Engagement Models

Three ways to work together.
One outcome: your business performs.

Start with the Diagnostic. Most companies convert to the Retainer. PE firms go straight to the Portfolio Program.

✈ Dallas-based, available to travel to client sites nationwide
⚡ Available as Fractional or Embedded COO depending on your needs
Entry Point · One-Time
Transformation Diagnostic

Understand exactly what's broken before you spend a dollar fixing it.

Starts at $4,500
One-time · 2 weeks

A structured two-week audit of your operations, systems, and leadership. I interview your leadership team, map your current state, and deliver a prioritized roadmap with clear "fix this first" recommendations. You keep the roadmap regardless.

  • 3 structured leadership interviews (CEO, COO, IT/Ops lead)
  • Current-state assessment across 6 capability areas
  • Prioritized 12-month transformation roadmap
  • AI readiness assessment
  • Executive presentation with top 3 quick wins
  • 30-min debrief call with recommendations
Start with a Diagnostic
Core Offer · Recurring
Fractional or Embedded COO

Your transformation executive — part-time fractional or deeply embedded on-site.

From $8,000/mo
3-month minimum

I become your COO — fractional (virtual-first with periodic site visits) or embedded (on-site at your location for intensive periods). I own the transformation roadmap, govern execution, and sit in your leadership team. Dallas-based and available to travel to your site. AI tools let me deliver in 15 hrs/week what a full-time exec does in 50.

  • 2× weekly leadership calls (strategy + execution review)
  • Async access via Slack/Teams (48hr response SLA)
  • Monthly board-ready operations report
  • Roadmap ownership + vendor/program governance
  • AI-powered requirements, documentation & planning
  • Quarterly deep-dive session (travel reimbursed)
  • ERP, Salesforce, and systems advisory included
Book a Strategy Call
PE Firms · Multi-Portco
PE Portfolio Program

One transformation executive across your entire portfolio.

From $20,000/mo
6-month minimum · 2–3 portcos

For PE operating partners who need a transformation executive across multiple portfolio companies. I run diagnostic and retainer-level engagement across your portcos, with a monthly operating partner briefing giving you portfolio-level visibility.

  • All Retainer deliverables across 2–3 portfolio companies
  • Monthly operating partner briefing (portfolio view)
  • 100-day post-acquisition IT & ops playbook
  • Vendor consolidation and cost reduction program
  • AI transformation roadmap for each portco
  • Board presentation support
Talk to Sekhar
The value case

Why fractional makes financial sense

Full-time COO
$400K+

Annual all-in cost: salary, benefits, equity, and a 6-month recruiting process. A permanent commitment before you know if the role is the right shape for your business.

KStrat engagement
From $8K/mo

Starts in 2 weeks, not 6 months. No equity. No long-term obligation. Scoped to your situation — final pricing confirmed on the strategy call.

What you keep
Leverage

Fortune 50 execution discipline and entrepreneur instincts — without the overhead, the equity dilution, or the risk of a permanent hire at the wrong stage.

Specific pricing is discussed on the strategy call and scoped to your engagement type and company size.

Common questions

What CEOs ask before they sign

How many hours per week do I get?

Typically 12–18 hours per week depending on scope. I use AI tools extensively to multiply that time — requirements that take analysts weeks take me days. You get strategic leadership, not hourly billing.

Do I need to give you access to sensitive systems?

I work at the leadership level — strategy, governance, and execution oversight. I don't need deep systems access to deliver value. We agree on appropriate access based on your comfort level.

What if we already have a CTO or VP of IT?

I work alongside your existing team, not instead of them. Most engagements involve coaching and elevating your internal IT or operations leader — not replacing them. I bring the strategic layer above them.

How long does a typical engagement run?

The minimum is 3 months. Most clients stay 9–18 months. The Diagnostic often converts to a Retainer. I build toward your team not needing me — that's the goal.

Are you open to industries outside CPG and manufacturing?

Yes. My core credentials are in CPG, manufacturing, and PE-backed mid-market companies — but operational transformation is industry-agnostic. If you have a $20M–$300M business with execution challenges, let's talk.

Not sure which tier is right for you?

Book a 30-minute call. I'll tell you exactly what I'd recommend — and why — based on where you are right now.

Book a Free Strategy Call