Where did Interim Management originate? What are its beginnings and what led to the emergence of this concept? If you have similar questions, you will find the answers in this article.
Interim Management represents the concept of temporary (interim – from Latin, temporary) or project-based deployment of an experienced manager and expert within a company that, for various reasons, needs external intervention to handle an exceptional situation.
Interim Management is primarily associated with crisis management situations, but it has also found its application in other areas of management. It is used in projects aimed at implementing changes or company transformations, introducing new processes or products, and even in the sudden absence of key leaders to temporarily bridge the gap and ensure the continuity of all management processes.
History
Interim Management as a modern concept of temporary collaboration originated in the Netherlands in the 1970s. It was a flexible response to the long notice periods of managerial staff, which naturally limited companies in filling managerial positions. Companies sought ways to cover the need for an experienced manager during the period until a permanent manager could be appointed. Thus, they began to use the services of so-called interim – temporary – managers, who handled the necessary tasks for a certain period. This concept of collaboration succeeded and gradually spread to other countries in Europe, as well as Australia and America.
In Germany, Interim Management significantly emerged especially after the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989. It responded to the need for temporary management and restructuring of privatized state enterprises. Even later, the demand for crisis managers continued to grow, and today Germany is a country with strong and stable use of Interim Management across the entire economy. Interim Management is also strongly represented in the United Kingdom, where it has found its use not only in the private but also in the public sector.
The global expansion of this concept is primarily due to the relaxation of labor relations, which allows for considerable flexibility benefiting the overall efficiency of projects. The second dominant factor is the need to respond quickly and purposefully to changes occurring both within companies and in the broader local and global economy.
Who is an Interim Manager today?
An Interim Manager is an experienced manager and expert in their field, focusing on project collaboration. They have extensive managerial experience, combining the roles of an external consultant, project manager, while also directly implementing and intervening in the company’s activities. They are not just a consultant but a manager with executive authority. They analyze the situation in the company, propose solutions, and implement them.
When might you need an Interim Manager:
- During periods of rapid growth or sudden decline of the company (crisis)
- For change or implementation of new processes and products (project management)
- For sudden absences due to unexpected sick leave or maternity leave coverage
- For the development of startups
If you are looking for a flexible solution and need an Interim Manager quickly, contact us. We will review your situation together and propose a solution for you.
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