Many owner/managed manufacturing businesses could utilise interim managers and yet most
assume it is not for them because of the perceived cost. In our
opinion, this is a mistake.
It is highly likely that during the evolution of particularly a family owned
business that skills are required which are not immediately available
from within the existing management team. Typical situations which might necessitate
using an interim manager include IT implementation, business
relocation, specialist finance/tax planning right through to the development of a
strategic marketing plan. It is at just such times that using a
specialist interim manager either on a full time or part time basis
could lead to long term dividends for the SME.
Paul Wilson, Managing Director ofAster Interim Solutions comments, “We
supply interim managers to blue chip manufacturing clients who have recognised the
contribution an interim manager can make to a department, project or
organisation but we provide relatively few interim managers to SMEs.
However, our experience shows us that where we have placed interim
managers with SMEs not only has the incumbent interim manager enjoyed
the role because they are that much closer to the ‘movers and
shapers’ of the organisation but also their very presence has had a much more advantageous effect for the SME client than would be the case for a much larger organisation.
SMEs have very little ‘inertia’ to overcome whereas larger organisations
can sometimes be hamstrung by bureaucracy and embeded working practices. As a
result the Interim Manager can bring about change much more effectively when
dealing directly with the business owners who are also the key decision
makers. This can lead to a much faster financial payback for the smaller business
when using interim managers which in some cases can be self-financing.. When put like this it would seem logical
that SMEs can benefit from using Interim managers just as much if not more than larger organisations.
Where this strategy has been employed I know of several clients who
return time and time again to use the same Interim Manager for their
skills on a ‘as needs basis’. This ensures the job is done quickly,
productively and with a minimum of cost or disruption to the SME”.
If you would like to learn more about how Aster Interim Solutions
tailors its services for SME’s, please contact us on 01296 720281 or
e-mail us at
