Services
Phocion helps people and organizations get work done across operations, HR, IT, and security. The deliverable might be a checklist, a documented process, a configured system, or a training program. Phocion can assess what is needed, build it, put it into use, and help maintain it.
The work starts with understanding how things actually get done. Procedures and systems are tested with the people who use them and adjusted based on their feedback. You get documentation and instruction for carrying the work forward.
Admin & Operations
Process design, documentation, records management, vendor coordination, and ongoing administrative support.
Workflow design and implementation.Work out how a task moves from request to completion, including responsibilities, approvals, handoffs, and follow-up. Phocion builds the forms, trackers, and procedures needed to put that workflow into practice.
Standard operating procedures and checklists.Turn working knowledge into instructions people can follow. Phocion develops procedures, checklists, templates, and reference guides, then tests them with the people doing the work. Documentation includes who maintains it and when it should be reviewed.
Records management and operational tracking.Set up practical systems for organizing documents, tracking deadlines, and maintaining required records. Clear naming, access permissions, version control, and assigned responsibilities help people find current information and see what needs attention.
Vendor and contract management.Keep track of suppliers, agreed costs, service commitments, renewal dates, and cancellation deadlines. Phocion coordinates vendor work, follows up on unresolved issues, and handles renewal discussions and negotiations.
Training and handover.Show people how to use the processes and systems being introduced, with written instructions they can refer to afterward. Phocion gathers feedback, addresses points of confusion, and prepares the people responsible for carrying the work forward.
Ongoing administrative support.Take care of recurring work such as maintaining records, updating trackers, coordinating vendors, and following up on outstanding actions. Phocion can run the process directly or establish a routine that you or your team can maintain.
IT & Security
Device and account setup, software management, and security, with documentation and training to keep systems running.
IT systems and administration
Devices and deployment.Source and provision equipment, set up mobile device management (MDM), and manage inventory, updates, reuse, and retirement—including devices for remote workers.
Account provisioning and deprovisioning.Create accounts and permissions, configure secure sign-in, and manage access changes, suspension, archiving, and deletion, with business records preserved or transferred as needed.
Software licensing and subscriptions.Inventory software and cloud services, remove unused licenses, track renewals and cancellation deadlines, and handle vendor negotiations.
Security programs and readiness
Security controls and recovery.Configure email authentication, multi-factor authentication, password management, single sign-on, encryption, and updates. Set up backups and test recovery.
Security programs and training.Build security programs, policies, and procedures; train staff and internal trainers; and set up training records, with clear ownership and handover documentation.
Risk assessments and governance.Assess information risks, controls, and vendors. Get prioritized findings and support for cyber insurance requirements and artificial intelligence (AI) governance, including ISO/IEC 42001 alignment.
Incident response planning.Write and rehearse a response plan covering responsibilities, contacts, containment, and recovery, with instructions people can use when something goes wrong.
Customer requirements and audit readiness.Answer security questionnaires, track contract requirements, and prepare policies and evidence for SOC 2 reports or ISO/IEC 27001 certification.
SOC 2 reports are issued by independent licensed accounting firms; ISO/IEC 27001 certification is awarded by accredited certification bodies. Phocion accepts no commissions, referral fees, or reseller margins.
HR & Compliance
Hiring, employment policies, personnel records, compliance, and practical help with workplace concerns.
Growth thresholds.Employment law changes as you grow. Federal anti-discrimination law applies at 15 employees; continuation of health coverage (COBRA) and age discrimination law at 20; family and medical leave and the Affordable Care Act's employer requirements at 50; and federal workforce reporting at 100. Phocion makes sure you're ready before you cross each line, not after a complaint. State laws, including Virginia's, can apply sooner.
Worker classification.Treating an employee as a contractor, or treating someone as exempt from overtime when they aren't, can mean back pay, back taxes, and penalties. Phocion reviews classifications before they become a liability.
Handbooks and policies.A current handbook sets clear expectations, protects the organization in disputes, and tells employees how they'll be treated. An outdated handbook can do more harm than having none.
Hiring paperwork and required basics.Employment eligibility forms (I-9s), required workplace postings, and personnel files done correctly. Errors on I-9 forms alone can bring fines for each form.
Onboarding and offboarding.Replacing an employee often costs months of that person's salary. Onboarding that welcomes people helps keep them, and offboarding that's respectful and complete protects both sides.
Job descriptions and pay structure.Clear roles and fair, consistent pay reduce turnover and the risk of pay discrimination claims, and keep you ready for states that require salary ranges in job postings.
Workplace concerns and terminations.Guidance through complaints, performance problems, and terminations, handled fairly and documented properly. Careful handling here is the difference between a hard conversation and a lawsuit.
HR systems.Choosing and setting up payroll, benefits, and HR software that fits your size and budget, with no commissions from any vendor.
Phocion is not a law firm. When a situation needs an attorney, you'll be told so and pointed to one.
Fractional Leadership
Experienced operational leadership for decisions, priorities, and follow-through, without hiring a full-time executive.
A part-time head of operations, HR, and IT.An experienced leader on a set monthly schedule, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive.
One accountable owner.No finger-pointing between vendors. One person owns your people, systems, and security outcomes.
A seat at the table.Leadership-level input on budgets, hiring plans, and risk, so decisions account for the people and systems they affect.
A path to your first full-time hire.When you outgrow fractional support, Phocion helps define the role, hire the right person, and hand off cleanly.
How pricing works
A free intro call, paid discovery within an approved cap, then a written proposal.
Free intro call
A free 20-minute call to discuss what you need and whether Phocion can help. Rates are shared here and confirmed in writing before paid discovery.
Capped discovery
A review of your processes, systems, and policies, billed hourly within an hour cap you approve. You receive a written assessment of what is working, what is at risk, and what to address first. It is yours to keep whether or not you continue.
Written proposal
Choose a fixed fee for a defined project, monthly for ongoing support, or hourly when scope is unclear. The scope and costs are agreed in writing before implementation begins.
What you can count on
Estimate first.Scope, rates, and hours in writing before work begins.
A cap you control.Phocion checks with you before going over.
Itemized invoices.What was done, when, and for how long.
No lock-in.No retainers. End anytime; pay only for work done.
What drives the cost
Type of work.Routine operations and setup bill lower than specialist work: security, compliance, sensitive HR, and leadership. Your estimate shows the rate for each line.
Amount of work.Size, how well things are documented, and how much your team can help.
Find the right starting point
Start with a free 20-minute intro call to discuss what you need, what comes first, and whether Phocion can help.