Cedar Operations vs InterimExecs: Which Executive Service Is Right for Your Business?
Comparing Cedar Operations and InterimExecs for fractional COO and interim executive services. Learn which model delivers better ROI for small to medium businesses seeking operational transformation.
When your business needs senior operational leadership but doesn't require (or can't afford) a full-time COO, two primary paths emerge: interim executive placement services like InterimExecs, or fractional operational consulting like Cedar Operations.
Both approaches promise to fill critical leadership gaps and improve business operations. However, they represent fundamentally different service models with distinct advantages, pricing structures, and ideal use cases.
This comprehensive comparison examines Cedar Operations and InterimExecs to help you determine which approach aligns best with your business needs, budget, and growth objectives.
Understanding the Two Service Models
What is InterimExecs?
InterimExecs is an interim executive placement agency that specializes in deploying temporary C-level executives to companies facing leadership transitions, crisis situations, or specific business challenges. Their model centers on providing experienced executives on a short-term basis, typically for 3-18 month engagements.
The company offers what they call "RED Team" rapid deployment services, positioning themselves as a solution for urgent leadership needs. Their executives come from diverse industry backgrounds and are typically positioned as seasoned operators who can step into senior roles immediately.
InterimExecs primarily serves mid-market and enterprise companies, focusing on situations where immediate executive presence is needed to navigate transitions, restructuring, or specific business initiatives.
What is Cedar Operations?
Cedar Operations provides fractional COO and operations consulting services specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses generating $500K to $10M in annual revenue. Unlike traditional interim executives, Cedar Operations takes a technology-enabled, systems-first approach to operational transformation.
The Cedar model emphasizes long-term partnership, hands-on implementation, and sustainable systems building rather than temporary leadership placement. Instead of parachuting in an executive for crisis management, Cedar embeds as part of your operational infrastructure, working collaboratively with your existing team to build processes, implement automation, and create scalable systems.
Cedar specializes in process automation, workflow optimization, systems implementation, and operational excellence frameworks tailored to the unique constraints and opportunities of growing businesses.
Service Model Differences
Engagement Structure
InterimExecs:
- Placement-based model: They match you with an interim executive from their network
- The executive typically works on-site or in a traditional full-time capacity during the engagement
- Fixed-term contracts with defined start and end dates
- Focus on filling an empty seat in your organizational chart
- Executive operates independently within your organization
Cedar Operations:
- Partnership-based model: Direct engagement with Cedar's operational experts
- Flexible engagement models ranging from 10-30 hours per month
- Ongoing relationships that scale with your business needs
- Focus on building systems that outlast the engagement
- Collaborative approach working alongside your existing leadership team
Implementation Philosophy
InterimExecs:
The interim executive model is fundamentally about leadership substitution. You're hiring someone to temporarily fill a C-level role, bringing their experience and decision-making capabilities to bear on your business challenges. The executive provides strategic direction and makes operational decisions, but implementation often falls to your existing team.
The value proposition centers on immediate access to senior-level experience and the credibility that comes with a seasoned C-level title. This can be particularly valuable when dealing with investors, board members, or during sensitive business transitions.
Cedar Operations:
Cedar's approach centers on collaborative transformation and systems building. Rather than substituting for leadership, Cedar augments your operational capacity with specialized expertise in process design, automation, and workflow optimization.
The focus is on building sustainable infrastructure that improves operations permanently, not just while the consultant is engaged. Cedar implements hands-on, working directly in your systems to create automated workflows, documented processes, and scalable operational frameworks.
This philosophy recognizes that SMBs don't just need strategic advice—they need someone who will roll up their sleeves, implement solutions, and transfer knowledge to the existing team.
Target Client Profiles
Who InterimExecs Serves Best
InterimExecs is optimally positioned for:
Enterprise and Mid-Market Companies:
- Organizations with $25M+ in revenue
- Companies with existing operational infrastructure and teams
- Businesses that can absorb the cost of near-full-time executive compensation
Crisis and Transition Situations:
- Sudden executive departure requiring immediate replacement
- Companies undergoing restructuring or turnaround situations
- Organizations navigating mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures
- Businesses facing regulatory challenges requiring immediate executive attention
Specific Project Leadership:
- Major system implementations requiring dedicated executive oversight
- Geographic expansion initiatives
- Large-scale organizational transformations
The common thread is companies that genuinely need someone to fill an executive chair on an interim basis, with the infrastructure and budget to support a traditional executive engagement.
Who Cedar Operations Serves Best
Cedar Operations is specifically designed for:
Small to Medium-Sized Businesses:
- Companies generating $500K to $10M in annual revenue
- Businesses experiencing growth pains but not yet ready for full-time C-level operations leadership
- Organizations where the founder is still heavily involved in daily operations
Operationally Immature Companies:
- Businesses running primarily on manual processes and institutional knowledge
- Companies lacking documented procedures and standardized workflows
- Organizations experiencing inefficiency, bottlenecks, and operational chaos
- Businesses where the same problems keep recurring due to lack of systems
Growth-Oriented Companies:
- Businesses hitting revenue ceilings due to operational constraints
- Companies preparing for scale but lacking operational infrastructure
- Organizations seeking to leverage automation and technology for competitive advantage
- Businesses where the leadership team recognizes operational improvement as a growth driver
Cost-Conscious Organizations:
- Companies that need senior-level operational expertise but can't justify full-time executive compensation
- Businesses seeking maximum ROI from operational consulting investments
- Organizations that prefer paying for results rather than executive presence
Engagement Style and Working Relationship
The InterimExecs Approach
When you engage InterimExecs, you're essentially hiring a temporary employee through their placement service. The interim executive:
- Typically expects traditional executive authority and autonomy
- Works within your existing organizational structure
- Makes decisions independently within their defined scope
- Reports to the CEO or board as a C-level executive would
- May or may not have deep expertise in your specific operational challenges
The engagement feels like having a new C-level hire, complete with the onboarding period, relationship building with the existing team, and the cultural integration challenges that come with any senior leadership addition.
Knowledge transfer is not always a primary focus, as the executive is positioned to make decisions rather than build your team's capabilities. When the engagement ends, their institutional knowledge and decision-making capacity leave with them.
The Cedar Operations Approach
Cedar Operations functions as an embedded operational partner rather than a temporary executive. The engagement is characterized by:
- Collaborative relationship with existing leadership
- Hands-on implementation work, not just strategic direction
- Explicit focus on knowledge transfer and capability building
- Flexible involvement that scales with business needs
- Deep specialization in operational systems, automation, and process optimization
Cedar doesn't replace your leadership; they augment it with specialized operational expertise. The relationship feels more like adding a superpower to your existing team than hiring a new executive.
Everything Cedar implements is designed to be sustainable after the engagement concludes. Processes are documented, systems are built with your team's capabilities in mind, and knowledge transfer is built into every initiative.
Value Proposition Analysis
What You Get with InterimExecs
Immediate Executive Presence:
Access to experienced C-level executives who can step into leadership roles quickly. This provides immediate credibility with stakeholders, investors, and partners.
Crisis Management Expertise:
Executives experienced in navigating challenging business situations, from turnarounds to transitions.
Strategic Decision-Making:
Senior-level strategic thinking applied to your business challenges.
Defined Accountability:
A clear executive responsible for specific business outcomes during their tenure.
Network Access:
Potential connections to the interim executive's professional network and industry relationships.
What You Get with Cedar Operations
Sustainable Systems Implementation:
Automated workflows, documented processes, and operational infrastructure that continues delivering value long after the engagement.
Technology-Enabled Transformation:
Expertise in leveraging modern automation tools, workflow software, and operational technologies specifically sized for SMBs.
Hands-On Execution:
Not just strategy and advice, but actual implementation work. Cedar builds the systems, not just recommends them.
Team Capability Building:
Your existing team becomes more operationally sophisticated through knowledge transfer and collaborative work.
Scalable Operational Framework:
Infrastructure designed to support growth, not just solve current problems.
Cost Efficiency:
Fractional engagement model delivers senior-level expertise at a fraction of full-time executive cost.
SMB Specialization:
Deep understanding of the unique operational challenges, resource constraints, and growth dynamics of small to medium businesses.
Comparison Table
| Aspect |
InterimExecs |
Cedar Operations |
| Service Model |
Interim executive placement |
Fractional operations consulting |
| Engagement Type |
Temporary executive employment |
Ongoing partnership |
| Target Company Size |
Mid-market to enterprise ($25M+) |
Small to medium business ($500K-$10M) |
| Primary Focus |
Leadership substitution & crisis management |
Systems building & operational transformation |
| Engagement Duration |
Fixed term (3-18 months typical) |
Flexible ongoing (scales with needs) |
| Time Commitment |
Near full-time to full-time |
Fractional (10-30 hours/month typical) |
| Pricing Model |
Executive day rates or monthly retainers |
One-time buildout + monthly maintenance |
| Implementation Approach |
Strategic direction, team executes |
Hands-on implementation |
| Core Expertise |
General executive leadership |
Process automation, workflow optimization, systems implementation |
| Knowledge Transfer |
Limited (executive-dependent) |
Built into engagement model |
| Post-Engagement Value |
Decisions made, relationships built |
Sustainable systems and documented processes |
| Technology Focus |
Varies by executive |
Central to service delivery |
| Ideal Use Case |
Crisis management, executive replacement |
Operational maturity building, growth preparation |
| Working Style |
Independent executive authority |
Collaborative team augmentation |
| Sustainability |
Dependent on executive presence |
Built-in through systems and documentation |
Cost Considerations
InterimExecs Pricing
While specific pricing varies by executive and engagement scope, interim executive services typically command:
- Daily rates ranging from $1,500 to $3,500+ per day
- Monthly retainers equivalent to 75-125% of market compensation for the executive role
- For a COO-level interim executive, expect $15,000 to $35,000+ per month
- Additional placement fees may apply
- Minimum engagement periods typically 3-6 months
The total investment for a 6-month interim COO engagement could easily range from $90,000 to $210,000 or more.
Cedar Operations Pricing
Cedar uses a simple, transparent pricing model:
- One-time buildout fee: Up to $5,000 for initial systems implementation
- Monthly maintenance: Ongoing fee based on scale and complexity
No placement fees, no hourly billing, no surprise charges. This represents significant cost savings compared to interim executive services while delivering hands-on implementation that often provides superior ROI for SMBs.
Which Service Is Right for Your Business?
Choose InterimExecs When:
You should consider InterimExecs or similar interim executive services when:
You need an actual executive seat filled: If you have a genuine vacancy at the C-level that requires immediate filling, interim placement may be appropriate.
You're in crisis mode: During turnarounds, restructuring, or crisis situations requiring dedicated executive attention and decision-making authority.
You have enterprise scale and budget: Your business generates $25M+ in revenue and can absorb the cost of near-full-time executive compensation.
You need specific industry expertise: If you're in a highly regulated or specialized industry where executive credibility and industry relationships are paramount.
Board or investor requirements: If your board or investors specifically require C-level executive presence for governance or oversight reasons.
Choose Cedar Operations When:
Cedar Operations is the superior choice when:
You want operational transformation, not just oversight: If your goal is building sustainable systems and processes, not just having someone make decisions.
You're a growing SMB: Your business is in the $500K to $10M revenue range where operational maturity is a critical growth constraint.
You need implementation, not just strategy: If you've had enough of consultants who provide recommendations but don't actually build anything.
Automation and systems are priorities: If you recognize that technology-enabled operations are essential for scaling efficiently.
You want long-term value: If you prefer investments that create lasting infrastructure rather than temporary executive presence.
Cost efficiency matters: If you need senior operational expertise but cannot justify $15,000-$35,000 monthly for a near-full-time interim executive.
You want to build internal capabilities: If developing your existing team's operational sophistication is important to your long-term strategy.
Your operations are chaotic: If you're running on manual processes, institutional knowledge, and firefighting mode, Cedar's systems-first approach addresses root causes.
The Fractional Advantage for SMBs
For most small to medium-sized businesses, the fractional COO model that Cedar Operations offers provides superior value compared to interim executive placement for several critical reasons:
Right-Sized Expertise
SMBs don't need 40+ hours per week of C-level operational leadership. They need concentrated, expert-level work on specific operational challenges. Cedar's fractional model delivers exactly the right amount of senior expertise without paying for excess capacity you don't need.
Specialization Advantage
Cedar's specialization in operational systems, automation, and workflow optimization means you're getting deep expertise in the specific capabilities most SMBs lack. A general interim executive may have broad leadership experience but not the technical skills to implement modern automation workflows.
Implementation Focus
The fractional model allows Cedar to focus on high-leverage implementation work rather than being pulled into routine executive responsibilities, meetings, and organizational politics that consume time without delivering value.
Sustainable Impact
Because Cedar's model centers on building systems rather than making decisions, the value compounds over time. The automated workflows, documented processes, and operational frameworks continue delivering efficiency gains long after the engagement.
Lower Risk
Fractional engagements offer greater flexibility and lower financial risk. If the fit isn't perfect, you can adjust scope or transition out without the complications of ending an executive relationship.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Fast-Growing E-Commerce Company ($3M Revenue)
Situation: A rapidly growing e-commerce business is experiencing operational chaos. Orders are being fulfilled inefficiently, customer service is overwhelmed, inventory management is manual, and the founder is working 70-hour weeks just keeping things running.
InterimExecs Approach: Would place an interim COO to provide executive oversight, make strategic decisions about operations, and direct the team toward improvements. The executive would likely focus on hiring, organizational structure, and high-level process recommendations. Monthly cost: $20,000-$30,000.
Cedar Operations Approach: Would conduct operational audit, map current workflows, implement automated order processing systems, build inventory management workflows, create customer service SOPs, and set up dashboards for operational visibility. The founder gains back 30+ hours per week, and systems scale with growth. One-time buildout fee up to $5,000 plus monthly maintenance.
Better Choice: Cedar Operations delivers hands-on implementation of the specific systems this business needs at a fraction of the cost.
Scenario 2: Mid-Market Manufacturing Company ($40M Revenue)
Situation: The COO suddenly departs during a critical expansion initiative. The company needs immediate executive leadership to manage ongoing operations, oversee the expansion project, and maintain relationships with key partners.
InterimExecs Approach: Places an experienced manufacturing executive who can step into the COO role immediately, maintain business continuity, oversee teams, and execute on the expansion initiative. Provides the executive presence needed for board meetings and partner relationships. Monthly cost: $25,000-$35,000.
Cedar Operations Approach: Could provide operational support and systems implementation but cannot fill the C-level executive seat or provide the stakeholder presence required at this scale.
Better Choice: InterimExecs is appropriate here—this company needs actual executive presence, not just operational systems.
Scenario 3: Professional Services Firm ($2M Revenue)
Situation: A consulting firm has grown to 15 employees but operations are highly manual. Client onboarding takes weeks, project management is inconsistent, billing is error-prone, and the partners spend most of their time on administrative work rather than client delivery.
InterimExecs Approach: Would place an interim executive to oversee operations and make decisions about improvements. The executive would likely focus on organizational design and process recommendations but implementation would fall to the already-stretched team. Monthly cost: $18,000-$25,000.
Cedar Operations Approach: Would implement automated client onboarding workflows, standardize project management processes, create billing automation, develop SOPs for common operations, and build dashboards for partner visibility. Partners gain back billable time, and operations scale without headcount increases. One-time buildout fee up to $5,000 plus monthly maintenance.
Better Choice: Cedar Operations delivers the hands-on systems implementation this firm needs at appropriate scale and cost.
Why SMBs Choose Cedar Operations
The businesses that thrive with Cedar Operations share common characteristics:
They recognize operations as a growth driver: These companies understand that operational excellence isn't just about efficiency—it's about unlocking growth capacity.
They want to build institutional capability: Rather than depending on individual executives, they prefer investing in systems and team capabilities.
They value implementation over advice: They've experienced consultant fatigue and specifically want partners who build, not just recommend.
They think long-term: They prefer investments that create lasting value over temporary solutions.
They're resource-conscious: They need senior expertise but must maintain disciplined financial management.
They embrace technology: They recognize that automation and modern operational tools provide competitive advantages.
These companies choose Cedar because the fractional, implementation-focused, systems-first model aligns perfectly with their needs, constraints, and growth objectives.
Making Your Decision
Choosing between interim executive services and fractional operational consulting ultimately depends on your specific situation:
Choose interim executives like InterimExecs when you genuinely need to fill an executive seat, you're managing crisis situations requiring dedicated leadership, you have enterprise scale and budget, or you have governance requirements for C-level presence.
Choose fractional operations consulting like Cedar Operations when you want to build sustainable operational systems, you're an SMB seeking operational maturity, you need hands-on implementation, you want technology-enabled transformation, or you prefer investing in lasting infrastructure over temporary executive presence.
For most small to medium-sized businesses seeking operational improvement, Cedar Operations' specialized, implementation-focused, fractional model delivers superior ROI compared to interim executive placement.
The question isn't whether you need senior operational expertise—you clearly do if you're evaluating these options. The question is whether you need temporary executive presence or permanent operational transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an interim COO and a fractional COO?
An interim COO is a temporary executive hired to fill a COO role for a defined period, typically working near full-time and functioning as a traditional C-level executive within your organization. They provide leadership presence and decision-making authority but are fundamentally a temporary replacement.
A fractional COO like Cedar Operations provides ongoing operational expertise on a part-time basis, focusing on building systems, implementing processes, and creating sustainable operational infrastructure. Rather than filling a seat, they augment your existing team with specialized capabilities you lack.
The interim model is about substitution; the fractional model is about transformation.
Can Cedar Operations handle crisis situations or urgent operational problems?
Yes, Cedar can address urgent operational challenges, but the approach differs from interim executive services. Rather than providing executive presence to manage the crisis, Cedar focuses on rapidly implementing systems to resolve the underlying operational issues causing the crisis.
If you're in firefighting mode due to operational chaos, Cedar's systems-first approach often provides faster, more sustainable relief than adding another executive to manage the firefighting. However, if your crisis specifically requires C-level executive authority or stakeholder presence, interim services may be more appropriate.
How long does a typical engagement with Cedar Operations last?
Cedar Operations offers flexible engagement models that scale with your needs. Initial engagements typically run 3-6 months to implement core operational systems and address critical challenges. Many clients then transition to ongoing advisory relationships at reduced scope for continuous improvement.
Unlike interim executives with defined exit dates, Cedar engagements are designed to evolve with your business. As you build operational maturity, the engagement focus shifts from intensive implementation to strategic optimization and scaling.
Is Cedar Operations only for tech companies?
Not at all. While Cedar leverages technology extensively in implementing solutions, the client base spans professional services, e-commerce, manufacturing, consulting, agencies, and various other industries. The common thread is companies seeking to build scalable operational systems, regardless of industry.
Cedar's expertise in automation, workflow optimization, and systems implementation applies across industries. The specific tools and processes vary by business model, but the fundamental operational principles remain consistent.
What if I need both executive presence and operational systems?
This is a legitimate scenario—some businesses genuinely need both C-level executive leadership and hands-on operational systems implementation. In these cases, you have several options:
- Hire a full-time COO who also has implementation capabilities (expensive and rare skill combination)
- Engage interim executive services for leadership and Cedar for systems implementation (dual engagement)
- Bring on a fractional COO like Cedar first to build operational infrastructure, then hire full-time executive when you can clearly define the role and requirements
Many Cedar clients use the fractional engagement to build operational maturity that clarifies their executive needs, making eventual full-time hiring more successful.
Ready to Transform Your Operations?
If you're a small to medium-sized business seeking operational transformation rather than temporary executive placement, Cedar Operations offers a superior path forward.
Our fractional COO model delivers hands-on implementation of automated workflows, documented processes, and scalable operational systems—at a fraction of the cost of interim executive services.
We don't just advise; we build. We don't just strategize; we implement. We don't provide temporary leadership; we create permanent operational improvements.
Schedule a free operations assessment to discuss your specific operational challenges and explore how Cedar's fractional model can deliver the transformation your business needs to scale efficiently.
CEDAR OPERATIONS