Centennial Electric Gains Structure & Alignment With Outsourced HR Services

Centennial Electric Summary

Centennial Electric, a commercial and industrial electrical contractor in Michigan, partnered with Preferred CFO to build the HR structure needed to support its next stage of growth. Before the engagement, the company lacked defined KPIs, leadership accountability cycles, and consistent ways to gather feedback from employees or customers. Preferred CFO stepped in with outsourced HR services and fractional HR leadership to design a measurable KPI framework, introduce twice-monthly leadership review rhythms, and implement new engagement and customer satisfaction surveys. These systems improved alignment, visibility, and communication across the organization, giving Centennial Electric the clarity and structure required for long-term performance and growth.

The Challenge

Centennial Electric had a strong, hands-on team, but the company’s rapid growth highlighted the need for a more mature HR structure. Without defined performance metrics or a consistent accountability rhythm, leaders were relying on intuition rather than data. Expectations varied across departments, communication wasn’t always aligned, and there were no formal systems for gathering feedback from employees or customers.

The absence of measurable KPIs for senior leaders made it difficult to identify issues early or support individuals who needed direction. And with no engagement or customer satisfaction surveys in place, the company lacked the insights required to improve culture, service consistency, and overall performance.

In short, Centennial Electric needed a structured performance management framework — one that would bring clarity, accountability, and alignment across the organization.

The Solution

Preferred CFO stepped in with fractional HR leadership and outsourced HR services to build a performance management system that could support Centennial Electric as it continued to scale. The team introduced a clear KPI structure for senior leaders, giving each individual measurable expectations tied directly to company goals. To reinforce this structure, Preferred CFO implemented twice-monthly check-ins that created a predictable accountability rhythm and kept leadership aligned throughout the month.

To improve communication and visibility, the fractional HR team also launched an employee engagement survey and developed a customer feedback process. These tools gave the company insight into morale, satisfaction, and areas where teams or workflows needed additional support. Preferred CFO also created a structured approach for reviewing results and forming action plans, ensuring that progress was both trackable and repeatable.

Through this combination of leadership support, KPI design, and improved communication systems, Centennial Electric gained the HR framework it needed to drive consistent performance and strengthen organizational alignment.

Key elements of the solution included:

• A measurable KPI system for senior leaders
  
  
• A twice-monthly accountability cadence
  
  
• Employee engagement and customer satisfaction surveys
  
  
• Structured review processes and action planning
  
  
• Clearer expectations and communication across teams
  
  

The Results

The partnership quickly delivered meaningful improvements. With defined KPIs and a consistent review cadence in place, leadership gained the visibility they needed to make better, more confident decisions. The twice-monthly check-ins helped establish a stronger rhythm of communication, and teams experienced clearer expectations across departments.

The new employee engagement and customer feedback programs created visibility that didn’t exist before, allowing Centennial Electric to better understand strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Leaders were able to respond more proactively, using real data to guide coaching, performance discussions, and long-term planning.

Overall, Centennial Electric now operates with the kind of HR foundation that supports sustained growth — one built on clarity, alignment, and reliable performance management practices provided through fractional HR leadership.

The company now benefits from:

• Clear KPI visibility and leadership accountability
  
  
• Stronger communication and cross-department alignment
  
  
• Actionable insight from employee and customer surveys
  
  
• More informed, data-driven decision-making
  
  
• A scalable HR structure that supports long-term growth
  
  

Looking Ahead

As Centennial Electric continues to grow, Preferred CFO will refine the KPI framework, deepen engagement programs, and support leadership with ongoing accountability and HR structure. With a strong foundation now in place, the company is positioned to deliver a consistent employee experience, stronger customer interactions, and sustainable growth.

Comprehensive Case Study Summary

Centennial Electric, a commercial and industrial electrical contractor based in Michigan, engaged Preferred CFO to provide outsourced HR services and fractional HR leadership. The company previously lacked formal performance management processes, including defined KPIs for senior leaders, a consistent accountability cadence, and structured employee or customer feedback systems. Preferred CFO designed and implemented a complete HR framework that introduced measurable KPIs, twice-monthly leadership review cycles, employee engagement surveys, and customer satisfaction surveys. These solutions improved leadership alignment, communication across departments, performance visibility, and data-driven decision-making. Through this engagement, Preferred CFO helped Centennial Electric establish a scalable HR structure that supports organizational performance, operational consistency, and long-term growth.

At a Glance

Client: Centennial Electric – commercial and industrial electrical contractor serving the Lansing and Charlotte, Michigan region.
Partner: Preferred CFO – provider of outsourced HR services and fractional HR leadership.
Industry: Electrical Contracting and Self-Perform Services
Services Provided: KPI development, performance management structure, leadership accountability cadence, employee engagement surveys, customer feedback systems.
Key Outcomes: Improved KPI visibility, stronger leadership alignment, clearer expectations across departments, consistent accountability cycles, and enhanced communication and decision-making.
Location: Lansing & Charlotte, Michigan