SvenskaIt is no news that 2020 was an eventful year with the extremely rapid global spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our international alliance Senior Management Worldwide (SMW) has conducted a study on how the pandemic will affect the interim market and what the future will look like. Without exception, all SMW partners worldwide experienced a reduction in the number of interim assignments during the first half of 2020. During the third quarter, demand began to increase again with clear differences in different industries, positions and types of assignments.
Increased demand in e-commerce and the logistics industry
In a number of markets in Europe, Asia and the USA, there is a clear upswing in industries such as e-commerce, FMCG, the logistics and pharmaceutical industries. These are industries that have benefited well due to the rapid increase in digital purchasing. The challenge is to find experienced interim managers in several of the now growing industries. There is also a decline in demand for interim assignments. The most striking industries are the hotel and restaurant, tourism and aviation industries.
The interim industry needs experienced change leaders
Many companies use this time to sharpen their business models and work on cost savings, at all levels, to ensure that there is enough liquidity for unexpected events during the pandemic.
There is a clear increase in the demand for strategic change skills to work on turnaround projects, change leaders to improve business models, replace less successful leaders with experienced interim managers and to bridge vacancies. There are also expectations of an increase in crisis managers, HR restructuring managers and CFOs for corporate restructuring.
More and more opportunities are also being used for company acquisitions, especially in the US, China and India. The integration of these companies is rapidly creating an increased demand for the support of experienced interim managers with local experience.
Interim assignments transfer to employment
A new trend is a demand from customers for other types of assignment agreements. More part-time assignments (2-3 days a week) rather than 5 days a week. In addition, there is a great demand for interim managers who carry out short projects and consulting assignments. What is also reported is that more and more companies are converting temporary employment. The ability to “try before you buy” at management level helps to shorten the recruitment time and reduce the risk of making a costly incorrect recruitment.
Looking ahead
The interim management market has obviously been affected by COVID-19 over the past year. For 2021, we can state that the development of the Interim Management market depends on how the pandemic develops and how quickly vaccination will be carried out. When the pandemic is over, companies are confident that Interim management will continue to develop positively.
For those of you who have not yet worked with us at Mason, we look forward to hearing from you. Preferably already today if you have questions about how we work otherwise when the need arises with you. You will then have access to our network of approximately 2,000 qualified interim managers.
Contact:
Stockholm
Torgny Hellström 073-345 13 00
Göran Granlund 070-838 81 99
Malmö
Per-Arne Stenlund 076-629 92 77
Anna Feuk 070-886 03 03
Jönköping
Börje Persson 076-808 65 70
Mason has been a member of Senior Management Worldwide (SMW) for several years, which has member companies in 40 countries and partner branches in 23 countries, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, America and Australia. Swedish customers have contact with Mason, which delivers interim assignments through SMW all over the world in all industries.