We invited some of our BLT juniors (and dog) into the office on Christmas Eve to demonstrate their potential for recruitment.

As you may be aware that we are a proud owner of the Best Management Consultancy Recruiter Award in 2009 and repeatedly in the previous years - based on Your votes and awarded by the Top-Consultant.com.

As 2010 is here so as the new survey, we’re hoping to maintain our good showing in the poll's Best Recruitment Consultancy category. Can I ask for your support, please? It takes just two minutes to complete a short survey from Top Consultant via the link below.

Please click this link: www.top-consultant.com/consultingrecruitmentsurvey2010.aspx to open the survey. You will need to enter this password - 478151879 - at the top of the survey page.

The answer to Question 14 begins with a B and ends with a T.
and Question 16…………?

Thanks for your support.
We look forward to reading the results.

The November Management Consultancy Question asked you what consultancies can do to attract and retain more women. Nearly a hundred of you took the trouble to respond.

There were a number of family friendly policy suggestions made: more home working allowed, better crèche provision, local projects reserved for mothers with young children, flexible hours. But there was also a recognition that most would be difficult to implement given the current ‘model’ of consultancy.

Entry schemes should include programmes targeted at female graduates and older, industry-experienced women. Work policies should be attractive to single, married and women with children. Diversity policies need to be paid more than lip service. These are just some of your comments.

One respondent felt that as promotion to the highest ranks in a firm tends to be determined by sales success, women were disadvantaged because they were less predisposed to selling.

Another, having worked for both a Big 4 and a niche firm, reported the latter much more responsive to her family commitments.

But there was overall agreement that until more women make it to the Top Table, consultancies will be slow to change their working practices. A pity, as there seems to be much talent being underutilised, or just going to waste.

Watch this space for our upcoming question.

It's that time of year again, when we start to gather data for the next Indirect Tax Salary Survey & Market Report. As ever, we rely on your input in order to make the 2010 Salary Survey the most detailed and accurate yet! After what has been a year of ups and downs we suspect that the results may be rather interesting to say the least, so do take 5 minutes to fill in the form below and guarantee receipt of the survey on its publication in Feb/March 2010. Of course all information is completely confidential. Click here to take part in the survey.

Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays has been all over the press in the last few weeks.

If you haven’t heard about this new book by Wharton Professor Joel Waldfogel, catch him talking at a recent entertaining LSE event about how we waste over £50bn on presents.

“When we buy for ourselves, every pound we spend produces at least a pound in satisfaction, we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied.” The Professor suggests some alternatives.

If you haven’t ventured out into the High Street yet for the Christmas presents… read this first.

Help us make our forthcoming Salary Survey the most comprehensive yet! We have started to gather information on salary and trends and here is your chance to participate and ensure you get a copy of what will be the most up to date survey of 2010. It takes 5 minutes to fill in and is completely confidential. Click here....

Hello.

In the spirit of the festive season, we at BLT thought you might like to see some of the ‘out-takes’ from 2009’s launch of our YouTube channel. Its like finding an extra comedy DVD in your stocking! (but perhaps not quite as intentionally hilarious as some better known comedians).

You may have seen some of the other videos we have posted previously (if not please do visit our YouTube channel).

In the meantime BLT wishes you a Merry Christmas and we looking forward to catching up in 2010!

Best wishes from us all at BLT.

www.blt.co.uk - www.bltog.co.uk - 0207 405 3404

The latest Ipsos MORI report from the Interim Management Association shows that women now account for 36% of interim executives.

The gap between the sexes in interim management started narrowing back in Q1 2008. Only 18 months ago, women accounted for only a quarter of interim managers, however, 2008 saw the number increase by 16%.

Paul Botting, IMA chairman, says: “Interim management is a dynamic and rewarding sector which provides access to a number of differing roles spanning all sectors and industries. We have seen interim become increasingly popular with experienced senior individuals — both male and female continuing to enter the marketplace — and we are active in encouraging a diverse mix to the industry.”

And interim women believe that Interim Managers have a more varied and stimulating career than their permanent counterparts according to a survey conducted by Interimwomen.com.

While 60% of respondents claimed that interim work is more interesting and challenging, 47% said they had learnt new skills and enjoyed working in different industry sectors and 37% of women questioned said they were earning more money than in their previous jobs. Over half the women questioned (55%) said Interim Management gave them greater flexibility in their working lives and they were able to balance their work and home lives more successfully, 34% said it made no difference at all whilst only 11% said it was more difficult.

Karen Oddey, director of interimwomen.com, says: “The increase in the number of women entering the industry is excellent news, particularly for clients looking to recruit a more diverse pool of talent.

“Interim management offers a serious and challenging career for women and for many, a more flexible way of working. We hope that both men and women continue to think about interim management as an exciting new career option in the year ahead.”

Are you one of the growing number of female Interim Executives? What enticed you into interim work and what advice would you give to anyone considering a career as an Interim Manager?