Client Snapshot

Industry: Multiple (parent company with diverse holdings)
Company Size: 120 employees
Stage: Legacy business - 80+ years in business

The Challenge
The company’s primary profit center — responsible for 60% of total revenue — experienced a sharp decline beginning in Q3 and continuing into Q4. As a cash-based business, the organization faced a critical liquidity crunch with less than three months of runway remaining. A company-wide workforce reduction was urgently required to remain solvent while continuing to service revenue.

My Role
I was brought in as a COO to analyze trailing P&Ls, identify cost-saving opportunities, and lead a fast but strategic reduction in workforce — all while preserving operational capacity and organizational morale.

The Approach

• Reviewed historical financials and forward-looking cash flow projections

• Identified which departments could sustain workforce cuts without impacting revenue delivery

• Cross-referenced performance data to ensure retention of high-performing employees

• Partnered with mid-level managers to deliver messaging clearly and compassionately

• Executed a 36% reduction in force in under 3 weeks

• Held small-group meetings with leadership present to field questions and concerns

• Launched weekly check-ins with frontline workers to maintain engagement and morale

• Maintained radical transparency: what happened, why it happened, what was next

• Implemented cross-training initiatives to create agility in remaining teams

• Managed AP and vendor relationships strategically to preserve cash

• Preemptively secured a line of credit to ensure access to liquidity at favorable terms

• Worked closely with sales leadership to stabilize pipeline and prepare for recovery
  
  

The Outcome

• Reduced labor costs by $1.2M annually

• Continued to service all core revenue streams with no loss in customer experience

• Retained top talent and minimized voluntary attrition during a period of major uncertainty

• Regained revenue targets by end of Q4 through focused operational and sales alignment

• Rehired 8% of the laid-off workforce, resulting in a net 28% reduction in force

• Strengthened culture and morale by eliminating misaligned team members and reinforcing the company's agility and clarity of vision

Why It Matters

This case proves that even in moments of crisis, businesses can make tough calls with clarity, empathy, and strategy — protecting not just the bottom line, but the people and culture that drive long-term success.