Why I Support Fracking

When people hear the word “fracking” they usually think of oil and gas extraction. I am not talking about that at all. The kind of fracking I support is the rise of fractional business models.

Fractional law firms, fractional CFOs, fractional HR, marketing leaders and executive coaches, all are reshaping how businesses access talent and expertise. Instead of carrying the full-time cost of senior professionals, companies are realising they can tap into highly experienced people part-time, at the right time, and for the right purpose.

This is especially interesting in law. Fractional law firms have emerged globally and are changing how clients access legal advice. They typically operate by engaging experienced lawyers on a part-time or project basis. This gives clients access to senior expertise without the cost of a permanent hire. They structure their work around flexibility and client needs rather than rigid billable-hour models. They rely on technology platforms to connect lawyers with opportunities and to manage workflow. And importantly, they appeal to senior lawyers who want more autonomy and balance while still doing substantive work.

For clients, the attraction is clear. They can access high calibre legal talent at a fraction of the cost, scaled to when and how they need it. For lawyers, it offers independence, flexibility and the chance to shape their careers differently.

And this model is not limited to law. In finance, fractional CFOs are guiding company strategy without the burden of a permanent executive package. In HR, transformation specialists step in to manage culture change and leadership projects. In marketing, fractional CMOs bring in creative and strategic firepower during critical growth phases.

At Mavens, we have been paying close attention to this shift. We believe the fractional model is not just an interesting idea but a fundamental rethink of how professional services can be structured. We have learned from how fractional law firms operate, and we have decided to adopt the same philosophy.

That is why we are moving to a fractional structure ourselves. We will be seeking consultants across law, HR, finance and marketing to join our network. This approach will allow us to live up to our role as People Strategists. It means helping clients not only with who to hire, but also with how to design professional structures that align with their strategy and growth.

Much like those sugar cane estate communities I grew up in, which thrived because people shared what they had, we believe firms and professionals today will thrive by sharing expertise through fractional models. It is not about doing more with less. It is about doing smarter with the best.

I specialise in placing Partners and senior lawyers. If you are based in Sandton and you would like to meet and discuss something specific or in general, please get in touch.

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