July 9, 2025

Leading Through the Fire: When Crisis Hits Your Bottom Line and Sears Your Soul

Imagine your business, a $200 million operation, vanishing overnight. Not a slow decline. Not a market shift. A sudden, devastating wipeout. That’s the reality Paul Hardy faced. He’s a seasoned executive who found himself at the epicenter of an avian flu outbreak in 2022.

Ultimately, the company, one of the biggest producers in the country, destroyed more than 5 million birds.

In eight days.

This isn’t just a story about managing in a crisis; it’s a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and the human cost of extraordinary decisions.

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June 27, 2025

What is the Role of an Interim CIO? 5 Common Use Cases

In today’s fast-moving, tech-driven business environment, the role of the CIO is more critical — and more complex — than ever. Whether your organization is navigating digital transformation, merger integration, or large-scale ERP system upgrades, an Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) can deliver immediate, strategic value without adding long-term overhead.

(Learn more about our Interim CIO Services and Fractional CIO Services here.)

Unlike consultants or rising IT managers, a seasoned interim CIO brings deep operational and leadership experience. These executives are not only capable of taking on the same responsibilities as a permanent CIO, but they also offer a focused lens on change, transformation, and rapid results.

Here are 5 common use cases where an interim CIO can be a powerful asset to tackle high-impact technology initiatives, IT leadership gap coverage, or specialized project execution:

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June 10, 2025

Interim COO Success Story: How He Unlocked Millions in Operational Improvements at a National Food Manufacturer

When a national deli meat manufacturer faced declining yields, equipment inconsistencies, and looming leadership turnover, they called in a seasoned interim COO from InterimExecs’ RED Team to get operations back on track.

Michael Bartikoski, a veteran operations executive with deep roots in food manufacturing, stepped into the role with three goals: stabilize operations, improve yields, and build the next generation of leadership.

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May 8, 2025

Embracing VUCA in the Workplace: How Your Company Can Thrive in a World of Constant Flux

The landscape of the business world has always been in motion. Today, that reality is amplified. We’re operating in an era defined by unprecedented speed and interconnectedness, where disruptions can emerge from anywhere and reshape entire sectors overnight.

This hyper-dynamic environment makes traditional planning feel increasingly precarious. As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Today, those punches can land swiftly and unexpectedly, making it difficult to predict what’s next.

The U.S. Army War College has an acronym for that: VUCA. It stands for:

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May 7, 2025

Why Public Companies Rely on Interim CFOs in Times of Transition

When a public company CFO leaves unexpectedly, the pressure is on. Reporting deadlines, investor calls, and team continuity can’t wait. And it’s a growing problem. CFO turnover among S&P companies hit the highest level in six years in 2024. That’s why more boards are using interim CFO services — experienced financial leaders who can step in immediately, stabilize operations, and build confidence.

To explore how this works in real time, InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan sat down with two seasoned finance veterans, Mitch Cohen and Lawrence Firestone. Both have extensive experience as public company CFOs.

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May 5, 2025

What Is a Fractional CIO — and When Should You Hire One?

Not every company needs a full-time CIO (Chief Information Officer). But nearly every company needs smart, strategic technology leadership.

Enter the fractional CIO — a senior executive who brings years of tech and business experience to your company on a part-time or project basis. Whether you’re scaling fast, modernizing outdated IT infrastructure, preparing for a sale, or looking for IT to fuel your business growth, a fractional CIO gives you the leadership you need — without the full-time overhead.

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May 5, 2025

Acting Manager vs. Interim Manager: What Does Acting Mean in a Job Title?

So, you’re scrolling through LinkedIn or looking at an org chart and you see “Acting VP of Whatever” or “Acting CEO.” What’s the real deal there?

In a public company, “acting” or “interim” almost always says the same thing: “We’re in between permanent hires.” But look a little deeper and you may find some significant differences between one acting executive and another.

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April 24, 2025

How to Become an Interim CFO: Lessons from 3 Pros Who Have Made the Leap

Becoming an interim CFO requires more than financial expertise; it demands leadership, adaptability, and a proven track record across different business situations. Most interim CFOs build their careers through senior finance roles, then transition into project-based leadership where they can step in quickly, solve problems, and deliver immediate impact. Here, 3 successful interim CFOs share their tips and insights.

📋 Looking to hire an interim CFO? Visit our Interim CFO services page.  (This post is a career guide for executives exploring the interim CFO path.)

Making the leap from full-time finance professional to interim Chief Financial Officer isn’t just a career pivot—it’s a strategic reinvention. Whether you’re eyeing more flexibility, craving fresh challenges, or looking to leverage your financial expertise across multiple organizations, the interim CFO path offers high-reward opportunities. Demand for interim and fractional CFOs is soaring driven by market disruptions, private equity needs, and leadership gaps in existing companies.

But what does it really take to thrive in an interim role? InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan spoke with three veteran interim CFOs who’ve successfully made the transition. Their insights reveal the mindset shifts, skills, and realities every seasoned financial management leader should know before stepping into the role.

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April 18, 2025

When Does it Make Sense to Structure an Interim Gig as a Statement of Work Contract?

One of the hottest trends in the hot market for interim executives is structuring interim engagements as a “statement of work” contract. Here, we take a deep dive into this trend and look at when it makes the most sense for a company to negotiate a statement of work contract, when it makes the most sense for an interim, and when it simply doesn’t make sense for either.

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April 16, 2025

11 Things to Expect from an Interim Leader During Their First 30 Days on the Job

So you’ve decided to bring in an interim executive. Perhaps you need to temporarily fill a leadership role while you conduct a thorough search for a new permanent hire. Or maybe you need an experienced leader to spearhead a new initiative or helm the launch of a new product. Or maybe your company is in crisis and you need a turnaround expert to right the ship.

Whatever the reason you have chosen to bring on an interim executive, you are about to work with someone who works differently. That’s because interims are wired for action.

Here are 11 things to expect from an interim executive during their first 30 days on the job.

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