Is a Fractional CTO Right For Your Growing Business? And How to Choose One.

Growing a business of any size comes with its own set of unique challenges. You're juggling increased customer demands, scaling operations, and navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape. This often leads to the realization that one should not try to wear all of the hats.  This is especially true when it comes to the company’s technological needs.  This is where a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) could sure come in handy. 

Most business owners lack the technical know-how to manage their IT needs alone.

I bet you’re thinking, “Yeah, right. We don’t have the budget for that!”  You are not alone. For many small to medium-sized businesses, the cost of a full-time CTO can be prohibitive. However, the need for strategic technology leadership remains. That's where the concept of a Fractional CTO comes into play.

Why Consider a Fractional CTO?

A Fractional CTO offers part-time expertise, by focusing on aligning the right tech to the business’ strategic goals, they can bridge the gap between your current needs and the future, helping you develop a technology roadmap tailored to your specific situation.

What to Look For in a Fractional CTO:

• Strategic Vision: They should be able to translate your business goals into a clear technology strategy. Look for someone who understands your industry and can identify emerging technologies that could benefit your business.

• Technical Proficiency: While they don't need to be hands-on with every technical detail, they should have a broad understanding of relevant technologies, including cloud services like Microsoft Azure and productivity suites like Microsoft 365, as well as CRM implementations.

• Compliance and Security Awareness: They should be well-versed in relevant security standards and regulations, ensuring your data is protected and your business remains compliant.

• Communication Skills: A good Fractional CTO can effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. This ensures everyone is on the same page.

• ROI Focus: They should be able to help you align technology spending with your business objectives and measure the return on investment.

Questions to Ask Potential Fractional CTOs:

• "How will you develop a technology roadmap for our business?"

• "What experience do you have with [relevant technologies like Microsoft 365, Azure, CRM]?"

• "How do you ensure compliance with relevant regulations?"

• "Can you provide examples of how you've helped businesses improve their ROI through technology?"

By carefully considering

these factors, you can determine if a Fractional CTO is the right fit for your business and find a partner who can help you navigate the complexities of technology and drive growth.

Brandie Kayser, MBA is the managing partner at Rochester IT & Business Solutions. She worked for IBM Watson Health for many years prior to opening Roc-IT. Today she helps clients manage their IT needs and implement sound cybersecurity strategies.