Operations Associate Danielle Pyle started working with Fraction Force Strategies in January 2025, and she continues to support our team and clients in innovative ways. We sat down with Danielle to learn more about how she leverages her unique expertise to offer flexible operations and strategy services that make businesses more productive, and more profitable.
Danielle’s Background and Experience: Excellence in Operations
Danielle has worked in many industries including nonprofit, entertainment, public relations, government relations, commercial real estate, life sciences, and trades.
Operations support has been a through-line in Danielle’s career. After graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Music Business, Danielle’s goals and aspirations shifted to specializing in artist management, one of the roles most critical to their success. As she moved to and from different industries, she continued to sharpen her acumen for operational support.
Before joining our team, Danielle managed a team of 8 young women in an entry-level administrative position. When she arrived, there were high turnover rates across her team. No one respected her position. There was little efficacy in her job tasks, and the lack of structure made it difficult for her to lead the team effectively.
Danielle built operational processes for her position, improving operational results not only for her, but for anyone who holds that role in the future, as well as the team who worked with them. When it comes to the value of improving operations and processes, the results speak for themselves. The base rate for that role has increased by almost $20,000 since Danielle’s innovations. Now she’s helping Fraction Force Strategies and our clients get similar results.
Working with Danielle? She’s Ready for Anything
Danielle is highly flexible. When we’re collaborating, she reminds me to keep an open mind, ‘Let’s see where this goes and then let’s make that decision.’ Her adaptability makes her good at meeting deadlines, and able to pivot quickly when something changes for us, or for one of our clients.”
— Kerri Burton, Founder, Fraction Force Strategies
Danielle’s flexibility extends to client communications. She adds, “My approach is very team-oriented. I want to hear what the client is thinking and what they have to say about where they are headed before an operational review or strategic planning process begins.” From there, she and her clients work together to ensure their strategy itself can shift and evolve when necessary.
Q&A with Danielle: Process, Philosophy, and Priorities
What’s your advice to a client who’s on the fence about fractional COO services?
What do you have to lose? If you’re already considering it, you know fractional COO services could make a big difference. You don’t have to hire someone full time to improve the productivity and efficiency of your business. Whatever you’re unsure about, let’s talk about it. We’ll look at the cost-savings of a fractional role, and what you can expect in terms of improved efficiency and higher revenue.
How do you and Kerri work together to get results?
We have different backgrounds and strengths to balance each other out. When we work with clients together, we each bring a different perspective on how to support and improve the client’s operations. From there, we build a strategy that incorporates both our contributions.
What can a business expect when working with you?
I make every effort to be flexible and open-minded throughout any process or project. I look at things holistically. I want to understand how one decision affects other parts of your business. Keeping that “ripple effect” in mind helps us maximize impact. Effective partnerships are relational, not just tactical. I want to get to know you as a human being, not just as a business owner or CEO. How can we connect? What motivates you? How can I guide you through this process based on your personality?
Business owners have many important goals and aspirations. How do you help a client prioritize where to invest their time and resources?
How we collaborate and communicate is based on clients’ strengths. If a client is super detail-oriented and they understand a to-do list, their participation in the process looks different from a client who’s a very Big-Picture thinker. From there, we define your vision and set goals that align with it. Then we get started, see how things go, and make adjustments as needed.
What if a client is overwhelmed, or things don’t go as expected?
We’ll figure it out. I’m calm in a crisis, and I’m ready to help you stay grounded. I encourage overwhelmed clients to take a deep breath and remember we’re all on the same team. If something is stalling, or has gone off track, we take a step back. We examine the process at a macro level to discern which micro-tasks need attention. Challenges we face together are truly our opportunity, as long as we maintain a growth mindset. One change in our perspective might change everything else for the better.
Technology is transforming our industry. How do you maintain a personal touch with so many digital tools and solutions?
Technology has drastically increased efficiency for businesses. Whether it’s automating a workflow or implementing a customer satisfaction or onboarding processes, there are so many tools that can take on tedious tasks. New tech also makes it easier for us to communicate how we need to, where we need to, and with whom we need to. Instead of thinking of technology as a replacement for people, I use it as a “decluttering” tool that allows me to focus on the relational side of operational leadership.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from a professional setback or failure?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is resiliency. Failure may impact your life and your career for a while, but those lows won’t last forever. And you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. I got laid off from my last job because of budget cuts, but what I learned about the corporate world before and during that process led me to this role— and that, I’m very thankful for.
You’ve been given a day off and your to-do list is clear. What are your plans?
That’s easy: sleeping!
Expert Support from a Team Who “Gets it”
Operations Associate Danielle Pyle, and the whole Fraction Force Strategies team, know what a difference it makes to evaluate and adapt your organizational processes, structures, and workflows. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and ready to move forward, book a call with us to learn how we can support, scale, and grow your business operations.