No matter where you are on this continuum of entrepreneurship, it’s very likely that you are still leading and heading up most roles in your business because resources are tight. Yes, you have a few key employees, but these individuals are usually operational and good at delivery. Startup leaders face a tough start, they often sit alone in each business function, taking ownership of its design and execution without support in creating the future strategy, identifying and managing risks, and building partnerships.

While you would love to surround yourself with experienced senior leaders in all the business functions you know you will need, it feels like a long way before being able to afford this talent. Or so you’d have thought.

A new approach for C-Suite support for the entrepreneur

The fractional C-Suite offers a new approach for entrepreneurs looking to access the support of experienced leadership in their business. This tried and tested approach is now gaining momentum as it is being adopted globally by growing entrepreneurial and owner-managed organisations.

It works by disrupting and challenging the traditional full-time employment model to provide entrepreneurial businesses with access to the vital functional, emotional, and collective skills and intelligence at the C-suite level that they need to scale by moving C-suite positions from the ‘pay-roll’ to an ‘access-role’.

Often startups and growing SMEs don’t want, need, or have the budget for a full-time C-suite. However, they do need these skill sets either on an ongoing basis or as situations arise. The value of entrepreneurs being able to tap into the experience of high-calibre C-Suite roles who have been there, seen it, and done it in their function before is clear. It is about having the support of someone who knows what it is like to ‘feel’ big and how to get there – something that all entrepreneurs want.

The beauty of the fractional or part-time C-suite model is that it is flexible, which means the business owner can dial support up or down as required. The budget, size of organisation, and complexity all contribute to the level of commitment required – anything from one day a month up to three or four days per week if necessary. However, the way the service works is that the fractional leader knows that problems don’t just fit nicely into a 9 ‘til 5 on the days they usually work with each business. So, they make themselves available outside these hours too. They know they need to be ‘always on’ and available for the entrepreneur. They welcome these conversations, and ensure they are approachable, accessible, and available, to develop deep relationships with the business owner and their teams. Importantly, these top-notch execs enjoy the entrepreneurial journey. They want to be involved and give back, becoming the organisation’s key asset that provides a competitive edge. They pay for themselves many times over and deliver those crucial skills to scale at pace.

By using a fractional C-suite, entrepreneurs can affordably layer in the full range of skills they need across several disciplines over time or even simultaneously. The SMEs get accelerated benefits from these functions developing in tandem, such as a fractional CFO working alongside their part-time CMO, CIO, and CHRO. This means that the marketing, technology, and talent strategies are properly funded, phased, and coordinated – reducing risk and increasing certainty in outcomes. Other tangible benefits cited by entrepreneurs are that these individuals bring easy access to a wider network for sector and function, industry insights, and benchmarking.

Building authentic relationships with your fractional C-suite

But these professionals don’t just bring hard skills. My experience of working with thousands of SMEs is that it is the softer skills that shine through and make the difference – allow enduring and personal business relationships to unfold. The C-level talent is right beside the business owner every step of the way, walking with them in their shoes. They believe in them, guide, and aren’t afraid to challenge them where appropriate. A good fractional leader will be able to pick an entrepreneur up when they’ve suffered setbacks, so they are ready to go again. This is the true value.

There is no doubt in my mind that a fractional C-suite can make a significant difference in the success of startups and growing SMEs. The model is carefully designed for this market to be affordable from the get-go, with the flexibility to ramp up over time. By tapping into the fractional C-suite’s knowledge and expertise these businesses can learn not only what to do but also what not to do.

And what’s not to love about that?