‘The essential international perspective on interim management’

International experience and positioning are among the key factors for the success of an interim management firm, regardless of the country in which it is based.

11 September 2023

When an organisation is considering undertaking any of the processes for which it engages a firm specialising in interim management, it always selects from amongst the most specialised and experienced firms. For years, there has been another key factor in this decision: the firm’s market positioning and its ability to deliver solutions on an international scale.

There are very few business groups and international networks specialising in interim management that operate across all five continents. The world’s largest alliance of companies specialising in executive management services is the Valtus Alliance, not only because of its geographical reach but also because of the expertise of its member companies.

The main objectives for which interim management services are contracted are: organisational change management and restructuring; the management and development of new businesses; improving operational efficiency; the temporary replacement of a manager; and the internationalisation and consolidation of start-ups. To a greater or lesser extent, all of these objectives require:

A global vision. The globalised economy demands a global presence at all levels – both strategic and operational – which can only be achieved by being part of a business network with worldwide coverage.

Synergies. An interim management firm that is part of an international network is able to provide high-value-added synergies at both a professional and business level, centred on the service it is delivering and those who have engaged it.

Executive capability. Having access to the best interim managers in any country in the world, within a matter of days, can be a decisive factor in implementing solutions that require immediate action. Urgency is one of the defining features of interim management.

These are competitive advantages that interim managers alone cannot provide. For this reason, most projects are contracted through interim management firms rather than directly with independent professionals. Nor can the aforementioned qualities be provided by companies that offer executive management services as a complement to other services, as is the case with large consultancy firms, some temporary employment agencies or companies specialising in recruitment. In the world of interim management, specialisation is essential.