An interim CEO is a highly effective solution when an organization faces a sudden leadership vacuum, requires specialized expertise for a rapid turnaround, or needs a steady, objective hand while conducting a thorough executive search. Rather than rushing a critical hire, an interim executive acts as a strategic bridge.

We typically recommend considering an interim leader in these key scenarios:

• Sudden Departures: To provide immediate stability and reassure investors, clients, and employees after an unexpected exit.

• Buying Time for a Search: To manage daily operations and maintain momentum, preventing the board from making a rushed permanent hire (a search process that can easily take 6 to 12 months).

• Restructuring and Turnarounds: To bring in a specialized leader who can make difficult, objective decisions without the burden of long-term internal politics.

• Navigating Major Transitions: To guide the company through complex events like an M&A, an IPO, or the difficult cultural shift from a founder-led startup to a professionally managed corporation.

Read our blog post on this.

We work with a diverse range of clients, from fast-growing startups to established companies. Our expertise spans across multiple industries, including Retail, Services, Crafts & Industry. We do not offer services to financial sector clients as most of the time, such missions require certifications by the national authority for the financial sector. In general, if we do not have the required profile in-house, we will put you in contact with one of our trusted interim CEO partners.

Our approach is highly collaborative and typically follows these four phases:

1. Discovery: We start with a deep dive into your business to understand your current landscape, challenges, and goals.

2. Analysis: We analyze the data to identify bottlenecks, opportunities, and strategic pathways.

3. Strategy Formulation: We present a customized, actionable roadmap designed to achieve your specific objectives.

4. Implementation: We don't just hand you a report; if you decide so, we take over the role of CEO and work alongside your team to execute the agreed strategy.

Engagement lengths vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. A focused assessment might take as little as two to four weeks, while an end-to-end strategic transformation could last 6-18 months. We will define a clear timeline during our initial scoping phase.

We structure our fees based on the specific needs of the project. We offer hourly fees for the scoping process and a retainer scheme is possible. For the implementation, we will propose daily rates. Depending on the context, we will also consider a success fee with a reduced daily rate. Following our initial consultation, we will provide a transparent proposal outlining the scope of work and associated investment.

In Japanese folklore, the Kitsune (fox) is a symbol of wisdom, intelligence, agility, and foresight. We chose this name because it reflects our approach to consulting: we help our clients adapt swiftly to changing markets, outmaneuver the competition, and apply strategic wisdom to their most pressing business challenges. For a more detailed explanation, please read our Linkedin post on this question.