2024’s B2B Revolution: Trading Managers for Fractional Leaders 💡

Middle-level managers are targeted in multiple layoff rounds this year.

🏢 This step marks B2Bs’ move to a new org structure model.

Meta, Amazon, Intel, HSBC, Salesforce have slashed entire horizontal layers in the “year of efficiency”.

👨‍🏫 This solves several organizational problems:

1. Budget cuts – managers are well-paid but not directly involved with building products or delivering services.

2. Operational gains – coordination and communication time can be squeezed both internally and externally.

3. Leaner build times – fewer layers = shorter approval cycles = fewer meetings.

4. Increased performance – delegating management to individual contributors and experts reduces some of the production time, but self-management is aligned to process efficiency.

5. Automation opportunities – tooling, automation systems, vendors can bridge the gap and streamline processes previously relying on management.

Some operations will fail, but most will remain resilient with smaller and nimble teams.

⬇️ But filling in the gap will require additional help:

– Fractional advisors and consultants can direct GTM motions, campaigns, initiatives, and adapt new workflows internally.

– Agencies will deliver niche services and solutions – some going the productized route + maintenance and support.

– Operators will manage new tools and SaaS solutions, delivering 80% of the work in 10-30 minutes and liaising with subject matter experts for the last 10-20%.

This shift has been slowly happening over the past year and progressive B2Bs are already adopting the model as we speak.

Others still transition while finding the right 3rd parties and partners to execute upon strategic goals.

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👉 If you’re currently hiring for fractional roles and consultants, drop open roles in the comments below.

👉 And managers/fractionals who are “Open to Work” – drop your elevator pitch below as we bridge the gap between available talent and current opportunities.