You Invited a Fractional CMO to the Table. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

It’s the end of the year. Organizations experiencing challenges are Shopping for a Fractional CMO.

In December, a batch of earnest people reach out to me, set a 30-minute intro call, all to see if I’m a good fit. They are great phone calls...Founders with great origin stories. They all want to know "WHADAYATHINK?"

Already settled on a fractional resource, they seek the right person. Someone with certain skills and with whom they’re comfortable working.

You might be contemplating putting budget aside in 2025 for a Fractional CMO

It can’t be easy to start. Every Fractional CMO I meet seems to have a very different background from me and from each other. Some come from the Consumer-Packaged-Goods industry, or the Event arena. I’ve met a number who are retired Advertising people, or former Public Relations folks.

BUT....You want to get the right person. So, who exactly are you hoping shows up to help?

A Fractional CMO Can Be Many Things

Before I take my “seat at the table”, my first action item is to figure out exactly “who” the team hopes coming to sit with them. I want to understand who they need...when they ask, "WHADAYATHINK?"

Is it a Revenue Leader? Should I be actively formulating and executing a territory strategy?

Is it a Marketing Resource Hub? Is the most important thing I do is collaborate with all functions of the business to deliver value to customers?

Am I the Process Guru? Organization Architect? Course Corrector?

Table Stakes for A Fractional CMO: Be A Good Date!

Of course, as a Fractional CMO, I must, first of all, be a valuable resource, not a burden.

• I’m always conscious to actively listen, offer follow up questions, see how the team’s story relates to my own experiences and our project goal.
• I show up as my Authentic Self. I arrive genuine.
• I Listen. I don’t pass judgement. I’m intentionally humble (mostly meaning I’m willing to learn).
• I’m guided by principles. I’m expected to help clients forge their own paths.
• I'm always Enthusiastic. I act as the spark; a catalyst. I know I’m writing a story where someone else is the hero.
• I know how a marketing effort can empower everyone at a company to succeed.
• I’ll be happiest when we measure our efforts with improved revenue numbers.

HERE'S MY NICHE: I’m a Business to Business, Account Based Marketing Expert, with a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and the emerging digital marketing landscape. I have a penchant for collaboration and an intuitive feel for synching marketing with sales. I bring pragmatic marketing to the table: every project should pay for itself.

So…Who are You hoping shows up?

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Specifically, I might have to be any one of these resources on any given day:

A B2B Sales & Marketing Expert, providing information, ideas, or expertise;

A Mentor, a confident, powerful person, mentoring and offering strategic political support;

Or a well networked person who can identify the right person and make introductions for you;

A Sounding Board, an unbiased, professional listener, giving developmental feedback;

An Advocate, lending personal support;

A Cheerleader, enhancing everyone’s sense of purpose or worth;

Mindful-ness Strategist promoting work/life balance.

The Energizer—Act as a positive, trustworthy individual, who enjoys other people, who always sees opportunities, even in challenging situations.

Ron Shulkin is the Founder of Fractional CMO Group LLC

A Proud Chicago Guy, Ron serves clients as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer. The architect of many Emerging Digital Marketing Technology Product Launches, he provides go-to-market strategy guidance and transformational roadmaps to companies of all sizes. He both architects and executes Account Based Marketing programs, product launch campaigns, and hires, trains & manages sales teams.

You can learn more about Fractional CMO Group at our website. You can connect with Ron on LinkedIn.

Let’s Talk: Set up a free 30-Minute, No-Obligation Intro Call with Ron Shulkin.

If you’ve read this far, you deserve a bonus!

Here are links to blog posts (and infographics) with Pitch Event gold!

Len Bland David Culver Scott Samuel Sam Valenti Jeff Hoffman @ryan robinson Max Duckworth John Schreiner