Interim Management: Increasingly Delivering Strategic Change

With a requirement for greater delivery in ever shorter timescales, under increased shareholder pressure and the continual impact of new technology, the life of the Chief Executive isn't an easy one. Many CEOs face the same dilemma all too frequently: on the one hand is the need to continuously drive programme after programme of change; and on the other to ensure that business-as-usual thrives. The big question often is: where can a business find the extra resources that it needs, exactly when it's needed? The people most likely to make decisions about appointing leaders of strategic projects are senior executives; typically the chief executive or managing director, chairman or finance director of a business. Understandably the first place that they typically look for such resources is within the business itself. When the right calibre of resource isn't available, they are likely to consider using a management consultancy or someone from their own personal network, or an interim manager through an interim management agency. Changing Attitudes Towards Interim Managers finding exactly the right interim manager for their clients. In answer to the question: where should businesses look to find the extra resource that they need to cope with strategic changes and business-as-usual? The answer is: it depends. Low risk tactical roles can often be filled through personal contacts, but increasingly users of expert interim management services are finding that they can rely on expert interim managers to deliver high value strategic programmes when previously they would have paid more and used management consultants. However, for high-value high-profile roles, it's often not worth taking risks. Talk to a