Differences Between An Interim Manager And Consultant

Understanding the key differences between an interim manager and a consultant could save you a lot of money and resources when staffing. However similar to their roles in a business are, these two positions have varied differences.

The main differences between these positions are in the delivery and experience. However, all companies would significantly benefit from their capabilities. With that said, understanding the differences between an interim manager and a consultant is important to identify which services suit you better.

Here are the main differences between an interim manager and a consultant.

Who are Interim Managers?

Interim managers are highly-skilled and experienced professionals employed for a short period to solve a specific problem. The word ‘interim’ means temporary or provisional. The overall process involving the provision of these senior executives is known as interim management.

Also known as provisional executives, these individuals have a track record of project and crisis management. However, their tenure in an organization is fairly short, with most interims working as long as two years and as short as six months.

Today, many firms and corporations are making the switch from traditional executives in favour of temporary directors, and rightly so. In most organizations, the executives and top management dictate the policies and activities of an organization.

However, tying an executive down for the long term is risky, especially in this unstable economic climate. For instance, COVID-19 has brought uncertainty and slumped growth in the economy. Additionally, it is common for organizations to lose their executives suddenly.

In such situations, it would be massively risky to tire down an executive for the long run. For such reasons, many businesses opt for short-term and effective replacements in interim managers’ shape to steer them in the desired direction.

What do Interim Managers Do? An Interim Manager’s Job Description

Just like permanent managers, interim managers have the primary responsibility of helping a business meet its organizational goals and objectives. However, one key difference that sets interim executives apart is the duration of stay and influence of company culture.

As a result, they can provide a fresh and meaningful perspective on various business processes. Here are other responsibilities and roles of an interim manager.

Carry out primary objectives, which include meeting the goals and objectives of the business unit.
Work with human resources to recruit, interview, screen, and hire qualified employees
Empower and get the best out of the current staff by leading them to meet the organization’s objectives for productivity and goal accomplishment.
Oversee the operational responsibilities, including the budget and other financial responsibilities
Fostering a spirit of teamwork and unity among employees
Plan, evaluate, and implement the efficiency of the business
Establish and maintain relevant controls and feedback
Review performance data
Working and communicating with other executives in line with organizational goals.
Training employees
Plan and set goals for the short-term period
Perform any other duties or roles assigned to them

There are many other job responsibilities and duties that a temporary manager does, similar to a permanent manager. However, the main differences lie in duration and company culture.

Key Skills and Qualities of an interim Manager

All interim managers have a special skill set that makes them competent in handling tough business assignments or projects. The following are some essential skills and qualities of temporary executives.

Leadership Skills It is mandatory for seniors in an organization to possess leadership skills. Such skills are essential for motivating the team and getting the most out of them.
Communication In addition to soft skills, a provisional director must have the skills to communicate verbally and non-verbally to the staff. This includes listening, receiving, and giving feedback.
Computer Competence The current pandemic has limited many in the white-collar industry to work from home. As a result, knowledge of computers and software is paramount for communication and the completion of projects.
Organization Skills Tasks, schedules, and responsibilities often characterize senior managerial positions. As a result, interim managers have great organizational skills that allow them to take on many tasks and responsibilities effectively.
Planning A project or assignment’s success depends on the manager’s ability to plan and implement the necessary strategies. This includes analyzing directives and detailing the structure to be followed when completing tasks.

Who are Consultants?

Consultants are individuals sought after by companies and businesses alike to offer their expert opinions and advice to improve their performance while meeting organizational goals.

Consultants are famed for their ability to analyze and solve problems. This is commonly referred to as management consulting. Companies often need assistance when implementing changes or solving problems. Management consultants provide their expertise to aid such businesses to meet their goals.

The management consulting industry has been rapidly growing with each passing year. Before the coronavirus outbreak, the management consulting industry was valued at $160 million in the United States alone. However, the pandemic forced the industry into a sharp decrease of approximately $30 million to $132 million.

Nonetheless, organizations hire management consultants for advice, including strategies, financial advice, technology, business logistics, and human resources. Here are more duties, roles, and responsibilities of consultants.

What Does a Management Consultant Do? Consultant Job Description

Consultants perform in a number of roles and responsibilities. For this reason, it is possible to derive different types of consultants, including strategy, human resource, operations, technology, and financial advisory consultants.

Facilitate conversations and discussions with parent companies regarding areas of improvements
Analyze and give a detailed report about a specific problem.
Suggest possible solutions and devise ways of implementation.
Support business development activities, including both strategic and operational activities.

Key Skills and Qualities of a Consultant

Good consultants can demonstrate skills that help in solving a particular problem to improve business processes. The following are key skills that consultants possess in their line of work.

Problem-solving skills A consultant’s main roles may vary, but the ability to solve problems is an important skill that good consultants possess.
Creative and critical thinking Creativity is paramount in many industries, including art, graphic design, food, and writing. However, it is necessary in this field as it encourages brainstorming and critical thinking to help solve problems.
Communication skills The ability to communicate clearly and work seamlessly with other people is important in many fields, including this one. Upon analysis and identification of solutions, a consultant will use communications skills to the clients. Not only that, but communication skills also help consultants to work with other employees and clients while building a healthy relationship.
Organization skills. Many consultants are independent contractors. As a result, they need excellent organization and time management skills to work on their own schedule. Such skills are paramount in preparing meetings and accomplishing tasks.
Competence with all job levels Consultants work in different company positions, including senior management. As a result, consultants must-have skills that enable them to work comfortably at all job levels.

Key Differences Between an Interim Manager and Consultant

Implementation As you might have noticed, a consultant’s job description stops after giving advice. They are usually not involved in the implementation process. However, an interim manager goes the extra mile to implement solutions to the problems faced by an organization. Execution is an activity not performed by management consultants. Temporary managers will not only give recommendations to clients, but they follow through with executing the recommendations.
Length of Employment In today’s marketplace, consultants are slowly being transformed from permanent or full-time employees to independent contractors. However, there are still consultants who are employees of a given organization. This means that amongst other things, the employer might influence the length of employment of a consultant. On the other hand, an interim manager only works for a short time. A contract here is usually between 3 to 12 months, depending on the assignment’s nature.
Payment The cost of hiring a consultant is fairly high, considering they might be entitled to bonuses, allowances, and medical cover. However, this will all depend on the length and specifications of the contract. Temporary directors are relatively affordable as they only get paid for the days they work.
Experience and Skills. One key difference between a consultant and an interim manager involves the skillset and experience. On the one hand, an interim manager is highly skilled and experienced in handling crises that arise during business operations. However, a consultant might lack the depth of experience that is prevalent among provisional executives. Additionally, they lack the skillset and experience needed for the execution or implementation of policies that help in turning a business’ situation around.

When to Hire an Interim Manager

Different circumstances call for different responses. Such situations may warrant the need for a temporary executive. With that said, using an interim manager could prove to be the difference that your business needs.

However, an interim manager’s prowess is best used in dire situations that call for an immediate and effective response. If your business is in the following situations, you should strongly consider hiring a provisional manager.

If your business was significantly affected by COVID-19. The global pandemic in the shape of COVID-19 rocked many businesses globally, leaving few unscathed. While we have never seen a health crisis of this magnitude in a while, interim managers have the skillset to handle such effectively.
If your business is going through a transformation. It is normal for businesses to change one way or another, because the business environment is constantly changing as well However, only a handful of companies have the infrastructure to ensure that the overall process is smooth. According to a recent report, only 42% of all businesses have the capability to drive business transformation. As a result, your business will benefit from hiring an interim executive with a proven track record of successful business transformation.
If the existing seniors recently vacated their managerial position. If an executive in your management team unexpectedly departed from the board, it would be best to hire an interim manager. For one, temporary executive leaders are a quick yet effective solution to such a problem. The last thing you’d want is to search for an executive to fill the position permanently, exposing you to all sorts of risks in the long run. Choosing an interim leader will allow you some time to strategize for a candidate that suits your organizational needs in the long run.

When to Hire a Consultant

Hiring a consultant is a gesture of commitment to a large investment, including money and time. You should consider a consultant if you are in the following predicament;

If you need to maintain certain business processes and operations. Crucial to the success of your business is the effective maintenance of business processes and operations. It is normal for companies to lack the time or ability to assess their operations’ core carefully. Hiring a consultant can help you optimize these processes and help you operate more efficiently.
If you lack in-house resources, including expert insights. If you are looking to run new campaigns or projects and lack the expert insight to do so, you should strongly consider employing a consultant. Remember, such decisions weigh heavy on the success of your company. Having a specialist will reduce the risk of making mistakes while working on the project. Not only that, but a consultant will help you cut costs while avoiding the risk of failure in the future.

Looking for an Interim Manager or Consultant?

Are you looking for an interim manager or consultant? Shortlisting and recruiting candidates in both of these fields can be challenging. Finding candidates with such talents can be increasingly difficult, not to mention time-consuming. For instance, it can take you up to six months in the selection process to find a talented manager with a proven track record.

For this reason, many organizations, both large and small, opt to use the services of third-party firms such as Flexi Personnel. Flexi Personnel is the leading provider of HR solutions in East and Central Africa.

With over 12 years’ experience in providing recruitment and employment solutions, Flexi Personnel guarantees a high degree of professionalism and quality. Additionally, we have worked with many esteemed brands worldwide.

Over the years, Flexi Personnel has established an immense database and portfolio comprising of top talent from all over the world. These individuals have been rigorously vetted to ensure that we maintain high-quality standards.

We would like to work with you on your next project. Get in touch with us today at Flexi Personnel, for this and more HR management solutions to help you achieve your organizational goals.

Differences Between an Interim Manager and Consultant

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