Innovation is the key for interim mangers if they want to prosper after the recession, according to the chairman of an interim recruiter.

Charles Russam, chairman of Russam GMS, told Recruiter that with more interims coming onto the market “until the end of 2009 at least” simply “being good at what you do” was no longer sufficient on its own. This needs to be complimented by a new and innovative approach, he says.

Russam says innovation could take a number forms:

- forming alliances with other interims with complementary skills in a specific discipline such as sales and marketing.

- bouncing ideas off other interims

- taking a course to refresh skills and technical knowledge

Collaborating with others would  allow interims to take advantage of opportunities that they as individuals could not meet, and open up new markets, says Russam

Russam says he sees increased employer demand for flexible working at senior levels when the economy recovers. With more senior executives wanting to take control of their own destinies, “what interim mangers do now will be pivotal to their futures”.