Is Interim Management for You? (wholesale distributor)

March 31st, 2010 admin Posted in retail |

By Antwan Richardson

Interim management isn’t the career for you if you don’t like challenge and change. But for those of us who love both, it brings a rich variety of enhancing and intensive experiences: exposure to different industries, products and processes, and a variety of organisational structures, and cultural styles and the opportunity to establish an outstanding “track record for delivery”, added to which interim managers love not having to go through rounds of appraisals only to be told that: “unfortunately budgets for salary increases are limited”.

Show Me The Money

In fact, performance can probably never be more directly linked to pay. Even new interim managers can raise their fees for the next assignment as much as they like - providing the market thinks they’re worth it. Enough said you might think, but operating through a limited company also reduces tax costs if more remuneration is taken through shareholder dividends. And don’t forget that the cost of IT, office furniture, consumables, some utilities, vehicle running costs, and indeed VAT, can be borne by the business.

No Such Thing As Job Security Even in a “Permanent” Role Whilst even the best executive interim managers can be hit hard by an economic downturn, arguably there’s no such thing as a “permanent” line management role any more. Anyway, even in downturns can’t interim managers just drop their fees to become more saleable? Well the truth is, it doesn’t always work that way. Nevertheless, many interims feel more (not less) secure, in the knowledge that their career has more longevity than the corporate alternative.

Interim Management Lifestyle - More Choice

It’s true that an interim management lifestyle means greater choice: flexibility between part-time or full-time work, working at home or on site, the frequency and duration of holidays. It also means that because of the objectivity that comes with not being a permanent employee, during assignments organisational politics are less of a grind.

Interim management also means that a great career doesn’t have to come at the expense of unsettling the family by relocating every three years or so. But it sometimes means working away from home perhaps for four or five nights over a long period, which isn’t easy for young families. And don’t forget to start pulling your weight around the home and talking to your spouse over dinner after spending nine months on your own in a hotel!

Yes executive interim managers have more flexibility to spend quality time and extended holidays with the family between assignments, but realistically it isn’t always spent on a beach somewhere. Between interim management assignments the role morphs into “Sales Director” and interims become relentless networkers. So if you’re not good at self-promotion or not keen to become good at it fast - give it some thought. And then there’s the tedious administration: paying bills, filling in VAT returns.

There is however a somewhat perverse upside to invoicing!

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Don’t Get Stuck in the Middle

By Antwan Richardson

In an age of mass differentiation and low cost chic, there has never being a worse time to be stuck in the middle. Consumers are abandoning mid-range products in their droves, often opting for cheaper alternatives and saving up to buy the occasional luxury. At one end of the scale thrifty customers are cutting costs by buying supermarket own brand goods, whilst at the other end easy access to credit makes it possible to trade up to a BMW rather than settle for a Ford Mondeo.

The Low Cost Revolution

Throughout numerous consumer sectors, there are companies specialising in low cost goods and services. Everything from food to flights and cars to clothes can be bought at very low prices. As cost-focussed companies get bigger, they continue to find ways to reduce overheads in their operations and squeeze suppliers for better deals. Consumers are also changing their attitudes to low cost goods. Film stars and fashion models are setting the trend of low-cost chic, happy to wear value clothes alongside their premium brands.

However the low-cost sector is largely driven by economics. Increases in living expenses, debt and taxation are stretching the purse strings of the middle classes and forcing them to abandon their loyalty to mid-range products in favour of low-cost bargains.

Luxury For All

In an increasingly globalised society, consumer aspirations for luxury goods and services have become much more demanding. The ’spend now, save later’ celebrity fuelled culture encourages us to treat ourselves to products that signify individuality, success and status. By becoming more affordable and easier to access, exclusive brands are cashing in on increased consumer demand, buoyed by changing lifestyles and easy credit.

How Should Mid-Range Brands Respond?

Businesses selling mid-range products and services should not be blamed for feeling the pressure — with low cost and luxury brands squeezing from both ends. In certain markets, this pressure will be less extreme, whilst in others it could mean being forced out of business. One option to counter the threat is to decide to trade up and become a premium brand or trade down to become low cost. How effective this strategy is will depend on the market and the company’s ability to change its business model and alter customer perceptions.

Another option is to launch completely new brands into the premium and low-cost sectors, a strategy frequently employed in the automotive and airline industries over recent years. Alternatively it may be more cost-effective to take-over competitors already operating in these sectors.

Whilst the writing is not on the wall for mid-range brands just yet, the outlook is becoming increasingly competitive and businesses will need to be much more innovative in finding ways to differentiate themselves.

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Why Employee Motivation Matters

By Antwan Richardson

Knowing how to motivate those who work for you is something that everyone needs to learn if they want to be a success in any industry that they are in. The people that work for you and the ones that make your product and/or provide the services that you are selling so make sure that they enjoy what they do and they will do it that much better. Sounds pretty simple huh? Well, it is and you can learn these things in just a little bit of time. You would be surprised to see what a differenced these types of tips can make to your over all company performance.

By taking the time and energy to motivate your employees you will find that not only do they work better for you, they are happier as well. Proper motivation means teaching people about themselves and what they want to get out of their lives. Your motivation will teach them what their own personal goals are and how they can achieve or even exceed them with ease. This is a great service that you will be doing them and your company. You will find the money pouring in when you do these types of things and that is always a good way to run a business right?

No matter where you live you can find some great motivational workshops that are set up specifically with the employee in mind. These are group activities that you can get everyone who works for you into. They are usually quite fun and the employees will not ever have to pay for them. In essence they are getting free lessons on how to live more happy and healthy both physically and emotionally, it is perfect!

Talk to some other businesses in your area and see what kinds of motivational services they have used in the past and how much they cost. Take the time to search out the very best motivational speakers as these will give you the best course for your money. They can change everything, even the home lives of your employees. The more innovative the ideas that these motivators have the better they may work. Don’t let yourself be boxed in by expectations, think outside the box and let the imagination soar. Be willing to try new things with your employees and watch things get better and better in the workplace.

You may also want to get a couple of good books on the subject. Books are full of some great info that you can use each and everyday in the workplace. They are affordable and if you go to a used bookstore very cheap indeed. Don’t worry about money as these motivational workshops are well worth it in the long run. They will bring in more revenue and get your workers working much more efficiently and productively. Motivations truly is key to a successful business, just you wait and see.

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