| Interim management providers need to work harder | | | | Wilson continues, "We have cause to re-examine our |
| on their marketing skills for the sake of their sector | | | | marketing strategy. However I believe the onus is on |
| as a whole in order to take full advantage of this | | | | our industry as a whole to make this sector more |
| expanding market, says Paul Wilson. | | | | 'visible' to its potential clients. Some interim providers |
| He states "I often attend networking events | | | | organisations have already shown the way forward |
| meetings and I am regularly asked what my | | | | with their award schemes, training courses, strategic |
| company does. There tends to be a respectful | | | | alliances with and sponsorship of trade organisations, |
| silence when I state "We provide interim managers". | | | | but I still believe we need to 'shout our message' out |
| Indeed even senior executives of companies ask, | | | | louder. |
| "What is interim management?" I get asked the | | | | We need to connect more with businesses at their |
| question so often that it has caused me both | | | | embryonic stages, make relationships with business |
| embarrassment and caused me to re-consider our | | | | schools and offer the venture capital market place |
| marketing policy and how best to approach our | | | | something other than just a financial skills service. |
| potential customers. | | | | Our own company has partnered with the Cranfield |
| All statistical evidence points at a growing interim | | | | Management Association from the Cranfield School of |
| market sector where skilled senior interim executives | | | | Management in an effort to increase awareness of |
| are making a significant difference to client | | | | interim management as both a career option and a |
| businesses the length and breadth of our land, yet | | | | service. However, this is just the beginning and we |
| this growth seems to be coming in spite of the | | | | intend to increase brand awareness over the coming |
| relevant immaturity of the interim management | | | | months with a number of marketing initiatives |
| sector. Imagine what could be achieved if we were | | | | designed to appeal to the mass market. |
| able to get our message across to the senior | | | | Watch this space! |
| executives of the majority of the UK's companies". | | | | |