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Vadim Polyakov

Engagements

Flexible ways to work together

Choose the model that matches the problem. Every engagement has a clear scope, a single point of accountability and outcomes you can measure.

Most common

Fractional CTO

Growth-stage companies that need executive technology leadership without a full-time hire.

Commitment
2–8 days / month
Typical term
6–18 months
  • Seat on the leadership team
  • Roadmap, hiring and vendor ownership
  • Board and investor updates
  • Slack and on-call access

Fixed-scope assessment

A specific question: architecture review, due diligence, modernization or AI strategy.

Commitment
Defined deliverables
Typical term
2–12 weeks
  • Agreed scope and fixed fee
  • Executive readout
  • Decision-ready deliverables
  • 30 days of follow-up

Advisory retainer

CEOs, CTOs and boards who want an experienced, independent sounding board.

Commitment
1–2 days / month
Typical term
Quarterly, rolling
  • Monthly working session
  • Board-meeting preparation
  • Architecture decision reviews
  • Email access between sessions

Interim CTO

Sudden leadership gaps, turnarounds or post-acquisition integration.

Commitment
Full-time equivalent
Typical term
3–6 months
  • Day-to-day leadership
  • Stabilize delivery and team
  • Permanent successor search
  • Structured handover

Pricing is tailored to scope. Fixed fees for defined work, monthly retainers for ongoing leadership.

Process

From first call to handoff

A predictable path, so you always know what happens next and what it costs.

  1. 1

    Discovery call

    A free 30-minute conversation about your goals, constraints and timing.

  2. 2

    Short assessment

    A few interviews and a document review so the proposal is grounded in reality.

  3. 3

    Proposal

    Scope, outcomes, timeline and a fixed fee or retainer — on one page.

  4. 4

    Engagement

    Regular check-ins, visible progress and measurable milestones.

  5. 5

    Handoff

    Knowledge transfer, documentation and a team ready to own what we built.

Working together

Clear expectations on both sides

What you get

  • A single senior point of accountability
  • Plain-language updates for executives and the board
  • Vendor-neutral, commission-free recommendations
  • Artifacts and decisions your team owns afterwards
  • Confidentiality under mutual NDA from day one

What I need from you

  • An executive sponsor with decision authority
  • Access to the people, systems and data involved
  • Candor about constraints, politics and history
  • Willingness to make — and record — decisions

FAQ

Engagement questions

How is pricing structured?

Fixed-scope work is quoted as a fixed fee; ongoing work is a monthly retainer based on days per month. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Can we start small?

Yes. Many clients start with a two-to-four week assessment and continue into a fractional engagement. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.

What is the minimum commitment for a fractional engagement?

Three months, then month-to-month with 30 days’ notice. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Do you work on-site?

Most work is remote, with on-site workshops and leadership sessions as needed. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.