The Fractional C-Suite Retreat
 

The Fractional C-Suite Retreat

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Joseph Frost, Co-Founder of yorCMO, hosts this exclusive retreat for executives to unwind and hear from their peers about new opportunities and innovations in the C-Suite.

Episodes

Offboarding: A Strategic Approach to Delegation - Redefining C-Suite Leadership- Michele Hecken- Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #67

Thursday Mar 06, 2025

Thursday Mar 06, 2025

In this episode of the Fractional C-suite Retreat, Joseph Frost and Michelle Hecken discuss the evolving landscape of workforce engagement and the importance of clarity and agency in leadership. They explore the concept of offboarding as a strategic approach to delegation, emphasizing the need for leaders to define responsibilities clearly and empower their teams. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding generational shifts in work expectations and the necessity of creating a culture that fosters ownership and accountability. Michelle shares insights on how to effectively offboard tasks and responsibilities to enhance productivity and business growth. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of establishing effective KPIs for executive assistants, emphasizing the need for these metrics to be within the control of the assistants. They discuss the role of executive assistants in managing time and responsibilities, the challenges of offboarding processes, and the frameworks that can facilitate effective offboarding. The conversation also highlights the value of fractional leadership and introduces the concept of 'Return on Leadership,' which focuses on the opportunity costs associated with leadership roles. Ultimately, the discussion centers on how proper offboarding can create agency within organizations, leading to improved productivity and satisfaction.

Takeaways

  • Growing a business requires understanding workforce shifts.
  • Leaders must engage employees with clarity and purpose.
  • Agency in the workplace means giving ownership to employees.
  • Offboarding is a strategic approach to delegation.
  • Clarity about responsibilities is essential for effective offboarding.
  • Self-running teams are crucial for business success.
  • The interview process should clarify roles and expectations.
  • Effective offboarding can free up significant time for leaders.
  • Leaders need to measure outcomes with meaningful KPIs. Clear KPIs bring agency and accountability to the agency.
  • KPIs should be within the control of the individual.
  • Fractional leadership can provide significant value to organizations.
  • Return on Leadership emphasizes opportunity costs.
  • Effective offboarding creates agency within teams.

Quote of the show:

"Return on leadership is about opportunity costs." - Michele Hecken

 

Links

Company website:

Ways to Tune In

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

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Navigating C-Suite Leadership in 2025 - Swanie Tolentino and Sean Foote - Panel cast - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #66

Thursday Feb 13, 2025

Thursday Feb 13, 2025

In this panel discussion, C-suite leaders Swanie Tolentino and Sean Foote share insights on the critical themes for 2025, focusing on mindful growth, smart prioritization, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. They emphasize the need for strategic marketing leadership to navigate challenges and drive organizational success, highlighting the balance between immediate results and long-term goals. In this conversation, Swanie Tolentino and Sean discuss the importance of integrating technology and methodology to create value in organizations. They emphasize the shift towards month-to-month engagements in fractional CMO roles, highlighting the flexibility and accountability this model offers. The discussion also delves into the significance of understanding customers deeply, using both qualitative and quantitative data to inform marketing strategies. Finally, they explore the characteristics of ideal customers and the aspirations for future growth in the fractional CMO space.

Takeaways:

  • C-suite leaders must focus on mindful growth in 2025.
  • Smart prioritization is essential due to limited resources.
  • Data-driven decision-making is crucial for effective strategies.
  • Strategic marketing leadership aligns teams and resources for growth.
  • Understanding customer motivation is key to effective marketing.
  • Mindful expansion requires a balance of goals and capabilities.
  • A strategic leader asks hard questions to guide the business.
  • Transforming marketing approaches can lead to better outcomes.
  • Organizations need to move from a scattershot to a focused approach.

 Quote of the show:

"Companies don’t lack data; they lack focus. The real value of leadership is guiding an organization through the noise and aligning efforts where they matter most."

 

Links

Twitter: @seanfoote 

Company website: https://yorcmo.com/sean-foote/ 

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

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From Entrepreneur to Visionary: Redefining C-Suite Leadership- Tom Daly - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #65

Thursday Dec 19, 2024

Thursday Dec 19, 2024

In this conversation, Joseph Frost interviews Tom Daly, a Fractional Chief Revenue Officer, about the evolving role of C-suite leaders and the importance of transitioning from an entrepreneurial mindset to a visionary leadership style. They discuss the challenges of offboarding responsibilities, the value of fractional leadership, and how to select the right fractional leader for an organization. Tom shares personal insights from his journey and emphasizes the need for authenticity and trust in leadership roles.

Takeaways:

  • C-suite leaders must transition from doing to leading.
  • The visionary role is crucial for organizational growth.
  • Offboarding responsibilities is as challenging as onboarding.
  • Fractional leaders should aim to work themselves out of a job.
  • Authenticity is essential in building trust with clients.
  • C-suite leaders often wear too many hats.
  • Selecting a fractional leader requires strategic preparation.
  • Fractional leadership offers flexibility and expertise.
  • Building trust is key to effective offboarding.

Quote of the show:

To get from that entrepreneurial spirit of doing to the visionary where you're showing the way, that's a critical movement that all entrepreneurs need to do. – Tom Daly

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

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The Human Element in the Automated Age of Sales - Kristie Jones - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #64

Tuesday Jun 11, 2024

Tuesday Jun 11, 2024

In this insightful episode of the Fractional C-Suite Retreat, host Joseph Frost is joined by Kristie Jones, a seasoned consultant and upcoming author of "Selling Your Way In". They delve into the dynamic interplay between technology and human skills in the sales sector, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human interaction and strategic personal development in achieving top sales performance.

 

Takeaways:

  • Importance of Human Skills: Despite technological advancements, human interaction remains crucial in sales.
  • Selecting the Right Sales Talent: Emphasizes the necessity of hiring top-tier sales professionals who can leverage technology without relying solely on it.
  • The Science and Art of Sales: Discusses the balance between data-driven sales approaches and essential soft skills.
  • Adapting to Buyer Changes: Acknowledges the evolving preferences and behaviors of modern buyers.
  • Impact of AI on Sales: Explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping sales strategies and efficiency.
  • Sustainable Sales Careers: Encourages sales professionals to align their roles with their personal skills and market needs for long-term success.
  • Building Personal Branding: Stresses the importance of salespeople developing their personal brand and community for career advancement.

 

Quote of the Show:

"Adaptability and continuous learning are non-negotiable in the evolving sales landscape." – Kristie Jones

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

Read more

Leveraging Buyer Personas for Strategic Growth - Jim Kraus - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #63

Tuesday May 14, 2024

Tuesday May 14, 2024

In this episode of the Fractional C-Suite Retreat, host Joseph Frost chats with Jim Kraus, President of the Buyer Persona Institute. They delve into the significance of buyer personas in marketing and how deep insights into buyer behavior can dramatically enhance strategic decision-making and marketing efforts. Jim explains the five rings of buying insight and shares practical tips for implementing effective buyer persona studies.

 

Takeaways:

  • The Relevance of Buyer Personas: Understanding the deep motivations and behaviors of buyers can transform marketing strategies.
  • Economic Influences on C-Suite Decisions: Current economic conditions are influencing how resources are allocated in marketing and sales.
  • Understanding vs. Assuming Buyer Needs: Real insights come from deep analysis, not assumptions.
  • The Five Rings of Buying Insight: A structured approach to understanding buyer decisions.
  • Challenges in Recruiting Interview Participants: Strategies for identifying and engaging the right participants for buyer studies.
  • Leveraging AI in Buyer Persona Development: How AI can aid in analyzing interview data but why it should not replace human analysis.
  • The Evolution of Buyer Behavior Over 15 Years: Core buyer concerns remain constant even as the details of decisions evolve.

 

Quote of the Show:

"Every detail in the buyer's journey, from initial triggers to final decision criteria, shapes the effectiveness of your sales strategies." – Jim Kraus

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

Read more

Mastering Evolving Customer Expectations - Damian Kernahan - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #62

Tuesday Apr 23, 2024

Tuesday Apr 23, 2024

In this insightful discussion, Damian shares his expert take from years of consulting in customer experience. Learn about the dramatic shift in customer values and why your previous value propositions might need a refresh. Discover how elevated expectations for care and deep, meaningful customer insights can revolutionize your approach and substantially boost retention and value.

 

Takeaways:

  • Shift in Customer Values: The pandemic has fundamentally changed customer priorities, making previous value propositions less relevant.
  • Elevated Expectations for Care: Customers now place a higher premium on care, impacting their expectations from businesses significantly.
  • Core Customer Needs: Identifying universal customer needs can streamline customer experience strategies and improve effectiveness across the board.
  • Deep Customer Insights: Businesses need to go beyond superficial data to uncover the deep insights that truly inform effective strategies.
  • Retention through Experience: Improving customer experience can lead to substantial increases in customer retention and lifetime value.
  • Externally-Focused Customer Strategies: Successful customer strategies start with external insights to accurately reflect customer needs.
  • Continuous Customer Engagement: Keeping a pulse on continuous shifts in customer preferences is crucial for maintaining alignment and satisfaction.

 

Quote of the Show:

"Customer lifetime value is one of the most valuable metrics an organization can use." - Damian Kernahan

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com 

Read more

Leveraging AI and Overcoming the Founder's Conundrum- Nikhil Hunshikatti- Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #61

Tuesday Apr 09, 2024

Tuesday Apr 09, 2024

In this enlightening episode, fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Nikhil dives deep into the transformative role of AI in business, the challenges founders face in scaling their companies, and the unique advantages of fractional leadership. From leveraging AI while preserving authenticity to navigating the transition from founder to visionary leader, Nikhil shares invaluable insights and strategies for driving growth and embracing change.

 

Takeaways:

  • AI as a Human-Driven Tool: Emphasize the importance of using AI as a tool that enhances human creativity, rather than letting it drive the marketing strategies.
  • Authenticity in Content Creation: Highlight the need for authenticity in content creation, especially in how AI-generated content is perceived and optimized for specific platforms.
  • Importance of Contextual Relevance: Stress the significance of contextual relevance in the use of AI for creating content that resonates with the audience.
  • Navigating Founder Transitions: Discuss the challenges founders face as they transition from operational roles to visionary leadership, and the strategies to ease this process.
  • Quick Wins and Strategic Planning: The role of fractional CMOs in driving quick wins and strategic planning to demonstrate value and build trust quickly.
  • Experimentation and Data Analysis: The critical role of experimentation and data analysis in marketing, allowing businesses to test, learn, and adapt strategies rapidly.
  • The Value of Fractional Leadership: Insights into the unique advantages of fractional leadership, including bringing fresh perspectives and specialized expertise.

 

 

Quote of the Show:

"It's important to not let the technology drive you, but for us to drive that technology."- Nikhil Hunshikatti

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com/ 

Read more

Scaling Success: Strategic Marketing and Team Synergy - Jason Parker and Dave Blanchard- Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #60

Tuesday Feb 27, 2024

Tuesday Feb 27, 2024

In this episode, Joseph Frost dives into the fascinating journey of K9 Resorts, a luxury dog boarding and daycare franchise, with co-founder Jason Parker and Dave Blanchard, a seasoned fractional Chief Marketing Officer from Your CMO. They discuss the pivotal role of strategic marketing and the right team composition in scaling a business, especially in the post-pandemic era. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, listeners will gain valuable lessons on growth, marketing, and remote workforce integration.

 

Takeaways:

  • The Power of the Right Team: Understanding the importance of surrounding yourself with capable individuals for business growth and scalability.
  • Fractional CMO Impact: How a fractional Chief Marketing Officer brings strategic insights and catalyzes significant growth in your business.
  • Hybrid Workforce Opportunities: Embracing flexibility in the workforce can unlock talent and opportunities previously unseen.
  • Cultural Collaboration: The crucial role of in-person interaction in establishing company culture and effectively integrating new team members.
  • Strategic Marketing for Franchises: Highlighting the necessity of detailed planning and strategic marketing for the success and profitability of franchisees.
  • Accelerating Profitability: How digital marketing strategies and pre-opening sales initiatives can significantly shorten the path to profitability for new locations.
  • Grassroots Marketing: The importance of local community engagement and grassroots efforts for franchisees to ensure success.
  • Brand Messaging and Rebranding: The impact of rebranding and clarifying brand messaging to resonate with customer values and expectations.

 

Quote of the Show:

"The transition to a more digital and remote marketing strategy isn't just a trend; it's a necessary evolution to stay relevant and effective in today's market." -Jason Parker

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com/ 

Read more

Navigating the AI Revolution in Marketing - Kim Jackson - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #59

Tuesday Feb 13, 2024

Tuesday Feb 13, 2024

In this insightful episode, Joseph Frost sits down with Kim Jackson, a seasoned leader in capital markets and marketing, and a champion for female entrepreneurship. Kim shares her invaluable insights on integrating AI into marketing strategies, forming cross-functional teams for innovation, and the importance of messaging in the age of AI. Dive into a conversation full of actionable advice for C-suite leaders looking to leverage AI for business success.

 

Takeaways:

  • Strategic AI Integration: AI must be integrated thoughtfully across business operations, requiring leadership beyond the IT department to truly drive innovation and efficiency.
  • Building Diverse Teams: The success of AI projects hinges on forming diverse, cross-functional teams that bring together various business functions and perspectives.
  • The Importance of Messaging: Effective communication about AI's role and goals is crucial in overcoming resistance and fostering an environment of acceptance and enthusiasm.
  • AI and Job Transformation: AI is set to reshape the workforce, not by eliminating jobs but by creating new opportunities and requiring new skills.
  • Content Strategy in the AI Era: Quality of content should prevail over quantity, with AI serving as a tool to enhance creativity and relevance rather than dilute it with volume.
  • Ethical AI Use: Ethical considerations must be front and center in AI deployment, ensuring that technology serves humanity's best interests.
  • Leveraging AI for Competitive Advantage: Organizations that embrace AI thoughtfully and strategically can significantly outpace competitors, making AI competency a critical strategic asset.

 

Quote of the Show:

"The future of work with AI isn't about displacement but transformation. It's an opportunity to evolve our roles and create value in new, unforeseen ways." – Kim Jackson

 

Links

 

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com/

Read more

The Future of Business Strategy - John Lund - Fractional C-Suite Retreat - Episode #58

Tuesday Jan 30, 2024

Tuesday Jan 30, 2024

In this insightful episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of business strategy, with a focus on the integration of AI, the importance of fractional leadership, and the challenges and opportunities of managing remote teams. Guest speaker John Lund, an expert in business strategy and coaching, shares valuable insights and practical tips for C-suite executives and small to medium-sized business owners looking to navigate the changing business environment.

 

Takeaways:

  • Understanding New Leaders' Challenges: Post-COVID, upcoming leaders lack casual mentoring experiences, impacting their ability to manage and understand the company as a whole.
  • Intentional Connections and Cross-Department Learning: Encourage inter-departmental involvement in meetings and processes for broader learning and better decision-making.
  • Effective Time Management in Meetings: Implement unconventional meeting times and extended casual pre-meeting durations to foster interaction and rapport.
  • Clarifying 'What Winning Looks Like': Ensuring every team member understands their role and success metrics simplifies management and aligns efforts with company goals.
  • Adopting OKRs for Goal Setting: Objectives and Key Results, coupled with collaborative projects, provide a clear and effective framework for goal setting and achievement.
  • Leveraging AI for Efficiency: AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize processes, from analyzing contracts to setting goals, boosting efficiency and quality.
  • Importance of Fractional Leadership: For many SMBs, fractional executives offer the right balance of expertise and flexibility, driving growth without overcommitting resources.
  • Embracing Remote Work and Outsourcing: Modern businesses must leverage remote work, outsourcing, and AI to stay competitive and adapt to the new work landscape.

 

Quote of the Show:

  • "The key to effective management in a virtual environment is clear communication, understanding what winning looks like, and involving team members in process creation." - John Lund

Links

Ways to Tune In

 

Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

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