Take the IMC USA Consulting Ethics Challenge! 1.) Read this case study;  2.) read the IMC USA Enforceable Code of Ethics; and 3.) comment below.

The Consulting Ethics Situation

A management consultant refers you to a client after developing a strategic plan focused on launching the company’s “green” product to an industrial market rather than pursuing consumers.

Several weeks into your engagement, the consultant tells you the CEO has asked her to develop a new strategic plan and investor pitch for a separate venture—an online marketplace targeting consumers in the green space.

You recently attended a meeting where venture capital and private equity professionals cautioned against pursuing a new online venture when established competitors already occupy the space. An online search tells you there are already many players in online green product marketplaces.

What Would You Do?

Is there an ethical issue or potential violation of the enforceable IMC USA Code of Ethics? 

What, if anything, would you do?

Calls to Action:

Learn from other real ethics cases by reading more IMC USA’s Ethics Case Studies on our Consulting to Management Blog.

Join IMC USA and become a Certified Management Consultant® (CMC®). As a member and as a CMC, you are required to adhere to the IMC USA Code of Enforceable Ethics and our Consultant’s Code of Conduct. In addition, IMC USA has adopted a new Code of Responsible Use of AI for management consultants to which members must adhere.

IMC USA is the sole certifying body for the internationally-recognized Certified Management Consultant® (CMC®) designation in the United States. IMC USA is a founding member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes, ICMCI/CMC-Global.

About the Author Liz Weber CMC, CSP, FCMC

The author of this post, Liz Weber, is a Strategic Leadership Advisor, Certified Management Consultant® (CMC®), Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. Liz currently serves as IMC USA’s Ethics Chair. Liz holds an MBA in International Business. She has taught for Johns Hopkins University’s Graduate School of Continuing Studies and Georgetown University’s Senior Executive Leadership Program. Liz has supervised business activities in 129 countries and consulted in over 20 countries. She has written ten leadership books and currently writes a monthly blog and posts on social media daily. For more information visit her website and connect with Liz on LinkedIn.