Is there ever a time when it is the right thing to hire outside senior executives for short term assignments in a software or hardware company? If you are based in the US, technical company boards and senior leadership do not seem to have the most specific response to the question of using interim management.
There are obviously many exceptions to this statement. But in most cases when an executive position opens, the next person in that role hires another permanent executive. Much of the idea of too short the time of reflexion is given to some other possible solution.
In small cases where someone is designated in a role with the tag “interim”, it is usually someone from inside the company. In the case of an interim CEO, it is often a current board member.
Let us look at some areas where a senior interim executive should be hired:
Gaps covered with interim management:
This is probably the most common reason for using C-level interim management. One executive has left the company – voluntarily or not. The team needs leadership. You can try to fill this gap by temporarily putting the team under another functional area manager or more junior executive, but of course this is not optimal. Bringing in an experienced interim can often be a great solution allowing you to move the momentum in the area of concern in the right direction, while allowing the company to take the time and a careful, thoughtful hiring process for the next permanent executive.
Change agents:
There are many different reasons that a company may benefit from the use of a change agent. One of the more common scenarios is a company undergoing financial pressure. Although a new permanent freight may take the necessary steps, sometimes it may be beneficial to use an interim manager such as a fleeting change agent to take these steps. An interim can step in and work fast, while the right permanent fare can take a very long time in situations where time is important.
Interim management can serve as change agents in tech companies:
Sometimes a situation arises in companies where conflict over policy or personality is tearing the company down. In these cases, bring in an interim manager with a previous “dog in the hunt”, who may allow him to be in the role of an impartial, honest arbiter to bridge the divide between the warring factions.
Manage a specific project:
The ultimate common reason for retaining senior interim management executive officers in a technology company is the ubiquitous “special project”. There are many good reasons to bring a temporary senior resource for special projects. Sometimes a project is very, very challenging, and it makes sense to bring the most efficient, experience expertise to lift the odds of success.
International Executive Consulting LLC provides C-Level interim executive services to software and hardware companies, in addition to core management consulting services. If you would like to discuss the potential need for an interim executive, contact us using the information below.
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