Fractional COO support for market research and insights firms
We help PE backed and founder led teams integrate acquisitions, scale offshore delivery, and improve operational performance so delivery becomes predictable, decisions move faster, and margins improve.
- Predictable delivery, clean handoffs, fewer escalations
- Faster decisions, clear ownership, simple KPIs and cadence
- Stronger margins, cost to serve clarity, utilization targets that stick
What we do
Operator led advisory and fractional COO support, built for execution, measurable outcomes, and repeatable delivery
Who we help
Market research and insights firms that are PE backed, founder led, or publicly owned, typically $5M to $200M in revenue, navigating growth, integration, margin pressure, delivery inconsistency, or modernization
Core focus
Optiva Labs installs the operating system behind predictable delivery, clear ownership and decision rights, simple KPIs, and an operating cadence that keeps execution moving. You get a current state operating model map, a KPI pack, decision forums, and a practical 90 day plan
Best fit
- Delivery inconsistency, margin pressure, or leadership bottlenecks are slowing execution
- You are modernizing research operations, workflow automation, or data processes
- You need clear KPIs, governance, and decision rights across teams and regions
- You are scaling offshore or multi location delivery and need a repeatable operating model
- You are in the first 90 days post acquisition and integration needs to move fast
Selected outcomes from prior leadership roles in market research operations
Built around execution, measurable outcomes, and repeatable delivery.
- Scaled operations from 75 to 600 plus employees
- Integrated 7 acquisitions across the US, UK, Canada, and France
- Delivered $5M plus annual savings through offshore operations
- Built and scaled an India team from 0 to 150 plus
- Founder of thinqonline, acquired by Savanta
Operator led, built around execution and measurable outcomes.
Deep experience across research operations, delivery, programming, data workflows, and client services.
Designed for PE and founder contexts, fast priorities, clear tradeoffs, value creation tracking .
Service areas
Choose a starting point, or begin with an operations review to identify the highest return priorities.
- Operational performance transformation
- Org design and change management
- Offshore delivery design and scaling
- Post acquisition integration
- Resource planning and cost modeling
- Technology enabled transformation
How we engage
Monthly advisory retainer
Monthly advisory retainer
Monthly advisory retainer
Best for: Sponsors and leadership teams who want ongoing operating guidance and accountability
What you get:
- Monthly priorities and tradeoffs support
- KPI pack and review cadence
- Governance, decision support, escalation paths
- Issue log and unblock decisions
- Value creation tracking and monthly readout
Fractional COO support
Monthly advisory retainer
Monthly advisory retainer
Best for: Teams that need hands on operating leadership to drive execution across functions
What you get:
- Hands on operating leadership
- Operating rhythm and performance cadence
- Delivery, utilization, and margin improvement plan
- Decision rights and cross functional alignment
- Change adoption and sustainment routines
2 to 4 week business operations review
2 to 4 week business operations review
2 to 4 week business operations review
Best for: Leaders who need a clear diagnosis and a practical plan before committing to a longer engagement
What you get:
- Stakeholder interviews and data review
- Current state operating model map
- Findings, priorities, and quick wins
- 90 day action plan with owners and milestones
- Risks, dependencies, and recommended path
90 day sprint
2 to 4 week business operations review
2 to 4 week business operations review
Best for: A defined outcome, integration, offshore scaling, or an operating model reset that needs to move quickly
What you get:
- Clear scope and success metrics
- Weekly execution cadence and reporting
- Hands on delivery against milestones
- Measurable outcomes and results summary
- Handoff plan so improvements stick