Introduction: Q1 will set the tone for the year 2026

Every CEO knows that Q1 performance sets the confidence for the year. Q1 performance creates momentum. Q1 performance provides clarity.

In my view, most companies stumble in Q1. The lack of ambition is not why most companies stumble — the lack of execution is.

A strong Q1 = a strong year.

A chaotic Q1 = a year spent catching up.

This is IEC’s Q1 Execution Masterplan, built for CEOs who want to begin 2026 with speed, focus, and alignment.

Start with a single Q1 North Star

Most organizations start Q1 with:

• 10 priorities
• 20 initiatives
• Dozens of KPIs

Execution gets diluted. Impact disappears.

Successful CEOs choose one North Star Objective for Q1. That single objective keeps the entire organization focused.

Examples:

• Increase retention by 10%
• Build U.S. traction
• Reduce operational costs
• Launch a new GTM structure
• Expand manufacturing capacity

When focus is clear, everything lines up.

Redefine leadership accountability for the first 90 days

Q1 must have:

• Clear owners
• Defined KPIs
• Weekly alignment
• No ambiguity
• No shared accountability

Ambiguity kills execution. Execution never works when accountability is unclear.

IEC uses a simple Accountability Matrix:

• Who leads
• Who supports
• Who approves
• Who executes
• Who is informed

When accountability is clear, speed doubles.

Build a 12-week execution roadmap

Break Q1 into phases:

Weeks 1–4: Stabilize

Fix bottlenecks, align KPIs, reset processes.

Weeks 5–8: Execute

Deliver measurable outcomes, drive KPIs, reinforce execution habits.

Weeks 9–12: Optimize

Fix what isn’t working, celebrate wins, and prepare the Q2 roadmap.

Motion is not progress. Structure creates results.

Implement a weekly operating cadence

Execution is momentum.

In Q1, teams need a rhythm:

Monday

Weekly priorities and KPI review

Wednesday

Progress checkpoint

Friday

Forecasting and risk identification

Companies with execution cadence outperform competitors by 42%.

Remove execution barriers early

Identify and eliminate:

• Cross-functional friction
• Slow approval processes
• Reporting delays
• Lack of tools
• Dependency on single individuals

Q1 is not the moment for bureaucracy.

Reinforce customer success and retention

Q1 retention equals annual revenue stability.

Strengthen:

• Onboarding
• Customer touchpoints
• Renewal preparation
• Early churn signals
• QBR implementation
• Success metrics

Retention must become a weekly leadership discussion.

Align revenue teams on one story

Marketing, sales, and customer success must operate as one revenue engine.

In Q1:

• Align messaging
• Unify pipeline KPIs
• Define qualification rules
• Build battlecards
• Remove lead handoff friction
• Forecast as one team

Revenue alignment is execution oxygen.

Use fractional CXOs to accelerate the first 90 days

Fractional COOs, CROs, and CSOs accelerate Q1 because they:

• Embed fast
• Diagnose issues quickly
• Execute immediately
• Bring proven playbooks
• Align teams
• Build structure

A fractional leader in Q1 can set the tone for the entire year and keep execution on track.

Conclusion: Q1 sets the foundation for your best year yet

If CEOs want 2026 to be their strongest year, they must treat Q1 as the most strategic quarter:

• Speed builds momentum
• Structure creates scale
• Execution creates confidence

IEC helps leadership teams start Q1 with clarity, discipline, and performance frameworks that scale.

Author: Cyril Moreau