Diary of an interim
After working in a permanent role in the pharmaceutical industry for eight years, Jane has decided to change her lifestyle - to become an interim manager undertaking specific assignments in a bid to achieve a better work/life balance.
Initial euphoria
Decide to take a family holiday with husband David and two children Sam six and Katie eight, before embarking on the life of freedom as an interim. Two glorious weeks on a Greek island give plenty of sun-kissed time to reflect on how great it feels to have stepped off the corporate conveyor belt. No need to worry about what's mounting up on the desk or the full mailbox of emails lurking…or even what major management manoeuvres (restructuring) is going on. Bliss!
It's an end to staff administration (all those endless appraisals, hiring, salary reviews and stressful disciplinary matters), interminable team meetings, having to attend dull corporate presentations and feign enthusiasm. No more international travel either - good at first but it loses its glamour after a while, with one hotel very much like another and all the dreaded security hassles too.
Free at last to concentrate on doing the job in hand, without the constant drag of running a department.
Meet up with a friend who's already living the interim life - she's got it sorted! Sue just works six months a year as a contractor in the IT industry and earns the same as she did full-time in corporate life. Have to admit I am just a bit envious - Sue has time to pursue hobbies, go to the gym and regain her pre-pregnancy figure and be a calmer and more fun person at home too. Still give it a few months and that'll be me…. Can't wait.
So will the initial euphoria last? Does the transition work out as smoothly as Jane hopes? In episode two she faces the perks and pitfalls of setting up a home office and getting established as an interim. Suddenly she feels the lack of a support network and a feeling of isolation sets in...is this the right move after all?