Could your business do better? Did early successes suggest a future that hasn’t materialised? Has organic and acquisitive growth failed to deliver imagined outcomes? Have you failed to keep pace with market growth or meet profitability expectations? Then perhaps the time has come to strategically reassess your operation.
Meet the Master of Tech Turnarounds
Ever wonder how a company can flip its script and thrive? These days, it’s all about the right mix: a smart playbook, outside experts, fresh leadership, and sometimes a good splash of cash.
Why I Grab the CEO Role for a Change
- I’ve tackled four complete tech business makeovers.
- The thrill? Navigating a tangled business maze where the upside is sky‑high.
- Founders and their investors—VCs, PEs, anyone—handed me the keys to turn frowns into success stories.
Right Now? Officially Steering Forterro
Forterro isn’t just any ERP playground; it’s a 1,200‑strong powerhouse backed by Battery Ventures. It’s on a mission to turbo‑charge 8,000 small‑to‑mid‑market manufacturers across Europe. While the giants (SAP, Oracle, Infor) focus on big‑enterprise scale, Forterro is laser‑focused on the niche that really needs an extra push.
Historically, Forterro operated like a family of independent brands. Now we’re rolling up the sleeves and uniting the force. A huge opportunity to make our scale speak louder—and better—than ever.
Three More Success Chapters
Prior to Forterro, I’ve turned around:
- Primavera – thanks to Oracle.`
- KDS – let’s not forget American Express.
- CoreHR – Access Group was the winning door.
Each transformation raked in significant growth, opened fresh doors for the teams, and added a fresh over $1 billion to the exit value for founders and investors. The show’s still on, and the next one is just the next business tweak away!
Transformation – signs of opportunity
When Risk Meets Opportunity: Why Big Changes Pay Off
Picture this: a company that’s out in the fast‑moving lanes of a rising market, maybe even a jungle where the bold outshine the cautious. If that business already hides untapped talent, then a shake‑up can spark a boom that the current leadership just can’t see.
Where the Action Is
- Growing Market – The industry is expanding, and the gaps are wide open for the fearless.
- Untapped Potential – Teams with a knack for product or service innovation need a new stage to shine.
- Early‑Stage Energy – Startup founders often keep things in the black and white. But once you hit the 50–100–1,000 employee milestone, the “naïve” approach can become a nightmare.
The Growing‑Up Dilemma
What happens when a squad that once chased ideas turns into a mammoth that deals with strategy, structure, people, and compliance? Hard truth: the same people who wrote the mission can lose sight of it, and the tangled bureaucracy starts to feel like a giant maze. That’s why a well‑timed transformation—planned, ground‑up—can keep the team on a straight, thrilling path.
Steps to success
Cracking the Success Blueprint
Ready to turn a dull business plan into a roaring success story? Follow these quick‑fire steps to make every move feel like a blockbuster twist.
1. Dream Like a Kid (but maybe with a PhD)
- Picture the future: where do you want to be in 3, 5, 7 years?
- Ask yourself: do you want to keep making rocket engines or launch people into orbit? The goal is to create a vivid, concrete “desired state.”
- Make it specific enough that you can set a target: “We’ll turn SMEs into ERP superheroes”.
2. Nail Down Your Why
- Ask the tough question: “Why am I doing this?”
- Answers usually include growth, profit, altruism, or a sweet exit. But the real heartbeat is solving a problem you genuinely care about.
- Keep that “why” in mind—it’s the secret sauce for pushing through rough patches.
3. Map Out the Big Bets
- Identify high‑stakes moves: new hires, tech upgrades, big investments.
- Break down costs, spot risks, and think about risk‑mitigation tactics.
- Show confidence: “We’re bold; we’re aiming high.” That lets the team and customers ride the wave.
4. Assemble Your Dream Team
- Check if your current exec squad matches the new mission. Is it 2023-ready?
- If not, recruit top talent—people who bring energy, expertise, and enthusiasm.
- Remember: great teams exceed the mission; they become the mission.
5. Write the 100‑Day Game Plan
- Cue the “who, what, how, why, and when” of your first 100 days.
- Set concrete decisions, actions, budgets, and goals.
- Decide how you’ll measure progress and keep stakeholders—investors, leaders, employees—invigorated.
6. Show, Don’t Tell the Plan
- When you present, emphasize the wins for each group: investors, staff, and customers.
- Keep the message crystal clear and repeat it in various formats—writing, videos, infographics—to cover all learning styles.
7. Refine, Launch, and Stay Flexible
- Once funding is secured, finalize the plan with your exec team.
- Set checkpoints to learn and adjust—no constant course‑cancelling.
- Let the team know you’re still on the mission—your consistency builds trust.
8. Walk the Talk with the Ground‑Level Heroes
- Chat with department heads, frontline staff, and even key customers.
- Their feedback turns the plan into a partner‑led project.
- Acknowledge what drives each role. Sales teams want numbers; support teams want clear processes.
Bottom line: Keep the vision tight, the team stronger, the plan clear, and the heart of the mission alive. Once you follow this recipe, you’ll navigate the jungle of transformation and come out with a triumphant legacy.