What is a fractionalist?
High value leadership.
Lower cost and risk.
What is a fractionalist?
An outsourced or fractional leader is an experienced VP or C-level executive who joins your team on a part-time, program, or project specific basis. They provide strategic direction in their area of specialty. They are more than an advisor, but less than a full-time hire.
Who uses fractional leadership?
Early-stage startups and high growth companies use fractional leadership to fill skills gaps as they scale. Fractional CFOs are often hired to support due diligence as startups seek funding. Human Resources is another area where on-demand, fractional leadership is common. A business may not yet need a full-time senior leadership or have the budget to support the role. That’s where a fractionalist can help.
What does an outsourced CXO or fractional leader do?
There’s a big difference between the skills required to unlock value through insight, evaluation and experience compared to what is needed for ongoing execution. A senior level leader can help identify opportunities and inefficiencies, put the right systems, levers, processes and measures in place to drive ongoing results.
Strategy, planning, budgeting, program or process design, and oversight of internal or outsourced teams are typical areas of responsibility. A startup-focused fractional leader is willing to “roll up their sleeves” to help their customer scale sustainably and meet their goals. Like a full-time leader, they take accountability for meeting performance targets.
How much does a fractional leader cost?
Much less than a full time CxO. We work in time-bound sprints, on a project or retainer basis. Estimated costs and deliverables are defined up front. This is to ensure mutual accountability and results.
Benefits of fractional leadership
Cost and time savings
Senior leadership for a fraction of the full-time hire price,
Flexibility to free up cash flow and control costs,
Reclaim time previously focused on tasks that aren’t your core strength
Targeted expertise
Apply specialized knowledge when needed,
Tap into vendor contacts, playbooks, past experience and networks,
Provide mentorship to junior team members
Leadership and accountability
Fresh, impartial perspective,
Quicker time to value,
Oversight for critical projects, vendor deliverables, driving specific results.
Getting started
Do you have the time and experience to drive results in all areas of your business? If not, a fractional leader in key areas might be right for you.
Questions to consider
What business result(s) are you trying to achieve?
Will this role provide leadership and strategy, or will it be focused on executing tasks?
What type of fractional help do you need?
Are you seeking a short-term plan, a longer term strategy, or both?
Does the leader have previous startup experience?
Fractional leadership helps startups scale faster. We have a team of 15+ CxOs ready to tackle your business challenge. Let us know how we can help!
