Ethical Conduct

Article 1:         We shall be aware of and comply with all applicable legislation, laws, and regulations in all jurisdictions where we operate.

Article 2:         We shall not cause or induce any person or entity to contravene any applicable legislation or laws.

Article 3:         We shall not serve or act on behalf of any person or entity who causes or will cause us to contravene any applicable legislation or laws.

Article 4:         We shall report to appropriate authorities, within or external to the client organization, any occurrences of malfeasance, dangerous behavior, or illegal activities encountered within the scope of our engagement.

Article 5:         We shall not make public statements on behalf of the Organisation or its members unless explicitly authorized in writing to do so.

Article 6:         We shall ensure our behavior is consistent with and reinforces a positive public image of the profession, avoiding any actions that may jeopardize public trust or bring the profession into disrepute.

Article 7:         We shall not advertise our services in a deceptive manner, nor misrepresent or denigrate individual consulting practitioners, consulting firms, or the consulting profession.

Article 8:         We shall be honest, open, and truthful in all external communications.

Article 9:         We shall respect social, environmental, and wider corporate responsibility concerns, assessing the impact of their actions on the environment and society.

Article 10:       We shall deliver services that support diversity and avoid discrimination wherever possible (including discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, physical or mental abilities, and protected characteristics).

Article 11:       We shall consider the public interest when performing services. When public and client interests conflict, we shall maintain our duty to our client and employer while taking reasonable steps to manage and remedy the conflict.

Article 12:       We shall respect social, environmental, and wider corporate responsibility concerns, assessing the impact of our actions on the environment and society. We will consider the application of appropriate sustainability goals in all assignments.

Article 13:       We shall understand, accept, and manage diversity in terms of culture, beliefs, religion, race, and gender, respecting the customs, practices, and reasonable ambitions of others. We shall ensure every individual is treated fairly and that diversity is respected.

Article 14:       We shall be honest, open, and truthful in all external communications.

Article 15:       We shall serve our clients with integrity, competence, independence, objectivity, and professionalism.

Article 16:       We shall perform services that generate evidence-based advice or outcomes wherever possible and appropriate, even when this requires courage to deliver.

Article 17:       We shall only accept assignments for which we possess the requisite experience and competence to perform, and shall only assign staff or engage colleagues with the knowledge and expertise needed to serve clients effectively.

Article 18:       We shall at all times, specify in writing our relevant qualifications and those of any other management consultants proposed for engagements.

Article 19:       We shall mutually establish with our clients realistic expectations of the benefits and results of our services and shall refrain from encouraging unrealistic expectations or promising clients that benefits are certain from specific consulting services.

Article 20:       Before accepting any engagement, we shall ensure we have worked with our clients to establish a mutual understanding of the objectives, scope, work plan, and fee arrangements.

Article 21:       We shall not disclose any confidential client information without the specific consent of the client.

Article 22:       We shall treat appropriately all confidential client information that is not public knowledge, take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access, and not take advantage of proprietary or privileged information for personal benefit or the benefit of others outside the client organization, without the client’s permission and we shall refrain from enabling others to do so.

Article 23:       We shall refrain from making public statements that may directly or indirectly lead to the disclosure of confidential client information or third-party personal information obtained from the client.

Article 24:       Upon terminating an assignment, we shall offer to return to the client any and all material pertaining to the engagement and any third-party personal information obtained from the client.

Article 25:       We shall avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of such and shall immediately disclose to the client circumstances or interests that we believe may reasonably be regarded as capable of influencing our judgment or objectivity.

Article 26:       We shall not accept assignments with our clients’ competitors or with other organizations where the assignments would conflict with the interests of our clients without the permission of all parties involved.

Article 27:       We shall not accept commissions, remuneration, or other benefits from a third party in connection with recommendations to a client without that client’s prior knowledge and consent, and shall disclose in advance any financial interests in goods or services that form part of such recommendations.

Article 28:       We shall offer to withdraw from a consulting assignment when we believe our objectivity or integrity may be impaired.

Article 29:       We shall not recruit to our own firm, or refer to other firms, any employee with whom we are working as part of an assignment for a client unless the client has been informed and has granted consent in advance.

Article 30:       Should the terms of reference change during an assignment, we shall ensure that any corresponding impact on fees, expenses, disbursements, or billing arrangements are communicated to the client and agreed to in writing.

Article 31:       We shall not permit, for budget or time management purposes, a reduction in consulting time or senior consulting involvement in an assignment if, as a result, the quality of service will fall below that described in the terms of reference.

Article 32:       We shall recognize the interests of the client organization overall as paramount in every assignment. We shall not promote services, accept engagements, conduct work, or provide advice that is in any way to our advantage while to the client’s or the public’s disadvantage.

Article 33:       We shall ensure professional advice is sound and relevant to the client’s needs. We shall act independently and objectively, exercising professional care, and establishing the facts to enable informed judgment.

Article 34:       We shall make every effort to support the organization’s overall objectives, safeguard its reputation and assets, and reconcile personal and corporate values.

Article 35:       We shall uphold lawful policies, practices, and procedures and contribute to their enhancement in the interests of good management practice.

Article 36:       We shall address issues we perceive as improper, or as falling below acceptable standards of professional practice, and apply relevant corrective actions.

Article 37:       In the interests of all the organization’s shareholders, we shall ensure we properly understand their interests and respond to them in a balanced manner. We shall safeguard all confidential and/or proprietary information that comes into our possession.

Article 38:       We shall establish, maintain, and develop business relationships based on mutual confidence and trust. We shall neither offer nor accept gifts, hospitality, or services which could create, or imply, an improper obligation. We shall refrain from entering into any agreement or undertaking any activity which is unlawful or anti-competitive.

Article 39:       We shall maintain our knowledge and understanding of this Code and the Common Body of Knowledge relevant to management consulting, including any amendments or updates.

Article 40:       We shall develop our skills and knowledge beyond the fundamentals, particularly in our area(s) of preferred practice, to a level consistent with client needs and comparable to services provided by other consultants in the same field.

Article 41:       We shall comply with the International CMC Organisation’s requirements on Continuing Professional Development to ensure our knowledge and skills remain current.

Article 42:       We shall encourage management consultants for whom we are responsible to maintain and advance their competence by participating in Continuing Professional Development and obtaining membership in the International CMC Organisation.

Article 43:       We shall strive to discipline ourselves to maintain the high standards of professional and ethical practice reflected in this Code.

Article 44:       We shall respect the rights of consulting colleagues and consulting firms and will not use our proprietary information or methodologies without permission.

Article 45:       We shall represent the profession with integrity and professionalism in our relations with clients, colleagues, and the general public.

Article 46:       We shall promote the image and standing of the profession, demonstrating an understanding of the nature of the management consultancy market and all its stakeholders.

Article 47:       We shall respect the intellectual property of all stakeholders, including materials that may be shared among various stakeholders.

Article 48:       The results of a review of another member’s work shall be communicated with the member in question unless such discussion would jeopardize client confidentiality or other obligations to the client.

Article 49:       When asked by a client to review the work of another professional, members shall exercise the objectivity, integrity, and sensitivity required in all technical and advisory conclusions communicated to the client.

Article 50:       We shall report to the International CMC Organisation, or encourage affected clients or members of the public to report, the behavior of any member they perceive to constitute acting in a manner unbecoming to the profession or in violation of this Code.

Article 51:       We shall at all time maintain a fully professional approach in all dealings with the clients, the general public and fellow members.

Article 52:       We shall understand our colleagues’ responsibilities, areas of authority, and accountability, and offer them support.

Article 53:       We shall act consistently and fairly when addressing any shortfall in performance or standards of behavior.

Article 54:       We shall maintain a culture of openness and transparency in communications, where issues may be addressed in a frank, timely, and effective manner.

Article 55:       We shall have regard for the physical and mental health, safety, and well-being of colleagues, recognizing their specific needs and the pressures and problems they face.

Article 56:       We shall encourage and assist colleagues to develop their skills and progress in their careers, valuing the contribution they may make and recognizing their achievements.

Article 57:       We are liable to disciplinary action if our conduct is found by the Disciplinary Committee of the International CMC Organisation to be in contravention of this Code, or to bring discredit to the profession or to the Organisation.

Article 58:       Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to, suspension or expulsion from membership, or other penalties, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures of the International CMC Organisation

Article 59:       We may be required to make a declaration in answer to inquiries from the Organisation concerning their professional conduct.

Article 60:       Failing to make such a declaration may be found in breach of the Principle to which the rule or note relates.

Article 61:       We shall not willfully give the Organisation false, inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information.

Article 62:       Any actions by a Member that jeopardize public trust will be considered “acting in a manner unbecoming to the Profession,” including a violation of any applicable legislation or laws, a breach of this Code, and/or any actions inside or outside of the context of the Profession that may be or, may be perceived to be, detrimental to the Profession. We shall ensure that our behavior is consistent with and reinforces a positive public image of the Profession

In developing this Code of Ethical Professional Conduct for members of the International Certified Management Consultants Organisation, we made use of great ideas from the Code of Chartered Management Consultants Alberta, Canada, the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) Nigeria, the IMC Australia, and the Canadian Management Consultancy Association. We are deeply indebted to these organisations.