On Our Minds
Working with so many organizations across multiple issue areas gives us a unique view into what’s happening in the social sector. This is where we share our insights and ruminations.

Is it Time to Hire a COO?
As 2016 comes to a close, it’s a natural time for organizations to reflect on the progress made within the last year and to set goals for the year ahead. At On-Ramps, we’re proud of our accomplishments over the last 12 months, particularly the addition of human capital consulting (https://www.on-ramps.com/consulting/) to our suite of services. As we expand our consulting practice, one question that we’re hearing from many of our clients is: How will we know when it’s time to hire a chief operating officer (“COO”) ? Each organization has a unique set of needs and objectives, and of course, a unique team of talented individuals with different skills and capacities; there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. While helping our clients fill executive positions over the last decade, we have noticed a few common indicators signaling that an organization might be ready to hire a COO:
- Growth opportunities are hindered by operational complexities
- Your CEO’s strength is fundraising, but most of her or his time is spent on internal functions
- You don’t have a succession plan