More Than Just a Stopgap: How the Interim Solution Becomes a Success Story

The Beginning of a Challenge

In a mid-sized manufacturing company, a gap emerged when the CFO unexpectedly left the company. The search for a suitable successor proved to be difficult, and that’s when Thomas Strobl, an experienced Interim CFO, stepped in.

His task was challenging: to stabilize the finance department and prepare for the handover to a permanent successor. With his wealth of experience and adaptable personality, Thomas was ideally suited for this challenge.

Rapid Onboarding and Integration

Thomas’ initial steps in the company were marked by an extensive orientation phase. He spent his first few weeks getting to understand the company culture and familiarizing himself with the specific challenges of the business.

He engaged in in-depth discussions with team members in the accounting and finance departments, as well as with the executive management, to develop a profound understanding of the internal processes.

His open communication style and interest in the opinions of employees helped him quickly build trust and integrate into the corporate community.

Building Relationships and Understanding All Stakeholders

Thomas placed a significant emphasis on nurturing relationships with key stakeholders. He recognized that the success of the finance department relied heavily on collaboration with other departments and external partners.

Through regular meetings and personal conversations with key individuals both within and outside the company, he built a network that aided him in better understanding the needs and expectations of the finance department.

This approach allowed him to align the financial strategy of the company more effectively with the overall corporate objectives.

Stabilizing and Optimizing Processes

A key to Thomas’s success was his ability to identify and improve inefficient processes. He leveraged his previous experiences to analyze and adapt existing workflows.

Under his leadership, new software tools and reporting methods were introduced, enabling more accurate and faster data analysis. These changes led to improved decision-making and helped the company become more agile in responding to market changes.

Preparing for the Handover

As the handover to the new CFO approached, Thomas prepared everything for a seamless transition. He created detailed documentation and guides for the processes he had introduced, and organized comprehensive training sessions for the finance team.

These preparations ensured that the new CFO would have a clear understanding of the current workflows and the recent improvements that had been implemented.

Conclusion: Interim Solution as a Success Story

After about six months in the company, Thomas had accomplished his mission. He left the finance department in a significantly improved state. The process optimizations he introduced and the strong relationships he built with internal and external stakeholders were instrumental in this success story.

His influence and innovations will continue to be felt in the company long after his departure. Thomas Strobl’s time as an Interim CFO in this mid-sized company was a prime example of how effective leadership and strategic thinking can positively impact an organization in a sustainable way.