Companies and interim-management firms – what’s the difference?

Companies are typically organised as a sum of quasi impermeable internal silos. They’re separated by sector of activity or associated with the sole purpose of sharing a brand, an address and, more generally, costs.

In contrast, interim-management firms seek to boost synergies and internal information sharing in order to cope with technological revolutions and carry out the digital transformation necessary for optimal client service.

Since its inception, WAYDEN was built on the conviction that the corporate-organisation model would be the best way of structuring to address the imperatives associated with change and the transformation of interim management professions. In addition to our managers, who all come from the corporate world, this involves putting the client’s experience at the heart of our business operations and doing everything possible to ensure uniformity in the quality of the processing and execution of projects.

Ranking of interim management firms and providers

WAYDEN had already made its mark in 2017 by doubling its turnover and joining France’s 2017 ranking of Top Interim Management Firms and Providers   in the “Level 1” category. Then in 2018, WAYDEN made further progress by reaching “Level 2” in the Leaders League ranking.

Why choose interim management?

Whether it’s managerial shortcomings, transformation projects, rapid growth or product launches, business disruptions can be emotionally charged and take up a lot of energy. Sometimes the best choice is to call on highly qualified – or even overqualified – external experts. Interim managers offer a safe, flexible and efficient solution.
If you’ve never benefited from interim management, it might be time to consider it.

What is an interim management project?

An interim management project is about identifying and prioritising focal points with the help of managers experienced in all company functions. The rationale of these 4.0 leaders is based on contribution rather than status, and the benefits of entrusting them with an interim management project are manifold.
With multisector experience and track records of proven operational and managerial capabilities, our interim managers step in at critical stages by bringing a fresh, enlightened perspective, and can assume general management, industrial management and human resources functions. More than just executives, interim managers provide this 4.0 leadership. They are the new resources on which organisations now depend to facilitate, streamline, support and accelerate transformation projects, whatever the business sector.

According to the FNMT Barometer (Xerfi – April 2018), crisis management and restructuring assignments are in constant decline – down five points over the period 2017/2016 and accounting for just 9% of total projects. This counters the clichéd image of a one-off assignment, long associated with interim management. Indeed, project management and change management assignments now constitute the spearheads of interim management, representing 61% of total projects.

Our interim managers are men and women who work independently and make real contributions, heading up the strategic phases in company projects. Knowing how to make their voice heard and immediately operational, they relieve in-house teams and can inject that vital shot of energy.
Up until recently, interim management was merely a last-ditch solution for filling a temporarily vacant executive position or for conducting ultimate restructuring projects. But today it has become a managerial practice in its own right. And this is just the beginning.

WAYDEN, a pure play interim management firm

WAYDEN proudly displays its premium positioning, focusing strongly on efficiency. Our leaders understand the realities of those who are now our clients, having experienced these realities themselves. So they’re able to adopt a pragmatic and methodical stance to dealing with the issues entrusted to them, following a streamlined process certified by Bureau Veritas. At the nexus of today’s leaders and the next generation of executives, WAYDEN’s associate directors fully understand the demands of these decision-makers facing tomorrow’s concerns, methods and challenges.

WAYDEN is growing and structuring fast. Three new Associate Directors arrived in 2018, including one specifically dedicated to heading up HR and Manager Relations and strengthening the back office. We’ve also installed an ERP system to further streamline our approach.

The interim management market is becoming increasingly important when it comes to transforming companies. For WAYDEN, it’s all about accessing to the right profile at the right time to replace a specific management position at the last minute. We strive to combine skills, experience and efficiency when placing our managers. A competitive, volatile and complex field, interim management requires reactivity, instinct, speed and a vast network. With this in mind, WAYDEN has developed an efficient, rapid and clear response to all your temporary operating problems.