December 3, 2025

7 Essential Turnaround Tips for Middle-Market Companies

When a mid-market company (say $20M–$500M in revenue) hits a wall — declining revenue, disappearing cash, operational stagnation, or a sudden crisis — the path back to stability can feel overwhelming. But seasoned interim CEOs and turnaround executives have seen these situations repeatedly, across industries and economic cycles.

Their collective experience points to seven essential strategies that consistently help companies regain footing, rebuild momentum, and return to profitable growth.

Below, three veteran turnaround leaders, interim CEOs Dick Lindenmuth, Paul Fioravanti, and Philip Schiavoni, share real-world insights from years of hands-on business turnaround work.

From Lindenmuth’s strategic empathy to Fioravanti’s cultural clarity and structured leadership, to Schiavoni’s cash-first survival approach, we compiled these seven turnaround tips. Together, they create a blueprint for middle-market companies that need to stabilize quickly and rebuild toward long-term health.

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October 15, 2025

The Downside of Management Consultants and Why Interim Executives Deliver Results

Market volatility, supply chain disruptions, and rapid technological change have left many companies in need of effective leadership. Often, those companies turn to consultants for instant help. But they continue to struggle. Why? Because consultants strategize and deliver impressive decks. But they don’t stick around to turn those ideas into results.

What those companies really need is an effective leader who can strategize, AND deliver results. And they need it now.

The answer is a rock star interim executive who can be on-site, taking charge and making progress in as little as 48 hours.

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July 31, 2025

From Full-Time Tech Exec to Interim CIO: 5 Key Steps for Making the Leap

Veteran tech executives are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and fresh challenges of interim and fractional CIO roles. Whether you’re seeking more control over your time, eager to solve complex problems at scale, or simply ready for a new phase in your career, the interim path offers an exciting opportunity to make a high-impact difference across organizations.

But making the leap from a traditional, full-time C-suite role to interim work isn’t as simple as updating your resume. It requires a mindset shift, new strategies, and a clear value proposition. In a panel hosted by Robert Jordan, CEO of InterimExecs, seasoned interim leaders Dominic Luzi, Tom Murray, and John Matthesen shared their hard-won insights on what it takes to succeed as an interim or fractional CIO. Here’s what you need to know.

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July 28, 2025

Boards Must Lead on Technology Oversight: From Risk to Strategic Growth

In an age of AI disruption, ransomware attacks, and cloud dependency, boards of directors face a new kind of fiduciary responsibility: ensuring that technology risk is understood, governed, and turned into competitive advantage.

Without active board engagement, companies risk falling behind—or worse, facing catastrophic loss. But when boards get technology right, it opens the door to innovation, security, and sustained value creation.

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July 20, 2025

Transforming Your Business Through Technology: Advice from Interim CIOs

“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.”

— Steve Jobs

Technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, leaving many companies struggling to keep up. When systems are misaligned, talent is underleveraged, and business leaders are frustrated, it’s often a sign that technology is being managed in a silo—or worse, it’s actively hindering growth.

We spoke with two seasoned interim CIOs, David Mitchelhill and Kevin Malover, both members of the InterimExecs RED Team, about how they’ve guided companies through ERP overhauls, tech stack rebuilds, and aligning IT with business goals. Here are the biggest takeaways.

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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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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

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 10, 2025

✅ What Does a Fractional CFO Actually Do? Key Responsibilities Explained

Hiring a fractional CFO is one of the smartest moves a growing company can make — especially when full-time overhead doesn’t yet make sense.

But what exactly does a fractional CFO do?

Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or investors, board member exploring financial leadership options, here’s a closer look at how part-time CFOs drive financial clarity, control, and strategy across all kinds of companies.

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March 26, 2025

When a Public Company CFO Leaves: Why “Now” is the Only Acceptable Timeline for Bringing in a Replacement

CFOs at private companies may come and go with little fanfare or long-term damage to the organization. But the sudden departure of a chief financial officer from a publicly traded company can send a tidal wave of worry through investors, employees, and stakeholders alike.

The CFO is the financial compass, the strategic partner, the place where the buck stops when it comes to fiscal responsibility and reporting.

And when the CFO role at a public company is vacant, the urgency to fill the void is paramount. “Later” simply isn’t an option. Let’s delve into why a public company needs a strong CFO, and needs them now. And then we’ll explore why many companies turn to an experienced interim CFO to bridge the gap​.

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