12 Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring an Operations Consultant: How to Choose the Right Operational Support for Business Growth

Aveline Elfar
May 20
4 min read

Is your business truly scalable—or does it still depend on you for everything? As a Fractional COO and consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how the right operational support can transform a company. But I’ve also seen the costly mistakes CEOs make when hiring the wrong operations consultant or strategist.

Below are the top red flags to watch for when hiring operational support, backed by industry statistics, real-world examples, and lessons from AE&Co’s results-driven approach.

1. Not Solution-Oriented

Red Flag: They focus more on discussing problems than finding solutions.

Why It Matters: Companies with highly solution-oriented teams are 2x more likely to achieve their strategic goals (McKinsey). If your operations consultant spends more time analyzing issues than brainstorming actionable fixes, you’ll stay stuck.

Case Example: At AE&Co, a client was bogged down by endless meetings about workflow bottlenecks. By shifting to our solution-focused approach, we reduced CEO workload by 70% and implemented automated systems that freed up the entire team.

2. Not Tech Adept

Red Flag: They struggle with or avoid technology and automation tools.

Why It Matters: 60% of entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by technology (Forbes), yet businesses that implement automation see up to an 80% boost in productivity. If your strategist isn’t tech-savvy, you’re missing out on efficiency gains and risk falling behind competitors.

AE&Co Difference: We integrate the latest AI and automation tools, ensuring your business stays ahead of the curve.

3. Glorified Project Managers vs. True Strategists

Red Flag: They only manage tasks and timelines, without delivering strategic insight or big-picture thinking.

Why It Matters: Project management is crucial, but operations strategy is about aligning every process with your long-term vision. Companies with strategic operations leadership grow revenues 30% faster (Gallup).

4. Lack of Holistic Perspective

Red Flag: They don’t look at your organization as a whole or ensure alignment between operations, team, and long-term goals.

Why It Matters: Siloed thinking leads to inefficiency. 78% of failed business transformations are due to lack of cross-functional alignment (Harvard Business Review).

AE&Co Approach: Our Simply Scalable Framework ensures every system, process, and team member is aligned with your business goals.

5. Not Resourceful

Red Flag: They aren’t proactive in finding creative solutions or leveraging available resources.

Why It Matters: Resourcefulness is a top trait of high-performing operations leaders. We’ve helped clients reduce operational costs by automating 40-50% of tasks—often with tools they already had but weren’t using to their full potential.

6. One-Size-Fits-All Implementation

Red Flag: They don’t consider your unique learning style or how you function as a CEO.

Why It Matters: The best operational support customizes processes to fit your leadership style. Cookie-cutter solutions often fail to stick, leading to wasted time and money.

7. Not Leveraging AI and Latest Tech

Red Flag: They aren’t implementing the newest AI functions or automations throughout your business.

Why It Matters: Businesses that adopt AI see 20-25% improvements in operational efficiency (Deloitte). At AE&Co, we actively deploy AI-powered tools to streamline your operations and keep you competitive.

8. Lack of Integrity

Red Flag: They’re only focused on getting paid, not on delivering real value.

Why It Matters: Trust is everything. Look for partners who prioritize your success and operate with transparency and integrity.

9. Over-Complicating Systems

Red Flag: They make your systems more complex than necessary.

Why It Matters: Simplicity scales. Overly complex processes slow your team down. Our case studies show that streamlined workflows not only boost productivity but also improve client retention.

10. Only Focus on CEO Productivity

Red Flag: They ignore your team’s productivity and only optimize for you.

Why It Matters: Sustainable business growth depends on empowering the whole team. Companies that invest in team-wide productivity see 21% higher profitability (Gallup).

11. Poor Communication Structure

Red Flag: There’s no clear organization chart or defined communication flow.

Why It Matters: 86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication as a primary cause of workplace failures (Salesforce). Without structured communication, even the best strategies can fall apart.

AE&Co Difference: We implement straightforward organization charts and communication protocols, so everyone knows who to go to and when—eliminating confusion and speeding up execution.

12. Lack of Process Documentation

Red Flag: They don’t prioritize documenting your business processes or SOPs.

Why It Matters: Businesses with documented processes are 50% more likely to scale successfully (Process Street). Without clear SOPs, team members can’t deliver consistently, and growth stalls.

AE&Co Approach: We help clients document their core processes within 3–8 months using our simple, scalable framework—empowering you to scale delivery quickly and confidently.

How AE&Co Solves These Problems

At AE&Co, we specialize in:

Tech Integration: Implementing the latest automation, AI, and operational tools.
Funnel Optimization: Building and refining high-converting sales funnels.
Process Documentation: Creating clear SOPs and scalable systems.

Our 4-Step Simply Scalable Framework

We answer the question, “Can your business function without you?” with our proven process:

Strategize: Identify business dependencies on the owner.
Customize: Develop tailored solutions for improvement.
Automate: Implement technology for efficiency.
Align: Ensure operations match business goals.

This framework has helped our clients achieve 6-figure launches, 7-figure annual revenues, and a 70% reduction in CEO workload—all while building businesses that can thrive independently of the owner.