What's the Buzz about ISO Accreditation?

By Loraine Kasprzak CMC

Last month we reported that IMC USA earned a prestigious ISO accreditation for its Certified Management Consultant™ (CMC®) process. So what do IMC members have to say about it? We tuned in to the CMC discussion group on LinkedIn to find out what CMCs are saying.

A Big Deal

Lynn Hoopingarner CMC, started the discussion by sharing the Reuters.com pickup of IMC’s ISO accreditation press release. Other CMCs were quick to share their thoughts, and all recognized this was a meaningful accomplishment for the Institute.

Said Craig Stimmel CMC, "This new accreditation by ISO is a major achievement by the Board at IMC USA. Kudos to all who were involved…This is a BIG DEAL.” David Hodgin, CMC, added, "Received my CMC renewal certificate in the mail today with a letter announcing the ISO recognition. What a great accomplishment. I now have a strong reason for the members of my Monterey Bay Consultants Group to… start the CMC process.”

Commitment and Mastery

The ISO recognition shows the commitment of CMCs as professionals. "It is an affirmation of what we have invested in the Institute and in management consulting as our profession… Let us walk with a quicker step and hold our heads a little higher…” commented Ron Wohl CMC.

David Norman CMC, reflected on the Japanese concept of shokunin and the CMC, "The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness… The certification process – its requirements, reference checks, exams, and peer review panels – ensure mastery of the profession. Now that IMC USA has earned the prestigious ISO/IEC accreditation… you can provide your prospects and clients assurances as to the quality of your consulting.”

Challenges Ahead

The CMC designation is perhaps not yet as well known as other certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP). While ISO accreditation is an excellent first step, we still have the challenge of building the CMC brand.

John Tracy CMC, said "…Small and large firms, and individual consultants – whether independent or affiliated, newly minted or institutionalized – can now be recognized by a high quality brand – the CMC. The future is exciting: there is much more to come.”

Adds Dennis Strong, "…I am now interested in how this accomplishment will be deployed and whether or not there is a demonstrable improvement in the acceptance of the CMC designation… Given the majority of CMCs are independent practitioners or with small firms, ISO/IEC can be useful in demonstrating how being a CMC is a differentiator…”

Join the Discussion

The 305-member LinkedIn CMC Group often has lively discussions about what’s going on at IMC USA and in the consulting industry. You can join the group through your LinkedIn account by searching Groups for "Certified Management Consultant”. Not a member of LinkedIn? Join here