Interim Management
With the need for flexibility in today’s fast-moving business environment, interim management has become one of the fastest growing areas of management services, with increasing numbers of businesses and organisations recognising just how valuable and effective such services can be.
How interim management works
In simple terms, an interim manager bridges a temporary management gap within a business at senior management level. Usually the interim manager is contracted by the business for a fixed term – either full- or part-time – to complete key tasks and achieve set objectives – which are agreed at the outset.
On completion of the contract, the interim manager will then leave the business.
How interim management services can help
An interim manager is a flexible management resource that can provide a business or organisation with the right management skills and expertise at a time when it needs it most.
The diagram below shows how interim management can help in key areas of the business where there may be gaps:
An interim manager can help in the following situations:
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Work overload – all businesses and organisations experience peaks and troughs in the demands on their management time. An interim manager can provide a temporary management resource to ensure that a company can implement development projects whilst daily operations continue.
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Illness or resignation crisis – an interim manager could be the answer if a business suddenly finds itself without a senior manager due to unforeseen long term illness or a sudden resignation. This situation can also be of particular concern to owners of smaller businesses without a clearly defined management structure, who may find themselves in a difficult position if they are personally unable to manage their business for a period of time due to a family crisis, prolonged period of illness, or other unforeseen situation.
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Skills shortage – a business or organisation may not have the in-house skills or time to manage a particular project. A suitably experienced interim manager can ensure that the project is handled in an efficient and timely manner, with minimal direct impact on day-to-day activities.
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Effecting culture change – with no emotional legacy about how the business or organisation has been run in the past – nor preconceptions about the future – interim managers can be objective and impartial when it comes to introducing new ways of working.
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Business turn-around – again, it’s often easier for an interim manager – with an objective eye – to identify problems within an ailing business and propose/implement solutions to turn the business around.
Interim management is also an option for SMEs looking for growth
Traditionally, it’s been medium to large businesses that have realised the benefit of interim management – although, increasingly, smaller companies looking to grow may also find interim management invaluable as it provides them with the right skills and expertise, at the right time, without the commitment of a permanent, senior level employee.
How BusinessLinc can help
We can provide interim managers with a wide range of commercial skills and experience, available for assignments of as little as one week up to several months or longer.