Monday 27 January 2014

Networking for Interim Managers



Networking isn’t just for the assignment search, when you’re coming to your contacts for an immediate payoff. Senior professionals need to make networking a part of their daily routine, not just an alarm they sound when it’s time to search for a new assignment.

Nevertheless, the move to an active assignment search is prime time to refresh your existing network, both online and off. The Internet has extended the reach and complexity of networking opportunities, but it hasn’t replaced the need for traditional human encounters.
People need to know you, and you need to know people, to establish your credibility and get the inside scoop on new opportunities.

1. Navigating Your Network

Social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn haven't changed where you network so much as how.

Networking used to mean working the phones, attending industry events and trading business cards. It still does. But today you can augment and support those efforts with the click of a button in addition to the more traditional methods.

LinkedIn is proving to be increasingly important so ensure your profile is a complete as possible and keep it up to date.

2. Alumni Networking Rules

Leverage your alumni association to find and win an assignment, but know the rules about what is and isn't fair play.

Alumni associations are a great jumping off point to networking, but it’s just the start. An Interim Manager seeking an assignment is still obligated to make a genuine connection before leveraging an alumni connection for a potential new assignment.

A simple introduction where you disclose that you’re available for your next assignment and just ask if they have any advice about the industry in general. A better way than a basic cold call would be to meet them through a mutual contact or via a regular alumni association networking event and start up a relationship from there.

3. Apply and Network in One Step

The next generation of job application software will let you see whom you already know at the company, so you can express your interest in helping a particular organisation and network at the same time.

There are many features from the leading automatic online job application software packages, and is being adopted by many HR departments. If you do submit your CV through these channels, you’ll be able to view potential connections between the organisation and your existing professional network.

They are able to link to your LinkedIn account to show you who in your network may be connected to someone at the organisation; that lets you follow up your application with an e-mail to a colleague to request a referral or set up an introduction to someone who can.

Referrals matter!  Studies have shown that more than 60 percent of jobs are filled through referrals. Employers fast-track job candidates who are recommended by current employees; statistically speaking, employee-referred hires prove to be better hires, have longer job tenures and therefore represent a far sounder investment on the part of employers.

4. The Interim Providers

You should be talking to all the relevant Interim providers that are likely to have assignments that are appropriate to your skill set and in the right sectors. If you haven’t always been successful through this route, it is a channel to market and should therefore be used as part of your marketing / networking activities.

If you are new to Interim and just embarking on the journey then the Interim Management Association (IMA) would be a good place to start.  The Interim members make up the core of the Interim management market in the UK and between us are likely to have an appropriate assignment at any given time.

For more information on Macallam Interim please visit www.macallaminterim.com or contact us on 01423 704153 or email to enquiries@macallaminterim.com







Monday 20 January 2014

Interim Management market sees steady demand

2013 has been an interesting year.  We are definitely seeing an increased appetite for kick starting projects or change programmes that had been on the back burner with a real push in the last half of 2013.  Our clients are keen to engage with highly professional Interim Executives who can help drive change programmes forward.

The latest Ipsos MORI IMA (Interim management Association) survey (Q3 2013) completed by all IMA members is showing encouraging news in that the figures are showing stabilised growth for the sector and member firms are  maintaining current levels.  

Interestingly the findings show the most common reason for an assignment remains Programme/Project Management with 62% of all interim executives hired for this purpose (up 6 percentage points from 56% in Q2 2013)  although this could be used to badge a variety of assignment needs.

Turnaround/Crisis Management has increased 1 percentage points to 12% (11% in Q2 2013) which seems to fit with what we are seeing.  The private sector still accounts for the largest proportion of assignments at 60% although down 5 percentage points from the previous quarter.  The Financial Services sector continues to lead the private sector with 45% of all assignments being from this sector. However, this sector has declined compared to Q2 2013 (59%). The other leading sectors are Business Services with an 11% share, IT & Telecommunications with a 7% share and Manufacturing with a 6% share this quarter.  The public sector has grown its share from 35% in Q2 2013 to 40% in Q3 2013.

Female Interim Executives are accounting for 36 per cent of Assignments – a figure that continues to increase, and the highest recorded since 2010.

It would appear that the changing landscape of the market continues and although client briefs are sometimes quite tight and their requirements quite prescriptive, the good news is that they are engaging someone to work with them with a realisation that the added value, deliverables and ROI are proving to make a worthy investment.

Steven Wynne
Managing Director

T: 01423 704153