How does IBEAN's model differ from an executive search firm?

Executive search firms (headhunters) find and place permanent C-suite hires — they are not the executive themselves. IBEAN is the fractional executive. IBEAN's advisors embed with your business directly; there's no search process, no placement fee, and no wait for a candidate. The engagement starts within 2–3 weeks of the diagnostic.

Can I transition from a Fractional CXO to a full-time hire later?

Yes — and this is a common path. Many IBEAN clients use the fractional engagement to validate the C-suite need and define the ideal candidate profile, then make a permanent hire when the business reaches the revenue and complexity threshold that justifies it. IBEAN's engagement naturally documents the role scope, KPIs, and hiring criteria needed for the full-time hire.

What is the minimum engagement for an IBEAN Fractional CXO?

Every engagement begins with a fixed-fee Business Diagnostic (from ₹1 lakh). The retainer engagement is typically 12 months minimum — shorter engagements don't allow enough time to implement systems and verify outcomes. Retainer pricing starts at ₹6 lakh/year depending on the role and scope.

Comparison Guide

Fractional CXO vs Staffing Agency India

Part-time embedded advisory vs executive placement — which model fits your business stage and budget?

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The short answer

Staffing firms find and place executives — full-time or contract. IBEAN's fractional model provides the same strategic capability without the full-time cost or the 3–6 month search process. For Indian businesses at ₹5–100Cr, fractional is typically the right model; at ₹100Cr+, a permanent hire may be warranted.

Side-by-side comparison

Dimension	Staffing Agency / Exec Search	Fractional CXO (IBEAN)
What they provide	A hired executive — permanent or contract placement	Shared C-suite leadership — part-time, outcome-focused
Accountability	Employment terms; no outcome guarantees	Monthly KPI review against agreed business metrics
Commitment	Full-time hire (permanent) or contract (3–6 months)	6–36 month engagement; 2–8 days/month
Cost	₹20–100L/year salary + benefits + agency fee (8–15% of CTC)	₹6–20L/year — no recruitment fee, no benefits overhead
Time to start	3–6 months (search, interview, notice period)	2–3 weeks (diagnostic → engagement start)
Risk of wrong fit	High — 12+ months of cost if wrong hire	Low — 30-day exit; no HR complications
Multi-function coverage	One executive, one function	Can cover multiple functions under one engagement framework

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

5 Questions

No. A staffing firm places executives on contract — typically 3–6 months, full-time, paid by the hour or day. A fractional executive (like IBEAN's model) is a part-time embedded advisor — 2–8 days per month, on a retainer, accountable to business outcomes not hours worked. The staffing model is about filling a seat temporarily. The fractional model is about delivering specific business outcomes on a flexible engagement basis.

Staffing agencies are the right choice when you need a full-time or contract executive with specific credentials for a defined period — interim CFO during a CEO transition, contract COO during a founder illness, or a fixed-term executive for a specific project. If you need presence 5 days a week, a staffing firm is appropriate. If you need expertise 2–4 days a month with outcome accountability, a fractional model is more appropriate.

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Not sure which model fits your business?

IBEAN's Business Diagnostic identifies whether a fractional engagement, a permanent hire, or a different intervention is the right next step — before you commit to any model.

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