# Cedar Operations — Complete Business Context

> Cedar Operations builds custom operational infrastructure for growing companies (10-100 employees). We design and implement dashboards, CRM automation, client onboarding flows, SOPs, and tool integrations — shipped in 2-3 weeks. Based in the US, serving B2B companies worldwide. Founded by Poghos Antonyan.

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## Company Overview

**What We Do:** We take operational chaos and turn it into automated systems. CRM buildout, dashboards, onboarding flows, the whole backend. You spend less time firefighting, more time on what actually matters.

**Who We Help:** Companies with 10-100 employees stuck in operational chaos — manual processes eating up time, tribal knowledge living in people's heads, disconnected tools and fragmented data, founders firefighting instead of growing.

**Target Clients:**
- Agencies (marketing, creative, SEO, development)
- SaaS companies scaling operations
- Professional services firms (law, accounting, consulting)
- E-commerce businesses with backend complexity
- Any company where the CEO is still the bottleneck

**What We're NOT:**
- We don't do 6-month engagements
- We don't deliver PDF reports
- We don't bill hourly
- We don't sell DIY templates
- We don't force retainers
- We don't give advice without implementation

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## Services & Deliverables

### Real-time Dashboards
See pipeline, capacity, and cash flow without asking anyone. Auto-updating metrics that give you instant clarity. Executive dashboards showing critical metrics in real-time.

### Automated Client Onboarding
Intake flows that collect docs, schedule kickoffs, and update your CRM. Zero manual touchpoints. Contract to productive client in 48 hours.

### CRM Automation & Sales Pipeline
Automatic follow-ups, stage updates, and alerts when deals stall. Nothing gets lost. Pipeline automation, lead scoring, follow-up sequences.

### Documented SOPs
Decision trees and step-by-step guides anyone can follow. No more single points of failure. Video-first SOP system that actually gets followed.

### Tool Integrations & Workflow Automation
Your tools talk to each other automatically. Data flows where it needs to go. We connect systems and eliminate manual data entry using n8n, Zapier, and Make.

### Custom AI Agents
AI agents using SDKs for specific business workflows. Intelligent automation that goes beyond simple rule-based triggers.

### Hands-on Support & Training
We train your team and stick around until everything runs smooth. You're never left hanging.

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## Technology Stack

| Category | Tools |
|----------|-------|
| Automation | n8n (primary), Zapier, Make |
| Databases | Airtable, PostgreSQL, custom databases |
| Development | React, Node.js, TypeScript, custom dashboards |
| CRMs | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho, Close |
| Project Management | ClickUp, Asana, Monday, Notion |
| AI | Custom AI agents, GPT integrations, Claude API |

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## Our Process

**Step 1 — Diagnose** (1 call + async, 4-6 hours from you)
We map your current ops, find the bottlenecks, and scope exactly what needs to change.

**Step 2 — Build** (2-3 weeks, weekly check-ins)
We build your systems in parallel — dashboards, automations, SOPs. You keep running your business.

**Step 3 — Launch** (post-launch support, team training included)
We deploy, train your team, and support you until everything sticks.

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## Pricing

- Project-based pricing (custom-quoted after discovery call)
- Investment: four figures, varies based on scope and complexity
- Optional monthly maintenance/support available
- No standard packages — each project is custom-priced based on what needs to be built
- Free 30-minute discovery call: https://cedarops.com/booking/

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## Client Results

- **50% faster client setup** — from 4 days to 2 days
- **87% fewer manual touchpoints** — from 8 manual steps to 1 automated flow
- **100% elimination of back-and-forth** — from 15 messages to 0
- **6 hours to 1 hour** weekly coordination time per client

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## Founder

**Poghos Antonyan** — Founder of Cedar Operations
- Background in operations and automation
- Built operational infrastructure for multiple scaling companies
- Focus on practical, results-driven systems
- Email: founder@cedarops.com
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boghoskaradanayan

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## Perfect Clients

- CEOs/Founders who are the decision maker
- Companies with existing tech stack that isn't working together
- Specific operational bottlenecks to fix
- Budget for professional infrastructure buildout

## Not For

- Pre-revenue startups with nothing to automate
- Companies wanting someone to run their business
- Those looking for magic buttons without implementation work

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## Service Level Expectations

- Discovery: 30-minute call to understand needs
- Proposal: Within 48 hours of discovery
- Delivery: 2-3 weeks for most projects
- Communication: Regular updates via Slack/email
- Training: Included with every build
- Support: Optional ongoing maintenance

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## Free Resources

### Operations Calculator (https://cedarops.com/operations-calculator/)
Interactive tool to calculate the annual cost of operational inefficiency. Enter your industry, team size, hourly rates, and time spent on manual tasks to see how much you're losing.

### SOP Template Pack (https://cedarops.com/resources/sop-templates/)
Battle-tested Standard Operating Procedures for client onboarding, employee onboarding, and invoice processing. Ready to customize and deploy.

### n8n Automation Blueprints (https://cedarops.com/resources/n8n-blueprints/)
15 production-ready workflow automations powered by AI. Import, configure, and deploy in under 30 minutes.

### Operations Audit Checklist (https://cedarops.com/resources/)
Comprehensive 50-point checklist to evaluate operational gaps across your business.

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## Blog Content — Full Article Index

Cedar Operations publishes in-depth articles on operations, automation, and business scaling. 90 published articles across 8 categories.

### Operations & Strategy (32 articles)

**How to Run an Operations Audit (Step-by-Step Framework)** (https://cedarops.com/blog/how-to-run-operations-audit/)
The 7-area diagnostic framework for companies with 10-100 employees. Team structure, workflows, tools, documentation, client delivery, financial visibility, and automation readiness.

**The True Cost of Bad Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/cost-of-bad-operations/)
Quantifies the invisible tax of operational chaos: $225K in lost clients, $90K in wasted salary, $200K+ in founder opportunity cost. ROI math for fixing it.

**7 Signs You Need a Fractional COO** (https://cedarops.com/blog/signs-you-need-fractional-coo/)
Diagnostic signs, cost comparison ($3K-$8K/month vs $150K-$250K/year full-time), and when each option makes sense for growing companies.

**The Only 12 Metrics a 10-50 Person Company Needs to Track** (https://cedarops.com/blog/kpi-dashboard-small-business/)
4-category KPI framework: delivery health, financial health, pipeline health, team health. Benchmarks and a 15-minute weekly review ritual.

**Agency SOPs by Revenue Stage: $500K, $1M, and $3M** (https://cedarops.com/blog/agency-sops-by-revenue-stage/)
Which SOPs to write at each growth stage. One-page SOP templates, the shift from documents to automated systems at $1M+.

**Agency Operations Playbook: From Chaos to 30% Margins** (https://cedarops.com/blog/agency-operations-playbook/)
The operational infrastructure that transforms agencies. How to go from 12% to 32% margins while cutting founder hours in half.

**Scaling Operations: What Breaks at 10, 25, 50 Employees** (https://cedarops.com/blog/scaling-operations-playbook/)
What breaks at each growth stage, warning signs to watch for, and exactly how to fix it before it becomes a crisis.

**What Actually Makes Operations Work (No Framework Required)** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operational-excellence-framework/)
After fixing 50+ companies: Fix what's broken, automate what's repetitive, delete everything else. The dead-simple system that works.

**Lean Six Sigma is Dead. Here's What Actually Works Instead.** (https://cedarops.com/blog/lean-six-sigma-operations/)
What really reduces errors: Common sense and simple tools. This 3-day process beats 6-month Six Sigma projects every time.

**What is a Fractional COO? Costs, Benefits & When to Hire** (https://cedarops.com/blog/what-is-fractional-coo/)
Fractional COO rates: $150-500/hour vs $200K+ full-time. When to hire one, what they do, and how to find the right fit.

**Operations Consulting for US Businesses: What to Expect** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-consulting-united-states/)
Guide to operations consulting for American businesses. Pricing, what consultants actually do, and how to get ROI.

**How Much Does Operations Consulting Cost? (Honest Breakdown)** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-consulting-cost-what-to-expect/)
Operations consulting costs $150-400/hr or $3K-100K+/mo. Honest pricing breakdown by model, what you get, red flags.

**Operations Consulting ROI: How to Calculate Real Returns** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-consulting-roi-calculator/)
Most ROI calculators are fantasy. Here's how we helped a client track $1.8M in savings and the spreadsheet template we used.

**Founder Burnout: How to Build Systems That Let You Step Back** (https://cedarops.com/blog/founder-burnout-systems-delegation/)
72% of founders burn out — the solution is operations that run without you, not self-care.

**RevOps for Small Teams (No Enterprise BS Required)** (https://cedarops.com/blog/revops-small-business/)
Build a unified revenue engine for $100/month — what enterprises pay $500K for.

**Operations Audit Checklist for Small Businesses** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-audit-checklist/)
Comprehensive self-assessment checklist to systematically evaluate and fix operational gaps.

**7 Signs Your Operations Are Falling Apart While You Scale** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-falling-apart-while-scaling/)
Revenue is up but everything feels harder. 7 warning signs your operations can't keep up with growth.

**Operations Maturity Assessment: Where Does Your Business Actually Stand?** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-maturity-assessment-service-business/)
Cedar's 5-level maturity model and 20-question scorecard. Most founders score 3.2.

**When to Hire an Operations Manager vs. an Operations Consultant** (https://cedarops.com/blog/when-to-hire-operations-manager-vs-consultant/)
Full-time ops manager ($120-200K) or consultant ($5-15K/mo)? The real math and decision framework.

**Client Retention Systems for Service Businesses** (https://cedarops.com/blog/client-retention-systems-service-business/)
A 5% increase in retention can boost profits 25-95%. How to build systematic retention into your service business.

**Your Clients Aren't Leaving Because of Your Work** (https://cedarops.com/blog/client-churn-operations-problems/)
The 8 operational failures that cause client churn and the systems that prevent them.

**The Small Business Operations Checklist: 50 Systems Before $1M** (https://cedarops.com/blog/small-business-operations-checklist-systems/)
Complete 50-system checklist organized by category with priority markers.

**Operations Security Checklist for Small Business Owners** (https://cedarops.com/blog/operations-security-checklist/)
Practical security checklist to protect your business systems and data without a security team.

**The Hidden Costs of Manual Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/hidden-costs-manual-operations/)
How to calculate the hidden costs of spreadsheets, copy-paste workflows, and tribal knowledge.

**Operations ROI Calculator: Industry Benchmarks and Multipliers** (https://cedarops.com/blog/roi-calculator-industry-benchmarks/)
What ROI should you expect from operations improvements? Industry-specific benchmarks.

**Cedar vs Competitor Comparisons:**
- [Cedar vs Key Performance Integrators](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-key-performance-integrators/): Framework-based coaching vs technology-enabled operations
- [Cedar vs much. Consulting](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-much-consulting/): Full-spectrum operations vs brand-led transformation
- [Cedar vs Automaly](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-automaly/): Service scope, strategic approach, leadership comparison
- [Cedar vs InterimExecs](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-interimexecs/): Fractional COO and interim executive services
- [Cedar vs Cogent Analytics](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-cogent-analytics/): Methodology, deliverables, pricing, ideal client fit
- [Cedar vs Centric Consulting](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-centric-consulting/): Engagement styles, pricing, digital transformation
- [Cedar vs ThinkRevOps](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-thinkrevops/): Full business operations vs revenue-focused consulting
- [Cedar vs ScaleUpExec](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-scaleupexec/): Fractional COO services, pricing, approach
- [Cedar vs Brewster Consulting](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-brewster-consulting/): Methodology, technology approach, engagement model
- [Cedar vs RevPartners](https://cedarops.com/blog/cedar-vs-revpartners/): Full-stack operations vs RevOps-only

### Automation & Technology (17 articles)

**What to Automate First: A Prioritization Framework** (https://cedarops.com/blog/what-to-automate-first-small-business/)
Scoring matrix (frequency × time × error rate × complexity) for deciding which processes to automate first. The 5 most common automations ranked by ROI, and what NOT to automate.

**How to Automate Client Onboarding (Saves 5 Hours Per Client)** (https://cedarops.com/blog/how-to-automate-client-onboarding/)
Step-by-step build guide: trigger selection, welcome sequences with email templates, workspace automation, internal handoff, and tool stack at 3 budget levels.

**n8n vs Zapier vs Make: Complete Comparison** (https://cedarops.com/blog/n8n-vs-zapier-vs-make/)
n8n is growing 2,300% as businesses seek Zapier alternatives. Compare pricing, features, and use cases.

**Zapier vs Make: Data-Driven Comparison** (https://cedarops.com/blog/zapier-vs-make-comparison/)
Make saves $755/year on average. Hands-on comparison for business automation.

**Zapier vs Make for Agencies** (https://cedarops.com/blog/zapier-vs-make-for-agencies/)
Agency-specific comparison for client work, project automation, and scaling operations.

**Activepieces vs n8n: Open Source Automation Showdown** (https://cedarops.com/blog/activepieces-vs-n8n/)
Complete comparison for open source automation. Features, self-hosting, pricing.

**n8n vs Zapier for Agencies** (https://cedarops.com/blog/n8n-vs-zapier-agencies/)
Cost analysis, client management, self-hosting benefits.

**Best Business Process Automation Tools 2025** (https://cedarops.com/blog/best-business-process-automation-tools-2025/)
From n8n to Zapier to enterprise RPA — find the right BPA software.

**Automation ROI Framework** (https://cedarops.com/blog/automation-roi-framework/)
Calculate whether automation is worth building. Includes hidden costs and realistic timelines.

**The $200/Month Zapier Stack That Runs a 20-Person Company** (https://cedarops.com/blog/zapier-automation-stack-small-business/)
Exact no-code automation stack that eliminated 30 hours of weekly busywork.

**Best Automation Tools for Service Businesses** (https://cedarops.com/blog/automation-tools-service-business/)
Client intake, scheduling, invoicing, follow-ups. Save 15+ hours weekly.

**Time Savings to Dollars Calculator** (https://cedarops.com/blog/roi-calculator-time-savings/)
Convert hours saved to real ROI. Framework for when time savings become actual cost savings.

**7-Person Company Automated Like 70-Person** (https://cedarops.com/blog/process-automation-small-business/)
Owner went from 70-hour weeks to 35. Exact automation stack and workflows.

**AI Automation Reality Check: What Works vs. What's Hype** (https://cedarops.com/blog/ai-workflow-automation-enterprise/)
18 months of AI experiments: 3 automations saved $2.1M, 2 failed. Framework to spot winners.

**Tech Stack Audit: Eliminate Software Bloat** (https://cedarops.com/blog/tech-stack-audit-eliminate-software-bloat/)
Step-by-step guide to audit your tech stack and cut software costs 20%.

**Digital Transformation: Why 70% Fail** (https://cedarops.com/blog/digital-transformation-operations/)
Fix one broken process with simple tools. The playbook that works without $10M budgets.

**CRM Implementation Without the $50K Consultant** (https://cedarops.com/blog/crm-implementation-small-business/)
2-week CRM implementation process that works — configure right the first time.

### Process & Workflow (15 articles)

**How to Write SOPs Your Team Will Actually Follow** (https://cedarops.com/blog/sops-your-team-will-follow/)
The one-page SOP format, ownership model, quarterly review cycle, and video layer. 3 real examples: agency QA, SaaS onboarding, service business quality control.

**Nobody Reads Your SOPs. The 3-Step Fix That Works.** (https://cedarops.com/blog/standard-operating-procedures-sop/)
Video-first SOP system that takes 10 minutes to create, not 10 hours.

**Client Onboarding: Contract to Kickoff in 48 Hours** (https://cedarops.com/blog/client-onboarding-automation/)
Automated system that gets clients productive in 48 hours and feeling like VIPs.

**Client Onboarding Automation: Complete Guide** (https://cedarops.com/blog/client-onboarding-automation-guide/)
Save 10+ hours per client. Step-by-step with templates, tools, workflows.

**Fix Your Employee Onboarding Bottleneck in One Week** (https://cedarops.com/blog/employee-onboarding-automation/)
81% of new hires feel overwhelmed. Cut onboarding from 2-4 weeks to 3 days.

**Business Process Mapping: The 5 Workflows That Matter** (https://cedarops.com/blog/business-process-mapping-guide/)
15-minute mapping technique that actually works. Stop mapping everything.

**How to Identify and Fix Business Process Bottlenecks** (https://cedarops.com/blog/identify-fix-business-bottlenecks/)
Use data, process mapping, and team feedback to eliminate constraints permanently.

**Your Workflow is a Mess. Here's How to Fix It in 5 Days.** (https://cedarops.com/blog/workflow-optimization-strategies/)
Cut process time by 80% — starting with deleting half your workflows.

**Your Hiring Process Costs You Candidates. The 5-Day Fix.** (https://cedarops.com/blog/hiring-process-operations/)
70% of candidates lose interest after one week. Cut time-to-hire from 28 to 7 days.

**Cut Meetings by 60%: The Async Operations Playbook** (https://cedarops.com/blog/meeting-operations-async-communication/)
25-person company freed up 12 hours per week using async by default.

**Project Management Without a PM** (https://cedarops.com/blog/project-management-operations/)
Self-managing project systems that save $80K+ per year in PM costs.

**Vendor and Contractor Management: Stop the Chaos** (https://cedarops.com/blog/vendor-contractor-management/)
Manage external partners without it becoming your full-time job.

**Async Remote Team Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/async-remote-team-operations/)
Build async-first operations across time zones. Save 6+ hours per week.

**Service Delivery Process: Fix Breakdowns** (https://cedarops.com/blog/service-delivery-process-fix-breakdowns/)
Map the 10-step lifecycle, find the 3 failure phases, fix with system-level solutions.

**Work Instruction Templates: Free Downloads** (https://cedarops.com/blog/work-instruction-template-guide/)
Free templates for manufacturing, service, and office processes.

### Financial Operations (9 articles)

**Agency Utilization Rates: Predict Profitability** (https://cedarops.com/blog/agency-utilization-rate-capacity-planning/)
The formula, role-based benchmarks, and capacity planning math.

**How to Track Project Profitability** (https://cedarops.com/blog/agency-project-profitability-tracking/)
4 levels of profitability tracking that separate thriving from broke agencies.

**Billable Utilization Rate: The Metric You're Not Tracking** (https://cedarops.com/blog/billable-utilization-rate-benchmarks-agency/)
Formula, benchmarks by role and agency type, how to use without burnout.

**Revenue Per Employee: The Operations Metric** (https://cedarops.com/blog/revenue-per-employee-service-business-benchmark/)
Benchmarks for agencies ($150-250K), dev shops ($200-350K), consulting firms ($180-300K).

**Accounts Payable Automation** (https://cedarops.com/blog/accounts-payable-automation-stop-paying-bills-manually/)
Complete guide to AP automation tools, implementation, and ROI.

**AR Automation That Cut Collection Time by 65%** (https://cedarops.com/blog/accounts-receivable-automation/)
Dropped collection time from 34 days to 12 without expensive software.

**Cash Flow Forecasting for Small Business** (https://cedarops.com/blog/cash-flow-forecasting-small-business/)
Build accurate forecasts using the 13-week cash flow model.

**Financial Operations for Startups: CFO-Level Practices** (https://cedarops.com/blog/financial-operations-startups-cfo-practices/)
Monthly close process, financial reporting, metrics tracking without a CFO.

**Margin Improvement Framework: From 15% to 35%** (https://cedarops.com/blog/margin-improvement-framework/)
Practical framework for cost reduction and price optimization.

**Unit Economics by Business Model** (https://cedarops.com/blog/unit-economics-by-business-model/)
LTV, CAC, and margins for SaaS, services, e-commerce, and agencies.

### Industry Playbooks (5 articles)

**SaaS Startup Operations: From Chaos to $5M ARR** (https://cedarops.com/blog/saas-startup-operations-playbook/)
Customer success, sales ops, churn prevention, support operations.

**E-Commerce Operations: From $1M to $10M** (https://cedarops.com/blog/ecommerce-operations-playbook/)
Inventory, fulfillment, returns, forecasting, marketplace operations.

**Professional Services Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/professional-services-operations-playbook/)
Law firms, accounting, consulting — from 60% to 85% utilization.

**Healthcare Practice Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/healthcare-practice-operations-playbook/)
Patient ops, scheduling, billing, compliance, multi-location management.

**Construction & Trades Operations** (https://cedarops.com/blog/construction-trades-operations-playbook/)
Project management, crew scheduling, job costing for contractors and builders.

### Tool Comparisons (7 articles)

**n8n vs Zapier vs Make** (https://cedarops.com/blog/n8n-vs-zapier-vs-make/): Automation platform pricing, features, use cases
**HubSpot vs Pipedrive vs Salesforce** (https://cedarops.com/blog/hubspot-vs-pipedrive-vs-salesforce-crm-comparison/): CRM for small businesses
**Asana vs Monday vs ClickUp** (https://cedarops.com/blog/asana-vs-monday-vs-clickup-comparison/): Project management for operations
**QuickBooks vs FreshBooks vs Xero** (https://cedarops.com/blog/quickbooks-vs-freshbooks-vs-xero-accounting-comparison/): Accounting for service businesses
**Gusto vs Rippling vs Justworks** (https://cedarops.com/blog/gusto-vs-rippling-vs-justworks-payroll-hr-comparison/): Payroll & HR for growing companies
**Bill.com vs Melio vs BILL** (https://cedarops.com/blog/bill-com-vs-melio-vs-bill-ap-automation-comparison/): AP automation comparison
**B2B Sales Automation Best Practices** (https://cedarops.com/blog/b2b-sales-automation-best-practices/): Cut admin time from 65% to 20%

### AI & Automation (2 articles)

**What is Agentic AI?** (https://cedarops.com/blog/what-is-agentic-ai/)
How autonomous AI agents are changing business operations. Real applications and implementation.

**RPA for Small Business: Is It Worth It?** (https://cedarops.com/blog/rpa-for-small-business-guide/)
RPA vs workflow automation, costs, and finding the right approach for small businesses.

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## Contact & Booking

| Channel | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Email | founder@cedarops.com |
| Website | https://cedarops.com |
| Book a Call | https://cedarops.com/booking/ |
| LinkedIn (Company) | https://linkedin.com/company/cedar-operations |
| LinkedIn (Founder) | https://linkedin.com/in/boghoskaradanayan |
| Blog | https://cedarops.com/blog/ |
| Calculator | https://cedarops.com/operations-calculator/ |
| Resources | https://cedarops.com/resources/ |

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*Last updated: February 2026*