"There is nothing like a challenge to bring out the best in man." The words of Sean Connery could not have been truer for InterimLeder's CEO when the crisis came knocking in 2012.
On 12 June Finansavisen published an article about InterimLeder AS which tells a story which is far from unusual in the Norwegian business community but which could still have dramatic consequences.
The challenge
When CEO Sverre Holen was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 the company found itself short of a brain. This was a challenge to the company which had experienced steadily increasing growth in turnover since 2003.
"In December 2011 I got on a flight to Germany to undergo surgery and in spring 2012 I undertook a number of trips to Bergen for radiotherapy", explains Holen, who stepped down from his position as Managing Director during this period.
In 2012 the company experienced its first drop in turnover in 9 years, from NOK 33.3 million in 2011 to NOK 28.4 million in 2012.
Come back stronger
But the cancer did not mean the end of the company or the end of Sverre Holen's enthusiasm for work.
"In 2012 I returned to work as chairman of the board and two months ago I returned to the position of Managing Director. I feel healthy and I look forward to going to work every day", says Holen.
However, Holen and his team have no intention of resting on the laurels of the positive turnover curve of the last decade.
"We will come back stronger. This year we are aiming for a turnover of NOK 35 million. And our goal for 2014 is NOK 50 million", says Holen. "Increasing numbers of companies are realising what a unique tool interim management can be to companies that require quick and powerful expertise during a transitional period and, with our promise to deliver a qualified candidate in just ten days, we are the obvious choice."
