Business transformation requires a specific skill set and the necessary expertise isn’t always available internally. Leveraging interim resource can be a gamechanger bringing clear strategic advantage and value creation to the transformation process. In this blog, Jasneel Sehmi Associate Partner, Interim Management in Eton Bridge Partners’ Business Transformation Practice explores the advantages of utilising interim resource to drive transformations, and dispels some myths along the way.

Relying on internal capacity can be problematic

It can be tempting to believe that internal capacity can be freed up to support a transformation programme. In reality, this can be fraught with pitfalls as tensions arise between the day job and the growing demands of the transformation project. There is a real risk either that the day job is prioritised at the expense of the transformation work, or that the day job suffers as a result of time absorbed by the project.

It’s also likely that what can seem like a straightforward transformation project on paper becomes a lot more complicated in a real-world situation; the internal resource may well lack the experience and knowledge to handle the project as it moves into delivery phase. The internal resource is likely highly skilled in a certain area, for example they may have a deep understanding of finance operating models and processes, but the skillset that’s needed is project delivery and change capability and that may be an area where they have only superficial understanding. Without external input, the project may end up in an echo chamber in which a lack of experience stalls progress and new ways of working are not embedded and adopted.

An interim brings experience, expertise and fresh perspective

Transformations are hard – there’s a reason why so many fail to achieve their desired aims. Interims have been through transformations numerous times in numerous organisations. They have the battle scars and the wisdom that comes with experience – they offer the opportunity for you to learn from their mistakes, rather than make them yourself.

Imagine having project managed an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation such as Microsoft Dynamics or SAP in five different ways in five different cultures, now imagine doing it for the first time without any prior experience – that’s the value-add an interim brings. Just as you would hire a mechanic to fix your car or a lawyer for law advice, an interim brings the necessary digital transformation expertise to the table. It can also sometimes be easier for an external professional to deal with the ambiguity and issues that may arise during the transformation as they don’t have a longstanding emotional connection with the organisation or its employees. They have one objective and one objective only; that is to deliver the transformation effectively.

The breadth and depth of experience that an interim has also challenges internal self-limiting beliefs and allows the cross-pollination of ideas and processes from other sectors. For example, they may be able to see how the high levels of customer service from the luxury sector can be applied to other industries in order to gain competitive edge. The fresh perspective that an external hire brings can help an organisation to see challenges from another angle and spot opportunities that may have otherwise been missed

An interim is not as expensive as you think

Organisations can sometimes shy away from using interims as they feel the costs are too high. But when an interim is viewed through a value, rather than a cost lens, their worth is undeniable. The value lost if the new processes, systems or digital transformation are implemented badly through a lack of experience far outweighs an interim’s cost. What’s more, an interim brings value that persists beyond the project – there is a transfer of knowledge as employees draw upon the interim’s experience and that leaves a lasting legacy in the business.

It’s worth noting too that an interim doesn’t have the additional costs associated with permanent roles such as holiday pay, pension payments and sick pay. The short turnaround time to hire an interim also means they add value to the organisation quickly without the need for a long and costly recruitment process.

Jasneel specialises in interim Transformation & Change mandates with a focus on ERP, Digital and Technology programmes. She is passionate about creating and maintaining long-lasting relationships and supporting individuals through their journey. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your next steps.