From Chaos to Culture Shift
How Sipley the Best Helped a Software Company Reclaim Its Leadership—and Save Over $225K
The Challenge: When "Culture Fit" Goes Off the Rails
A successful software development company found themselves grappling with a long-term IT manager who had gone from high performer to high liability.
10+ year employee, $115K salary
Repeated boundary oversteps:
Unapproved breakroom renovations (yes, complete with an Xbox and twinkle lights)
Printing unsolicited leadership material on company printers
Turning an empty cubicle into an unauthorized snack mart
Major HR red flags:
Unwanted physical advances at a company holiday party
After-hours “relations” in the office with a janitor
Leaving provocative material ("How to Murder Your Employer") post-confrontation
Leadership was frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure how to respond without creating legal or reputational fallout.
The Solution: Trauma-Informed HR Meets Bold Action
When Sipley the Best stepped in, we immediately applied a trauma-informed, strategic approach to protect the company while preserving dignity and compliance:
Conducted discreet observation and documentation
Confirmed misconduct through security footage
Led empathetic, firm conversations about safety and boundaries
Crafted a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) to eliminate Queen Bee behavior without immediate termination
Negotiated a voluntary resignation with signed severance, NDA, non-compete, and transition support agreements
The Outcome:
She exited smoothly and voluntarily—without litigation or operational disruption.
Leadership moved forward stronger and legally protected.
Beyond the Crisis: Real Organizational Wins
Over the course of a 6-month engagement ($30,000 investment), Sipley the Best delivered transformative results:
Employee Handbook: Written from scratch to reflect updated legal and cultural standards
Emergency Response Plan: Designed for real-world safety and compliance
Illegal Pay Practices: Identified and corrected, minimizing future liability
Role Restructuring:
Eliminated two redundant positions worth a total of $225K in salaries
Consolidated into one strategic hire at $55K
Strategic Hiring:
Recruited an Office Manager with HR experience to internalize HR leadership long-term ($65K salary)
The Financial Impact: Real Dollars, Real Results
In just six months, Sipley the Best helped the company:
Released over $225,000 in unnecessary salaries
Saved $105,000 annually through smart role consolidation
Strengthen internal HR capacity while avoiding expensive external consulting fees
Protect the company from legal action and reputational damage
For a $30K investment, the company gained over $75K in savings and long-term stability.
ROI Snapshot:
For every $1 the company invested in Sipley the Best, they gained over $2.50 in direct financial return—plus long-term operational strength and peace of mind.
That’s what we call return on investment.
The Big Picture: Leadership That Lasts
What started as a personnel nightmare became a complete culture transformation.
Today, the company runs leaner, smarter, and with leadership that actually leads.
Got a "Queen Bee" situation brewing in your business?
It’s time to turn it into your next success story—with Sipley the Best by your side.