Interim vs. Consultancy

Interim/management consultants – what’s the difference?

You sometimes hear the phrase ‘interim management consultants’, but in fact these are two very different ways of helping organisations to move forward. Whether you choose interim or management consultants may depend on the specifics of your challenge, but more and more organisations are beginning to see the value of the interim approach over traditional management consultancy.

The advantages of interim

An interim manager recommends an approach, agrees this and then implements changes and solutions whilst on assignment. An interim manager is chosen for his or her practical experience and skillset and works with the existing management to add value and bring new direction. Interim managers typically work on one assignment at a time on a five day a week basis. The interim appointment is usually for a pre-determined term within a clear budget. 

The management consultant model

Unlike interim, management consultants tend to recommend a number of alternatives and then leave it to the client to implement them. They are often trained in theoretical techniques and don’t have as much hands on experience as an interim manager. They are more expensive and often work on a number of projects at the same time. Advisors are more senior and are there to hold discussions and to guide an executive team but not to implement the outcomes. They generally work for a client for only a few days per month.

Our principal area of work is in helping our clients to find skilled interim managers who can add value and deliver clear outcomes.