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10 Reasons to Consider Fractional Hiring Over Full-Time Recruitment

By: Fox Fractional on Nov 21, 2023 12:42:48 PM

Fractional Strategy
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To help businesses navigate the decision of fractional versus full-time hiring, we've gathered ten insightful responses from CEOs and Fractional Executives. From exploring the sustainability of fractional executives to accessing top-notch talent, these leaders share their advice on why you might consider adding a fractional member to your team.

  • Sustainability Programs
  • Project-Specific Advice
  • Senior-Level Expertise
  • Efficiency
  • Cost-Efficiency
  • Role Evaluation
  • Diversity and Resilience
  • Flexibility
  • Scalability and Innovation
  • Access to Top-Notch Talent

1. Sustainability Programs

The concept of bringing on a fractional executive in the sustainability field is gaining traction among mid-size companies, private equity firms, and nonprofits. They need expertise in standing up or strengthening their sustainability program, especially with new climate regulations in play and increasing investor pressure.
 
Besides the benefits of significant cost savings and an expedited onboarding process associated with hiring fractional, you get top executive talent dedicated to transforming your sustainability program from a cost center to a competitive advantage. This executive brings with them a treasure trove of current best practices, since they work with multiple clients simultaneously.

Stephanie Udler, Founder and Fractional Sustainability Executive, Generations - Sustainability Executive Services

2. Project-Specific Advice

There are many advantages to a business when it hires a fractional team member instead of a full-time team member. 

You have time to see if they are a good fit for the team and business before committing to a full-time hire. This means the business can hire project-specific professionals who come from a large global talent pool and can offer a diverse range of skills and perspectives. 

Less training and overhead are needed if this is a project-specific hire of a trained professional for the area of expertise needed. A fractional team member will be able to work on non-core projects as needed, allowing full-time team members to focus on their specific projects so they can meet deadlines with less stress. 

The hiring of diverse fractional team members can give the business a competitive edge and allow the business to quickly adapt to industry trends and customer demands. 

The long list in favor of fractional team members in our ever-changing world can be a win-win-win for all.

Annemarie Ziegler, CEO, ARRAY Publishing & Marketing, LLC

3. Senior-Level Expertise

Why choose a fractional team member over a full-time hire? The answer is multi-layered. By opting for a fractional approach, you tap into senior-level expertise without the significant cost of a full-time executive. It's a synergy of swift implementation and pinpoint strategy. The inherent adaptability ensures services are tailored to unique needs, delivering maximum value without spiraling expenses. 

For those exploring the fractional route, view it not just as a cost-saving maneuver but as partnering with specialized expertise, primed to propel your brand to greater heights. Dive deep into the fractional world and uncover its unparalleled benefits. At Blaze Digital, we have not only seen a huge benefit for clients hiring us as their fractional CMO, but I have personally hired fractional executives for HR, Accounting, and others.

EJ Saunders, CEO, Blaze Digital Solutions


4. Efficiency

In my experience leading CauseLabs, adding a fractional team member, like our bookkeeper or our once fractional CFO, can be a game-changer. It allows us to tap into specialized expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire. Especially for roles that don't require a daily presence, it's cost-effective and efficient. 

My advice to businesses? Consider the actual needs of the role. If the expertise is crucial but not full-time, go fractional. It offers flexibility, reduces overhead, and you still get top-tier talent. It's all about finding the right balance for your business needs.

Sheryle Gillihan, Co-Owner, CauseLabs

5. Cost-Efficiency

Adding fractional team members instead of full-time hires can offer businesses increased flexibility and cost-efficiency. 

Fractional hires allow companies to access specialized expertise for specific projects or tasks without the long-term commitment and financial obligations associated with full-time employees. This arrangement enables businesses to scale their workforce according to fluctuating workloads and project demands, fostering agility and adaptability within the organization. 

To make the most of fractional employment, businesses should clearly define roles and responsibilities, establish effective communication channels, and ensure transparent contractual agreements to foster successful collaboration and integration within the team.

Cameron Heinz, Business Owner, Mobility Nest

6. Role Evaluation

I once found myself in a situation where I was hesitant about hiring a permanent team member for an important role. I wasn't sure it would provide long-term value. Instead, I opted to hire someone fractionally to "test the waters." During this trial period, I closely observed the individual's impact on our business, how they adapted to our environment, and whether their skill set contributed positively to our objectives.

This approach helped us gain better insight into that role's importance and allowed me to make an informed decision regarding the long-term expansion of our team. In the end, I could better understand the significance of that position for our business and make a thoughtful decision about offering a full-time opportunity.

Naveen Malhotra, Project Delivery Manager, Gleexa


7. Diversity and Resilience

The American workforce is estimated to be 50% independent within five years. This fast-growing segment of our economy is also highly skilled. Organizations reap tremendous benefits by bringing in fractional staff to build a blended team of employees and non-employees. 

First, there is a unique ability to tap into diverse talent who are increasingly uninterested in full-time employment. These intersectionally diverse voices and caregivers, who are opting for a more flexible schedule, bring their full knowledge and passion to work and drive more innovation than homogeneous teams. 

Additionally, you can shift a fractional workforce without having to deliver a layoff, which offers an organizational resilience out of reach for traditional workplaces. Finally, fractional support in alignment with a business where everyone is operating in their "highest and best use" reduces capacity waste with precise skills matching. It's a win-win-win.

Brea Starmer, CEO/Founder, Lions & Tigers


8. Flexibility

Before adding someone to your team, it's smart to think about the work they'll do. Ask yourself if there's enough work to fill a full-time job. If there's not, then it's a good idea to hire someone for just part of the time, or "fractionally." This means they only work a few hours a week or on specific tasks.

Hiring someone fractionally is cost-effective. It lets you get the help you need without paying for a full-time position. It's also flexible—you can increase or decrease their hours based on how much work there is. So, if you find that the work isn't enough for a full-time role, a fractional hire is a smart choice.

Martin Potocki, CEO, Jobera


9. Scalability and Innovation

As leaders in the data and AI industry, we know our teams must be highly scalable, adaptable, agile, and innovative. We should always look to hire the right person for the right role at the right time. 

Using AI, we can now better determine the right channel to fill the needed skills, whether that's full-time or fractional, to meet the needs. 

Fractional hires bring specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience where and when it's needed most.

They create more diversity of thought with their new perspectives. This fosters innovation and has helped us to solve problems more creatively and effectively.

They should have very clear, focused objectives. This focus will drive initiatives forward with a sense of urgency and purpose, ensuring that your goals are met more efficiently.

Fractional hiring isn't new, and it's certainly not just a trend, but rather a differentiator and a strategic approach that aligns with the transformational state of your organization.

Salema Rice, CEO, CDO Today


10. Access to Top-Notch Talent

Adding a fractional team member, rather than a full-time hire, could be beneficial for several reasons, especially in the real estate industry. For starters, it can help to minimize costs. Hiring full-time employees involves numerous expenses, such as salary, benefits, and training costs. In contrast, hiring a fractional team member usually involves a smaller financial commitment. 

Another advantage is flexibility. A fractional hire might be particularly beneficial when you need a specific skill set on your team, but not on a full-time basis. They can provide the needed expertise when necessary, thus ensuring efficient and effective task completion without unnecessary overhead costs.

It's also about getting access to top-notch talent. Often, smaller businesses may not have the budget to attract industry-leading professionals for a full-time role, but a fractional hire allows you to get the same level of expertise at a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Shenetta Malkia-Sapp H.C., CEO. Broker, The PMs of The City Realty

If you are a non-profit or higher education institution and these insights resonate with your fundraising goals, challenges, and aspirations, it might be the perfect time to explore the tailored solutions that Fox Fractional has to offer. Our expertise in fractional senior-level development staffing is designed to empower your organization, offering flexibility, specialized skills, and cost-effectiveness.

Still unsure about hiring fractional vs full-time? Check out this blog post on 10 Reasons to Consider Hiring Fractional Development Experts.