Management & Execution puts an experienced operator in charge of an agreed initiative: I lead the plan into action and coordinate the people and work needed to deliver it.
Who is it for?
Owners and leadership teams with a plan and no one senior enough, or free enough, to run it. It suits founder-led and family-owned companies in a period of growth, and investor-backed companies with an initiative that has to land.
When does it fit?
- "Growth has outrun our systems, structure or leadership team."
- "We're opening a new location, launching a channel or product line, or integrating an acquisition, and need someone to lead it."
- "We're facing a regulatory change that touches every part of the operation."
- "A part of the business is struggling and needs to be stabilized and rebuilt."
What's included?
I take responsibility for the initiative within an agreed authority, and lead the team that delivers it. Depending on the engagement, that includes:
- A 90-day or 12-month operating plan, with owners and milestones
- An org chart and role definitions, and help recruiting where there are gaps
- A KPI scorecard, dashboard and review cadence
- A budget and forecast for the initiative
- SOPs and workflows so the work holds up after I've gone
- A go-to-market or channel plan where the initiative is commercial
- Regular reporting to the owner or board
Formats and typical length
- Operating Partner / Implementation: embedded leadership of the initiative, typically 6 to 12 months.
- Performance or transaction fees: for select engagements, part of the fee can be tied to agreed results or to a transaction, by separate written agreement.
If the role is really an executive seat, see Fractional Executive or Interim Executive Leadership. Every engagement is scoped and priced in writing after a first conversation.
Who does the work?
I lead the initiative personally. The M2 Ventures team can add hands-on capacity under my direction, and I review everything it delivers. All engagements are contracted and billed through M2 Ventures.
How does an engagement start?
- You send a short note about the business and what you need.
- I reply within two business days, with times for a call.
- We talk for 30 minutes, at no cost, about whether and how I can help.
- If it's a fit, I send a written scope and proposal, including the authority I'll have and how we'll measure progress.
Relevant experience
- Served as sole executive officer of a 100+ person, multi-site manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer, carrying the CEO, COO, CFO and CMO remits at once.
- Acquired a distressed distributor, stabilized it within six months and expanded it from one hub to three.
- Developed, launched and scaled three house brands, and opened a company's third retail location.
- Repositioned a multi-state brand and led it through a completed exit.
See it in practice: Professionalizing a founder-led manufacturer and retailer and Turning around a distressed distributor.
Frequently asked questions
What is an operating partner, and when should a company hire one?
An operating partner is an experienced operator who leads a specific initiative inside a company, with real authority, until it's delivered. Companies bring one in when a plan matters too much to leave to a stretched team, such as a new location, a channel launch, an integration or a turnaround.
How is this different from a fractional or interim executive?
Management & Execution is tied to an initiative; fractional and interim roles are tied to a seat. If you need someone to run a project, this is the service. If you need someone to hold the COO or CEO role, see Fractional Executive or Interim Executive Leadership.
How long do these engagements last?
Typically 6 to 12 months, depending on the initiative. The written scope sets the milestones and what "done" looks like.
How are these engagements priced?
They're priced monthly, based on scope, time commitment and the level of responsibility I take on, and agreed in writing before work begins.
What happens when the engagement ends?
The work is built to outlast me: documented procedures, a review rhythm and leaders who own the results. I hand over to your team with a clear plan for what comes next.
Ready to talk? Discuss an Engagement
What clients and colleagues say
“Led by Matthew, a very seasoned operator, his team helped us with distribution. Within six months we turned the corner. His ability to find the holes quickly, plug them and keep improving let me keep almost 20 employees on the payroll and keep serving almost 8 brands.”
“Matthew leads with business intelligence, not hype. He helps leaders across the supply chain find opportunities for positive change, execute, and reach stability while keeping the long-term goal in view.”