Watermark Search International – Interim Management and guest speaker, Jo Attard Watters, hosted a webinar recently highlighting “Top tips on how to navigate through COVID-19 as an Interim Executive”. The key points of the webinar are below as well as a link to view the entire webinar. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated, the interaction was invaluable.
Understand this new and changing market
- Organisations are preoccupied and focusing on staying afloat and retaining jobs
- Everyone is fearful and anxious in this unprecedented environment
- Organisations are delaying or ending projects and even facing closure
- Organisations are cost conscious
- Business models and interactions have changed – remote working is the new way
- People are remaining in their jobs for security, so not much movement
- Interim placement more likely than permanent search given flexibility, availability and expertise/experience
- Innovation and creativity are evident
- New language has emerged – self-isolation, social distancing
Respond to this changing market with your clients
- Be aware that these times will be impacting each organisation differently
- Clients need strategic support, courage and leadership from the interim executive cohort more than ever
- This is the time for us to stay close to our clients
- Call your clients, network, third party providers like Watermark, regularly to check in – communication is key and welcome - we are all in this together
- Be flexible with your expected day rates / fees
- Do pro bono work for your clients - this will build close relationships for the future as you were there when they needed you the most
- Ask your clients, “How can I help?”
- Ask your clients, "How are you?" Any advice you can provide around mental health will be appreciated and remembered - they will remember how you made them feel
- Be even more proactive about managing your career and find innovative ways
Take care of yourself and promote yourself
- Stay social – form peer groups and connect with them online a few times a week
- Exercise – at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, 5 days a week
- Have a “workspace” if working from home
- Separate family and work time
- Structure and manage your day
- Be comfortable with ambiguity
- Use this time for self-development
- Do online courses
- Become a “thought leader”
- Create IP e.g. articles, workshops, books
- Promote yourself on LinkedIn, your website, direct emails to your network
- Network – form online peer networks or write a blog/vlog and distribute
- Review your resume and Bio
- Think of “what’s next” and develop a plan
- Have some fun
You can watch the full recording of the webinar here.