5 key missions of interim management in times of crisis

Unexpected growth peak, labour shortages, employee disengagement… In times of profound upheaval jeopardizing the proper functioning of the company, interim management represents a very beneficial outsourcing solution.

As an expert in crisis management, the interim manager is equipped with the necessary interpersonal skills and know-how to quickly redress the situation and ensure the survival of the organization.

Here is an overview of 5 key missions of an interim manager in times of crisis.

 

What is crisis interim management?

Interim management consists of calling on a professional from outside the company to support the company during a delicate period:

• Manage change management (mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation, CSR transition, organizational change, etc.);

• Replace a leader, manager or other key employee within the company (this is called relay management);

• Ensure crisis management (sudden growth peak, cash flow problem, massive resignations, disruptions in the supply chain, departure of a manager, cyberattack, social conflict, health crisis, etc.).

Interim crisis management consists of calling on an expert to overcome a difficult course and manage a crisis that threatens the smooth running of operations, or even the sustainability of the company.

This professional intervenes for a variable period of time (between 6 and 18 months), in order to help the company stabilize the situation quickly and recover.

 

Why call on an interim manager in times of crisis?

The interim manager is a real expert in crisis management. He or she is a man or woman in the field, with an unparalleled sense of leadership. Highly qualified, he is equipped with Solid expertise proven through numerous crisis management missions and a career of 15 to 25 years in strategic positions.

The interim manager also has targeted expertise: he or she is specialized in a specific function (Interim General Manager; Interim HR Director; Interim Sales Director; Transitional CFO…). Very often, he is also specialised in the sector of activity of the undertaking in which he operates. Industry, Agri-food, nuclear, luxury, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Construction & Construction, Banking & Insurance, retail…).

This cutting-edge know-how is accompanied by multiple soft skills that are essential in times of crisis: adaptability, composure, leadership, pragmatism, empathy, relational intelligence, operational excellence, etc.

As an external player to the company, he also brings a fresh and impartial perspective on the situation, as well as a very beneficial step back in times of crisis. These multiple skills make it a valuable ally during difficult periods: it helps the company to preserve its competitiveness, ensure the continuity of its operations and preserve its sustainability.

 

Interim management and crisis management: 5 key missions

Here are the 5 key missions of the interim manager during a period of crisis:

• Carry out a diagnosis of the crisis situation

As soon as they arrive in the company, the interim manager carries out an exhaustive inventory of the situation on the financial, operational and human levels (financial balance, commercial performance, level of commitment of the teams, operational efficiency…). The objective of this audit is to quickly understand the nature of the crisis as well as its impact, but also its causes. It will also be necessary to examine in detail the current processes to identify critical points and existing flaws.

Thanks to his outside view and his operational excellence from the moment he arrives, the interim manager will be able to quickly identify the ins and outs of the crisis.

 

• Stabilizing the situation and deploying emergency measures

After assessing the situation, the interim manager will be able to put in place a crisis management plan and deploy the necessary emergency measures to minimize the damage as much as possible (cost reduction, reorganisation, liquidity management, negotiation with creditors, job protection plan, etc.). This crisis management plan must make it possible to eliminate immediate threats and control the greatest risks in order to stabilize the company.

• Preserving the social climate

In times of crisis, human challenges are multiple. Landmarks are disrupted, employees fear that their jobs will be threatened and very quickly, a real feeling of insecurity, loss of trust and disengagement can set in.

One of the key missions of the interim manager in times of crisis is to support employees as well as managers throughout this period of upheaval, in order to preserve a serene climate. He will Welcoming any fears , listening to the teams, mobilizing each employee and promoting the adoption of new internal practices.

 

• Take care of internal and external communication

In times of crisis, whatever it may be, the reputation of the company may be highly threatened. It is therefore imperative to set up Thoughtful and transparent communication, external and internal, in order to preserve the company’s brand image as well as the trust of stakeholders (customers, suppliers, financial partners, employees, etc.). This is one of the key missions of the interim manager in times of crisis.

 

• Deploy a recovery plan and implement sustainable changes

The main mission of the interim manager in times of crisis is to set up a recovery plan to ensure the survival of the company financially. He will also be responsible for optimizing operational processes to maintain business continuity and customer satisfaction.

However, the interim manager is not satisfied with correcting the situation in the short term. He also has the role of helping the company to create sustainable change and identify the opportunities to be seized by this crisis (new organizational model, new corporate culture, new management style, change of governance…). It will also be able to deploy the necessary actions to anticipating future risks and strengthening the company’s resilience to various crisis situations (setting up a crisis unit, formalising crisis management procedures, training managers and teams, setting up a continuity plan, etc.).

 

Are you looking for an interim manager to manage a crisis within your organization?

Our interim management company WAYDEN identifies for you a crisis management expert with a long career, outstanding know-how and industry know-how to help you successfully meet your current challenges.

 

Contact us to find out more.