Article
The Role of Fractional Consulting
Victor AyacheWe often come across the familiar story of enthusiastic and ambitious managers standing in their new offices, contemplating the multitude of tasks ahead. They find themselves wearing multiple hats, from product design and operations to financial management, sales meetings, and even wining and dining clients. However, as time goes by, they realize they may not have had a firm grasp on the business side of things.
These managers have great ideas and work tirelessly, investing heavily in their projects. With small teams and limited experience, they often underestimate the challenges they will face. Eventually, they reach a point of overwhelm. It's important to note that this feeling of being overwhelmed is not due to incompetence or lack of capacity—nobody knows everything, and everyone can feel the strain. This is where consulting can make a difference.
Cousins, as Fractional Managers
While small teams may initially seem like a cost-saving measure, they can become costly and time-consuming in the long run. What may appear as an extra investment upfront can actually save you both money and time during these fragile early stages. At the beginning of every project, companies often lack the resources to hire the best talent. This is where Cousins can come in, connecting you with their network of consultant, who can help you navigate these initial stages. With Cousins, you gain access to a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds tailored precisely to your needs, at fractional capacity and rates.
Fractional consulting comes into play when a full-time resource is either unnecessary or beyond the budget.
Digestible Steps and Differentiated Roles
One of the biggest challenges for project leaders is managing the daily workload while determining the most critical tasks and project phases. By partnering with a consulting firm, you can distill the situation, identify priorities, and address bottlenecks. Additionally, having a dedicated team for operations and project management allows you to focus on your core role.
Governance and Navigating Decision Making
Founders embarking on new ventures may encounter disagreements or unexpected deviations from the original plan. Having a third-party consulting partner who is not an investor or founder can be invaluable in creating a unified strategy and facilitating decision-making. This also instills a sense of professionalism, particularly for investors, who will see that a well-structured and expertly guided environment is being developed.