Canadian companies are facing a convergence of economic pressure and operational complexity. From rising tariffs and trade instability to leadership gaps and the urgency to adapt, the challenges are clear, and growing. This article explores why more organizations are turning to interim executives as a strategic response to move faster and lead through change.
Trade Disruption, Rising Costs, and the Need for Speed
Canadian companies are entering 2025 facing a convergence of pressure points. Tariffs on goods and materials are driving up costs. Global trade dynamics are shifting rapidly, as nearshoring and friendshoring redefine long-held supply chain strategies. Meanwhile, economic uncertainty and inflation are eroding margins and complicating investment decisions.
Add to this the urgent need for transformation, whether digital, operational, or strategic, and many organizations find themselves under-equipped at the leadership level to act quickly and effectively. This is where interim executives come in.
"I speak with CEOs and executive teams every week. What I hear consistently, especially in today’s environment, is the need for speed. They can’t wait 6 months to hire a leader. They need someone who’s done it before, who can step in tomorrow and start delivering", Benoit Creneau, CEO of xNorth
The Core Challenges Facing Canadian Businesses
- Tariffs and Cost Inflation: Tariff increases and inflation are pushing up the cost of imported materials, putting pressure on pricing, margins, and long-term planning.
- Unstable Supply Chains: Continued global disruption, including geopolitical tension and climate events, has exposed just how fragile international supply chains remain.
- Leadership Gaps: From retirements to sudden resignations or internal promotions, companies are increasingly facing gaps in critical leadership roles, sometimes without warning.
- Urgency to Diversify: With risk concentrated in certain markets or supply sources, many companies are pivoting operations, entering new geographies, or reevaluating their models.
Why Interim Executives Are the Smart Response
Interim executives offer a solution built for urgency. They are experienced leaders who step in temporarily, with the mandate to solve, lead, and deliver results from day one.
Unlike traditional consultants, they don’t just advise. And unlike permanent hires, they don’t take months to recruit or onboard. Instead, they lead hands-on, often mission-critical work within days of joining.
Here’s what xNorth's Interim Executives bring:
- Speed: Ready to be onboarded in under 5 days.
- Focus: Mandate-driven leadership with measurable outcomes, supported by a dedicated xNorth Partner who stays actively involved through steering committees to ensure alignment and results.
- Credibility: 15-30+ years of relevant, executive-level experience.
- Flexibility: Short and medium term options tailored to business needs.
According to a recent study by Harvard Business Review, over 70% of transformation initiatives fail, most often due to poor execution and lack of the right leadership during key phases (we explored this further in a previous article, "Why Most Transformations Fail, and How Interim Executives Help Fix It"). In many cases, organizations initiate change without having someone at the helm who has led similar transitions before. This highlights the importance of bringing in experienced interim executives who can guide teams, avoid common pitfalls, and deliver real outcomes quickly.
Real Use Cases in Action
Executive interim management isn’t limited to one function. It can involve a single seasoned executive stepping in to lead, or an entire temporary leadership team brought in to solve complex challenges. From Finance and Operations to HR and Commercial roles, interim leadership spans the full organization, providing hands-on expertise exactly where it’s needed.
Here are just a few examples of recent mandates delivered:
- Interim CFOs reworking cost structures and cash management strategies in response to tariff impacts.
- Interim COOs leading supply chain redesigns, reshoring, and process optimization.
- Interim CHROs managing workforce transitions, leading restructuring efforts, and driving cultural alignment after M&A.
- Interim General Managers launching new facilities and leading market entry initiatives with minimal ramp-up time.
Why Work With xNorth?
xNorth stands apart as a pure-play executive interim management firm in Canada. We’re operators. Our partners have walked in your shoes and solved similar problems firsthand
Our value lies in:
- A Trusted Network: Over 1,200 interim leaders across all functions.
- Speed: Interim placements typically made in less than 5 business days.
- Structure: From diagnosis to delivery to handover, we bring a proven methodology, with our partners directly involved throughout the project, including key milestones and steering committees.
- Global Reach, Local Expertise: As part of the Valtus Alliance, we support companies operating across borders through a strong international presence.
- Proven Track Record: Over 1,000 mandates delivered annually.
Let’s Talk About What’s Next
If your business is navigating a leadership gap, managing transformation, or entering a new phase of growth, interim executives can help you move faster and smarter.
Reach out for a short consultation or to learn more about how others are using interim leadership to move forward: Contact Us
