Fractional vs Consulting: A Different Approach to Business Support

I've noticed something interesting in my career—people often express a dislike for consultants. There's that old saying about consultants looking at your watch and telling you the time, which highlights how many struggle to see their value.

Last week, I received a call from Paul McGregor asking about the term "fractional." I've been describing myself as fractional and taking on fractional projects for about six months now, and I prefer this term over consulting for a specific reason.

Being Part of the Team vs. Looking In

When you're consulting, you're very much on the outside of the client's business. But when you're fractional, you become part of the team. You understand the unique aspects of that business—the people and their idiosyncrasies, the vision, and goals—while still maintaining that valuable outside perspective.

As a fractional Chief Executive or Chief Revenue officer, you're:

• Working alongside the team, getting stuck in to add value wherever you can
• Getting everyone on board and engaged
• Helping solve specific problems and executing (execution is everything, right?)
• Passing on skills and growing the capability of the people you work with

Then, importantly, you step away when they no longer need you or when they're ready to employ someone full-time.

Benefits for Growing Businesses

This approach serves as an incredibly helpful stepping stone for businesses that are scaling or growing quickly. It allows smaller companies to access skills and experience that might otherwise be beyond their budget, in more manageable payment chunks.

The flexibility is unmatched—it's like a plug-in or on-demand service that can be turned on or off as needed.

Different Models of Fractional Work

I'm curious how many others see a fundamental difference between fractional and consulting work. This is just my perspective, and I recognise that fractional arrangements vary:

• Some work on a retained basis without specific hours
• Others charge a day rate
• The arrangement depends on what works best for the client - and of course the client's needs should always be the primary driver in how you operate in that capacity.

So far it's fair to say I'm loving the variety, the range of complexity and the 'stretch' that fractional working gives me - but most of all I love making an impact quickly - which is at the heart of being that on-demand resource that people can tap into. If you've been wondering what 'Fractional' is, what it means and how it works, well, this is my experience distilled into a musing. Sing out if you want to know more!