Situation
Our client, a successful and growing business, recognized the need for more structure and rigor in how the company was governed. While they were meeting day-to-day operational needs, they lacked consistent oversight processes in key areas, including financial management, technology controls, strategic guidance, and leadership development. The CEO wanted to ensure the company was operating ethically, strategically aligned, and positioned for sustainable success. Over the next two years, Proxxy kept this objective front and center while working alongside the executive team “on” the business to implement effective corporate governance practices.
Solution
One of the most impactful starting points was leveraging a SOC 2 certification initiative as a governance catalyst. While the primary driver was meeting the strict information security requirements of their financial-sector clients, Proxxy helped turn the compliance effort into a broader operational upgrade. This included:
- Onboarding/offboarding: Standardized procedures with documented checklists and sign-offs
- Crisis response: A formal incident plan with clear roles and timelines
- Vendor oversight: Risk assessments, approvals, and recurring reviews
- Cultural shift: Moving governance from informal practices to documented, auditable systems
The SOC 2 certification ultimately validated these improvements and reinforced the company’s commitment to security, accountability, and reliability—boosting client trust and competitive positioning.
At the strategic level, Proxxy guided the creation and incorporation of an advisory board. This group of seasoned business leaders provided the CEO with informed perspectives, helping the founder think more broadly about opportunities and potential risks. The advisory board became a critical sounding board for long-term decision-making, ensuring strategic alignment and informed oversight.
Recognizing leadership continuity as another cornerstone of governance, we also developed a succession plan for the CEO. This 12-month process moved from identifying a successor to providing training and mentoring, and ultimately, establishing a communication plan for the transition. This gave stakeholders confidence that leadership changes would be thoughtful, smooth, and strategically timed.
Outcome
By embedding governance improvements into ongoing operations, the company developed a stronger foundation for ethical and strategic alignment. SOC 2 certification improved both operational discipline and market credibility. The advisory board brought greater strategic rigor to decision-making, while succession planning addressed long-term leadership stability.
Impact Metrics:
- 100% completion rate for all onboarding/offboarding checklists after SOC 2 implementation (previously <70%)
- 15% improvement in client retention among financial-sector accounts citing “trust in processes” as a factor
- Strategic decision cycle reduced by 30%, driven by advisory board insights and streamlined governance processes
- Documented succession plan in place for the first time in the company’s history
Together, these initiatives transformed governance from an abstract goal into a concrete, measurable, and sustainable practice, positioning the business for continued growth and resilience.
