Founder 100 Magazine Cover Feature

We know you are all excited about this exclusive interview with Kevin Wheeler, a highly accomplished Fractional COO with extensive experience in driving business growth and operational excellence. As an influential figure in the business world, Wheeler has earned a stellar reputation for his ability to optimize company operations and drive revenue growth across diverse industries. With a career spanning over two decades, Wheeler has consistently delivered exceptional results for companies of all sizes, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 organizations. In this interview, we will delve into Wheeler's expertise, exploring the key strategies and approaches he has employed to successfully lead teams and implement transformative changes within organizations.

Wheeler's background is nothing short of remarkable. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from a prestigious university, he quickly rose through the ranks at his first job, demonstrating an innate talent for identifying inefficiencies and streamlining operations. Over time, he developed a deep passion for operations management, recognizing the immense impact that an optimized operational framework can have on a company's success. This led him to pursue an MBA in Operations Management, further cementing his expertise in this field.What sets Wheeler apart from others in his field is his unrivaled ability to understand an organization's unique challenges and devise customized solutions to address them. He has a keen eye for identifying areas where improvements can be made and excels at developing comprehensive operational strategies that align with the company's objectives. Wheeler's approach combines a meticulous attention to detail with a strong focus on collaboration, empowering teams to enact tangible changes while maintaining a high level of engagement and morale.

As a Fractional COO, Wheeler has successfully guided numerous companies through periods of growth and transformation. Leveraging his expertise, he has enabled organizations to streamline their processes, reduce costs, and increase productivity. His wide range of experience includes leading teams in areas such as supply chain management, business development, strategic planning, and project management. Wheeler's comprehensive skill set, combined with his natural leadership abilities, have consistently delivered incredible results for the companies he has worked with.

In this interview, we will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into Wheeler's strategies for success, his thoughts on the evolving role of a COO in today's business landscape, and his advice for aspiring business leaders. Join us as we dive deep into the mind of Kevin Wheeler and explore the keys to his remarkable achievements in the world of operations management.

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1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience as a fractional COO?

I began Simplified COO in 2015. After 15 years in the large dental organization industry, I made the decision to position myself to assist small dental groups in their growth towards becoming larger dental groups. During this financially sensitive period, many business owners are unable to afford a Chief Operations Officer, despite desperately needing guidance. Therefore, I decided to offer my experience at an affordable cost by serving as a fractional COO, leading their teams. This provided a level of service that was not readily available in the industry. Since then, I have also expanded into the restaurant and hospitality industries.

2. What led you to start Simplified COO and what sets it apart from other consulting firms? 

My goal was to help small, visionary business owners grow their dream companies organically, through acquisitions or as start-ups. I've worn a few different leadership hats in my career: educator, firefighter, and dental business executive. This has blessed me with incorporating many unique ways to look at success.

3. Can you explain the five principles you follow to be a successful consultant?

Expertise:A successful consultant should have deep expertise and knowledge in their specific domain. This allows them to provide valuable insights, offer practical solutions, and guide their clients effectively.Communication:Effective communication is crucial for a consultant. They should be able to listen actively to their clients, understand their needs, and clearly articulate their ideas and recommendations. Strong communication skills help build trust and foster productive working relationships.Adaptability:Consultants often face unique challenges and changing environments. Being adaptable allows them to adjust their approach, strategies, and recommendations based on the specific needs of each client and the evolving circumstances they encounter.Problem-solving:Successful consultants are skilled problem solvers. They have the ability to analyze complex situations, identify root causes, and develop innovative solutions. They approach challenges with a structured and analytical mindset, helping clients overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.Integrity:Maintaining high ethical standards is essential for a consultant's success. They should prioritize honesty, transparency, and confidentiality in their interactions with clients. Acting with integrity builds credibility and fosters long-term client relationships.These principles collectively contribute to the success of a consultant by enabling them to provide valuable insights, deliver exceptional results, and establish a strong professional reputation.

4. How do you ensure you thoroughly understand the challenges and goals of a business before providing your recommendations?

When I bring on a new client, I require a business site visit, access to the year-to-date financials, and access to their key performance indicators or metrics. If possible, I request the ability to review the reporting in the management software. This allows me to see the full scope of the business's opportunities and identify any low-hanging fruit that can have an immediate positive impact.

5. Can you give us an example of a time when understanding a problem that the business owner wasn't aware of led to valuable insights and solutions?Frequently, as a business owner, what we think is our main problem is often not the most important opportunity to address. Most recently, I had a business owner ask me for help to acquire more customers because the customers he did have were not purchasing his services. I found that the business owner's operational processes were the issue, and his team was not trained to execute sales. I immediately put together the processes in written form and trained the sales team to execute the plan.

6. How do you approach communication with business owners at different levels of the organization to ensure alignment and understanding?

The key to effective communication is to ensure that all types of communication are being utilized. Just like in training, you need to identify the communication style and preference of the trainees. I start by having one-on-one connection meetings, where I look for the specific things that make the leader feel motivated and understood. Then, we come up with an agreed meeting format and establish an accountability rhythm. Lastly, I provide a verbal and written follow-up to confirm everything discussed. The business owner must be fully engaged in order for any new business objective to be successfully implemented.

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7. How important is data-driven decision-making in your consulting engagements? Can you give us an example of a project where data analysis played a crucial role in your recommendations? 

I rely heavily on metrics and data analytics to make informed decisions. The numbers don't lie, and they provide 85% of the complete picture of any possible opportunity. That being said, you need the other 15%, and that is why I also lean on site visits so I can meet team members and learn how their leaders communicate and train them. I was working with a team that felt their patient base had no money to start proposed dental treatment. When I looked at the metrics, I found that their treatment close rate was very low at 10%. They only utilized 3% of their third-party financing to close treatment. This showed that we never really got to have the conversation on whether the patients could afford treatment or not. This is where the new training started.

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8. How do you stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices? How do you incorporate this knowledge into your consulting approach?

It is important to stay engaged with colleagues in your industry. This is the fastest way to stay current with trends and technological changes. Best practices are something I'm always working on myself. I like to put my own spin on industry best practices. I hold monthly meetings with each of my clients where we specifically focus only on trends and best practices. I call them Red Carpet meetings.

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9. Can you share an example of how you've adapted your approach to meet the changing needs of a business and its environment? What was the outcome of this adaptation?Adapting to the circumstances of both current events and the evolving needs of your clients is of key importance. Staying fluid with your clients' needs and not just your subject matter expert agenda is imperative if you want to retain clients. In June, I held leadership courses for the operations managers of a large dental group when it became obvious that we did not have the right leaders in the right positions. That night, I requested a dinner meeting with the owners and presented new recommendations for a restructure. The following day, we met with the operational leaders and realigned them with the company's mission and vision. This resulted in team members assuming new roles and me shifting into full-time recruitment mode. I identified new leaders and implemented a leadership development plan for them. As of August, the retention rate is at 90%, and the new leaders are contributing to the company's growth. Topline revenue has increased by 30%, and the business is now experiencing positive growth trends.

Our Final Thoughts: 

In conclusion, the interview with Kevin Wheeler, fractional COO, shed light on the importance of adaptability and resilience in today's constantly evolving business landscape. Wheeler's insights into the challenges faced by organizations, coupled with his practical advice and personal anecdotes, provided valuable takeaways for aspiring leaders. His emphasis on cultivating strong relationships, embracing change, and focusing on continuous learning resonated with audiences and reinforced the need for agile leadership. Wheeler's expertise and success in driving operational excellence further underscored the significant contributions that fractional COOs can make in achieving organizational goals. Overall, this interview has provided invaluable insights on the critical role of fractional COOs in navigating business complexities and delivering sustainable growth.