Big Creek Growth Newsletter: Edition #24🖐️🖐️🖐️🖐️✌️✌️

Fractional Roles Outside of the C-Suite

In partnership with

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Fractional Talent Beyond the C-Suite

In the fast-paced startup world, operational efficiency isn't just a nice-to-have—it’s often the determining factor in a company's success or failure. Streamlining operations allows startups to focus on growth, pivot swiftly, and optimize resources, which is especially critical for lean teams. Here’s a roadmap to enhance operational efficiency, drive scalability, and position your startup for long-term success.

Fractional Talent isn’t just for Strategy

While fractional executives like CFOs and CMOs grab the headlines, the real game-changer for startups is the ability to hire fractional talent at the execution level. Whether it’s a fractional product designer, marketing manager, or content writer, these contributors bring immediate expertise and hit the ground running. They help your startup execute faster without the ramp-up time of a full-time hire, allowing your core team to stay focused on what matters most—driving growth and innovation.

On-Demand Expertise Without Full-Time Overhead 

For most early-stage startups, hiring full-time employees in every department simply isn’t feasible—or necessary. This is where fractional roles can be incredibly valuable. You can bring in specialized talent, like a social media manager or a paid ads expert, on a part-time or project basis. This approach lets you experiment, learn what works, and scale your efforts without committing to the long-term costs of full-time employment. It’s a smart way to keep overhead low while still gaining access to high-level skills.

Flexibility to Match Changing Business Needs

Startups grow in unpredictable ways, which means your talent needs can shift quickly. Fractional hiring allows you to adapt in real time. If you’re preparing for a major product launch or a fundraising round, you can bring in a fractional QA expert, financial consultant, or marketing strategist to help you through that critical phase. Once the project is done, you can scale back without any of the headaches associated with layoffs or role redundancy. This level of flexibility is invaluable for startups navigating uncertain growth paths.

Access to a Broader Talent Pool

Hiring for full-time roles limits your options—especially when you’re searching for highly specialized talent. Fractional hiring expands your reach by giving you access to experienced professionals who prefer flexible or project-based work. These could be industry veterans, seasoned consultants, or niche experts who would otherwise be out of reach for a startup’s budget. With a fractional workforce, you can bring in exactly the expertise you need, when you need it, without compromising on quality.

Mentorship and Skill Transfer

One of the hidden benefits of hiring fractional contributors is their ability to upskill your internal team. Since many fractional professionals are experienced leaders, they tend to share best practices and mentor your staff along the way. A fractional product designer, for instance, might introduce better UX methodologies, while a fractional marketing strategist can teach your in-house team advanced growth techniques. Over time, this knowledge transfer leaves your team stronger, more capable, and better prepared for future challenges.

By moving beyond the traditional C-suite model and embracing fractional hiring at every level, startups can stay lean, agile, and competitive. Whether you need help with marketing, product development, or operations, fractional roles provide a flexible and cost-effective way to access specialized talent—on your terms.

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Fractional Openings

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Ever felt nervous tackling a new project or presenting your ideas to leadership? You’re not alone, and MoreThanCoders is here to help. This newsletter is packed with practical advice on mastering soft skills, so you can communicate confidently, lead effectively, and take your software engineering career to the next level.

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Startup Story

Jobspeaker

Founded by Jarlath O’Carroll in July 2015, Jobspeaker is revolutionizing how individuals navigate their career journeys. By seamlessly integrating labor market data, educational pathways, and employer insights, the platform empowers job seekers, students, and institutions to unlock meaningful career opportunities. With a focus on collaboration, real-world skills mapping, and data-driven insights, Jobspeaker offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Career Exploration Made Personal
Jobspeaker enables learners to explore a wide array of career options aligned with their interests, skills, and the labor market’s needs. Through tailored assessments, users can identify roles across industries and receive actionable guidance on how to pursue them. By presenting pathways that connect skills to real-world opportunities, Jobspeaker ensures that job seekers have a clear, achievable roadmap to their dream careers.

Mapping Skills to Success
At the heart of the platform is Skills Mapping, a powerful tool that matches educational curricula with the skills employers demand. Whether skills are gained in school, through internships, or on the job, Jobspeaker compiles them into a detailed Skills Transcript. This dynamic record not only highlights the competencies a user has earned but also showcases how those skills relate to employment opportunities—giving both job seekers and employers a trusted framework for making confident hiring decisions.

Hands-On Learning and Collaboration
Jobspeaker stands out for its emphasis on work-based learning and collaboration. The platform allows users to manage and scale practical learning experiences, from internships to apprenticeships. Through customizable workflows, learners, employers, and educators can set objectives, track progress, and document outcomes, creating an audit-proof record of achievements. Additionally, Jobspeaker fosters cross-industry collaboration, enabling institutions, employers, and students to connect through career fairs, workshops, and networking events.

Data-Driven Insights and Lifelong Engagement
Beyond helping job seekers land their first job, Jobspeaker continues to support their professional journey. The platform tracks employment outcomes, monitors evolving industry demands, and provides educational institutions with actionable insights to adapt their programs to the labor market. With tools like the Resume Builder and analytics capabilities, Jobspeaker ensures users are always prepared for the next step, while alumni tracking allows institutions to measure long-term success.

Simplifying Career Success for All
Jobspeaker is more than a career platform—it’s a holistic ecosystem that integrates learners, educators, and employers to achieve shared success. By combining cutting-edge technology with a human-centered approach, Jobspeaker empowers users to take control of their careers and adapt to the ever-changing world of work. Whether you’re a student finding your path, an educator shaping future talent, or an employer seeking top candidates, Jobspeaker is the key to navigating the journey from learning to earning.

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EVENTS

The Synergy Exchange
1/23 : 8:00-10:00
Glen Oaks Country Club
1401 Glen Oaks Dr. West Des Moines
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Ag Innovation Forum & Legislative Reception
1/22
Hilton - Downtown Des Moines
435 Park St, Des Moines
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Firmware Fellowship
1/22 : 11:00am - 12:30pm
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TechBrew:AM
2/13 : 8:00-9:00
West End Architectural Salvage
207 9th St, Des Moines
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Park Street Kitchen Bar
2nd Friday of the Month
435 Park St, Des Moines

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