Stay ahead of the competition. Drive efficiencies. Demonstrate profitable growth.
I bet all those sound familiar, yes? Businesses continue to need to find innovative ways to do these things and more - but often there's a realisation that the valuable expertise and insights they require to achieve those goals lie outside of their organisation.
Sometime what you need is a fresh, objective pair of eyes to identify your business' strengths and weakness. And to mark out the path for change.
That's where either a consultant or fractional consultant comes in. But what sets these two apart, and which is right for you?
| Traditional consulting | Fractional consulting | |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Project-basis | Part-time collaboration on a recurring basis |
| Duration | Weeks / months / years (depending on project length) | Ongoing over a longer period, as needed |
| Expertise brought | Knowledge of various industries / practices | Specific industry knowledge & skillset |
| Cost | Fixed price (based on project duration) | Retainer (agreed monthly hours, based on project requirements) |
| Level of integration | Independent; providing recommendations but leaving implementation to the client | Integrated into company’s team and operations |
| Scope of work | Focus on a specific problem or project | Broader strategic advice |
While of course you'll see some overlap in the two roles, it's important to understand the distinction, so that you can make the right choice for your business.
Do you need a birds-eye perspective to analyse your business and provide expert guidance as a one-off? Or do you need someone on hand to work with you side-by-side to develop and execute plans while also (let's face it) providing a level of consultancy?
Both provide cost savings compared to the expense of a salaried employee, and each approach has its place and time.
Knowing when to bring one or the other in, however, could be the difference to making an investment that truly will differentiate your business and allow you to scale successfully.
At Mission: Purple, we know the difference and the value each can add to any specific operational challenge you're facing. And it's our job to work with you to identify the right fit for your specific circumstances.
Let's talk.
If you've ever Googled 'project management in agencies', you're faced with a long list of project management software tools. All the usual suspects are there – along with some that you'll inevitably have never heard of before.
You must have been there - at a wedding or dinner party, or (more likely for me, these days) a whole-class village hall birthday party...when the 'what do you do?' question comes up.
If you know me, you know it's my favourite colour. At one point I had on a purple coat, purple bag and was sitting on a purple chair, waiting to go in for a client meeting. My colleague at the time had the most unprofessional fit of the giggles.