The COO
Experience
Your business has grown. Your responsibilities have multiplied. Your team is bigger, your operations are more complicated, and somehow, more decisions than ever still end up on your desk.
You're spending too much time solving problems, managing people, and keeping the business moving when you should be focused on where it's going.
You don't need another consultant telling you what to fix. You need an experienced executive who can help you fix it.
I'm Nicole Chiclana, a Fractional Chief Operating Officer with more than 20 years of leadership and operational experience. I work alongside business owners and their teams to strengthen operations, develop leaders, improve profitability, and build companies that can grow without depending on one person to hold everything together.
I don't just develop the strategy. I help execute it.
Experience That Goes Beyond Advice
I've worked inside businesses at different stages of growth, from building operational foundations to navigating the challenges of established organizations. I understand what it takes to turn big-picture business goals into everyday execution.
Deloitte & Touche Alumni
Teams Scaled From 2 to 160 People
387+ Client Engagements
15+ Years of Operations Leadership Experience Across Multiple Industries
Businesses Scaled from Startup to 50 Million
What Does a Fractional COO Actually Do?
A Fractional Chief Operating Officer provides executive-level operational leadership without requiring a full-time executive hire.
But the real value isn't the title.
It's having someone who understands how the different parts of your business work together, recognizes what's preventing progress, and has the experience to turn problems into solutions.
As your Fractional COO, I become an active part of your leadership team.
I help establish priorities, oversee operational improvements, develop management capabilities, strengthen accountability, and make sure the work happening throughout your organization supports the goals of the business.
My role is to turn your business strategy into an operation capable of delivering it.
That means fewer problems landing on your desk, stronger decision-making throughout the organization, and greater confidence in how the business is running.
Operational Leadership & Execution
A business needs more than a strategy. It needs someone ensuring that strategy becomes reality.
I work with your leadership team to translate business goals into priorities, establish clear responsibilities, coordinate execution, and address the operational barriers preventing progress.
The goal: A business that moves forward because everyone understands what needs to happen, not because you're personally pushing every initiative across the finish line.
Profitability & Operational Efficiency
More revenue doesn't automatically mean a healthier business.
I examine how your business uses its time, people, technology, and resources to identify inefficiencies, unnecessary costs, and operational decisions that may be reducing profitability.
This can include evaluating workflows, staffing capacity, vendor relationships, reporting, and the cost of delivering your products or services.
The goal: Better financial performance through smarter operations, not simply asking your employees to do more with less.
Leadership & Team Development
A growing business needs managers who can make decisions, solve problems, and lead their teams confidently.
I work directly with your managers to clarify responsibilities, strengthen accountability, establish expectations, and develop the skills they need to lead without constant intervention.
The goal: A leadership team that can carry responsibility instead of continually transferring it back to the owner.
Systems, Processes & Accountability
When processes exist only in someone's head, the business becomes dependent on individuals instead of reliable systems.
I help design and implement operational processes that make work more consistent, measurable, and manageable.
This includes workflow improvement, standard operating procedures, communication structures, performance reporting, and accountability systems.
The goal: Reliable execution that doesn't depend on constant reminders, heroic effort, or someone remembering how things were done last time.
Growth & Organizational Readiness
Growth exposes weaknesses that smaller businesses can sometimes work around.
I help assess whether your current team structure, processes, technology, and leadership capacity can support where you're trying to go.
Together, we identify what needs to change before additional growth creates additional strain.
The goal: Build the operational capacity to support growth instead of continually reacting to it.
Executive Decision Support
Business owners shouldn't have to make every difficult decision alone.
I provide an experienced operational perspective when evaluating staffing, organizational changes, investments, priorities, and business challenges.
More importantly, I help turn those decisions into action.
The goal: Better-informed decisions, clearer priorities, and someone helping carry the responsibility for execution.
Who I Work Best With
My Fractional COO services are designed for established business owners who have built something successful but recognize that the next stage requires stronger operational leadership.
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You own or lead a growing business with an established team.
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Your company has reached a level of complexity that requires more operational oversight.
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You're spending too much time managing daily operations.
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You need someone who can work directly with your managers and employees.
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You're preparing for growth, restructuring, or operational improvement.
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You want executive-level operational experience without hiring a full-time COO.
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You're willing to make changes that improve the business for both its owners and employees.
I particularly enjoy working with owner-led businesses, family-owned companies, service organizations, and businesses managing multiple teams, departments, or brands.
I work best with leaders who aren't simply looking for someone to agree with them. They're looking for someone who will help them build a better business.
Why Work With Me?
I've Been Responsible for the Work, Not Just the Recommendations.
My experience includes more than 20 years in leadership, operational management, consulting, and organizational development.
I've helped build teams from two people to as many as 160, worked across hundreds of client engagements, and served in interim Chief Operating Officer roles in both the roofing and home healthcare industries.
My background also includes operations consulting experience with Deloitte, enterprise project leadership, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training.
I've worked with businesses facing different challenges, but I've consistently seen the same underlying issue:
The success of a business depends on how effectively its people, processes, and priorities work together.
I'm also the author of three books examining leadership, workload, organizational structure, and the relationship between strong performance and healthy workplaces.
My approach combines executive-level thinking with practical implementation.
I understand the financial responsibility of running a business. I also understand that the people doing the work are not unlimited resources.
I don't believe those priorities compete.
I believe the strongest companies are the ones that learn how to manage both.
What a Stronger Business Could Look Like
Imagine having a leadership team that understands its responsibilities and has the authority to act.
Imagine knowing where your business stands without spending hours gathering updates.
Imagine operational problems being identified and addressed before they become emergencies.
Imagine being able to focus on growth, customer relationships, and the future of the company instead of constantly managing the details of today.
That's the kind of business I help owners build.
Not through another layer of bureaucracy.
Not by creating more meetings or complicated processes.
But by putting the right structure, leadership, and accountability in place so the business can operate with greater consistency and confidence.
The objective isn't to remove you from your business. It's to give you the freedom to lead it.
Your Fractional COO Investment
Executive Operational Leadership
$6,500 per month
A hands-on executive partnership designed to strengthen your business operations without the commitment of hiring a full-time Chief Operating Officer.
Your monthly engagement includes:
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Weekly leadership meetings focused on decisions, priorities, and progress
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Direct collaboration with you and designated members of your team
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Active implementation of operational improvements
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Development and refinement of processes, responsibilities, and accountability systems
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Operational performance measurement and reporting
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Leadership guidance and management development
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Asynchronous support for operational questions and decisions
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Ongoing prioritization and execution planning
Month-to-month engagement. No long-term contract required.
The scope of operational responsibility, access, and implementation priorities is established together based on the needs of your business.
I intentionally work with a limited number of organizations so I can remain actively involved in the work rather than operating as a distant advisor.
What's the difference between a Fractional COO and a business consultant?
A consultant typically evaluates a business and recommends improvements.
A Fractional COO takes an active role in operational leadership and execution.
My work can include diagnosing problems, but it doesn't stop there. I help establish priorities, work with the leadership team, implement improvements, and oversee progress.
Do I need a full-time COO instead?
That depends on the size, complexity, and needs of your business.
A Fractional COO can be a strong fit when you need experienced executive operational leadership but don't require, or aren't ready for, a full-time executive.
During our consultation, we'll discuss whether a fractional arrangement makes sense for your situation.
Will you manage my employees?
Depending on the agreed scope, I can work directly with managers and team members, oversee operational initiatives, establish accountability, and provide leadership guidance.
Reporting relationships and decision-making authority are established before the engagement begins.
Do you work remotely?
Do you work with businesses outside your industry experience?
Yes. I work with businesses remotely and can discuss in-person involvement when appropriate for the engagement.
Yes. While industry knowledge matters, many operational challenges involve common principles: leadership, process design, resource allocation, accountability, and execution.
My approach begins with understanding how your specific business operates rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
How quickly will I see results?
That depends on the condition of your operations, the complexity of the problems, and your organization's ability to implement changes.
Some improvements can begin immediately. Others require time to design, implement, measure, and stabilize.
My focus is on meaningful improvements that last, rather than promising unrealistic overnight transformations.
Do I have to complete an assessment first?
No. We can begin with a consultation to discuss your operational needs and determine the most appropriate starting point.
An assessment may be recommended when a deeper review is needed, but it isn't automatically required before discussing a Fractional COO engagement.
Is there a long-term commitment?
No. My published Fractional COO retainer is month-to-month, with no long-term contract required.
You Don't Have to Keep Running Everything Yourself.
You've already done the hard work of building a business.
Now it's time to build the operational leadership and structure that will support its future.
If you're ready to spend less time managing problems and more time leading your company, I'd welcome the opportunity to learn about your business.
Let's talk about what's working, what's getting in the way, and what it would take to move forward.
CLIENTS
Working With the Best
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