|
Home / Business / Management
The Interim Manager's / Executive's Role
By:JHadley
Despite being an absolutely superb resource for many companies 'Interim Management' has an identity problem. In a 'Mori' pole survey in 2001, when U.K business leaders in large conmpanies were questioned, astonishingly, the majority maintained that they had never utilised an Executive Interim Manager. The proportion is significant including such 'Captains of Industry' as Chairmen, CEO's and Managing Directors, representing some of the U.K.'s largest organisations.
Those companies who have utilised an 'Interim Manager', were, for very vital reasons; such as 'taking hold of the reins' after a very sudden departure or for the 'Interim' to manage an acquisition or to 'manage' a closure or sell-off. Interim Executives have also undertaken challenges for crisis/turnaround management of a business. They are utilised too, for management development and preparation of teams where a business faces an uncertain future.
Increasingly, however 'Executive Interims' are being hired to deal with more difficult situations, as companies seek very experienced, very professional 'Executive Interim Managers. They merely don't just advise, as is the role of a typical 'consultant' - but actually - 'do the job'. For example an 'Executive Interim' can be part of an organisation for 2/3 years, turning around a business in the role as a Managing Director.
Even though they prove their worth in so many vital ways, 'Interim Managers' can experience totally blank looks from many of their business colleagues, when they say that they work as an 'Interim Manager.' Most people in industry don't understand the full scope of 'Interim Management'. Many people think 'Interims' are brought in when someone is off sick or when someone has been fired. Some assignments require that 'Interim Managers' are in the role of menoting management, encouraging them to understand their resposnibilities to other people in the company and helping teams to to co-operate between departments. A great deal of experience and even greater understanding of how people relate to each other is needed to do that kind of thing. 'Executive Interim Managers' have an abundance of those skills.
Sometimes it's difficult for people to understand the seniority of the position of 'Interims' as the very word seems to imply 'temporary' put with the word 'Executives' though, certainly helps to outline the seniority of the position. It is necessary to get across to the 'Captains of Industry' just how capable Interim Managers are to businesses. The best Interims have worked at the highrest levels, they are used to the boardroom and arte always over-qualified for the assignments they take on, having undertaken more senior roles previously in their careers, unlike other recruits they often 'step down' to responsibility, rather than 'stepping up.' They are, therefore, immediately effective.
The most important area that requires addressing is the mindset of the'client' if they haven't previously been conversant with 'Interim Management' - they need to understand that they are buying an 'Independent Professional'
The more usual way to source an Interim Manager / Executive is through a specialist Agency and these vary considerably. Some agencies can have as many as 5,000 potential candidates on their databases. But some are 'maintained' more readily than others with potential 'Interims' being vetted and met with face-to-face, thus making it easier to identify the more genuine 'Interim Managers.'
Interim Management has tended to evolve steadily in the past 20 years and is still evolving. Younger Manager / Executives are entering the role and more women too are moving into 'Interim Management' covering a range of functions. However anyone intending to take on 'Interim Management' as a career should ensure they have a range of capital to tide them over between assignments.
The advantages of companies taking on an Interim is that they don't become embroiled in company policies. They are not concerned about 'manoeuvring' to further their career. The only worry being, completing the job and adding value. People pay a great deal of money for their services and they need to see the results.
The pre-requisite of being an 'Interim Manager' used to be redundancy. Many fine Executives lost their jobs during often ill-conceived 'clear-outs' of the nineties. Attitudes have changed, nowadays fewer Interims conceive of being employed by someone for life! They now relish the Interim career. Fortunately too, more and more @Captains of Industry' can recognise the qualities of the people they engage in these 'project-based' roles. Permanency is not recognised as part of the deal.
Interim management should be seen as the way forward. It is risky, tough, rewarding and can be thrilling for people engaged in this work, there is no looking back!
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: Interim Management, Interim Manager, Interim Managers.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
J Hadley writes on behalf of Executive Interims - Supply Chain Practice. See: www.executive-interims.co.uk
|
|
| Top Management Articles |
- 1). Nine Reasons Why Mentoring Matters to You By : Kevin
There are many roles we play or hats we wear in our lives. We are professionals, family members, brothers, sisters, co-workers, leaders, coaches, friends, parents, and neighbors to name just a few. While you may not wear all of the hats I listed, you can likely add several more that I left out! Many of these roles are a given – we don’t have much choice of having the role – they come with being a responsible adult.
|
- 2). Project Management - Design and Development Projects By : Michael Russell
There’s no getting away from it, design and development projects are a nightmare to manage successfully, particularly the development of software. Nonetheless, in these days of customers requiring ever increasing functionality and ever more sophisticated technology, they are sometimes necessary.
Your company almost certainly has procedures in place such as Make or Buy (do you design/build the item yourselves or do you sub-contract) and Design to Cost (you’ve estimated how much it will cost, now make sure that it doesn’t run over budget.
|
- 3). Defining Supply Chain Management By : James Hunt
Companies that deal with inventory will have to have some sort of system in place to effectively manage the supply chain that exists for any type of sales. A system of inventory needs to be as smooth running as possible so that a company is able to fulfill all its orders in a timely manner...
|
- 4). Customer Advisory Boards By : Paul Lemberg
Customer Advisory Boards are a great source of information about your market and your business. Their advice is more valuable than any management consultant's. They provide real world counsel on what you are doing right, what you are doing wrong, and most important -how to stay competitive. After all, they're the customer. They're the one's who buy your stuff.
|
- 5). 6 Ways to Maximize Learning By : Steve Kaye
Here's how to gain the most from training events.
1) Know what you want
Before the workshop, set learning goals for yourself. What do you want to learn? How can this program help you? What would make you feel that your time was well spent?
2) Ask for what you want
As the program unfolds, ask questions that guide the presentation toward the information that you need.
|
- 6). Save Face, Time, and Money on Your Next IT Project By : Leslie Whinery
How many times have you been involved in a project where a newly-released piece of software required an immediate enhancement because the right people were not “in the loop”? This is an example of how poor communication costs money and damages the reputation of an Information Technology (IT) Team.
Well-managed communication can increase the rates of success on your IT projects by improving relations between you and your customers and decreasing the odds of hasty last-minute enhancements, thus saving face, saving time, and saving money.
|
- 7). Decision Making "Pub" By : Claude Jollet
This article will help transform your decision making process into “PUB” - Pure Unadulterated Bliss!
Think I'm exaggerating? Well ... maybe just a little!:-) But, see for yourself anyway! You might be in for a pleasant surprise. The way I make decisions in complex situations has – at least – the merit of turning decision making into an effective, satisfying, even reassuring experience.
|
- 8). The CEO is 10,000 feet above the fire By : Larry Galler
How many times have you heard a business owner or manager say that they spend their workday “always sweating at putting out fires?” I hear it all the time.
Think of a raging forest fire. There are sweaty fire fighters working hard, just yards in front of the flames. There is one person in a helicopter 10,000 feet above the flames. Those on the ground and the one in the helicopter are all looking at the same fire but they have totally different views.
|
- 9). CPAs vs. Non-Certified Accountants - Clearing Up The Confusion By : John Day
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone asked me what the difference is between CPAs and non-certified accountants. Essentially, non-certified accountants can simply hang up their shingle and open their doors for business. There are no educational requirements. If they want to prepare taxes, most states require a certain number of qualified hours of study plus continuing education hours each year.
|
- 10). Many Kinds Of Banks - Many Kinds Of Accounts By : Sintilia Miecevole
Sometimes looking into opening an account or accounts in banks can be confusing. There are so many types of banks and bank accounts! Which banks are right for you to open anaccount in? Which types of accounts do you need to open? Below are some simple explanations of several types of banks and the accounts you can open. One will surely be right for you!
There are many kinds of banks:
1.
|
| New Management Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 7). Double Your Profits with Business Coaching By : Kris Koonar
Business as we all know, involves risk. Since starting up your own business means starting a new chapter of your life, you may fail to recognize a few shortcomings in your business plans, as you are too engrossed and feel that things are going great.
|
- 8). Modern Business Strategies and Tactics By : Kris Koonar
Modern business strategies and tactics often concentrate on developing international brands and products, but before developing any product it is important to assess the potential worldwide demand.
|
- 9). Avoiding Poor Time Management By : ian Williamson
Around midnight students across the country become record setting authors by finishing essays, and study groups for tests in unheard of time. This unnerving process often leads to below average results. Many people wonder why this is happening, the answer is poor time management.
|
|
|
|
|
