Executive-level Fractional CIO services
The unexpected ROI of a Fractional CIO
At Fluent Consultants in Kansas City, most of our Fractional CIO clients fall into two categories. Either they’ve experienced several IT-related performance issues that have negatively impacted business growth and know they can do better. Or they’re embarking on a strategic initiative, such as replacing an ERP system, and need expert guidance with the system selection process and implementation.
We approach Information and Technology from a Business Management and Operations perspective.
We find or build tools to solve business problems or exploit business opportunities
Fractional (part-time) CIO services provide your business with the quality IT leadership within a your budget.
Our Fractional CIO service is staffed by professionals with 20+ years’ in executive IT leadership
The insight of our experienced Fractional CIOs will bring more visibility, accountability and predictability to your current IT infrastructure and future spend. Our Fractional CIOs are experts at ramping up fast and quickly identifying opportunities for your organization to:
Improve IT performance and efficiency
Reduce IT costs and get more value for each dollar spent
Reduce the risk of catastrophic events
Ready to talk Fractional CIOs?
How it Works
Improving IT Performance
We’ll diagnose the root cause of the issues, develop a plan to correct them, and effectively execute the plan.
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Improving IT performance often requires the ongoing support of a Fractional CIO to diagnose the root cause of the issues, develop a plan to correct them, and effectively execute the plan.
The beginning of the process is similar to our IT strategy assessment and planning process, but the major difference is that the Fractional CIO, not you, is ultimately responsible for executing the plan. Your Fractional CIO’s weekly time commitment and the duration of engagement is based on the plan and your specific situation and goals.
Needing Execution Assistance
Our team determines the best software solution to support your business in its existing state or a new market.
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Needing assistance with the execution of a strategic initiative usually requires determining the best software solution to support the business either in its existing state or a new market or product strategy of some sort.
To accomplish this your Fractional CIO will:
- First seek to understand the strategy and goals of your business
- Assist in determining the requirements for the new system
- Determine if package software can meet your requirements
- Identify and conduct a review of potential candidate systems
- Rank each candidate system based on the requirements and present findings to leadership
- Aid in the final decision and negotiation of terms and conditions
- Provide implementation oversight upon request
Our work in action
Assessment Study
How one company partnered with Fluent to embrace a new strategy and way of doing business.
| Upgraded ERP | drastically enhanced day-to-day-activities |
We recommended an ERP system that was eventually integrated producing immediate, measurable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum number of hours I need to commit to?
Am I just adding to my IT cost if I hire a Fractional CIO?
How do I know if I need a Fractional CIO?
Most organizations can benefit from having a Fractional CIO on staff. To determine how you might specifically benefit really requires a conversation. However, visible clues include:
- IT network and software performance issues
- IT projects that are slow to start and routinely exceed budgets and deadlines
- Lack of an IT roadmap and other critical documentation
- Upcoming strategic initiatives, i.e. replacing a core operating system
- Lack of a recent review of your IT costs and risks and a plan to improve them
It’s difficult for many business leaders to appreciate the value of a CIO as they’ve grown accustomed to working around their IT performance issues and are simply unaware of how a strategic IT leader can positively impact their bottom line.
“As a company, they’re a real pleasure to work with. We found their consultants to be exceptional, and their depth of knowledge and leadership style both confidence building and refreshing. Our project was a major success. We plan to partner with them again in the future. ”
– project controls manager, construction company
Find out if a Fractional CIO is right for you.
Let’s talk about your current IT challenges, and see how we can help.