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Uncertainty Is Real. Opportunity Is Too.
The headlines say one thing. The data says something more nuanced. Here's what mid-market CEOs should actually be paying attention to right now. This two-part series from Chief Outsiders Founder & CEO Art Saxby explores what the data actually shows about CEO confidence, why this moment is different from past disruptions, and where mid-market companies are finding real growth opportunities right now.
Creating a Strategic Mindset Within Your Sales Organization
Tue, Dec 3, 2024 — By cultivating a strategic mindset within your sales organization, you can drive customer-centric selling practices, create long-term value for the company and its customers, and position your organization for a sustained competitive advantage and growth. A strategic mindset helps align the sales team's activities and priorities with the company's long-term vision, mission, and objectives. This alignment ensures that the sales efforts contribute to the overall success and growth of the organization.
Why Hiring a Fractional CMO or CSO Isn’t Always the Right Solution
Wed, Sep 18, 2024 — Over the past several years there’s been an explosion of companies turning to fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Sales Officers (CSOs). Why? For their expertise and flexibility. They offer high-impact strategic guidance and operational support without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire. But while fractional executives are incredibly valuable, they might not always be the best fit for every organization at every point in time. In this article, I’ll dive into why a fractional CMO or CSO might not always be the right solution and how it compares to the value of a permanent executive.
Defining the Future of C-Level Fractional Support
Thu, Aug 1, 2024 — In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Ellen Wood, CEO, founder, and president of VCFO. Ellen reflects on her 28-year journey pioneering the virtual CFO concept. She discusses the company's growth, overcoming initial skepticism about the fractional model and its acceptance as an industry standard. See full video here.
Hiring at the Right Level: Fractional or Full Time?
Wed, Jul 10, 2024 — Finding the right leadership talent isn't just about filling a title; it's about matching skills and responsibilities to an enterprise's needs. The importance of strategic hiring decisions cannot be minimized. However, putting the right person in the correct position is critical, and sometimes, that may mean something other than a permanent, direct hire.
Quarterly Business Reviews: A CXO guide to Best Practices
Thu, May 16, 2024 — Most companies run regular QBRs (Quarterly Business Reviews). Getting into QBR practice its benefits, like getting your broader team buy-in on your sales and marketing team issues, creating a sense of urgency on important cross-team action items, building a learning culture within your team, sharing new product initiatives in advance, collect and measure customer feedback (or NPS) regularly. Not to mention you get valuable team face time, undistracted by daily sales activities.
Navigating Growth: The Role of Fractional Sales Leaders in Transformative Strategies
Thu, Feb 1, 2024 — Today’s trend of hiring fractional executives is gaining momentum among growth-oriented businesses aiming to enhance their management expertise and bandwidth cost-effectively. In this article, I will delve into the dynamic world of fractional sales leaders, exploring their pivotal role in driving revenue growth, providing specialized expertise, and offering flexibility to scale sales leadership based on organizational needs. I will reveal how these leaders contribute to strategic focus, mitigate hiring risks, and deliver quick results, drawing insights from real-world scenarios.
Full-time or Fractional? Focusing on the Next Generation of Your Company’s Leadership
Tue, Jan 23, 2024 — Nothing quickens the pulse or conjures beads of sweat on the brow of a mild-mannered CEO than the departure of a key member of the executive leadership team. Like it or not, the door to your company’s success swings in both directions, and often, you may find yourself on the drafty side, wondering how you’re going to replace that experience, counsel, and leadership.