In this episode of HR Heretics, Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich interview Sally Thornton, founder of Forshay. Sally shares insights on the fractional executive placement business she's built since 2011. Thornton emphasizes that successful fractional work requires consultative skills, boundary management, and rapid trust-building rather than simply scoped part-time arrangements. If you're thinking of going fractional, this is a must-listen discussion.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

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KEEP UP WITH SALLY, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Sally: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallythornton/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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LINK/S:

Forshay: https://forshay.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:58) What Forge Does

(02:33) Trust Barriers in Fractional Work

(03:25) The Relational Approach

(04:36) Buyer Mindset Challenges

(06:10) Marketplaces vs. Agents

(07:04) TAM Debate

(10:00) The Adverse Selection Problem

(10:56) The Dirty Secret of Fractional

(11:45) Different Interview Approach

(13:03) Consulting Background Advantage

(13:53) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview

(16:57) The Ideal Buyer

(17:26) Early vs. Late Stage Company Challenges

(18:24) CFOs Make Better Clients

(18:59) Transparent Pricing Model

(21:41) Hourly Rate Guidelines

(22:41) W2 vs. 1099 Considerations

(23:27) The Honeymoon Phase

(24:52) Managing Client Expectations

(26:46) Beyond Filling Open Roles

(29:08) The Assessment Process

(31:40) 75% Is Good Enough

(34:29) Evolution from Interim to Fractional

(37:05) Advice for New Fractional Execs

(38:15) The Black Hole Complaint

(40:11) Career Self-Management

(42:11) Sustaining a 15-Year Business

(43:06) Wrap

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The Fractional Executive Myth with Sally Thornton, Forshay

“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

The Fractional Executive Myth with Sally Thornton, Forshay