The interim manager was hired by a global player in the consumer health industry as an interim marketing manager. The position had previously been vacant for more than twelve months. The company was looking for an interim manager who, together with his team, would analyze the situation, optimize the marketing plans for the current year and implement the measures. In addition, the plans for the next fiscal year had to be drawn up and the marketing employees had to be prepared for the next step in their careers. The company, which has several well-known brands and a mid-double-digit million turnover, provided a budget in the mid-single-digit million range for the project.
New brand alignment and product innovations initiated
The interim manager and his team developed hypotheses as to which additional tasks should be included in the current marketing plan. He implemented these in consultation with the management during the assignment. At the same time, he gained the trust of his colleagues through approachable communication, which he used for the cross-functional development of the extensive package of marketing measures.
The innovations developed with the team included the realignment of the brands (positioning, branding, design, promotions) and the further development of innovations, which he led independently. In addition, new communication strategies and proposals for implementation by the sales department were developed under the interim manager's leadership. The interim manager also put a lot of effort into promoting the team and proactively involving colleagues and service providers.
Successfully overcoming organizational development challenges with the team
During the year, the company decided to establish a second management and decision-making level. The interim manager was instrumental in ensuring that the team members took on the task, quickly defined the team's future performance and presented the output at a team-building event with the management board. For the first few months, the interim manager acted as the first point of contact for the new management team. This second management team was ready to take on additional responsibility at the end of the interim manager's assignment.
Fiscal year ended with strong growth and new momentum generated
The fiscal year ended with exceptional growth and new momentum was generated. New brand positioning, including suitable communication campaigns, was ready - and was subsequently used for many years. An answer to the legally complex question of how the company should deal with a brand whose products did not consist of identical active ingredients was prepared and partially implemented.
