A flying start for the interim consultant in Texas

That’s how a speedy interim recruitment works. Suddenly you are thrown into a new, exciting assignment. The assignment was attractive because it involved change management, which I love, and I would be doing it in an international context, says Richard Norén.

Richard was undoubtedly hired for a major change management assignment. He came into a smaller context, without a CEO. The organisation had been acquired by a new owner and Richard was there to figure out what was going to happen next – both organisationally and culturally.

Did the interim assignment meet your expectations?
Exceeded! It was an assignment where I was thrown in to solving a bunch of different things. That’s where I am at my best and can really deliver. I think a lot of interim assignments are outside the comfort zone that other people want to experience in work.

Richard says that an American assignment differs from a Swedish one, especially in terms of employee job security. Other aspects are easier to apply in an American context, even for a Swedish consultant. Just like in a Swedish integration assignment, it was a matter of getting the teams and commitment going. Many were naturally scared and uncertain about suddenly having a new owner, so I pushed through some improvements in the work environment. Bringing in a Swedish interim consultant in an American environment was appreciated within the organisation, and above all, I was praised for being committed and consensus-driven, which feels very Swedish. Richard also established a positive change in the organisation. In Sweden, they had a local purchasing office that didn’t fully understand the dynamics in the US. I moved the warehouse from New York to Texas and changed some physical aspects of the warehouse. These are different areas, but broadly speaking it’s about structuring, understanding risks and recognising opportunities – and only an experienced generalist can do that.