Crisis Management & Turnaround
Leadership team in crisis mode needed immediate intervention to prevent company collapse, rebuild operational foundation, and restore investor confidence.
Project Info
Client Context
DataServices Co, a Series B B2B SaaS firm operating in data infrastructure, was facing stalled growth after missing revenue targets for three consecutive quarters. The sudden resignation of the COO created a leadership vacuum at a critical growth stage.
Investor confidence had declined, customer churn was accelerating, and internal leadership relationships had fractured. The board issued a 90-day ultimatum to stabilize performance or consider executive restructuring.
The Challenge
Series B company was imploding. Revenue was flat, leadership team was fractured, and the board was considering replacing the CEO.
The situation:
COO had abruptly resigned, creating operational vacuum
VP Sales and VP Product weren't speaking to each other
Missed revenue targets 3 quarters in a row
Customer churn at 35% annually (industry average: 15%)
40% of middle management updating LinkedIn profiles
Board had lost confidence—CEO had 90 days to turn it around
This wasn't about optimization—this was about survival.
My Approach
Series B company was imploding. Revenue was flat, leadership team was fractured, and the board was considering replacing the CEO.
The situation:
COO had abruptly resigned, creating operational vacuum
VP Sales and VP Product weren't speaking to each other
Missed revenue targets 3 quarters in a row
Customer churn at 35% annually (industry average: 15%)
40% of middle management updating LinkedIn profiles
Board had lost confidence—CEO had 90 days to turn it around
This wasn't about optimization—this was about survival.
The Outcome
After 90 days:
Leadership:
Leadership team functioning effectively (verified by 360 feedback)
VP Sales and VP Product collaborating on joint initiatives
CEO regained board confidence
Key personnel retention at 95% (flight risk averted)
Operations:
Customer churn reduced from 35% to 22% (continuing downward)
Revenue stabilized, then showed 12% growth in Q4
Sales and product roadmap realigned around customer pain
Operational cadence established and working
Culture:
Employee engagement improved 30 points in 90 days
"Company heading in right direction" score up to 75%
LinkedIn activity among leaders dropped to normal levels
Renewed sense of possibility and momentum
CEO reflection: "Marcus saved the company. He came in, diagnosed the real problems, and helped us fix them quickly. We're not just surviving—we're positioned to thrive."
