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The Art of Influence and Impact as a Fractional Leader

A quiet trend has begun, and smart, agile companies on the growth path are taking notice. This trend is an opportunity for leaders who want to make a full-time impact with part-time input by being a fractional leader. Fractional leaders are becoming a critical component of the business landscape as companies, new and established, realize that some leadership roles, while critical, do not currently need a full-time head. Enter the fractional leader: a seasoned professional carving out space in organizations as a part-time yet impactful force. While the model offers freedom and adaptability, it also presents unique challenges, particularly around influence and impact. I believe that one does not need to be on the full-time payroll to have a full-time impact. So, to you fellow change-makers, I offer some thoughts on how you can wield influence while still clocking out in time to enjoy your life or other ventures. Before We Begin Let's clear the air on what it means to be a fractional

How Agile Marketing + Fractional Leadership Fuel B2B Growth

It’s 2024 and the technology, channels, and ways in which we discover and learn about products and services we want to purchase is changing constantly, nearly daily. Consequently, as businesses sprint to keep up, I see leaders and marketing teams scratching their heads or excessively pivoting when stuck at the crossroads of "What’s New" and "What Works." So it’s no surprise that as businesses strive to keep pace with that shifting customer journey, their needs, market conditions and technology, the necessity for marketing to embody flexibility with a drive towards performance is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity. Enter the concept of agile marketing :  a responsive, iterative, and customer-centric approach that has become vital for business and revenue growth.  And at the heart of this lean, mean marketing strategy is—you guessed it—Fractional Leadership. Like Swiss Army knives, Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) are proving to be the perfectly versati

Unlock Engagement with Fractional Executives

 As Bob and Hank sat down to discuss their next steps in addressing the persistent challenges facing their 25-year-old technology and software solutions business, the weight of the situation hung heavy in the air. Christa's resignation had served as a wake-up call, highlighting the pressing need for a strategic solution to address employee disengagement and turnover. "We can't keep going on like this," Hank sighed, with concern written all over his face. "Losing Christa was a blow, but it’s symptomatic of a larger issue." In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces worldwide face lasting disruptions, affecting the engagement and well-being of millions. Recent data from Gallup shows that U.S. employee engagement has stagnated, especially among younger generations who feel increasingly detached from their work and employers. This would not come as a surprise to Bob and Hank, the visionary co-owners of a technology company who find themselves

Maximizing Growth on a Budget: The Strategic Impact of Hiring a Fractional RevOps Executive for SMEs

Small to medium-sized firms (SMEs) in the business world are always looking for new tactics to improve efficiency, stimulate growth, and stay competitive. Forward-thinking firms are increasingly using the integration of Revenue Operations (RevOps) as a key technique. RevOps coordinates sales, marketing, and customer success teams to work together towards a common goal of increasing revenue. Yet, the obstacle for several SMEs is the resources needed to create and sustain a specialized RevOps team. Here is where the idea of employing a Fractional RevOps Executive transitions from being merely beneficial to being crucial. The Strategic Benefits of Employing a Fractional Revenue Operations Executive A Fractional RevOps Executive is a viable alternative for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to utilize the advantages of RevOps without the financial obligation of hiring a full-time executive. This strategy offers organizations the opportunity to utilize senior-level expertise on a

Why Labels Matter and What Fractional Is and Is Not

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Words and what you call things matter. Can you think of one successful movement that didn't have a clearly labeled word and concept at its core? I can't, and that's why it's so important to call a spade a spade. Consulting isn't bad, it's just not fractional.  Part-time employment isn't less, it's just not fractional. I've shared this chart before, but will do so again in the hopes it helps. We also created a site  to further help define the differences, and to help others share and spread awareness. I believe in fractional, both for the leaders and for the companies who need the expertise but not full-time. And one of the main reasons it's so hard to find fractional work today is because the concept isn't understood and therefore those that could use the help don't know it exists. Fortunately I'm not the only one who believes in both the value of fractional and the distinction between it and the other types of part-time or flexible w

Why Understanding Domain Expertise Is the Secret to Hiring Fractionally

In Academia, it's easy to pin down experts by their title (Professor, Lecturer, Chief Scientist...) and there are specific milestones (undergraduate, masters, doctorate degree...) which define an individual's level of expertise within their field.  But in Business, things aren't nearly as clear-cut.   It's easy to say that we're usually operating more on art than science—but when you look a little deeper, the truth is that all Founders and CEOs rely deeply on measurable, tested theory from a small group of experts in their inner circle whose experience can guide a company to grow and thrive—or if poorly executed, can cause it to go under.  Whether these experts sit directly on their Board, in their Executive Team, or adjunct as Advisors or Fractional Leaders, business owners have always known that when they bring in someone they trust to steer, it's important to know exactly which kind of business "potholes" that person has seen before, to ensure they

Unlocking Sales Success with Fractional Sales Leaders

 I decided to become a part of the Fractionals United community with a simple goal in mind – to learn from those who have been successful fractional workers, some for many years. What I found was an invaluable opportunity to engage with a community that boasts a wealth of skills and experiences. My primary intent was to navigate the uncharted waters, for me anyway, of this model and determine whether it was the right fit for me. I wanted to understand if there was value for me. But before addressing this question from my perspective, I realized that it was crucial to examine whether there was inherent value for clients within this model and, if so, what that value looked like. So, in this blog post, I will take you on a journey through my exploration. We will delve into the concept of fractional work and dissect what it means for the clients they serve. Navigating the complexities of sales leadership can be a formidable challenge, particularly for smaller or high-growth companies