Interim Marketing Experience Pays!
By Stephen Curzon.
Remarkable results can be achieved with the contribution of a seasoned professional in just a few days a month, as interim marketeers help more businesses make more of their marketing.
Industry journal Marketing Week this week reports on a positive outlook for interim marketing following the publication of surveys from Ipsos MORI and Russam GMS.
“The current climate is looking positive for interim marketing managers with pay on the rise as companies look to gain a competitive advantage.” Marketing Week, 2nd September 2009.
So it seems more and more business leaders and marketing directors are turning to interim professionals to boost their teams and build their business. (according to the Interim Management Association assignments were up 11% April to June this year). The attraction is pretty straightforward. A good interim brings experience, flexibility and extra horsepower to the team.
Here is our ten-point plan for making the most of interim or associate marketing in your business; five reasons to consider interim and five occasions to do something about it.
1. An experienced interim or “associate” will make your marketing more effective; after all your success is theirs too if they’re to win the next assignment.
2. They’ll be seasoned professionals lending greater influence and credibility to the marketing function in the business.
3. They’ll work effectively with existing, often more junior teams, providing invaluable coaching along the way, leaving the team stronger than when they first started.
4. They can be managed on short or medium term contracts, so there’s no lengthy extended tie-in. Some will be available for part-time contracts (say one or two days a week) to limit the cost exposure even further so you use as much as you need for as long as you need it.
5. The good interim brings experience, learnings and perspective from sectors other than your own and, unencumbered by internal pressures, a refreshingly “cool” objectivity.
There are many different occasions when an interim or associate marketing director could be right for your business but here are five to get you thinking.
6. Focus. You are an ambitious CEO unable to give the marketing of your business the quality time and attention you know it deserves.
7. Experience. You have a junior team in place and need more challenge, creativity and rigour in your marketing plans. You want your marketing to punch above its weight.
8. Capacity. You simply have more on your plate than you and your team can effectively handle. Perhaps the business is growing like topsy and the operation is stretched, you are downsizing but still need the work to be done, or simply looking to cover a gap in resource.
9. Special projects. A priority project needs a particular marketing skill-set and “safe pair of hands” to see it through to successful fruition.
10. Fresh-thinking - You want to completely overhaul and review the marketing strategy and want a refreshing external perspective.
Click here to find out more about our flexible approach with a wide range of clients.
If you’d like to find out more click to contact Stephen Curzon direct or call 0844 499 1613.
