| Certification |
When you see the
initials "CMC" following a consultant’s name, it means
that he or she is a CMC and has met strict certification
requirements of the Institute of Management Consultants. The
Institute was founded in 1969 by the principal associations in the
consulting field to establish publicly recognized standards of
competence and professional conduct for the individual management
consultant. |
Applicants for Institute
certification undergo thorough investigation of their consulting
experience; they are interviewed by a panel of senior consultants
to verify their technical competence; and they must pass a written
examination evidencing their familiarity with the Institute’s
Code of Professional Conduct, which they have pledged in writing
to follow. |
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A Code of Conduct
|
CMCs pledge in
writing to abide by the Institute’s Code of Professional
Conduct. Their adherence to the Code signifies voluntary
assumption of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of
law. Key provisions of the Code require that CMCs:
• Safeguard confidential information,
• Render impartial, independent advice,
• Accept only those client engagements they are qualified to
perform,
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•
Agree with the client in advance on the basis for professional
charges,
• Develop realistic and practical solutions to client
problems.
The Institute enforces the Code by receiving and investigating
complaints of violations and by taking disciplinary action,
including revocation of certification against any member who is
found guilty of Code violation.
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| Standards
of Competence |
• Every step leading
to the CMC designation has been designed to verify the candidate’s
professional competence.
• A Certified Management Consultant must have had at least
five years of experience in the full-time practice of management
consulting, with major responsibility for client projects during
at least one of those years.
• The CMC has had to provide multiple references most of them
officers or executive of clients served. These references have
been
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thoroughly interrogated
to assure that consulting relationships were satisfactory.
• The CMC has had to provide written summaries of five Client
assignments (disguised to protect client identity).
• The CMC has had to pass a qualifying interview by senior
CMCs, demonstrating professional competence and currency in areas
of specialization, standing of the management consulting process. |
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The Mark of Excellence
|
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In selecting management consultants, managers are well advised
to seek individuals who meet the profession’s own standards of
competence and ethics.
Institute certification is a valuable aid in this quest. It is
the mark of excellence among management consultants.
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Clients
1. We will serve our clients with integrity, competence, and
objectivity.
2. We will keep client information and records of client engagements
confidential and will use proprietary client information only with the
client’s permission.
3. We will not take advantage of confidential client information for
ourselves or our firms.
4. We will not allow conflicts of interest which provide a
competitive advantage to one client through our use of confidential
information form another client who is a direct competitor without that
competitor’s permission.
Engagements
5. We will accept only engagements for which we are qualified by our
expertise and competence.
6. We will assign staff to client engagements in accord with their
experience, knowledge, and expertise.
7. We will immediately acknowledge any influences on our objectivity
to our clients and will offer to withdraw from a consulting engagement
when our objectivity or integrity may be impaired.
Fees
8. We will agree independently and in advance on the basis for our
fees and expenses and will charge fees and expenses that are reasonable,
legitimate, and commensurate with the services we deliver and the
responsibility we accept.
9. We will disclose to our clients in advance any fees or commissions
that we will receive for equipment, supplies or services we recommend to
our clients.
Profession
10. We will respect the intellectual property rights of our clients,
other consulting firms, and sole practitioners and will not use
proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
11. We will not advertise our services in a deceptive manner and will
not misrepresent the consulting profession, consulting firms or sole
practitioners.
12. We will report violations of this Code of Ethics.
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