Page 13 - KC Cunningham Issue

Tapping into Your Success Mechanism The Part-Time Executive:

"Right Thinking Produces the Right Results" Filling the Management Void
By Jack Doxey By Rob Weinberg

Nancy recently met with the president of a Fortune 1000 com- This all suggests hiring
pany and came home quite upset. For two hours she heard the part-time executive is
about great things his company was doing in the marketplace a winning scenario for em-
to increase product awareness. He had also carried on at ployer and employee alike.
length about the wonderful ways his CFO was taking advan- • The employer gets an
tage of an inconsistent economy. extremely high level of
By day’s end, Nancy realized how wide the gap has become experience, paying only
between big companies that can afford to hire top-notch talent for the time the business
and smaller firms that can’t. She also recognized that having needs –particularly impor-
strong talent in marketing, finance and operations positions tant during cash crunches
makes every difference between an incredibly successful • The employee gets flex-
company and one just getting by. ibility, diversion, and oppor-
Resolving to help her small business get access to the type tunity not typically afforded
of talent usually employed by top firms, my friend realized it’s to full-time staff members
possible for small companies to hire high-level executives – • Customers and staff get
assuming you’re willing to hire them on a part-time basis. commitment, continuity,
This means a 20-person firm with $3 million in revenues can and experience needed to
afford to hire the former CFO of a major firm, benefiting from help meet their respective objectives.
the cachet – and the connections – that she brings with her. A Staff and senior management also benefit by learning from
$2 million business can hire a Madison Avenue veteran – and workers with a wealth of professional knowledge who are “out
all that hard-earned experience – for a fraction of what would there” learning from other professionals – even when they’re
normally be charged with a full-time employee. not working for the company. This helps everyone at your
Bringing in part-time executives provides higher caliber em- company grow and function at a higher level for as long – or
ployees than most small businesses can usually afford. The as short – as the relationship may last.
part-time executive delivers continuity and expertise that’s dif- The part-time executive delivers what no other employee can San Diego
ficult to duplicate for twice the price. And unlike most consul- provide for your business: Woman
tants, this professional’s end-date isn’t a foregone conclusion • The highest level of talent, constantly sharpening his skills
from the day he starts. Bringing skills that specifically suit the without cost to you
business’s needs, and usually with a minimal learning curve, • An ability to work smart within your company’s budget
the part-time executive works for a set period each month • Precisely the amount of labor needed, with no significant 13
(usually 2-5 days on-site) and is available for limitless discus- learning curve
sions by phone or email. A set monthly retainer is negotiated • Training for both staff and senior management on an ongo-
in advance. ing basis
Should you decide hiring a part-time executive is for you, Part-time workers are still fairly new at this high level of em-
there are several resources for locating the skill set you need, ployment. Most people in today’s workforce see themselves
including: as either full-time employees or consultants, rather than in
• Chamber of Commerce websites the gray area inhabited by the part-time employee. Research,
• Craig’s List patience, and flexibility will be the key components to match-
• Monster.com ing your company’s needs with the super-qualified person who
• Guru.com can accomplish your company’s work in just a few days per
Of course, don’t forget to ask members of your professional month.
network to locate the right guy for your company’s needs. For all these reasons, the part-time executive is an idea
It would be fair at this point to ask why someone would wish whose time has come! Before you write that next “Help
to be a part-time executive, with the time commitment and Wanted” ad or do without, instead consider bringing in a part-
need for flexibility that it implies. There are several excellent time executive. Like Nancy discovered by implementing the
reasons: idea, your business will grow much faster than you expected
• Flexibility. An individual working five days each month has 15 and with considerably lower overhead.
business days to pursue other projects, network, and other-
wise stay intellectually stimulated. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Money. Several part-time jobs can provide as much money Rob Weinberg is a Madison Avenue veteran and principal of The MarketBuild-
ing Team – a strategic marketing firm based in Rancho Bernardo, CA. You can
as one full-time position. get his advice through a free newsletter, a weekly marketing advice column, or
• Boredom. There may not be enough work in one company by hiring him as a part-time marketing executive. You’ll find him online at www.
to occupy a full-time marketing VP or CFO – especially if the marketbuilding.com.
individual is working smart. Odds are excellent the level of
executive you’ll be looking to hire knows how to work smart.
March/April 2010