Fractional COO & Operations Consulting Services for SMBs
At Markinly, we help small and midsize businesses get organised, run efficiently and grow sustainably. Two clear pathways — embedded fractional COO leadership, or weekly advisory consulting — powered by the same core areas that cover your operations from strategy to day-to-day execution.
Two clear pathways. One joined-up method.
Embedded — Gideon works inside your business as your fractional COO. Advisory — a structured weekly consulting rhythm alongside you. Both draw on the same core areas; open either card to see exactly what's inside.
Fractional COO Leadership
Gideon embeds within your business as your part-time COO — leading operations day to day, building the systems, and staying until they run without him.
Learn more — what an embedded engagement includes
Gideon takes ownership of the operational load: leading your operating rhythm, resolving bottlenecks in the room, and building the systems with your team rather than handing over a report. Engagements start with the Free Ops Diagnostic, move through a prioritised roadmap, and end with a full handover once the systems run without him.
Draws most heavily on
All core areas → — every engagement can draw on any of them.
Best next step: the 2-minute Operations Health Score — scores of 18 or below (out of 30) are the classic embedded profile.
Business Operations Consulting
A structured weekly advisory relationship. Gideon works alongside you in a consistent rhythm — identifying challenges, building strategic clarity, and making sure decisions turn into measurable operational improvement.
Learn more — what the advisory rhythm includes
A fixed weekly session with a standing agenda: last week's commitments, this week's constraint, and one system improved every single week. Between sessions you get async access for the decisions that can't wait. If you run on EOS® or a similar operating framework, the rhythm slots straight into your Level 10 and quarterly cadence.
Draws most heavily on
Includes
All core areas → — every engagement can draw on any of them.
Best next step: read how CEOs across industries use the advisory model, or take the 2-minute assessment.
Which model fits your business?
| EmbeddedFractional COO Leadership | AdvisoryBusiness Operations Consulting | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Growth throttled by operations; systems need building | Clear thinking needed; execution capacity already exists |
| Typical business size | £3M–£20M turnover, 20+ people | Any size — owner-led decision making |
| Time commitment | 1–3 days per week, embedded | 60 minutes weekly + follow-through |
| Engagement length | 3–12 months | Rolling, reviewed quarterly |
| Who does the work | Gideon works alongside your team | Your team executes; Gideon guides |
| What you get | Installed systems: SOPs, dashboards, operating rhythm | Clarity, prioritisation and accountability |
| Typical results | A business that runs without founder dependence | 3–5 hours reclaimed weekly; faster decisions |
| Starts with | Free 60-minute Ops Diagnostic | Free 60-minute Ops Diagnostic |
One operator. One joined-up business.
All nine, in one place. Every engagement draws on the same core areas — combined and sequenced around your biggest constraints. Each links onward to the free resources and case studies that show it working.
Three ways to work on the business, not just in it
Consulting elements that run alongside the core areas — for CEOs who want the thinking, the system and the leadership capability without an embedded COO.
Operational Consulting
Diagnose where your operation leaks time, margin, and management attention, then get a prioritised plan you can act on. We find the few fixes that move the numbers and sequence them realistically for your team.
Read moreBlended Operating System Implementation
Draws on EOS-style principles (vision, accountability, meeting rhythm, scorecards) and combines them with other proven frameworks, shaped around how your business actually runs. You get one cohesive system without a rigid, off-the-shelf model.
Read moreTraining & Leadership
I coach CEOs and leadership teams on running the system: owning their numbers, running effective meetings, and holding people accountable. The goal is a team that leads the operation without needing me in the room.
Read moreNine of nine core areas shown — the detail on each follows below.
Fractional COO Leadership
Executive-level operations leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. As your fractional COO, Markinly provides strategic oversight, day-to-day operational guidance and practical support to align your team, eliminate bottlenecks and drive your business forward.
Process Optimisation & Efficiency Systems
We specialise in business process optimisation and operational efficiency systems that eliminate bottlenecks and streamline workflows. By auditing your current processes and implementing proven systems, we help you reduce costs, save time and boost productivity across every department.
Strategic Operations Planning
Strategic operations planning aligns your business goals with day-to-day execution. We create data-driven, actionable plans to optimise resources, improve workflows and position your company for scalable, long-term growth.
Team Leadership & Project Execution Systems
Through hands-on team leadership and management, we help your staff work at peak performance. From setting clear KPIs to building collaboration and accountability, we ensure your people are aligned, motivated and driving measurable results.
SOP Development & Systems
We design and implement Standard Operating Procedures and supporting systems that ensure operational consistency, quality control and scalability. Our SOP frameworks help businesses work smarter, reduce errors and improve team productivity.
Operations Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting
Ongoing operations monitoring with detailed analysis and performance reporting. By tracking KPIs and operational metrics, we help you make informed, data-backed decisions to continually optimise business performance.
Onboarding & Training
Employee onboarding and training programmes that set new hires up for success from day one — plus ongoing skills development that keeps your team aligned, efficient and ready to meet evolving business needs.
Culture & Communication
We strengthen company culture and accountability by building a high-performance environment rooted in trust, ownership and measurable outcomes — driving both employee satisfaction and consistent operational success.
Automations & AI Integrations
We identify high-impact opportunities for business process automation and AI-powered solutions to reduce manual work, cut costs and accelerate output. From CRM automations to AI workflow integrations, we ensure your technology works harder for you.
How a typical engagement unfolds
Five connected stages. Each one hands over to the next, and the last one hands the business back to your team.
Diagnose
The free Ops Diagnostic maps your biggest constraints
Design
Tailored roadmap, priorities and measurable KPIs
Deliver
Hands-on implementation alongside your team
Embed
Systems, SOPs and culture that hold after we stop
Hand over
Your team runs it — without dependence on us
Insights on how we work
InsightThe Operations Leader You Need Before You Can Justify the Salary
A fractional COO gives CEOs executive-level operational leadership embedded in the business, without the cost of a full-time hire. Here is how it works,…
InsightWhy Every CEO Needs a Weekly Operational Rhythm (and a Partner to Keep It)
A structured weekly advisory rhythm gives CEOs a trusted operational partner. Learn what it looks like, what it fixes, and how to tell if…
InsightAI and Automation That Supercharge Your Team, Not Replace It
Practical automation and AI integrations can cut manual work and make your systems work harder, while keeping people at the centre. A balanced guide…
Ready to strengthen your business operations?
Let's talk about which capabilities will make the biggest impact right now.