June 11, 2024

CFO Resignations Hit Record Highs. Who Will Fill the Role When Your CFO Leaves?

CFO Resignations Hit Record Highs. Who Will Fill the Role When Your CFO Leaves?

During the first quarter of 2024, 82 Chief Financial Officers of the biggest public companies left their jobs, tying a record set in Q1 2021. The difference between then and now? Many of the CFOs who resigned in 2021 were retiring post-pandemic. Today, many of them are taking over as CEO, COO, or some other C-suite position.

According to data reported by the management consulting firm Russel Reynolds Associates, 271 CFOs left their post as finance chief in 2023. And Russell Reynolds says that 291 new CFOs were appointed in 2023 — nearly two-thirds of them first-time CFOs.

That adds up to a huge demand for new CFOs around the globe.

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April 2, 2024

4 Common Reasons Why Some Businesses Fail While Others Fly High

4 Common Reasons Why Some Businesses Fail While Others Fly High

According to stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about one-quarter of business startups will still be operating after 15 years. But why do some businesses fail but others continue to grow and thrive?

Over the last 15+ years, our interim executives have been instrumental in leading business success at companies across countries and industries. Their experience shows that there are some common reasons why businesses fail:

Poor Management

It’s not what business owners want to hear, but poor management is one of the most common reasons for business failure. Cleve Adams, who built a SaaS cyber security software company from pre-revenue to a $1B IPO in three years, notes that the best business ideas won’t work unless you have a quality team laying the groundwork.

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March 25, 2024

FAQs: Is an Interim or Fractional CEO a Good Fit for My Company?

FAQs: Is an Interim or Fractional CEO a Good Fit for My Company?

When we started matching companies in need with skilled interim executives 15 years ago, the main question people asked was: Why would an executive choose this career path? There’s absolutely no job stability. 

Fast forward 15 years. Now we’re in a gig economy. The idea that you can get specialized expertise for what you need right now is expected and common.

Despite that, questions remain. In this interactive webinar, InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan and President Olivia Wagner go through the most frequently asked questions they hear from company owners, directors, investors, and managers. Or, if you prefer, scroll down for a written summary.

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March 16, 2024

The Case for Hiring Part-Time or Fractional Executives

The Case for Hiring Part-Time or Fractional Executives

As businesses grow and scale, they often face the challenge of keeping up with operational demands while maintaining strategic leadership. This is where fractional executives come in. Offering high-level expertise on a part-time or temporary basis, fractional executives provide companies with the experienced leadership they need to drive growth, streamline operations, and manage change—without the commitment or expense of full-time hires. Part-time or fractional executives provide C-suite leadership, mentorship, and the operational upgrades needed to help a company break through the ceiling to growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fractional executives provide rock star expertise for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. 
  • There are no overhead costs such as health insurance and severance. 
  • The flexible engagement can be scaled up or down as needed.
  • Part-time executives are the answer for companies in growth or transition mode.
  • InterimExecs fractional executives can fill leadership gaps in as little as 48 hours. 

In this webinar, InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan takes a deep dive into the question of when choosing a part-time or fractional executive is the best choice for a company.

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January 26, 2024

Interim Executive Trends We See Right Now

Interim Executive Trends We See Right Now

As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus is famously quoted as saying: “Change is the only constant in life.” And this year will bring a torrent of change!

As we have deployed InterimExecs RED Team members and talked with interim executives, company owners, and private equity investors, we have seen five common themes emerge:

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December 8, 2023
Robert Jordan

3 Things Companies Can Learn from How Private Equity Firms Work to Maximize Value

Robert Jordan | CEO, Association of Interim Executives
3 Things Companies Can Learn from How Private Equity Firms Work to Maximize Value

Private equity firms have a simple recipe for making money: They identify companies they believe are undervalued, improve those companies, then sell them for far more than they paid to buy them in the first place.

Knowing how private equity firms work can serve as a roadmap for any company looking to improve operations and maximize value.

Start with these 3 things PE firms do following an acquisition in the lower middle market ($2-$15 million in EBITDA) to improve your own bottom line, whether you plan to continue operating your business or want to ready the company for a future PE investment.

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November 28, 2023

When is a Fractional Hire the Right Choice for a Company?

When is a Fractional Hire the Right Choice for a Company?

In years of pairing executives with companies in need, we have learned that there are times when full-time is too much time. That’s when companies benefit from choosing a fractional executive. It’s a way to get top-notch skills for a fraction of the time at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.

On a webinar, InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan laid out the 5 situations when hiring executives on a fractional basis makes the most sense for companies:

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May 12, 2023

How Much Does An Interim Executive Cost?

How Much Does An Interim Executive Cost?

Once owners, board members, and investors figure out exactly what an interim is and how an interim can help, the next question is: How much does an interim executive cost?

The short answer is: There is no off-the-shelf rate card for interim execs. Or more precisely, it doesn’t exist for the best interims in the world.

The first thing to understand about interim executive costs is to know that interim and permanent executive compensation is structured differently.

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May 12, 2023

Is an Interim Executive the Right Fit for Your Company?

Is an Interim Executive the Right Fit for Your Company?

How do you know whether an interim executive will be the right fit for your company’s needs? Ultimately, that’s an individual decision that depends on your company. But generally, when we get a call from an executive, head of human resources, small business owner, or private equity investor, it’s because the organization is in motion. Leadership to drive growth, change, or turnaround is needed. And it’s needed fast.

If you are tasked with bringing in an interim executive, you’ve probably done your research and understand what a true interim executive is, believe you need more than a consultant, and have an idea of how an interim gets compensated.

But still – is contracting with an interim executive the right move for you and your company?

Let’s explore:

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April 28, 2023

The 4 Key Parts of Strategic Plan Execution and Why Interim Executives Excel at Them All

The 4 Key Parts of Strategic Plan Execution and Why Interim Executives Excel at Them All

We believe talk is cheap, execution is precious and when well done, makes everything sing. Plan execution is why interim executives can be the answer for a company struggling with any sort of transition — from an unplanned vacancy in the C-Suite to unexpected market disruption to the desire to expand to new products, new types of automation, or new parts of the world.

Unlike consultants who come in, assess the situation, develop a strategic plan and leave, interim leaders understand that their job is to shine in the execution phase. Interims are experts at transforming organizations, leading companies through challenges that must be solved to survive and thrive.

Interims approach project objectives using a framework that has them Assess, Plan, and Execute (APE) repeatedly, revising approaches based on the client’s most pressing needs.

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