Often confused, the consulting firm and the interim management company nevertheless offer very distinct support and perimeters of intervention, despite some similarities. What are the particularities of these two modes of outsourcing? And how do you make your choice? Here are our tips.

What is a consulting firm?

The consulting firm, also known as a consulting firm or consulting firm, brings together experienced consultants specialized in different sectors and expertise. As its name suggests, the consulting firm offers consulting services to its clients.

The consultant identifies malfunctions and delivers recommendations in connection with the problem encountered by the company. His support is therefore strategic and methodological above all.

Some consulting firms are generalists, while others specialise in sectors of activity (banking, industry, construction, etc.) or specific professions (digital, supply chain, HR, etc.).

What is an interim management company?

Interim management appeared in France in the early 2000s. These are A managerial outsourcing solution that aims to entrust the management of a company, a department or the management of a project to an external professional.

The interim manager can intervene as an independent professional as a freelancer or via an EMT (interim management company). He is a highly experienced professional with a long career as an executive or manager in a targeted area of expertise. He intervenes, very quickly, within the company, for a mission whose duration and modalities are defined in advance. An interim management mission lasts on average 6 to 18 months.

What are the differences between consulting firms and interim management?

Interim management and consulting firms are often confused because of their many similarities. Indeed, in both cases, it is a question of outsourcing a project or a targeted problem to an external professional, in order to benefit from Solid and specialized expertise and a neutral and impartial eye.

These solutions offer a real guarantee of quality and operational excellence and are in many cases an ideal alternative to recruitment.

Despite this, the consulting firm and interim management have a number of differences, such as:

Role and level of responsibility

The consultant has a strategic role and an advisory posture above all. It observes, analyses, recommends, identifies areas for improvement and provides strategic recommendations. The interim manager proposes, on the other hand, More operational support : he makes decisions, leads and supervises the teams, works closely with the management, etc. In short, the interim manager really takes the reins of the organization or department concerned, while the consultant keeps a more macro and strategic positioning.

Intervention methodology

The methods deployed also differ. The consulting firm provides benchmarks, carries out audits and sometimes training or coaching… He delivers his expertise, carries out a detailed diagnosis and proposes a strategic action plan, but it is up to the company’s management to carry out the operational execution.

The interim manager also identifies the issues, carries out an inventory and develops an action plan, but then ensures its proper implementation. He adopts A results-oriented methodology throughout the mission. He is thus committed to helping the company achieve precise, tangible objectives defined in advance.

Skills and qualities required

To fulfill these different missions, the interim manager and the consultant must demonstrate specific interpersonal skills. The interim manager is a man or woman of action, in the field, who must inevitably demonstrate strong leadership, audacity, pragmatism and charisma to involve all stakeholders in the transformation project. The consultant is an outside observer and an analyst with a sharp eye. As such, he or she must demonstrate, among other things, a great listening ear and an excellent analytical capacity.

The modalities of the support

While a consultant can often carry out several missions at the same time, the interim manager devotes himself full-time to his or her service. In addition, the interim manager is known to be operational very quickly and available within a few days. He will intervene in emergency situations, for example to replace a manager at short notice or to manage a crisis that threatens the sustainability of the company.

How to choose between a consulting firm and interim management?

The choice between the consulting firm and interim management will therefore depend on many factors.

Here are some of the criteria to consider when making your choice:

The type of problem encountered (managerial emergency, crisis, transformation project, etc.);
The degree of urgency of the intervention;
The type of know-how and interpersonal skills required;
The expected support methodology and culture;
Internal means and resources;
The size of the company and the sector of activity;
The budget;
Other specific needs and expectations;
…

When to call on a consulting firm?

A business consulting expert intervenes, on a one-off or long-term basis, to help the organization improve the existing infrastructure.

Here are some examples of situations that may require the intervention of a consulting firm:

Improve the company’s business strategy;
Optimize the financial management of the company;
Improve HR management;
Boost the profitability of the business;
Benefit from advice before making important decisions;
…

When to call on an interim management company?

Traditionally, the interim manager was mainly called upon during crisis management, but his field of intervention has now expanded considerably.

Here are some examples of situations that may require the intervention of an interim manager:

Managing change management major policy issues (Digital Transformation, Mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, Reversal, internationalization project, Performance Improvements, Lead a CSR transition …) ;
Management of financial, HR, logistics or IT crises (cyberattack, strike, cash flow problem, cessation of activity, job protection, etc.);
Replacing an absent department director or top manager (general manager, interim HR director, interim CFO, etc.) to ensure the continuity of functions until a new employee is recruited…
…

Interim management with WAYDEN

Our EMT WAYDEN has a network of interim managers with 15 to 25 years of experience to high-ranking positions. Highly qualified, they have sector expertise in a targeted field and unparalleled interpersonal skills.

We are able to mobilise an interim manager whose profile is adapted to your needs, within 5 days, anywhere in France and abroad, regardless of the function (CIO, CFO, supply chain manager, marketing manager, purchasing director, etc.) and the sector concerned (industry, banking, retail, construction, etc.).

Consulting firm or interim management: how to choose?