The Fractional Operator

Michael Nelson

The Fractional Operator, powered by Hourglass, is the podcast for fractional executives, consultants, agency owners, and outsourced service providers looking to grow smarter. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode features candid conversations with fractional COOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and operators sharing the software, systems, processes, and lessons driving their success. Discover actionable strategies to scale a fractional practice, improve efficiency, solve operational challenges, and stay ahead in the rapidly growing fractional economy.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    How a Fractional CIO Eliminates Business Chaos | The Fractional Operator #7

    What happens when an IT company stops fixing problems and starts preventing them? In this episode of The Fractional Operator, Mike Nelson sits down with Jared Humiston, Owner & President of ADKtechs, to discuss fractional CIO leadership, proactive IT strategy, scaling without chaos, cybersecurity, and why simplifying your business can create happier employees and better customers. Whether you're a fractional executive, MSP owner, or business leader looking to grow sustainably, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on leadership, operations, and long-term business strategy. Learn more about ADKtechs and connect with Jared Humiston at adktechs.com.  00:00 Introduction to The Fractional Operator & ADKtechs 00:58 Jared's background and 21 years building ADKtechs 03:06 How the IT industry evolved from reactive to proactive service 07:06 Finding the ideal customer and saying no to bad fits 11:16 What a Virtual CIO (vCIO) actually does 13:10 Using technology to improve efficiency instead of replacing people 15:04 Why ADKtechs eliminated tiered service packages 18:08 The difficult decision to simplify the business model 21:02 Shrinking from 300 customers to 56—and growing anyway 23:37 Helping clients understand proactive value before problems happen 25:10 Building stronger customer relationships through strategic meetings 27:19 Scaling without creating operational chaos 28:13 Standardization as the key to sustainable growth 30:26 Why onboarding only two new clients each month works 32:02 Fighting chaos through systems and consistency 34:17 Jared's biggest leadership lesson after 21 years in business 37:21 Final thoughts and where to learn more Follow Michael Nelson and Learn More about Hourglass Website: hourglasssaas.com  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 #FractionalOperator #FractionalCIO #BusinessGrowth #CyberSecurity #Leadership

  2. Jul 16

    Build Better Teams with Fractional HR Leadership | The Fractional Operator #6

    What does a fractional HR leader actually do, and when does a growing business need one? In this episode, Mike Nelson sits down with Katie Tansey, Chief Human Resource Officer and Founder of HR Resolved, to discuss employee alignment, HR systems, AI, compliance, company culture, and why great HR creates better businesses—not just better policies. They also explore the realities of running a lifestyle business versus scaling a company and how AI is changing, but not replacing, fractional expertise. Learn more about Katie Tansey and HR Resolved at hrresolved.com. 00:00 Introduction to The Fractional Operator and Katie Tansey 00:40 Katie's endurance mindset and entrepreneurship 02:54 What HR Resolved does for growing businesses 06:24 Why Katie and Bill started HR Resolved 08:16 Growing the business through referrals and trust 10:11 How COVID transformed the HR industry 14:00 Becoming selective about ideal clients 15:31 Do fractional firms eventually work themselves out of a job? 19:08 What employee alignment actually means 20:26 Organizational design, job descriptions, and clarity 24:10 Defining alignment inside a company 27:15 Founder overwhelm and "vibration vs. rotation" 30:47 AI, HR technology, and the future of fractional services 35:00 Why AI increases the value of experienced fractional operators 39:45 HR Resolved's service offerings today 43:27 Lifestyle business vs. scaling a company 47:28 The emotional side of entrepreneurship and growth 52:27 Where to connect with Katie and HR Resolved Visit Hourglass SaaS at hourglasssaas.com. Connect with Mike Nelson Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 #FractionalHR #HumanResources #SmallBusiness #Leadership #FractionalOperator

  3. Jul 9

    Fractional Growth Strategies That Drive Revenue | The Fractional Operator #5

    In Episode 5 of The Fractional Operator, Mike Nelson sits down with Christopher Ryan, Supreme Commander of SIX Marketing, to discuss growth strategy, sales, AI, and what fractional leaders get wrong when scaling their businesses. Chris shares how SIX Marketing evolved from traditional marketing into a growth-focused ecosystem built to solve business problems rather than treat symptoms. They also dive into AI distractions, sales training, hunting versus farming, and practical advice for new fractional operators trying to build sustainable businesses. Learn more about SIX Marketing online at six.marketing and connect with Chris today on LinkedIn 00:00 Introduction and meeting Christopher Ryan 01:32 What SIX Marketing actually does 02:19 Building a fractional ecosystem for growth 03:31 Solving business problems instead of symptoms 05:04 The SaaS company case study and stopping churn 07:02 Why growth can create operational problems 09:34 Strategic growth versus chasing leads 10:20 AI and whether it replaces marketers 12:01 Human expertise versus AI outputs 14:44 Why SIX became a growth agency 16:19 Finding the real ideal customer profile 18:25 Revenue sharing and partnership mindset 22:24 Growth stages and knowing your strengths 24:16 The biggest challenge for new fractional operators 26:30 Learning sales and fixing weaknesses 30:20 Why content builds credibility, not leads 32:04 Hunting mindset versus farming mindset 35:44 Biggest mistakes new fractional operators make 39:28 Keeping up with AI without getting distracted 43:20 Why AI can become a business killer 47:25 How to connect with Christopher Ryan 49:00 Mike's closing thoughts and newsletter Connect with Mike and learn more about Hourglass SaaS: Website: hourglasssaas.com Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael Twitter/X: twitter.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2  Featured “Viking Music” from Claude Houde on Pixabay.

  4. Jul 2

    Year One as a Fractional HR Leader: Lisa Boucher | The Fractional Operator #4

    In Episode 4 of The Fractional Operator, Mike Nelson sits down with Lisa Boucher, Professional Coach, Speaker, Mentor, Consultant, and Founder of The HR Ninja, to discuss what the first year of building a fractional HR business actually looks like. Lisa shares lessons on networking, finding the right clients, overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, creating loyal teams, and having the hard conversations that drive growth. Whether you're a fractional executive, consultant, agency owner, or small business leader, this episode delivers practical insights on leadership and sustainable business growth. Learn more about Lisa and The HR Ninja at lisaboucher.com  0:00 Welcome to The Fractional Operator 1:11 Meet Lisa Boucher and The HR Ninja 2:03 Why Lisa became a fractional HR leader 3:10 Flexibility, travel, and creating bigger impact 5:12 Hourly vs retainer models for fractional work 7:37 Why fractional work stays exciting 9:16 Starting a business without a rigid plan 10:35 Finding the right niche and target clients 13:28 Hard conversations and leadership lessons 15:15 Building loyal employees through better communication 18:42 First-year entrepreneurial challenges and mindset 24:02 Learning sales without feeling “salesy” 28:48 Networking strategies and building relationships 37:02 Time management, systems, and creating balance 46:13 What Lisa would tell herself one year ago 48:34 Final thoughts, gratitude, and closing remarks Connect with Mike Nelson & Hourglass SaaS: Hourglass SaaS: hourglasssaas.com  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  Twitter/X: x.com/5tmichael  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2  #FractionalLeadership #FractionalHR #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #TheFractionalOperator

  5. Jun 18

    The Future of Fractional Marketing in an AI World | The Fractional Operator #3

    In this episode of The Fractional Operator, Mike Nelson sits down with Todd Bailey, Owner of Todd Bailey Photo Video & Marketing, to discuss building a successful fractional marketing business, leveraging AI, mastering sales, networking for growth, and adapting to rapid changes in marketing. Todd shares lessons from his journey from photographer and videographer to trusted fractional CMO, including pricing strategies, client relationships, and why trust is becoming more valuable than ever in the age of AI. If you're a fractional operator, consultant, marketer, or business owner looking to grow your business, this episode is packed with practical insights. Connect with Todd Bailey on social media or through his website at tbphotopix.com. Learn More about Hourglass SaaS at hourglasssaas.com  00:00 Introduction to The Fractional Operator 00:47 Why the Fractional Economy Is Growing 02:31 Todd Bailey's Background & Career Journey 04:16 Sales Leadership and Corporate Experience 05:20 Entering Marketing and Early Business Lessons 07:00 How Todd Operates as a Fractional CMO 08:43 Building Teams and Leveraging Specialists 12:00 Marketing Emergencies and Client Support 13:11 AI's Impact on Fractional Businesses 15:05 Lifestyle Business vs Building an Agency 18:26 Adapting to Rapid Changes in Marketing 21:31 Why Human Relationships Matter More Than Ever 22:13 The Value Proposition of Fractional CMOs 28:35 Sales, Networking, and Growing a Business 37:42 The Power of Pivoting and Raising Prices 46:30 AI Tools, Productivity Gains and Future Opportunities 49:36 Where to Find Todd Bailey Online Follow Mike Nelson: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2  Facebook: facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  X/Twitter: x.com/5tmichael

  6. Jun 11

    Fractional COO Secrets for Scaling Through Change | The Fractional Operator #2

    What does a Fractional COO actually do, and when should a business bring one in? In this episode of The Fractional Operator, Michael Nelson sits down with Bill Tansey Jr., Owner of The OpEx Shop, to discuss operational excellence, leading organizational change, pricing fractional services, managing scope creep, and helping companies solve complex business challenges. Bill shares lessons learned from Fortune 50 leadership roles, consulting engagements, and more than a decade of helping organizations improve performance and profitability. Whether you're a fractional executive, consultant, business owner, or operator, this conversation offers practical insights into building trust, delivering ROI, and scaling through change. Connect with Bill Tansey Jr. and learn more about The OpEx Shop at theopexshop.com. 00:00 – Introduction to The Fractional Operator & Bill Tansey 01:31 – What The OpEx Shop Does and the Fractional COO Role 03:10 – Why Companies Hire Fractional Leaders During Change 05:47 – Bill's Background: Engineering, Startups & Fortune 50 Leadership 08:08 – Learning the Danaher Business System & Lean Operations 09:12 – Transitioning into Fractional Consulting 10:11 – Two Service Models: Hourly vs Fixed-Fee Engagements 13:03 – Demonstrating ROI and Justifying Consulting Investments 15:17 – Real-World Client Example: Solving a Cost Crisis 17:19 – Defining Problems Before Solving Them 20:19 – The Multi-Phase Fractional Engagement Process 21:07 – Building Trust During the Sales Cycle 24:09 – Managing Scope Creep in Fractional Work 30:23 – Client Relationship Management Lessons Learned 32:49 – Advice for New Fractional Operators & Finding Success 36:15 – Pricing Fractional Services and Choosing the Right Clients 38:58 – How to Connect with Bill Tansey & Closing Thoughts Hourglass SaaS: https://hourglasssaas.com/ Follow Michael Nelson: Facebook: https://facebook.com/michael.rgh.nelson Instagram: https://instagram.com/5tmichael X: https://x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2 #FractionalOperator #FractionalCOO #BusinessOperations #OperationalExcellence #FractionalLeadership

  7. Jun 4

    The Fractional Workforce is Booming: What's Next? | The Fractional Operator #1

    Welcome to the first episode of The Fractional Operator, a knowledge-share podcast built specifically for the fast-growing community of outsourced professionals. Host Mike Nelson introduces the show's mission to help COOs, CTOs, CFOs, and agency owners scale their operations and overcome industry challenges through peer-to-peer conversations. Whether you are focused on a growth play or optimizing a lifestyle business, this show provides the tools and software insights you need to get more done while working less. Discover more episodes, subscribe to our companion newsletter, and learn about the first operations platform designed for this community at hourglasssaas.com. 0:02 - Introduction to the podcast and Hourglass SaaS 0:53 - The explosion of the fractional industry and the need for a community space 1:54 - What to expect from future peer-to-peer knowledge sharing episodes 2:43 - Supporting both growth-focused scaling and efficiency for lifestyle businesses 3:24 - Release schedule, newsletter details, and finding the episode archive Connect with host Mike Nelson on social media using the links below to join the conversation. Facebook: facebook.com/Michael.RGH.Nelson/  Instagram: instagram.com/5tmichael  X: x.com/5tmichael LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnelson2/

  • 7 Episodes

About

The Fractional Operator, powered by Hourglass, is the podcast for fractional executives, consultants, agency owners, and outsourced service providers looking to grow smarter. Hosted by Mike Nelson, each episode features candid conversations with fractional COOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, and operators sharing the software, systems, processes, and lessons driving their success. Discover actionable strategies to scale a fractional practice, improve efficiency, solve operational challenges, and stay ahead in the rapidly growing fractional economy.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Nelson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Nelson
  • Show Website
    The Fractional Operator