I have a question for our community here. As independents and fractional business owners I am sure you are watching expenses and what subscriptions you are paying monthly and annually for. I have tried to be very diligent in tracking subscriptions, and I always maintain a "lapse list" - certain subscriptions that I am willing to let expire and then see what falls apart. Others can never be allowed to lapse (for example the subscriptions keeping my website and email online). What are some tools and subscriptions you absolutely swear by? What are the ones you'll want to cut first when it's time to tighten purse strings? For me the critical ones are: 1) Google workspace (for my domain, email, and some of the AI stuff) 2) Google One (Cloud backup of critical information) 3) Cellphone plans Ones that I am using but don't consider critical at the moment: 4) Claude 5) Gamma.app (built most of my original collateral on it, but looking at phasing it out) 6) RedZone (this is a new and specific one that a marketing team I have engaged requires, if you are interested I can discuss this more) Ones that I am toying with letting lapse: 7) Zoom premium Ones that I have let expire: 8) Fireflies.ai 9) LinkedIn Premium (but will probably reinstate) I am sure there are other things I am missing. Also this is not necessarily ALL my operational expenses, I also have budgets for AI API usage across different platforms. But I am trying to keep subscriptions lean.

A business owner asks you for a quick 30-minute, "Just to pick your brain" call. (Or offers to take you to lunch.) No scope, no intro call, just advice. What do you do?

Many FEC members support nonprofits, associations, foundations, boards, and mission-driven organizations in different ways. If you work with nonprofits, please share: 1. What type of nonprofit or mission-driven organization you support 2. What problem you help them solve 3. What kind of engagement you are best suited for 4. When another FEC member should think of you for a referral, collaboration, or introduction This is a chance for us to better understand each other’s expertise so we can make stronger introductions and bring one another into the right conversations.

Do you list your fractional clients on LinkedIn? This came up recently, and I’m curious how others are handling it. Some fractional executives list every client as a separate current role on LinkedIn. Their profile may show 4–5 active fractional roles at the same time. I understand the thinking- it can show credibility, momentum, and proof that they’re in demand. Personally, I take a different approach. I list myself as the founder of my company, (In this example - my marketing company, SCD Consulting Services,) and I don’t publicly name current clients. Others use a middle ground. They may mention client industries, outcomes, testimonials, or past client names (with permission) in their About section. What do you do? Do you name your fractional clients publicly, keep them private, or use another approach? And why?

Would you like more meaningful engagement on your LinkedIn posts while supporting fellow FEC members? (Scroll down, "See More" to see the updated list.) We are restarting our LinkedIn Engagement Group with a fresh list of members who are actively posting original content and are prepared to participate consistently. This is a commitment from now until the end of August. (Then we'll restart a new group.) :-) **To join, add your LinkedIn profile link in the comments and watch the brief explainer video below. By joining, you agree to complete one engagement sweep each week: - Visit every profile on the active list. - Find at least one recent original post from each member. - Like/Support/Love/Celebrate the post and leave a thoughtful comment. Reposting is optional. This is a mutual-support group. Adding your profile means you are agreeing to support everyone on the list, not only the people whose content relates directly to your field. This group is best suited for members who publish original LinkedIn content approximately once a week. Reposts do not count as original posts. Members who are no longer posting or who do not participate consistently may be removed from the active list. You are always welcome to rejoin when your schedule allows you to participate again. Engagement works best when we all show up for one another. Here is the current updated list: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowengreg/ Greg Bowen https://www.linkedin.com/in/jachym-suchomel Jachym Suchomel https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleycressdudley/ Shirley Cress Dudley (TUESDAY's post)- You might even want to repost it- it's for your prospective clients. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-cooper-ccs/ Stephanie Cooper https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrhrconsultingincorporated/ Joanna La Pointe