What's the difference between a fractional CGO and a growth agency?

A fractional CGO is an embedded operator who joins your team part-time, owns growth outcomes, and builds systems you keep. A growth agency is an external vendor that executes defined deliverables against a retainer. CGOs have P&L accountability; agencies have deliverable accountability.

When should I hire a growth agency instead of a fractional CGO?

Hire an agency when you need specialized execution capacity (paid media, content production), specific channel expertise you don't want in-house, or high-volume creative work. Agencies are best for defined-scope projects where you already know what you need built.

Is a fractional CGO cheaper than a growth agency?

Often yes. Fractional CGO engagements typically run $10K-25K/month versus agency retainers of $15K-50K/month. More importantly, fractional work builds infrastructure you keep, while agency work often creates dependency. The total cost of ownership favors fractional for strategic work.

Can I use both a fractional CGO and agencies?

Yes — this is often the optimal model. The fractional CGO provides strategic ownership and directs specialized agencies for execution. You get accountability without vendor lock-in, and can swap agencies without losing institutional knowledge.

Comparison Guide

Fractional CGO vs Growth Agency

Embedded operator vs. external vendor: which model drives better outcomes for your company?

Fractional CGO

Embedded Operator

Part of your team, in your systems
P&L accountability and ownership
Builds infrastructure you keep
Direct access, no account managers
Aligned with your outcomes

Growth Agency

External Vendor

Outside your org, separate systems
Deliverable-focused, not outcome-focused
Work product they retain expertise on
Account manager layer between you and work
Aligned with retainer renewal

When Agencies Make Sense

Agencies are the right choice when you need specialized execution capacity for defined-scope work.

Specialized Execution Capacity

You need hands to execute a defined playbook — paid media buying, content production at scale, or design work that exceeds your team's bandwidth.

Specific Channel Expertise

You need deep expertise in a channel you don't want to build in-house — TikTok ads, influencer management, or PR.

Creative Production

You need high-volume creative assets — video production, brand campaigns, or design systems that require a full creative team.

Defined Scope Projects

You have a clear brief, defined deliverables, and don't need strategic input — just execution against a spec.

When Fractional CGO Makes Sense

A fractional CGO is the right choice when you need strategic ownership, not just execution.

Strategic Ownership

You need someone who owns the growth function, not just executes tasks. Someone accountable for revenue outcomes, not deliverables.

Systems Building

You need infrastructure that compounds — churn recovery automation, billing systems, SEO at scale — not campaigns that end when the retainer does.

Operational Diagnosis

You're not sure what's broken. You need someone to diagnose the real problems before prescribing solutions — not an agency selling their services.

P&L Accountability

You need someone who thinks about margin, efficiency, and revenue — not just top-of-funnel metrics that look good in reports.

Speed Without Bureaucracy

You need things built this week, not a 6-week kickoff process with strategy decks and stakeholder alignment meetings.

Cost Comparison

Beyond the monthly retainer: understanding the total cost of ownership.

Category	Growth Agency	Fractional CGO
Monthly Investment	$15K-50K/month retainer	$10K-25K/month engagement
What You Get	Defined deliverables, hours allocated	Outcomes and ownership, flexible scope
Hidden Costs	Overage fees, scope change costs, tool markups	None — systems built become yours
Exit Cost	Knowledge walks out, dependency remains	Infrastructure stays, team is trained
Time Investment	Weekly calls, feedback cycles, approvals	Embedded in team, minimal overhead

Speed to Impact

Weekend builds vs. agency timelines. How fast can you expect results?

Agency Timeline

Kickoff & Discovery2-4 weeks
Strategy Development2-3 weeks
Creative Production3-4 weeks
Launch & OptimizationOngoing
Total to First Results8-12 weeks

Fractional CGO Timeline

Diagnostic & AuditWeek 1
Quick Wins ShippedWeek 2
Core Systems BuiltWeeks 3-4
Optimization & HandoffOngoing
Total to First Results1-2 weeks

The Hybrid Approach

The most effective model: a fractional CGO directing specialized agencies. You get strategic ownership AND execution capacity.

Strategic Layer

CGO owns strategy, holds agencies accountable to outcomes not deliverables

Execution Layer

Agencies provide specialized capacity the CGO directs and optimizes

No Vendor Lock-in

CGO can swap agencies without losing institutional knowledge

Cost Efficiency

Pay for agency execution only where it makes sense, build internally where it doesn't

Red Flags to Watch For

Warning signs that indicate you might be making the wrong choice.

Agency Red Flags

They can't explain their strategy

If the account manager can't articulate why they're recommending specific tactics, you're paying for a playbook, not thinking.

Metrics without context

Reporting impressions and clicks without connecting to revenue is a sign they're optimizing for renewals, not your outcomes.

Long contracts, vague deliverables

6-12 month minimums with 'strategic support' in the SOW usually means they're locking you in before proving value.

Resistance to transparency

If you can't see inside their process, access their tools, or talk to the people doing the work — you're a number, not a partner.

Fractional Red Flags

No operational experience

If they've only consulted and never built, they'll give you advice but not execution. Ask for examples of systems they've shipped.

Can't show P&L impact

Vague outcomes like 'improved processes' or 'better alignment' without revenue numbers means they're selling time, not results.

Too many clients

If they're juggling 10+ engagements, you're not getting embedded — you're getting a consultant who shows up for calls.

Strategy-only positioning

If they emphasize 'advisory' over 'operator,' they're a consultant in fractional clothing. You want someone who builds.

Not sure which model is right for you? Let's talk through your situation.