Madrid, February 19, 2024
The incorporation of senior talent into Executive Interim Management has been a well-established practice in Europe for decades. Although somewhat later, Spain has been following this trend of its European partners for years. Xavier Hernando, recently incorporated into EPUNTO Interim Management As a Senior Client Partner, he is a shining example of professionalism, tenacity, and enthusiasm. In this interview, he explains his career path and the reasons why he works as an interim manager and corporate consultant.
Technical engineer, master in commercial management, marketing and sales, and technician in foreign trade, after 37 years of professional experience, how did you get to the exclusive and demanding world of Interim Management?
After more than three decades of professional dedication, my career has undergone a significant evolution. During this time, I have consolidated and merged my knowledge as a technical engineer with that acquired through master's degrees in business management and marketing management, as well as my training as a foreign trade specialist. This journey has provided me with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective on business, allowing me to approach it from a holistic perspective, adapted to the changing challenges of the business environment.
The transition to Interim Management arose from my constant desire to tackle new professional challenges and to offer effective solutions to various business problems.
“Leadership in transition requires technical and commercial knowledge, but it also requires the ability to adapt to changing environments and to face business challenges in an agile and efficient manner.”
My technical background provides me with the foundation to thoroughly understand operational and technological aspects. At the same time, my knowledge and experience across diverse teams and companies in various sectors have enhanced my strategic and leadership skills.
My decision to dedicate myself to Interim Management arose from the realization that my extensive experience can bring significant value to companies requiring temporary and specialized leadership. Managing during transitions requires technical and commercial knowledge, but it also demands the ability to adapt to changing environments and to address business challenges in an agile and efficient manner.
What do you consider to be your greatest professional specialties, in which you have the most experience?
With the experience gained in various functional and managerial areas of the companies in which I have developed my professional career, I am convinced that my greatest professional specialties are:
Business Address: Management experience in commercial management that gives me strategic skills, leadership and the ability to make decisions at an executive level.
Skills in managing both human resources and sales teams, as well as in-depth knowledge of specialized products or services, and strong negotiation and customer relationship skills.
InternationalizationMy experience in the internationalization of companies gives me skills in the expansion of businesses globally, an excellent ability to face the challenges and opportunities of the international market with deep intercultural skills developed.
Like all the managers who carry out their work through Interim Management, you have had a long and successful professional career. What have been the most intense and enriching experiences?
I have had the privilege of facing stimulating challenges in various business contexts. Some of the most intense and enriching experiences have been:
- Interim Director of Internationalization / Assistant to the General Manager at a family-owned company specializing in the packaging and marketing of intermediate chemical products. During this project, I developed and implemented, in collaboration with the company's management, specific strategies for growth in international markets, demonstrating adaptability and strategic vision.
- Interim Director of Internationalization. This was a small company that designed and manufactured industrial chromatographic systems. In this role, I led the necessary initiatives to optimize the company's internal organization. The goal was to enable the company to successfully enter new international markets and strengthen its presence in those markets. This allowed the company to establish new partnerships and optimize its international distribution channels.
- Interim Sales Manager for Spain / Interim International Sales Manager at a subsidiary of a Danish company. Manufacturer, distributor, and installer of industrial ventilation equipment. During my time at the company, I was able to implement innovative strategies that resulted in a significant increase in sales, as well as its expansion into Spain and the company's target international markets (LATAM).
In these experiences, my focus was on the effective execution of strategies, the management of multidisciplinary teams, and the creation of tangible value for companies.
Undoubtedly, my ability to adapt to diverse and complex environments, combined with a strong strategic vision, has been fundamental to my success in the field of Interim Management. These experiences have contributed not only to my own professional development but also to the sustainable growth and successful internationalization of the companies I have had the honor of leading on a temporary basis.
Interim Management is fully established in other European countries and in the English-speaking world. Do you think it will eventually become as widespread in Spain?
In my opinion, the consolidation of Interim Management in Spain may take time, due to the idiosyncrasies and unique characteristics of the Spanish business landscape. There is a certain reluctance to integrate professionals who are not directly employed by the company, as there is often concern and even a certain fear of losing confidentiality and control over sensitive information and management areas.
At EPUNTO Interim Management we offer high-quality professional services and have accumulated a significant number of completed projects; therefore, the perception of this executive management model is gaining greater acceptance in Spain.
Confidence will grow as more companies contracting this service achieve success. It's a matter of time and continuing to demonstrate the added value that Interim Management brings to Spain.
What does it mean to you to be Senior Client Partner EPUNTO Interim Management
Be Senior Client Partner EPUNTO Interim Management represents a unique opportunity to demonstrate my worth and offer their clients my extensive experience in executive management.. At the same time, it represents a motivating personal challenge. The opportunity to collaborate with elite professionals to drive the growth of EPUNTO Interim Management gives me the chance to contribute to the success of this thriving company, one of the pioneers in this field in Spain.
Another motivating factor surrounding EPUNTO Interim Management is the prospect of working in an environment of excellence and collaboration, where I can apply my knowledge and experience to generate a significant positive impact.
I must also mention the extraordinary opportunity I have been given to join Valtus Alliance, the world's leading international Interim Management organization. The fact that EPUNTO is its exclusive representative in Spain and shares services with companies in various countries represents an exciting challenge for me, as it would for any professional working as an interim manager.
