7 Advantages of Hiring an Interim Manager

Employing the assistance of an interim manager has been the option for many organisations who are facing a change in direction or who have been through a period of decline. However, taking on interim management might be an unwelcomed additional expense when a company is going through a time of change. The question you most likely are considering is; do the benefits of an interim manager outweigh the cost and risk?

Advantages of utilizing an interim manager:

Expertise and Reputation
When considering selecting any individual for your business, it is only natural to seek the best reputation and level of ability. However, when it relates to finding an interim manager, the market is absolutely heaving with experience and knowledge meaning that you know you’ll be equipped to hire a person of the highest quality in your industry.

Leading your business through change
Change can be a difficult time for your organisation, especially for established businesses that have worked in the same way for years. For a lot of people, change is daunting and it can be difficult knowing where to start. But an interim manager thrives on change, knows and understands how it needs to be made, and should be able to guide you confidently and expertly.

Fresh point of view
Once you’ve employed your interim manager, you’ll appreciate the benefits of that old phrase, ‘seeing the wood for the trees’. Someone who is unfamiliar with your organisation can more clearly see areas for improvement and where mistakes are being made. It might well be that your business is doing well but you're about to face a major change, this where an interim manager could help choose the right direction to take.

Building their portfolio
In a competitive industry, interim managers earn their bread and butter by the standard of work they produce. It is in an interim's managers best interest to do a good job. The reality for most interim managers is that they can’t afford the alternative.

Fixed deadlines
In order to build a good portfolio, the interim manager will have to work quickly and effectively which is in your business's best interests as well. The last thing an interim manager needs is to be identified for is not meeting deadlines and poor time management, deadlines may need to be moved for the benefit of the change but no more than is necessary.

Active implementation
An interim manager is different from a advisor in one important way; they actively implement the changes you need. An interim manager can examine your business, identify elements in need of revision, and then go on to implement those changes within your organisation, working closely with you and your workforce to make things happen, rather than leaving you with sound advice but nowhere to implement it.

Reporting directly to you
If you choose to hire an interim manager, that person will be working for you. You will have one dedicated person, in-house, who reports directly to you and only to you. That way, you can maintain total confidence in your ability to control the changes to your business.

Discover what is Involved in the Interim Management Assignment Lifecycle

The Interim Management Assignment Lifecycle provides a guide for interim managers and employers, setting out clear stages of progression for an upcoming contract. Interim management across different sectors is bound to require different skills and responsibilities, but the process of implementation tends to be very much the same. This is a general guide which was created to be adaptable, so any interim manager hired to fill a post within any company will probably find themselves following these stages:

So, what are the stages of interim management assignment?

Entry

An interim manager will start their employment by going through the goals with their employer. There is always a clear purpose for interim management so it is good to go through the objectives and time frame within which it will be completed at the start of the contract. This is also a good time to go through what is expected of the interim manager in terms of the company vision and value.

Analysis

Once the interim manager's contract has begun it is up to them to make a diagnosis of the situation and start taking steps to address any issues which may be present within the organisation. The interim manager may have received some guidance regarding any current issues however, the key role of the interim manager is to look upon a situation with a fresh pair of eyes which may uncover any hidden problems.

Proposal

At this stage in the Interim Management Assignment Lifecycle, the interim manager will take their findings to their employer and propose a strategy for change. The proposal should be centered on delivering the results which the employer needs but should also incorporate the interim managers unique insight on the situation, after all the reason for their recruitment was to take care of issues or execute effective change.

Implementation

This is one of the most important stages in the Interim Management Assignment Lifecycle. At this point, having agreed on a proposed strategy with their employer, an interim manager will begin to enact the necessary changes. The interim manager may become closely involved in different aspects of a running business and will usually be expected to take charge of employees to influence a policy change or a new direction.

Departure

The role of the interim manager is complete once the objectives of the strategy have been completed and the employer is pleased with the results. Upon exiting the organisation, the interim manager may have the opportunity to return to the employer at points in the future to follow up points or offer guidance on a consultancy basis.

Adhering to these stages of the Interim Management Assignment Lifecycle should take you through your contract without trouble and leave you with another success to add to your portfolio.