From Chaos to Culture Shift

Written By Dawn Sipley

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.

Dawn Sipley
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