The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multiunit operators.

Interim Leadership: Developing a Plan of Action

Sep 23, 2026
 

Part of the challenge of tackling interim assignments is aligning the team to a common goal.

In most of my interim assignments - either departmental head or general manager of a division - I am generally walking into a challenging environment.

My role is to reset the culture, the finances and the operations.

In this podcast with Jada Willis, I discuss the process further.

 

John Matthews, President & CEO, Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc.

John Matthews is the Founder and President of Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. a Raleigh, NC-based management consulting company. Gray Cat specializes in strategic project management and consulting for multi-unit operations; interim executive management; and strategic planning. Mr. Matthews has over 30 years of senior-level executive experience in the retail industry, involving three dynamic multi-unit companies. Mr. Matthews experience includes President of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches; Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, Corporate Communications, Facilities and Real Estate for Clark Retail Enterprises/White Hen Pantry; and National Marketing Director at Little Caesar's Pizza! Pizza!