feature INTERIM MANAGEMENT
rexit was a result that wrong-footed the experts, the pundits, the bookmakers and the markets, but as the dust settles, businesses are increasingly pragmatic and positive about the future. Just as the Government will need to reassure the public of the country’s future stability, business and public sector leaders must move quickly to allay fears among staff, customers and suppliers, and set out their own strategy in the wake of the referendum. While it may take some time for the dust to settle, the most successful organisations will be those that can respond first to the new trading environment. While confidence is being tested, we must all learn to deal with the economic landscape that we now inherit. If opportunities are not grasped, others will capitalise on indecision. Clearly, those that become passive and fail to offer any clear direction risk allowing inertia to the fill the void. Board rooms will need to work closely with their advisers to assess the impact on their own operations, make sure they have the right talent in place to provide effective leadership and remain vigilant to both emerging threats and opportunities.
B STATE OF INDEPENDENCE
Tumultuous and uncertain times call for cool heads and, as business leaders get to grips with what the future holds for their markets, sectors and the economy as a whole, the stock of the cool, calm and collected Interim Manager is spiking.
ARTICLE BY GRANT SPEED MANAGING DIRECTOR ODGERS INTERIM
During such times, experience is always treasured, and it is clear that those who have seen it, done it and bought the tee-shirt will be the most prized assets in the coming months. Just days before the referendum, we conducted a survey of FTSE 350 companies. It revealed that 64 percent, nearly two thirds of boards, had discussed the implications of Brexit. However, only 16 percent - less than one in five - had taken an official position. Now, in a much- changed and very uncertain environment, experienced interims and consultants will be at the heart of the practical responses from businesses - whether in planning, advisory or even in implementing projects. Just days before the referendum, we conducted a survey of FTSE 350 companies. It revealed that 64 percent, nearly two thirds of boards, had discussed the implications of Brexit. However, only 16 percent - less than one in five - had taken an official position. Now, in a much-changed and very uncertain environment, experienced interims and consultants will be at the heart of the practical responses from businesses - whether in planning, advisory or even in implementing projects. The reasons for engaging with an interim manager have been changing and growing rapidly in recent years and now management experts are available for a much broader range of critical business challenges than ever before, on a flexible basis. Where once the interim market was tapped to solve ‘gap management’ problems, interim management candidates are now valued for the unique skills and experience that they can bring to the corporate world and public sector. Many leadership teams now recognise the importance of having the right talent and experience in place to see through what looks set to be an unprecedented period of change and uncertainty. But it’s not just interim managers who are available for short-term solutions. In recent years it has been almost impossible to miss the number of services available in an ever-increasingly diverse number of ways. This also applies to management and strategy consulting. To start with, we have witnessed an underlying cultural shift in British attitudes towards work-life balance and a rejection of traditional employment relationships. Both young professionals and veterans are now increasingly looking for a working structure that will fit with their own lifestyle and allow more choice, flexibility and therefore time with family and friends. Where once the only alternative option was to move ‘in-house’ and take a commercial leadership role, often with a previous client, independent working now opens up new career options for the likes of lawyers, accountants and notably, management consultants, as it has
50 thehrdirector SEPTEMBER 2016
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