Innovation doesn't just come in the form of technology. Business models have changed, processes and workflows have changed and the way people work and offer their expertise has changed. One of the fastest growing trends in Dubai and the wider Middle East region is fractional work.
The concept is simple. Some C-Suite positions do not require someone to be sat at a desk, 8am until 6pm, 5 days a week. A fractional Chief Marketing Officer, who is responsible for strategy, mentoring and high-level meetings / pitches can be available when required - a day a week, 3 days a month. It depends on what your business needs from a fractional resource.
If the fractional executive is not sitting at the desk working all the time, you don't have to pay them a full-time salary. Engaging a Fractional C-Suite executive in Dubai also saves you money on visas, medical insurance and other costs that people at that level expect as part of their full-time package.
Some roles are more suited to fractional work than others. A Chief Financial Officer doesn't have to be at a desk in the building all day, every day, whereas a Chief Operating Officer may have more day to day responsibilities.
More companies in Dubai and the GCC are looking to hire a Chief AI Officer - someone who can create AI strategy with a seat at the top-table to ensure the whole organisation is aligned around AI implementation and practice. For smaller companies, this could be a big expense. A Fractional Chief AI Officer makes more sense.
There are still some local cultural challenges. Many companies like seeing the people who they are paying at work. It is common for employees to check-in and check-out and have their time in the building monitored. Hiring a Fractional CXO in Dubai requires a high level of trust, but in fact, the fractional model is a better deal for the employer - why?
Fractional leaders can't switch off. If one of your full-time employees has a great ideal on a Sunday morning, that is rewarded through their salary. If a fractional CXO has an idea on a Sunday morning, the employer gets the benefit without having to pay for it.
Aquitude Worldwide works with a network of trusted fractional executives across the region. From Fractional Chief Marketing Officers to Fractional Chief People Officers, Cybersecurity specialists, AI experts and more. Often, the hardest part about engaging a Fractional Dubai based expert is validating quality. We only recommend people who we know, have worked with, and are happy to endorse.