Executive Assistant vs Chief Operating Officer (COO) vs Chief of Staff in Small Business

Primary Role:

Executive Assistant: Administrative and organizational support for executives

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages day-to-day operations of the company

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Similar to Startup Chief of Staff, but in a smaller business context

Reporting Relationship:

Executive Assistant: Reports directly to the executive they support

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Typically reports to CEO or President

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Reports to the business owner or CEO

Scope of Responsibilities:

Executive Assistant: Focused on day-to-day tasks and administrative duties

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversees all operational activities (finance, HR, etc.)

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Broad, tailored to the needs of a small business

Decision-Making Authority:

Executive Assistant: Limited to administrative decisions

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Significant authority over operations

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Significant, especially in strategic and operational decisions

Strategic Planning:

Executive Assistant: Limited involvement, support capacity

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Involved in the strategic planning process and responsible for implementing the strategy at an operational level

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Active in shaping and executing business strategy

Team Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages administrative staff

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Manages multiple teams or departments across the organization

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Manages or coordinates with small business teams

Meeting Involvement:

Executive Assistant: Scheduling, preparing materials, taking minutes

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Often leads meetings related to operations and strategy implementation

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Active in business meetings, contributing to decisions

Project Management:

Executive Assistant: Manages small projects within their role

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversees large-scale projects that affect multiple areas of the company

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Leads key business projects and initiatives

Communication:

Executive Assistant: Facilitates internal communication

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Responsible for communicating decisions and strategies to the teams they manage and the broader organization

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Acts as a key communicator for the small business

Professional Development:

Executive Assistant: Focused on improving administrative and organizational skills

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Focuses on the professional development of the teams they manage

Chief of Staff in Small Business: Develops skills in managing a small business environment