Working On the Business and In It — Why a Fractional COO Is More Than a Consultant
The Consultant Trap
Many law firm owners hire coaches or consultants when they realize the business side of the firm needs work. These experts provide guidance, ask probing questions, and help you see blind spots.
But here’s the problem: most consultants stop at advice. They hand you a playbook… and then leave you to implement it.
In a law firm already stretched thin, that often means the plan never gets off the page.
The COO Difference: Strategy and Execution
A fractional COO isn’t just an advisor. They’re an operator.
That means:
On the business: clarifying vision, setting goals, building strategies, and designing the right systems.
In the business: rolling up sleeves to implement those systems, create SOPs, manage projects, hold teams accountable, and make sure things actually get done.
Think of it this way: a consultant tells you what to build. A COO helps you build it — and makes sure it works.
Why This Matters for Law Firms
Law firms are unique businesses. Partners wear multiple hats, staff juggle client work with operations, and leadership often spends more time reacting than planning.
In this environment, advice without execution is useless. The value of a COO is bridging that gap: ensuring that vision becomes traction.
Examples:
Consultant says: “You need better intake.”
COO says: “Here’s the SOP, the tech, the metrics — and I’ll oversee rollout.”Consultant says: “You should track KPIs.”
COO says: “I’ll build the dashboard, pick the right KPIs, and install a reporting rhythm.”Consultant says: “Your org chart isn’t clear.”
COO says: “I’ll draft it, align leaders, and make sure the team understands it.”
The Double Benefit of a Fractional COO
Strategic Advisor. You still get the high-level guidance and thought partnership you’d expect from a coach or consultant.
Hands-On Integrator. You also get someone who drives execution — and stays accountable with you until the work is complete.
This combination is rare, and it’s why firms who bring in fractional COOs often see results much faster than firms who rely only on outside consultants.
The Bottom Line
You don’t just need more advice. You need traction. A fractional COO delivers both — the brainpower to set the right strategy and the muscle to make it happen.
At ING Collaborations, I’ve spent years not just advising law firms but also implementing change alongside them. If you’re tired of plans collecting dust, let’s make them real.