Why Fractional Leadership Outperforms Full-Time Hires for Many Growing Businesses

Podcast with David Solomon | Hosted by Ryan Chenier, Founder and CEO of Mastery Fractional CFO Services

In this episode of the Mastery CFO Podcast, Ryan Chenier sits down with David Solomon, CEO of Sero Growth and a highly experienced fractional CRO (Chief Revenue Officer). Together, they unpack what makes fractional leadership such a powerful solution for growing companies—and why strategy is only half the battle.

David brings decades of experience in revenue development and business strategy to the conversation, and what unfolds is a sharp, candid discussion on creating value, executing plans, and preparing for unpredictable futures.

The Value of Fractional Executives for Growing Businesses

Ryan and David agree on one thing early: fractional executives often deliver more value per dollar than full-time hires—especially for companies that are growing but not yet enterprise-sized.

“Until they're really large,” Ryan says, “they can get out of a fractional professional more than they can out of a full-time hire—for less cost.”

David echoes that sentiment, adding that fractional leaders often bring cross-industry experience and fresh thinking that in-house staff lose over time. Unlike internal hires who can get stale, fractional pros are constantly learning and bringing best practices from across industries.

From Strategy to Execution: Why Both Matter

“Strategy without execution is meaningless,” Ryan notes—and David wholeheartedly agrees.

What makes fractional professionals like David effective is their commitment to executing, not just advising. David compares his approach to fitness coaching: “I’m not only going to give them the diet. I’m going to eat with them.” His team writes sales playbooks, sits in on key meetings, and helps clients test scripts, channels, and markets from the ground up.

“We're not just handing over a PowerPoint. We’re in the trenches helping it happen,” David explains.

Sales Pipelines, Data, and Hiring with Intent

Ryan pushes the conversation into tactical territory, asking about pipeline development and compensation planning. David’s approach? Data is key. He walks clients through each stage of their sales cycle and asks the tough questions that often reveal gaps they didn’t know they had.

He also underscores the importance of understanding market-specific cost structures—something many companies overlook when expanding into new regions. From sales comp structures to distribution costs and tax implications, David relies on collaborative financial planning—often working directly with fractional CFOs.

Identifying the “Need” Before the Crisis Hits

Many companies don’t realize they need help until they hit a wall. David emphasizes the importance of proactive planning.

“If you feel stuck, if you’ve maxed out your current market and don’t know the next step—let’s talk.”

He encourages companies to see stagnation not as comfort, but as risk. "Stable" revenue isn’t necessarily healthy revenue once inflation and opportunity costs are factored in.

CFO Question of the Day

David asks Ryan: How do you help companies forecast in uncertain times when prediction seems nearly impossible?

Ryan answers with his signature clarity:

“I work with companies to build out three financial scenarios—worst-case, best-case, and most likely. That framework helps calm the chaos.”

By combining bottom-up forecasts from sales teams with conversion data, lead analysis, and overhead modeling, Ryan brings structure to uncertainty. “Think of it like driving at night with your headlights on—you want to see the turns before you get there.”

Final Takeaway: Planning Makes the Pivot Possible

The conversation wraps with a message of hope and practicality. Both David and Ryan stress the importance of planning—not to control the future, but to navigate it effectively. With a good process in place, even pivots become less risky and more strategic.

As David says, “The sky is still the limit. Don’t hesitate to reach beyond your borders.”

🔗 Links & Contact Info

Guest: David Solomon on LinkedIn📧 info@serogrowth.com | 🌐 www.serogrowth.com
Host: Ryan Chenier, Fractional CFO📧 info@masterycfo.com | 🌐 masterycfo.com🎧 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more episodes!

Call to Action

Enjoyed the conversation? Share this episode with someone growing a business—or considering a fractional executive. If you’re a business leader who wants to explore how a fractional CFO or CRO could help you grow strategically, reach out today.