Newsletter, March 2020
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are all facing unprecedented uncertainties and challenges. IMC New Zealand is here to support our members in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have suggestions for ways we can provide assistance and support.
50 Years of IMC in New Zealand
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of IMC New Zealand. This longevity is certainly something to celebrate and we launched the year with a series of seminars in Wellington and Auckland.
In February, in partnership with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), we brought Kevin Schwenker to New Zealand to present a number of workshops for government agencies and for consultants and other professional service providers. Kevin also led two well attended intensive one day ‘Becoming a Trusted Advisor’ training courses in Wellington and Auckland. These ‘how to’ sessions were tailored for IMC and provided participants with processes, tools and techniques to help build a successful and sustainable professional services business. Both feedback and demand has indicated a good fit with our focus on promoting professional standards in management consulting and we will look at offering similar sessions again. We are considering delivering more training options to build on the course content over this coming year, although the detail and timing of such training is, necessarily, subject to the current emergency.
Our partnering agreement with MBIE resulted in us providing professional services training through Masterclass sessions for Executives and Commissioning Managers of Government agencies, and for the Suppliers of professional services who deliver through the All-of-Government Consulting Services, and other, Panels. Government clients are key to many of our consulting practices and being aware of how to meet expectations under these panels is crucial in delivering services of value. These interactive sessions were well attended and also resulted in a series of suggestions and questions for MBIE. Following this MBIE’s NZ Government Procurement team asked IMC to work with them over the next few months. This work has been held up by the current lockdown but as it gets under way we will be able to provide more information.
This initiative has raised the profile of IMC amongst Government agencies. We have highlighted the value to government of engaging consultants accredited to a professional institute such as IMC, who meet professional standards, and who adhere to a code of conduct. We welcome your ideas on how to further promote this and other benefits of IMC membership.
Covid-19
Obviously we have all now entered a challenging period in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are separated from and concerned about family members, friends and colleagues. We face uncertainty about the future of our projects, our businesses and those of our clients. We know the economic impact will be immense and likely to be long term. We will need to look at new ways of working, both for ourselves and for our clients. But this can also be a time of opportunity. The biggest challenge for New Zealand will be to get our economy moving as we recover and that is where experienced advisors will really add value. We will look out for resources that we can add to the IMC website and LinkedIn group which may help consultants add value in this and following phases as we recover as a nation. We can use this time to take a breath and personally recalibrate, to add to our own skills base, to connect with and support others, and to find creative ways to meet these new and very real challenges as they arise.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been scheduled for Thursday May 14th at 5:30pm. Attendance is via Zoom and the full agenda and background papers will be circulated shortly – including nominations for Council. Please note the majority of current Council members have now had a two year term so we do need new members to put their names forward. If you are interested please email either president@imcnz.org.nz or secretary@imcnz.org.nz.
Upcoming Events
We have deferred the various face to face events we had planned and scheduled for the next two months and will review possible dates after the Level 4 Lockdown phase has ended. In the interim we are looking into options for providing access to webinars and other online resources. We will keep you updated through the website.
The AGM will still go ahead on May 14th as scheduled and will be via Zoom. We look forward to seeing you there.
The ICMCI Asia-Pacific Hub Meeting was to have been held in in May and has now been cancelled. The next CMC Global Conference ‘Digitalization in Consultancy and Transformation in Future’ has been rescheduled for October 11th – 15th. This will now be held in Yerevan, Armenia.
Membership Renewal and Professional Development Returns
A gentle reminder that if you have not yet paid your 2020 membership fees, or submitted your 2019 PD return, then your prompt action to do so would be appreciated! Your membership renewal notice would have had a link to pay online – if you have any queries about this please contact treasurer@imcnz.org.nz.
You can also file your 2019 PD return online at https://imcnz.org.nz/professional-development/. To retain active membership Professional members must complete a minimum of 30 hours PD annually, and Associates 20 hours. Attendance at our regular events counts towards this.
Please also ensure your personal contact and public profile details are up to date – these can be accessed through logging in to the Members Area on the website.
Working From Home…
As we are now in our first of at least four week lockdown period many of us are likely to be working from home. For some this is nothing new – although sharing our workspace permanently with our housemates can offer new challenges. For others working remotely is not the norm. The following ebook may provide some useful tips and is currently free on Kindle or as an audiobook https://scottberkun.com/2020/free-digital-version-of-the-year-without-pants-my-book-on-remote-work/.
On a lighter note this video by IMCNZ member Jason Price provides a tongue in cheek guide to working from home while also being topical https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ocb1P48TRzA.
While operating in the limited confines of lockdown it is crucial we make the effort and take the time to look after ourselves both mentally and physically, and to consciously stay connected to others. We do need to look to our own well-being first and foremost – this is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
Your Council
Members will be voted on to Council at the upcoming AGM. Contributing to the development of our profession is important and we would love to see more people getting involved in our day-to-day operations. Council membership is open to all membership classes with Associate and Professional (voting) members actively supporting and encouraging Student members of the Council as they build their career. Being a Council member isn’t overly taxing; we have monthly meetings via Zoom and periodic strategic planning days (usually one per annum). We have a strong group of engaged professionals who share the load. If you are interested in being nominated, to share your experience or grow your skills – and help kick off our second 50 years – please get in touch.
| Jacquie Hamer CMC, President | Wellington | president@imcnz.org.nz |
| Scott Rodgers CMC, Vice President | Wellington | vice-president@imcnz.org.nz |
| Gurdeep Talwar CMC, Secretary | Auckland | secretary@imcnz.org.nz |
| Michael Iddon CMC, Treasurer | Auckland | treasurer@imcnz.org.nz |
| Karen Clarke CMC | Wellington | karenc@tergaskisbrown.com |
| Phil Guerin CMC | Wellington | phil@hague.co.nz |
On behalf of IMC New Zealand, I wish you all the best as we move through the next few weeks and months. So please – take care, stay well, stay calm and stay sane! I look forward to catching up with you at one of our future events and hope to see you at the AGM in May.
