Recruiting when tomorrow’s needs are uncertain
Recruiting when tomorrow’s needs are uncertain
In a time when some businesses are forced into pivoting their models and processes, reorganising personnel and restructuring their organisations there is a need for solid advice and competent guidance to get things right. Åsa Lögdberg, Head of Interim at Alumni sees many companies turn to interim managers for help and expertise. In today’s business climate when the needs of an organisation can change from one day to the next, she often helps clients navigate the challenge of recruiting for yet undefined needs.
When adapting business models to new conditions, guessing the future gaps in the workforce can be a costly game. Interim managers have for some time now been a very cost-effective way of quickly acquiring specific expertise and helped secure operational strength. Even in the most disruptive of times, there are operational tasks that cannot be postponed until you have better information, especially related to reporting and legal obligations. Therefore, the need to acquire competence can’t always be put on hold until the storm settles.
When needing to amp up with solid competence and know-how, looking for a person who has past experience from the same challenge you wish to solve in your own organisation is a common recruitment strategy, but it’s hardly necessary to point out that there will be few candidates, and far between who have experience from a global pandemic.
- Interim managers often have experience of turbulent times and their familiarity with the routine of quickly assessing the situation to get up to speed can be both a moral boost and a much needed operational force, explains Åsa.
Åsa goes on to say that although experience from a global pandemic is rare, there are ways to identify what competence is actually crucial for your situation and instead look for a candidate with experience of similar consequences as the ones you may face.
– We see high demand for candidates with experience from other times of economic instability for instance. It doesn’t have to be a full-scale financial crash, but it can be very valuable for example with a CFO who has extensive experience of declining sales, cutting expenses or threats of insolvency.
Experience of pivoting business models, moving production abroad or digitalisation projects – whether during a crisis or not – are highly valuable these days.
- Many of the interim HR-specialists in our network are also highly sought after now. They have great experience of layoffs, handling internal politics and an understanding of change management, says Åsa. They know how to successfully navigate the varying psychological aspects around change amongst the employees in an organisation. Being familiar with the legal obligations of an employer and current legislation is of course also a useful asset.
One of the reason interim mangers make such valuable contributions and often see one project leading to another, is that they can more easily take an outside-in perspective and help identify areas of improvement and new opportunities.
- Some companies face rough seas ahead and an interim solution could be one way to catch the wave when the tide turns, Åsa suggests. Being able to take on competence that is adaptable to whatever the new normal may be and adding a fresh perspective adds value. Before one is certain of the needs of the organisation taking on an interim manager provides great potential for success.
If you are curious to learn more about how we have helped clients in the past through our interim services or for a dialogue about competence your organisation might need right now you are always welcome to get in touch with us!
Consultant and Head of Interim Services, Nordics
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