Executive Contracting, Leasing, Interim Management

From the mid 1980s, Australia and many other Western nations started to embrace the concepts of privatisation and globalisation. Organisations faced considerable pressures to become more competitive. Reducing fixed labour costs became a significant imperative in many industries.

Executive contracting emerged at this time. It afforded organisations greater labour flexibility: the ability to buy in skills necessary to manage specific projects, peak workloads and periods of employee absence.

Over time, more and more professionals have opted to work on a contracted basis. Executive contracting offers greater flexibility in the hours and periods of work. It allows professionals to specialise in a narrow field and consult as an expert to multiple organisations. There is less need to become involved in the politics that so often accompanies a permanent role. It has enabled many individuals to "try before they buy" when making a career change.

In today's skills short market, executive "career contractors" and individuals who are open to permanent employment opportunities but keen to "try before they buy" are in great demand.

SHK expects that executive contracting will become the preferred career option for increasing numbers of professionals. The population in Australia is ageing and lifestyle issues are becoming increasingly important. Executive contracting will provide the opportunity to work for periods of time in an area of interest or specialisation, and then enjoy periods of free time, perhaps to care for children, elderly relatives or gradually retire.