2010 - The year of fleibility

With the economy predicted to come out of the recession and businesses ramping up growth plans, next year looks set to be the year of flexible senior resourcing. Thatís according to The Interim Management Association (IMA).

Paul Botting, Chair of the IMA explains; ìas organisations look to undergo restructuring and drive growth plans they will increasingly utilise specialists on a short term basis to maintain flexibility on squeezed overheads. However as businesses emerge from recession, they will want to secure talent but at minimal long-term risk. Essentially it is like turning the tap on and off when resource is neededÖ î

ìWe also believe that ëstart upí and ërationalisationí will be important threads when it comes to new interim assignments moving away from ëchange managementí and ëbusiness transformationí needs, which for the past few years have dominated the interim management market and for which it has become renowned.î

Botting also highlights the public sector where interim management is currently susceptible to the Governmentís manifesto:

ìWith a General Election some 200 days away, and a change of Government seemingly likely, the public sector use of interim management is seeing a slow-down, compounded by promised cut-backs and cost-savings. Nevertheless, the bigger picture shows that there has been a massive stride forward when it comes to the emotional acceptance of the role of interim management and the appreciation of the value it has to this sector. Whilst, we are anticipating further slow-down – undoubtedly interim management now has earned its role and is here to stay.î

ìWe also expect to see a marked uplift, similarly to this year, in the use of ìLimited Hoursî (otherwise known as part-time) interim managers as companies require experienced individuals to fulfil a particular role however they are not prepared to compromise on the skill level but will on the number of hours worked to reduce man-power costs and maintain a healthy bottom line.î