Hindmarch’s hints on college turnaround

Today's Guardian has an interview with the Colin Hindmarch - the principal credited with Harlow College's turnaround. The article includes advice on organisational recovery:

For turning around a college

• Keep students at the heart of everything you do

• Create a clear strategy for teaching and learning that is understood by everyone

• Be bold and brave and don't be afraid to take risks

• Create a culture where everyone accepts responsibility for students' successes and failures

• Always be truthful about what is going on at the college. Never deceive anyone else or yourself

The FT on the Hiddink Effect and “the lasting appeal of interims”

My enthusiasm for football is fairly limited but I was interested to read Stefan Stern’s article on the FT blog about Guus Hiddink, Chelsea’s interim manager. (My interest may have something to do with working as an interim Finance Director with several organisaions over the years – and I am available for hire very soon!).

According to Stefan Stern, Hiddink’s performance in turning around Chelsea is typical:

This is what the best interim managers can do. They go in to a difficult situation, inheriting problems that have been created or left unsolved by previous managers. They bring a fresh perspective. They rejuvenate tired and stale employees. And then they clear off.

The fact that so many organisations in all parts of the economy are being convulsed by the recession and need support suggests that demand for interim managers will continue its recent growth trend.