Should I Hire An Operational Efficiency Expert?
- Susan Goebel
- May 15
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
In today’s business landscape, operational inefficiency quietly drains profits, saps team morale, and slows growth. That’s where an Operational Efficiency Advisor comes in. They don’t just streamline processes—they unlock margin, momentum, and strategic clarity.
TL;DR:
An Operational Efficiency Advisor helps businesses reclaim time, reduce waste, and increase profitability by identifying bottlenecks, optimizing processes, and improving cross-team execution. They're not just consultants—they’re strategic operators focused on creating measurable outcomes like higher margins, better decision-making, and less chaos.
What exactly does an Operational Efficiency Advisor do?
An Operational Efficiency Advisor focuses on improving how a business functions behind the scenes. Their core job is to remove friction from workflows, ensure teams execute effectively, and align operational practices with business goals. Unlike general consultants, they stay close to execution and help implement changes, not just suggest them.
They typically:
Audit internal processes for inefficiencies
Redesign workflows and SOPs
Establish or refine key performance indicators (KPIs)
Support leadership in driving execution
“An advisor isn’t there to theorize. They’re there to make execution easier, faster, and more profitable.”
Common Advisor Activities
Activity | Purpose | Outcome |
Process Mapping | Identify bottlenecks | Increased clarity |
Workflow Redesign | Eliminate duplication | Time savings |
KPI Creation | Track performance | Better decisions |
Leadership Support | Drive accountability | Stronger execution |
📘 Explore more in How to Fix Operational Bottlenecks
What are the differences between a Strategic Advisor, Fractional COO, and Business Coach?
A Strategic Advisor helps you set direction and execution strategy. A Fractional COO implements systems. A Coach helps the leader grow.
Role | Focus | Best Time to Hire |
Strategic Advisor | Aligns vision with strategy + execution | Scaling or repositioning |
Fractional COO | Manages operations, builds systems | During day-to-day chaos |
Coach | Develops leadership mindset | Ongoing personal growth |
“You’re thinking of hiring a leader—but have you considered whether your systems are built to support one?”
📘 Related: What does an Operational Efficiency Expert Do?
How does an advisor benefit your business?
Working with an Operational Efficiency Advisor brings tangible business benefits:
Improved profit margins by reducing waste and inefficiency
Time savings for CEOs and leadership teams
Cleaner data for faster decision-making
Less employee burnout due to better resource allocation
“Efficiency isn’t just about speed. It’s about clarity, consistency, and freeing leaders to lead.”
What metrics do Operational Advisors track (and why do they matter)?
Key metrics include:
Operating margin improvements
Cycle/lead time reductions
Percentage of documented processes
Weekly scorecards for real-time insights
“We look at margins, time cycles, and delivery consistency. You need leading indicators—not just end-of-month reports.”
Sample Metrics Before & After
Metric | Before | After |
Operating Margin | 12% | 24% |
Client Turnaround Time | 3 weeks | 1.8 weeks |
Documented SOPs | 25% | 85% |
📘 Related: How to Scale Your Business for Success
What do operational bottlenecks actually look like in 7- and 8-figure businesses?
They sneak in as handoff issues, duplicate tools, or over-reliance on one person (often the CEO).
“Turns out we weren’t inefficient—we were over-relying on me.”
Mini Framework: People, Process, Tech
Type | Symptom | Fix |
People | Missed deadlines, burnout | Clear accountability chart |
Process | Inconsistent delivery | SOPs + documented workflows |
Tech | Bloated stack, rework | Tech stack audit + simplification |
When is the right time to bring in strategic help?
“If you’re losing sleep over delivery issues, you’re already late.”
Checklist: Signs You’re Ready
Profit margin shrinking while revenue grows
Team waiting on your decisions
You’re stuck in operations daily
“We’ve always done it this way” mindset
📘 More: When to Bring in Strategic Help
What does success look like? A real-world snapshot
A 7-figure marketing agency was losing 15% of profit due to inefficiencies in onboarding. After working with an Operational Efficiency Advisor:
Operating margin improved by 12%
Client turnaround time dropped by 40%
CEO cut their delivery time by 50%
“I was stuck in the weeds. Now I have a team that runs like a machine—and I can finally think long term.”
Why does operational efficiency give you a competitive edge?
When your operations run smoothly, your leadership team gets to lead, not chase chaos. An Operational Efficiency Advisor helps you shift from reactive to strategic—giving you the breathing room to scale with confidence.
FAQ
Q: What does an Operational Efficiency Advisor do?
A: They help businesses improve profit margins, reduce waste, and streamline operations by optimizing how teams and systems function.
Q: How is an advisor different from a coach or COO?
A: Advisors focus on strategy and execution alignment. Coaches work on leadership skills. COOs implement and manage day-to-day systems.
Q: When should I bring in outside strategic help?
A: When growth is creating chaos, margins are flat, or the founder is stuck in operations—it’s time to bring in outside help.
About the Author
Susan Goebel is a Strategic Advisor and founder of Scaling Management Consulting Group, where she helps 7- and 8-figure businesses fix operational bottlenecks, build resilient teams, and boost margins. With decades of experience and a reputation for results-driven clarity, she’s the partner leaders call when scaling feels stuck.
📘 Learn more at scalinggrp.com
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