Helping Small Business Owners
Get Their Life Back!
Fractional Executive Solutions provides the experience and knowledge of a high powered operations professional for a fraction of the cost!
Meet David Baughman
"I help you get your life back"!
That's my pitch to a small business owner. One of the hazards of owning your business is trying to do everything yourself.
There are aspects of working on your business that are fun and exciting such as business development, exploring new markets and products as well and creating strategy. But what is not fun is making things happen to get the product or service “out the door”. The little things that have to be done can be hard. Like Operations management.
What you need is an experienced leader who enjoys doing those things. But you can't afford the cost of that leader. That’s where I can help you “get your life back”!
As a career operations executive who has led multiple operational turnarounds, I have seen so many different examples of chaos and poor performance by operations teams that nothing really stumps me. And usually, it is not the fault of the people or management. More often than not, it is systematic and process issues that holds teams back. I have seen it in many small companies and organizations. What some see as an impossible task, I see as an opportunity to have fun!
As a career operations executive who has led multiple operational turnarounds, I have seen so many different examples of chaos and poor performance by operations teams that nothing really stumps me. And usually, it is not the fault of the people or management. More often than not, it is systematic and process issues that holds teams back. I have seen it in many small companies and organizations. What some see as an impossible task, I see as an opportunity to have fun!
As a Fractional COO or Integrator, I can see what the owner may not. What is perplexing to them is an “ I got a process for that” moment for me. Because I have led organizations in both public and private companies, big and small across so many markets, I usually have a solution to most operational challenges. What I do is collaborate with the team to develop their skills and processes while creating a culture of accountability. By engaging with the owner and each manager weekly , I can get to the heart of the matter and provide immediate experienced leadership. All of this usually in one day per week. Coaching, teaching, mentoring and encouraging with my sleeves rolled up and helping do the work.
What I provide is solid experience: at a "fraction of the cost". So, you, the owner, can go to your child’s ballgame or dance recital.
WHAT I DO
Fractional COO
David is an accomplished Fractional COO who quickly evaluates and establishes an orderly process to ensure your operations run smoothly to allow you to do what you do best: grow your company. David provides leadership and guidance to your team to allow them to understand what it takes to provide “operational excellence” daily. With his extensive experience leading organizations across multiple markets, there are no operational challenges that David cannot help guide you and your team to accomplish your short- and long-term goals while developing and enhancing team health and execution.
Executive Coaching
There are numerous leadership coaches to choose from that work with CEOs and owners. At Fractional Executive Solutions, we offer leadership coaching for your team to ensure smooth delivery of your products or services to your customers as well as enhancing your bottom line. If you are an owner or CEO and you have an incumbent in the role of Manager, Director or even COO, we work with them exclusively to learn how to be a “pro,” while becoming a trusted advisor to you. We provide a structured and documented program that is created with your guidance and input to create goals, and skill sets to improve overall executive and leadership performance. Regular feedback is provided to you so you can see the development of your team as they start to leverage their newfound skills and help your your business thrive.
Emerging Leadership
There are numerous leadership coaches to choose from who work with CEOs and owners. At Fractional Executive Solutions, we offer Emerging Leadership Coaching for those who are about to embark on their first role as a manager or leader. For many, the first leadership role is hard because they must learn to be accountable for the performance of others as well as themselves while learning how to provide direction and guidance to a team. From learning how to manage through time constraints, difficult and often new challenges, or conducting “difficult” conversations, we help them learn the skills required to lead, manage, and hold others accountable. All in a structured process that includes a lesson plan and homework. Your new leader will appreciate the knowledge and the opportunity that they are provided to get a “head start” on their management career.
WHO I REPRESENT
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Andy Vawter, MPS Acoustics
“Working with Dave Baughman from Fractional Executive Solutions has been a tremendous benefit to our organization. He has helped us with process flow, hiring, quality improvement, material procurement, cost reductions, and many other areas. Our business is much healthier and efficient due to the improvements implemented by Fractional Executive Solutions.”
Brody Hulin, Cypress Fabrication
“Our Cypress Team hired David and Fractional Executive Solutions to be our fractional COO as well as a mentor our new Operations Manager. David quickly established a great bond with our leadership team as well as providing a structured presence within our company. David has provided steady counsel for myself and allowed me to spend more time building our business as he quickly took responsibility for our operational performance. David is an extremely knowledgeable operations executive that combined extensive leadership experience along with Lean Manufacturing skills to help us take the next step in operational excellence journey. He also has become part of the Cypress Family!”
EXPERTISE
Learning How to be a Leader!
You just got promoted to a managerial role for the first time. Congratulations! Now what do you do? Transitioning into a management role for the first time is a significant step in a person's career. What do you focus on and what do you not know? For many, plenty! Here are a few categories to understand and learn as you develop into your new role.
1. Fundamental Management Skills
• Clear Communication: This is the most critical aspect of your new role. You need to learn how to:
o Delegate effectively: Provide clear instructions, set expectations, and provide necessary resources while avoiding micromanaging.
o Provide constructive feedback: Both positive and negative feedback should be specific, actionable, and focused on improvement.
o Active listening: Truly hearing and understanding their team's concerns, ideas, and perspectives.
o Run effective meetings: Define clear objectives, create agendas, and ensure meetings stay on track and productive.
• Planning and Organization:
o Setting goals: Help the team understand and work towards departmental and organizational objectives. Using KPI or metrics will help.
o Prioritization: Guide the team to focus on the most important tasks and manage their time effectively.
o Resource allocation: Learn to distribute workloads and resources fairly and efficiently.
• Decision-Making:
o Problem-solving: Equip them with frameworks to identify, analyze, and solve problems effectively.
o Critical thinking: Encourage them to evaluate situations objectively, consider different perspectives, and make informed decisions.
o Risk assessment: Help them understand how to identify and evaluate potential risks associated with decisions.
2. Leading and Motivating a Team
• Building Relationships:
o Trust and rapport: Emphasize the importance of building trust and positive relationships with team members.
o Teamwork and collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and supported.
o Emotional intelligence: Develop their self-awareness, empathy, and ability to understand and manage emotions (both their own and their team's). Develop yours as well.
• Motivation and Engagement:
o Recognition and appreciation: Show them how to acknowledge and reward good work and effort. But do not make it a regularly scheduled process- be spontaneous.
o Empowerment: Delegate responsibility and encourage team members to take ownership of their work.
o Creating a positive work environment: Promote a culture of respect and open communication.
3. Developing People
• Performance Management:
o Setting clear expectations: Ensure team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards.
o Providing regular feedback: Offer ongoing feedback and coaching to support team members' growth and development.
• Mentoring and Coaching:
o Supporting career development: Help team members identify their strengths, areas for growth, and career goals.
o Providing guidance and advice: Offer support and mentorship to help team members navigate challenges and achieve their potential.
Important Note: First-time managers need ongoing support and development. Regular check-ins, feedback, and opportunities for continuous learning are crucial for their success. Ask your manager for guidance, coaching, and advice. Don’t ask them to make your decisions for you; ask for feedback. And listen. Learning these three modules is critical for your development. Good luck!
GET IN TOUCH
Savannah, GA 31405 | (682) 514-9073
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