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
You are attending a conference with an in-person audience as well as attendees via global live stream. You hear Rosa, another consultant with your area of expertise, present her latest research to the audience.
To help explain her methodology and the impact of her findings, Rosa shares a well-known strategic model without attribution. It resonates with the audience.
But, Rosa does not provide attribution to the large consulting firm that created the model.
You realize this model might help clarify a current area of confusion with one of your clients, too.
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:
Join IMC USA and adhere to its Code of Enforceable Ethics. All members are required to adhere to the IMC USA Code of Ethics as well as our Consultant’s Code of Conduct and our Code of Responsible Use of AI.
Learn from other real ethics cases by reading more IMC USA’s Ethics Case Studies on our Consulting to Management Blog.
About the Author Liz Weber CMC, FIMC, CSP
The author of this post, Liz Weber, is a Strategic Leadership Advisor, Certified Management Consultant® (CMC®), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). 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.
It’s not clear if Rosa did or did not provide the actual name – or a new name of the strategic model. Rosa’s failure to provide attribution is an ethical issue. Either way, I would contact Rosa and ask about the author of that model and discuss the risk of losing credibility from her clients. If Rosa is a member of IMC, then Rosa is at risk of an ethics violation.
Yes Loraine, you’re right. Rosa has violated Principle 12 of the IMC USA Code of Ethics: I will respect the rights of consulting colleagues and consulting firms and will not use their proprietary information or methodologies without permission. Also, talking with Rosa is a first step because though the inappropriateness of her behavior may appear obvious to us, there are still many in our profession and outside our profession who do not understand intellectual property (IP) and it’s use and protections. These individuals often view using another’s content is a way of passing along great information or insight instead of what it is misappropriating another’s intellectual property. I’ve had to educate several clients and a handful of colleagues on this concept over the years