Last weekend was once again the big DDIM Congress in Düsseldorf – the industry event for the interim scene in Germany. As every year, all qualified interim management providers, over 400 interim managers and many partners met again this year.
Overview
There were many exciting topics to discuss, first and foremost the current status and development of the interim management market, especially in light of the current economic situation. Many industries and sectors are in a difficult situation, and the influence on the interim market as well as the opportunities and potential for success, especially through the use of interim managers in the industry, were discussed.
In addition to this topic, there were many other topics, ranging from artificial intelligence and the development of leadership and management methods to a wide range of topics in sales, psychological aspects and much more.
GOiNTERIM was actively represented with a stand and a team on site. The program included numerous discussions with well-known interim managers as well as with managers who are completely new to interim management or who are planning to work as interim managers in the future. The discussions were very intensive and detailed and helped us in the further selection and acceptance process. Many thanks at this point!
Martin Ludwig Mayr, Managing Director of GOiNTERIM, also led a workshop on“Core strategies for global success – how to master international projects“. This workshop showed participants how to prepare for global challenges, which key issues are crucial for convincing customers and, above all, how to lead international teams effectively. In a globally networked economy, the ability to operate internationally is more crucial than ever. The workshop provided an insight into critical success factors and best practices from around the world. It also illustrated practical solutions for effectively mastering international challenges.
The key messages from the project, which were also developed together with the participants, are as follows:
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptation – LANGUAGE!!!
- Cultural differences: Intercultural competence is crucial to understanding and responding to the working cultures and communication styles of each country.
- Adaptability: Interim managers should be flexible and able to adapt quickly to new cultural norms and expectations. Understanding local business practices can have a significant impact on success.
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Labor law regulations: Each country has different labor law regulations, e.g. with regard to working hours, protection against dismissal and contracts.
- Tax regulations: Tax regulations vary greatly, especially when sending employees abroad or hiring international freelancers.
- Compliance requirements: Depending on the industry, different national or international compliance requirements must be taken into account.
- Project planning and implementation
- Precise objectives and planning: Clear objectives, timetables and milestones are particularly important for international projects, as communication barriers can quickly lead to misunderstandings.
- Communication: Transparent and regular reporting and a clear communication plan are essential. Digital tools such as project management software can be helpful here, especially for remote teams.
- Risk analysis: A comprehensive analysis of the potential risks (political, economic and technical) in the respective target country is necessary to minimize surprises.
- Logistical challenges
- Time zone management: Coordination across time zones requires careful planning and flexible working hours.
- Travel planning and visa requirements: For local projects, possible visa requirements and travel restrictions must be considered in advance.
- Stakeholder management and integration into the company
- Create internal acceptance: The interim manager should integrate quickly and gain acceptance from local teams in order to be able to work effectively.
- Building relationships: Networking with key local stakeholders is important in order to build a network and better achieve the project goals.
- Technological requirements
- Technical infrastructure: Access to the necessary technology and infrastructure (e.g. secure access to company data) should be ensured.
- Cybersecurity: International projects require a special focus on cybersecurity to protect sensitive data from potential threats.
- Results-oriented work and exit strategy
- Define key performance indicators: It is advisable to define KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to measure the success of the project.
- Exit strategy: As interim management projects are time-limited, a clear exit strategy should be developed to ensure a seamless handover.
Conclusion
The implementation of international interim management projects requires careful preparation and a high degree of flexibility. Cultural sensitivity, legal and regulatory knowledge and structured planning are essential for the success of such projects.
The workshop was also accompanied by two representatives of the DDIM International Working Group, Thomas Mertens and Inci Akkus. Many thanks for the joint workshop and the cooperation at this point! Inci Akkus and Thomas Mertens each presented an international business case of an interim assignment on an international level. They shared many tips, pitfalls and special features from their experience, which could also be discussed with the participants.
GOiNTERIM has been operating internationally for years. We have now strengthened this further by joining the WIL Group. With the WIL Group, we are active in over 37 countries worldwide and implement over 500 projects per year on an international level. For our clients, this means that we can offer management solutions and interim management worldwide. To put it simply: no matter where it hurts, we can help everywhere!
Many thanks for the countless contacts, the good discussions and the current and exciting topics on the market. Above all, we would also like to thank DDIM and the professional organization of this signature event, thank you very much!
We will take a lot with us, work through everything and look forward to further discussions and interviews with the managers.
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