Newsletter, September 2021
Extending our boundaries …
Intrinsic to being a consultant is the need to continually push our own boundaries, to move past the safety of the known and familiar and look at alternative ways of working, of communicating and of collaborating. It is through this that we become better placed to extend our clients’ boundaries and ensure they are best placed for success.
Given the disruptive working environment our clients have encountered over the past year, this has never been more the case. Hybrid working has become commonplace, and along with that the need to temper management styles and extend collaborative practices. The uncertain duration of the Auckland lockdown and the nationwide staffing shortages add new challenges and further the need to extend our boundaries – and to take more innovative approaches to how we most effectively deliver for our clients.
The theme of our mini-conference on November 17th is Crossing Boundaries. A team of experienced and engaging local and international speakers will share insights and discuss ways to cross boundaries – whether they be cultural practices and understanding, functional, sectoral or locational. This promises to be full of relevant, practical and immediately applicable content so don’t miss it!
This week is Mental Health Awareness week. As consultants we tend to focus on ensuring the best outcomes for our clients but also need to address our own wellbeing. We need to take time for ourselves, give ourselves the space to reflect and recharge, but also create time to connect with others. We are all part of larger consulting community and there is support out there.
If you haven’t already, join one of our informal Friday Zooms for an end-of-week wind down. Attend our events. Get to know other IMCNZ members – we are part of a local and global network, so take advantage of the networking, professional development and access to resources that that offers.
Meanwhile, on behalf of IMCNZ I wish you, your teams, your families, your bubbles all the best as we continue to negotiate our way through this ever-changing Covid-impacted world.
Ngā mihi
Jacquie Hamer CMC
Immediate Past President
Upcoming Events
Our informal end-of-week drink-and-chat Zooms continue each Friday at 4:30pm. These have proved a great way for members from around the country to get to know each other and share views, insights and experiences. The next will be held on Friday 1st October so whether you are a regular attendee or are yet to join us you are welcome to Zoom in. Zoom login details are on the website and circulated in a regular email.
IMCNZ Mini-conference Crossing Boundaries
Our November online webinar forum, Crossing Boundaries, brings you a great line up of insightful and engaging international and New Zealand speakers. The focus is on successfully crossing boundaries be they national, functional, sectoral or cultural. Our toughest challenges can be those that take us out of our comfort zone – and they can also provide the greatest rewards. So cross boundaries in your professional development and join us on November 17th!
More information will be added to the website over the next few days and you can also pre-register: Crossing Boundaries
ICMCI Conference – The Continuous Transformation of Management Consulting
ICMCI’s 8th annual CMC conference is an online event, to be held on October 14th 9am – 2:30pm UTC (9pm – 2:30am NZT). Sessions include Business Transformation; Innovation – Entrepreneurship, Funding and Growth; Meet Young MC Leaders; and The Role of Consultants in Digital Transformation. While not all at a New Zealand friendly time, sessions will be recorded and registration is free for IMCNZ members. Further details available here: ICMCI Conference
IMC Australia National Symposium – Collaborating for Success
The IMC Australia annual conference will be held online this year, on October 15th . The theme is a highly topical Collaborating for Success and speakers will share ideas, examples and strategies for using collaboration to drive revenue and profitability. IMCNZ members can register at specially discounted rates. Further information and registration details available here: Collaborating for Success IMC Au
ISO 20700:2017 Self-Declaration Checklist Training
The ISO 20700 Self-Declaration Checklist training is now well underway with sessions scheduled regularly. The programme has been extended to include an additional module for non-CMCs. The Checklist is a practical tool management consultants can use to demonstrate their work conforms to the ISO 20700:2017 Guidelines for Management Consultancy Services. The ISO Guidelines provide a global minimum standard for the delivery of management consultancy services and ensure transparency between consultant and client.
The next session is on November 10th – more details available here: ISO20700 Self Declaration Checklist Training
Consulting Skills Course
We have now launched the Essentials of Management Consulting – a facilitated online course continuing over 12 weeks. There has been obvious demand for such a comprehensive and locally relevant programme and this initial course has been fully subscribed. Participants gain a comprehensive overview of management consulting, an awareness of internationally benchmarked best practice and a combination of skills, knowledge and techniques that will be immediately applicable. We will confirm 2022 dates early in the new year – if you want to be directly informed about the next course starting date let us know.
A Little Miscellany
Membership Details and Professional Development Returns
Please take a moment to 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. You can also point to your public profile from your own company website.
Professional members must complete a minimum of 30 hours PD annually, and Associates 20 hours, in order to retain active membership. Attendance at our regular events counts towards this. If you have not yet filed your 2020 PD return you can do so here: https://imcnz.org.nz/professional-development/.
Our grace period for unpaid 2021 memberships has now ended. If yours was inadvertently overlooked and you would like to renew now – and retain your membership benefits, post-nominals and CMC certification – then email ipp@imcnz.org.nz for assistance.
Becoming a Certified Management Consultant (CMC)
We are continuing to highlight the value to clients in engaging consultants who meet professional standards and who adhere to a code of conduct. If you have completed an MBIE All of Government Consulting Service Panel application you will have noted there is now a section for providing details of professional memberships and accreditations when. This makes it more important than ever to show that you are part of a professional community of practice and increases the value of the CMC designation.
Holding the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation identifies a consultant as meeting standards of competence, experience and ethical conduct. CMC is an internationally recognised professional qualification available to Professional members with the appropriate skills and experience. If you are interested in becoming a CMC, completing the Assess My Consulting tool on the website is a great place to start. Alternately contact us for more information or apply directly https://imcnz.org.nz/certification-cmc/.
ICMCI Triennial Assessment
We have just completed and passed our Triennial Assessment with our global body, ICMCI. This audit confirms that our Institute continues to meet international professional standards and that the rigour of our CMC certification process is consistent with other member organisations.
CMC Recertification
It is an ICMCI requirement that all member Institutes have a process for re-certifying their CMCs. We now have an approved policy that will take a ‘light touch’ approach – more details will be circulated shortly.
ICMCI Updates
The latest issue of the ICMCI newsletter, CMC Today, is available here: CMC Today August 2021
Visit and Follow our IMCNZ LinkedIn Company Page and join our IMC [Institute of Management Consultants] NZ LinkedIn Group to stay up to date with events and items of interest. This is also a great way to meet and network with other consultants across New Zealand and throughout the world.
Your Council
Council members were voted in at the AGM in May and it was great to welcome a new member to the team – Emma Jeffery. Emma is based in Auckland and has particular expertise in employment, safety and quality control compliance and strategy – so a real asset to Council!
Contributing to the development of our profession is important and we have a strong group of engaged professionals who share the load outside Council. If you are interested in getting involved – to share your experience or grow your skills – don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Council contact details:
| Phil Guerin CMC, President | Wellington | president@imcnz.org.nz |
| Karen Clarke CMC, Vice President | Wellington | vice-president@imcnz.org.nz |
| Jacquie Hamer CMC, Immediate Past President | Wellington | ipp@imcnz.org.nz |
| Gurdeep Talwar CMC, Secretary | Auckland | secretary@imcnz.org.nz |
| Michael Iddon CMC, Treasurer | Auckland | treasurer@imcnz.org.nz |
| Scott Rodgers CMC | Wellington | scott@linkconsulting.nz |
| Emma Jeffery | Auckland | emma@emendas.co.nz |