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Complete Guide: Fractional CMO for Swiss SMEs

  • Arnaud
  • Sep 1
  • 2 min read

The term Fractional CMO is gaining traction in Switzerland. Faced with the growing complexity of digital marketing and the need for strategic vision, many SMEs are looking for a flexible solution without hiring a full-time CMO.


This guide provides all the key insights to understand the model, its benefits, and how it works.


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Key Definitions

  • Fractional CMO: An experienced marketing leader supporting a company on a part-time, flexible basis.

  • CMO (Chief Marketing Officer): The executive in charge of overall marketing strategy, from lead generation to brand building.

  • Strategic Marketing: Long-term planning aligned with business objectives (growth, awareness, acquisition).

  • Operational Marketing: Execution of campaigns and tactics (content, SEO, ads, CRM).

  • Swiss SMEs: Small and medium enterprises, the backbone of the Swiss economy.


Why a Fractional CMO?

  • Flexibility: no long-term contract, adjustable commitment.

  • Senior expertise: access to high-level skills without the cost of a full-time CMO.

  • External perspective: fresh, unbiased view on your marketing strategy.

  • Quick ROI: results-driven actions (more leads, stronger visibility).


When should you hire a Fractional CMO?

  • Your SME wants to scale but lacks marketing leadership.

  • You spend on communication (ads, website, agencies) without a clear strategic vision.

  • You need better sales and marketing alignment.

  • You’re considering hiring a CMO but the budget is too high.


Typical responsibilities of a Fractional CMO

  • Marketing audit and strategic recommendations

  • Quarterly or annual marketing roadmap

  • Supervision of digital campaigns (SEO, SEA, LinkedIn, Meta, etc.)

  • Partner and agency management

  • KPI definition and dashboard setup

  • Coaching and structuring the marketing team


Benefits for Swiss SMEs

  • Tailored to SME size and budget

  • Deep understanding of the Swiss market

  • Multilingual capacity (FR/EN/DE)

  • Pragmatic approach: focused on tangible results, not just “branding”


FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does a Fractional CMO cost?→ Between CHF 2,500 and CHF 7,000/month depending on scope.

  • What’s the difference with a marketing agency?→ The Fractional CMO sets the strategy and drives execution (with your team or partners).

  • Is it relevant if I don’t have an internal marketing team?→ Yes, the model is designed for that.


Conclusion

Fractional CMO is an agile, effective solution for Swiss SMEs looking to structure marketing without hiring full-time.


At Birdy Consulting, we already support companies across Switzerland with this flexible model.


Get in touch to discuss your needs and see if Fractional CMO is right for you.

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