A healthy IMC USA yields benefits to both members and the profession. Work is ongoing for IMC to ensure it is a community of professionals who define excellence and advance ethics for the industry. The primary focus areas are certification, education, and professional resources.

IMC USA must embrace a leadership role in the industry both nationally and globally, as a member organization of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) or CMC Global. Commitment to professional standards, competence, and ethical practices is what the industry needs in this time of growth and transformation.

The Management Consulting Marketplace

Discussion about the current state of IMC USA should be prefaced by a brief review of the market for management consulting. The state of management consulting can be described as: growing, thriving, and evolving.

The management consulting market in the U.S. is a growing sector, expected to reach a value of $451 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of almost 4.75% according to Modor Intelligence. Few industries can boast of this type of growth, especially with today’s uncertainty of more tariffs, geopolitical instability, and other economic disruptors.

Consulting Clients Face New Challenges

Clients and prospective clients are facing budget reductions and internal staff downsizing which can generate business opportunities for solo practitioners and firms of all sizes and disciplines.

Clients need advice and guidance more now than ever. Organizations are confronting whether and how to integrate environmental, social and governance concerns into their operations and interactions with stakeholders, looking beyond just a focus on profits.

Focus on Sustainability and Ethics in Business

Sustainability and ethics are increasingly becoming a part of broader conversation. In the long term these topics are expected to continue to be debated. Management consultants must be aware of the policy issues and the impacts and consequences of potential decisions and actions to advise clients appropriately.

The Impact of Remote Work

Clients are also dealing with remote work; how to optimize the use of staff when, unlike in the past, staff are not always in the office working at their desks. Organizations must confront balancing productivity and transitioning to a hybrid workforce for the future of work.

Consultants can assist clients with remaining nimble, agile, and resilient to face current and long-term challenges and change. Strategy cannot lay dormant in a volatile climate, but must change when conditions warrant, which in some cases is often, certainly more than once every three to five years.

Trends Affecting IMC USA and Consultants

It is important to recognize current trends shaping the industry; digital transformation, AI and technology, which enables consultants to increase efficiency in service to clients through further automation. The economy and the potential for inflation, while inherently not considered a good outcome, can provide opportunities for services in terms of helping organizations navigate through uncertainty.

These are some of the risks that need to be assessed and mitigated. Members of the Institute are uniquely qualified to do that work. Overall, this upward trajectory of needs and issues shows increased demand and complexity for consulting. Faced with this dynamic environment, management consultants play a crucial role, and IMC USA is poised to play a significant part in the future of the profession.

IMC USA Adapting to Change

We have worked in the past year to progress IMC USA, transitioning systems, programs, and processes from professional staff to all volunteer management and support. Administrative, technical or electronic applications, and governance procedures were modified. Unnecessary expenses, services, and subscriptions were eliminated.

Work is being done to implement and improve IMC USA’s customer relationship management (CRM) system. The monthly Connector newsletter was re-established. The Operations Committee was re-instituted to aid operations and execution, including developing a framework and guidelines for the new Communities of Interest that replace geographic chapters. Collaborating with the Executive Committee, the Operations team will improve communications, accountability, and day-to-management.

Today, the State of IMC USA is good! The organization is growing and operating within anticipated budget limits. IMC USA should continue to evolve with industry.

Leadership recognizes that there is a need to act and change with the industry to remain relevant for members. Members should not expect IMC USA to do things as they have always been done and get different results. Ignoring challenges does not cause them to disappear.

Focus on Stability and Growth to Better Serve Consultants

Through it all, IMC USA attempts to focus on stability and growth. Also, adapting to the “new normal” of doing business given the evolution and need to adjust, deliver professional development and education for members, and to continue to build community and collaboration within IMC USA and across CMC Global. There are lessons to be learned and adapted from CMC Global and other institutes for application in the U.S.

IMC USA Launches CMC-Firm Certification

One of the lessons learned led to broadening our perspective on membership to target consulting firms for membership as a certified CMC-Firm. Consulting firms have a lot to offer the organization as members, and IMC USA can add value to their practices. Alliances with the various geographically proximate ICMCI institutes and other like-minded organizations are also being discussed. Governmental advocacy for certification is being considered as well.

Get Involved with IMC USA

I invite you, the members, to join in the effort—to get engaged. Work is being done to increase the value of each individual membership and certification. The organization relies on members to help deliver valuable programs and vision.

I appreciate the faith you put in me by electing me to the Board and Chair position. I value the opportunity to continue to work with other committed and enthusiastic volunteers to make IMC USA the premiere organization and certifying body for practicing management consultants in the U.S. Thank you!