Why Interim Managers are the Secret to Successful Business Transformation
Change is a constant in business, particularly over the last two years, as organisations respond to the shifting economy. However, that does not mean change becomes any easier to manage. Whether you are staring down a complex M&A integration, a high-stakes ERP rollout, or a total financial restructure, these projects demand vision and time.
Most executive teams are already running at 100% capacity. When you ask a CFO or COO to lead a massive transformation on top of their day job, something has to give. Usually, it is the project timeline or the quality of day-to-day business operations.
This is where bringing in an interim executive can provide a strategic advantage.
Leverage the Value of an External Perspective
One of the hardest things for an internal team to do is see its own blind spots. An interim professional arrives with an objective view. They are not blind sided by office politics or company history. They also are not there to climb the ladder; they are there to ensure the job gets done and to a high standard.
As noted in a recent leadership analysis by Hunt Scanlon Media:
"Interim leaders can offer fresh, unbiased insights, helping organizations to realign their strategies and activities swiftly and maintain resilience in a competitive market." — Interim Executives & Leadership: What You Need To Know
By focusing an interim leader on a specific project, you ensure the transformation gets the attention it requires, while your permanent team stays focused on driving the core business forward.
Interim Managers Prioritise Execution Over Theory
There is a common misconception that interim managers are a temporary recruitment solution. In reality, they are usually overqualified for the task and act as a real business driver. For example, if your organisation is navigating a divestment for the first time, an interim leader has likely done it five times already and will know exactly how to lead the process.
An interim leader's focus on executing a project is vital. McKinsey & Company recently highlighted that the biggest frustration for CEOs is not a lack of ideas, but the difficulty of seeing those ideas impact the bottom line. They noted that a dedicated leadership focus:
While big-name consultancies can provide slide decks for completing a successful business transformation project, an interim professional provides hands-on leadership combined with tried and tested methods. They do not stop at telling you where the project is going wrong, but will sit in the office, manage the teams, and stay until the new systems are actually working.
Better yet, they ensure your permanent staff are upskilled during the process. When the interim leaves, the knowledge stays within your business.
Stop Putting off Transformation Projects
There is no time to start a project. Waiting often results in missed opportunities and a burnt-out leadership team. If you have a critical project on the horizon but lack the internal resource to lead it, an interim executive is the most agile solution available.
Looking for an interim executive to lead your next business transformation project?
Chilworth Partnership has been connecting executive-level and C-Suite professionals to leadership teams for more than 15 years, and our team has more than 60 years of expertise behind it.
Reach out to the team here for a confidential chat about whether an interim could help you.
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