'Time-shared' executives lend expertise to multiple companies

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By Arundi Venkayya Cox, Business Editor 11:10 PM Saturday, March 13, 2010

Business owners looking for high-level temporary help have a new option — the time shared executive.

Time shared executives are different from traditional consultants, said Michael Bevis, of Strategic Sales Marketing Partners, who works for several local companies.

They work day in, day out at the business in a specific role. Frequently, they split their time among multiple companies.

“Many senior level managers in their 50s are turning toward such opportunities,” according to information from Bevis. “This is becoming professionally satisfying for execs who want a flexible career that enables them to use their expertise.”

Bevis is a part of the Sunrise Alliance, a collaboration of time shared executives that includes Michelle O’Neil, Michael Kalter and John Hogan.

Time shared executives spend time getting to know the organizations and spend time at each business.

“We manage individuals, we put systems in place,” O’Neil said. “Some accounts are very long term. Some are two to three months.”

According to the information from Bevis, other reasons companies may want to consider a time shared executive include:

• Some companies cannot afford a full-time, high-level executive in a particular discipline. For example, O’Neil works in organizational development and human resources. Kalter offers operational leadership direction. Bevis does marketing and planning work. Hogan works with alternative energy companies.

• Owners have access to all the benefits, experience and accumulated wisdom while paying for a “time share” of the time.

• Time shared executives help companies address problems without taking on the salary required for a full-time employee. Often, their experience is valuable to companies during transitions and reorganizations and allow a business to take more time to find a permanent employee.

Time shared executives help businesses “get back to their core competency,” Bevis said.

DaytonB2B wants to hear about good news in the business community. Send your ideas to avenkayya cox@coxohio.com.

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