Managing Rapid Growth: Redesigning Governance and Structure for Long-Term Success
Discover how strategic adjustments in leadership, governance, and partner alignment helped this firm overcome growth plateaus, address operational inefficiencies, and achieve long-term success in a competitive market.
Rapid Growth Challenges
Recently, I had a conversation with the managing partner of a firm that was facing significant
challenges due to their rapid growth. Over the past three to four years, their firm had tripled in
size, and they were struggling to keep up with the demands of operating at this new scale.
As we discussed their situation, it became clear to me that their operating model hadn’t evolved
to match their expansion. Their internal systems and processes were still designed for a much
smaller organization. These outdated structures, which had served them well in the past, were
now creating bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
What We Addressed
One of the first areas I addressed was their governance model. I explained that while a relaxed, informal governance approach works well for smaller firms, it becomes a liability as the organization grows.
Larger firms require more structured collaboration, broader partner participation, and increased accountability. With more people, departments, and complexity, it was critical to establish clearer checks and balances and to redesign their compensation process to align with their new scale.
To help them, I started by assessing their existing systems and identifying the gaps.
I worked closely with their leadership team to implement a governance framework that promoted accountability and teamwork while maintaining the firm’s collaborative culture.
Together, we developed structured processes that streamlined decision-making and clarified roles and responsibilities across departments.
Additionally, I helped them transition their compensation process to a model that rewarded performance and collaboration, which encouraged alignment with the firm’s strategic goals. This not only motivated the partners but also created a sense of shared purpose across the organization.
By addressing these challenges, I was able to help the firm turn their rapid growth into a sustainable advantage. Their operations, governance, and internal processes are now aligned with their new size and ambitions, positioning them for continued success.
Larger firms require more structured collaboration, broader partner participation, and increased accountability. With more people, departments, and complexity, it was critical to establish clearer checks and balances and to redesign their compensation process to align with their new scale.
To help them, I started by assessing their existing systems and identifying the gaps.
I worked closely with their leadership team to implement a governance framework that promoted accountability and teamwork while maintaining the firm’s collaborative culture.
Together, we developed structured processes that streamlined decision-making and clarified roles and responsibilities across departments.
Additionally, I helped them transition their compensation process to a model that rewarded performance and collaboration, which encouraged alignment with the firm’s strategic goals. This not only motivated the partners but also created a sense of shared purpose across the organization.
By addressing these challenges, I was able to help the firm turn their rapid growth into a sustainable advantage. Their operations, governance, and internal processes are now aligned with their new size and ambitions, positioning them for continued success.
Testimonials
I have had the privilege of working with Carl since 2021. Since then, he has provided much needed structure to our firm’s Compensation Committee and partner goals process, facilitated our partner retreats since 2022 and served as a coach to the Managing Partner and several senior leaders of the firm. His tailored strategies have assisted with the development of ASL’s growth plan and strengthened our corporate governance structure along the way. Thank you, Carl for sharing your wealth of experience, to help our firm and leadership team grow stronger.
As we have grown organically and merged with other firms we needed help from a practical stand point. Carl was exactly what we needed. We have been working with Carl over the past years and he is one of our most valuable resources. The advice he has given us has been invaluable.
We engaged Carl George over ten years ago to facilitate our firm’s strategic succession planning meetings as we were facing the challenge of turning the page from the firm’s second generation of shareholders to third generation of shareholders. What is best for the firm, our owners, our employees and our clients? Carl’s understanding of the profession as a whole, our position in the market place, and the sensitivity of succession assisted us in building out our firm’s vision and developing actionable strategies to help us get to where we decided to go. Carl has also served as trusted mentor to me as I transitioned into my position five or so years ago. As we move to the next chapter as a growing, fiercely independent accounting firm, we continue to work with Carl as we look to enhance our firm’s governance and shareholder evaluation processes, among other firm matters.
I have been working with Carl George for a several years as my personal coach. As a new managing partner, I was looking for someone who knew what it was like to manage and motivate people. He has incredible experience as a managing partner himself and has already dealt with the same issues I am working through, from partner compensation to evaluating merger candidates to aligning everyone’s goals for a common purpose. He has been an invaluable part of our team and success because he truly cares and wants to see you be successful.
As a young leader of a legacy firm, Carl has been an invaluable coach and resource for my growth. His relatable demeanor allows us to have candid conversations, so I can learn from his experience, ask questions, and be challenged in my thinking. The two years our firm has worked with Carl has accelerated my personal leadership development and put our firm on a sustainable path.
Carl brings just the right balance of experience, empathy, understanding and counsel to 1) help firms identify where they want to go and 2) walk with them on the path to get there. His knowledge of and insight into the profession is rare and is based on decades of experience in leadership and management of an accounting firm. His experiences have taught him approaches that work – and more importantly those that don’t – so firms he advises can accelerate their journey towards success while avoiding the many landmines along the way.
Clifton Gunderson did over 50 mergers during Carl’s tenure in management of the firm. Carl’s caring and approachable nature and ability to read between the lines and quickly grasp a firm’s important concerns were key reasons so many of our discussions resulted in successful transactions. He has the processes perfected in managing the complicated issues involved in bringing organizations together.
