Fractionals United Blog

Separate but connected. A lesson on community from the mighty Aspen Did you know that a stand of Aspen is considered the largest single organism on earth? Whether their leaves touch or they stand 100 yards apart, they are connected by their roots. Connected by their roots. Here we are as a society, motoring well past the post-pandemic, new normal life, with only a slightly clearer picture of how our future work selves will come into shape. Will we return to the office? Will we stay remote? Is remote good for us? Is it bad? Will we work Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday, and work from home Monday and Friday? Is AI going to replace us all? Are mass layoffs coming? (Again) And what's this Fractional business everyone is talking about? What did Bob Dylan say? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind. Fair enough, Bob. Say, I don't suppose you can tell us which way the wind is blowing by any chance? I have a sense of the direction the wind is blowing. I think we hunger for community...

Having navigated the trenches of sales leadership for a quarter of a century, my perspective on what defines exceptional sales leadership is, by my admission, assertive and dogmatic. This unwavering conviction is the culmination of my extensive tenure as a sales leader and the founder of a Sales Leadership business , augmented by my experience selling into sales and marketing organizations. My philosophy on leadership was initially shaped by those latter interactions: setting meetings with VPs of Sales and Marketing, meandering through their office spaces to conference rooms, and engaging with various team members. Observing their interaction with technology and their cultural dynamics provided me with a tangible sense of the environment fostered by the leader at the helm.  Sometimes, the culture was so compelling I could envision myself thriving within it; other times, I found myself yearning to exit hastily. The pursuit of greatness is a universal endeavor. This quest transcends ...

Step into the dynamic world of a fractional C-level leader, where the ability to swiftly navigate and influence multiple business landscapes is key. Here, Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just a tool, it's a game-changer providing a strategic edge that's tailored for the unique requirements of the fractional leadership model. The AI Revolution in Fractional Leadership Fractional leaders are called to action in situations that demand rapid assimilation and impact. AI is the catalyst in this scenario, offering insights and analyses at speed. For fractional leaders whose tenure with each company is inherently limited, AI's ability to quickly parse through data becomes not just advantageous but essential. In supply chain optimization, AI's advanced algorithms can present a fractional leader with a comprehensive view of logistics and inventory issues across different organizations, enabling them to apply best practices from one scenario to another with ease. Customer b...

Last year today, I had this crazy idea. I had just come back to being fractional,  found it harder and lonelier, and didn't want to do it alone. When I couldn't find a community for the sake of community, I decided to see if there was interest in one. And as the chart demonstrates, there was definitely interest. But I can't take sole credit for this amazing growth. Yes, it's my community and vision, and yes, I optimized it for ease of entry, but I happened to be at the right place at the right time. And fractional is only going to continue growing. You may wonder what this means for the community.  A few things will remain constant: FrUn will continue to be free and open to current and aspiring fractional leaders; FrUn will continue focusing on community, and as such, prioritize connection, collaboration, and learning from each other; FrUn will continue to partner with those in the fractional ecosystem that provide other needed services for fractionals. And a few things...

If You Had Three Wishes... Ever found yourself hoping to find a small business genie? You know what I mean... You rub the lamp, a fantastical deity pops out knowing just what to do to help you further you, your team, your goals? Just wish for it, and it happens; does that ring a bell?   Well, today your wish is granted!  At least in the form of a blog post. I can't pop out of a bottle but I can tell you about fractional leaders who are de facto wizards of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Like Intellectual Intelligence (IQ), EQ is about the emotional abilities and social skills that aren't quite measured in the analytical skills associated with IQ. Here's why small businesses are eyeing EQ-savvy fractional pros.  But, first things first... Why Does EQ Matter? Imagine having a leader who not only brings a wealth of experience, but can also flows with the undercurrents of you, your team, and your customers. Like a sea they've sailed 1,000 times. That's your EQ-rich fractio...

Having a Chief Customer Officer in your organization can help you gain a fully comprehensive overview of your customer base, facilitating quick and efficient implementation of changes. In this real-life example, we delve into a case where a Chief Customer Officer was brought onboard in a fractional capacity, successfully steering a SaaS startup away from stagnation and potential decline toward a much more promising trajectory. Why Fractional Chief Customer Officer? 1. Cost-Effective Expertise  In the case of our SaaS startup, operating on a bootstrapped model without external funding made cost considerations a priority. Opting for a Fractional Chief Customer Officer provided access to top-tier expertise without the financial commitment of a full-time executive, allowing the startup to benefit from specialized skills when needed. 2. Flexibility and Scalability Startups often face fluctuating needs, especially during critical periods such as product launches or market expansions. A F...

While many employees create job security through traditional career progression and making themselves indispensable in their role, some of the best fractional operators have the opposite approach: aiming to work themselves OUT of a job. Why would someone aim to achieve their way out of a job? Because if they've done the work correctly, they will have built such a strong infrastructure that it stands on its own. They've not made themselves obsolete, but instead made themselves available for new challenges and opportunities by enabling the work product to speak for itself. It’s important to note that the end game isn’t to become unemployable, in fact it’s quite the opposite. The goal is to create systems that either run themselves or can be easily handed off to in-house or, ideally, more junior or cost effective employees. Additionally, the best fractional operators address challenges from multiple angles so that there’s a plan B, C, D and Z for when the current systems are outgr...