Byron's Babbles

In my University of Oxford Saïd Business School course I am taking right now the topic of “secondments” came up. I learned that a secondment is a temporary assignment or transfer of an employee to another department, organization, or location. The context it was brought up in my Oxford course was using secondments as a way to deepen relationships, finding ways to provide more help, and as a source of personal development. Typically, secondments involve an employee working in a different role or project for a specified period of time.

Most importantly, secondments can deepen relationships by providing employees with the opportunity to work closely with new colleagues, gain new skills and knowledge, and develop a broader understanding of the organization as a whole. It allows employees to build connections, foster collaboration, and strengthen relationships with individuals and teams they may not have otherwise interacted with. Additionally, secondments often involve working in different environments, which can lead to increased adaptability and a broader perspective on different work cultures and practices.

As a professional services provider, I did a little more research on secondments and found I could use these with clients in a few different ways:

1. Knowledge transfer: I could second myself, and do in some cases, to the client’s organization. This allows for the transfer of specialized knowledge and skills, helping the client improve their capabilities and resolve specific challenges.
2. Capacity building: Secondments can also be used to build capacity within the client’s organization. This gives me opportunity to provide additional support, guidance, and training. A good example of this is the mentoring of teachers I am doing for schools.
3. Project management: If the client has a complex project that requires specialized expertise or additional resources, secondments can be used to provide project management support.
4. Change management: Secondments can play a crucial role in change management initiatives.
5. Relationship building: Secondments can strengthen the relationship between a consultancy and the client’s organization. By working closely together, both parties gain a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths, challenges, and working styles. This can further enhance collaboration and lead to long-term partnerships.

It has been interesting to learn from my colleagues in the course how many of them have formal secondment programs set up within their firms. This is a great cross-functional training, capacity building, and relationship building development tool.