, every question and every problem lands on your desk.
Perhaps you want your managers to take more ownership, make decisions with confidence, or understand the commercial side of the business, yet despite having a team in place, too much still depends on you.
If that sounds like your working week, it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing anything wrong! It may simply mean the business has grown beyond the structure and ways of working that got it this far.
Practical Operations Support for Growing businesses
Every business has different challenges, and the right support depends on where you are, what you want to achieve, and what solutions need to be put in place.
At Fox and Crane Operations Support, I help business owners build stronger, more effective businesses by improving the way they operate. This might mean putting clearer structures in place, implementing better systems, solving some operational headaches, or helping to prepare the business for its next stage of growth.
There are two ways we can work together: either on a defined project focused on a specific challenge, or through on-going retained support that gives you an experienced partner working alongside you as your business evolves.
Operations structure
I can help you to build an operational structure that gives your team the clarity and confidence to take ownership, whilst allowing you to retain oversight of important decisions.
Together we look at roles and responsibilities, decision making authority and processes, working out exactly what your team can handle without checking in, what needs your input, and what changes to make to allow your organisation to flourish. We then establish the information and numbers to keep an eye on eon to make sure your business is on the right track.
Where it helps, this may also look at and supporting putting the right systems in place, shaped around how your team actually work, and help your managers embed new ways of working.
By the end, the aim is to get you to a point where you have a business that runs well, whether or not you're in the room. With clear points for you to step in where needed, and a to-do list that doesn't feel endless.
Retained operations support
An experienced partner alongside you as your business evolves.
Not every challenge can be solved through a one-off project. Sometimes, the best value comes from having someone working alongside you that understands your business and can help you to navigate issues as they arise.
Retained support gives you regular access to practical operational input, and an independent perspective. This might include working through difficult decisions, addressing emerging problems, or helping shape the strategy and implementation for you to reach your next goal.
Shaped around your needs, from scheduled check-ins and guidance to more hands-on support over an agreed number of days each month, the aim is to help keep you and your business moving in the right direction.
Systems integration project management
A good structure needs the right tools behind it. The right systems can make a real difference to how a business operates, but choosing and implementing them can be time-consuming, diruptive and difficult to get right.
I help you identify where systems could add value, understand your options and find solutions that fit the way you and your team work.
From strategy and planning through to coordinating implementation, I support your team through transition, help keep projects realistic and manageable with clear plans built around your priorities and available resources
available as a standalone project or as part of a wider programme or retainer
Start up support & Business Foundations
Starting a business is an opportunity to build things properly from day one, rather than having to untangle processes and structures that no longer work as the business evolves.
I can help you to establish the operational foundations your business needs: how it can operate, understanding responsibilities, what systems would benefit you and what you should measure as you develop.
Drawing on my experience of helping build a domiciliary care business, I bring a practical perspective on what it takes to make a business a success - having made all the mistakes and learned from them along the way!
available as a standalone project or the option of on-going support
Project-based or retained support: which is right for me?
Project-based support is great for a defined challenge - such as reviewing your operational structure, improving a specific process, helping solve a particular headache, or co-ordinating the implementation of a new system. It also allows us to agree the plan, scope and the expected duration from the start.
Retained support allows for an on-going relationship, aimed to help provide regular guidance and practical, hands-on support which is flexible and adapts as your needs evolve. It can also be tailored to suit you, with blocks of half-days or days and a combination of check ins and practical support offered.
Not sure where to start?
You don't need to have all the answers before getting in touch. Whether it's a specific project, a problem that keeps coming back, or simply a feeling that the business could be working better - let's have a chat about where you are and go from there. There's no obligation to move forwards, and the coffees on me!
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Operations support to help you step back