Advisory Note for the Certified Management Consultant Award for overseas candidates

Transcription

1 CMCInternationalScheme1/27 January 2011 (cdi) INTERNATIONAL SCHEME FOR QUALIFIYING FOR THE CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT AWARD WITH THE UK S INSTITUTE OF CONSULTING 1. INTRODUCTION This note, which has been prepared in conjunction with the UK s Institute of Consulting (IC) sets out the arrangements for consultants in countries with no management consultancy institutes to gain the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) award. The CMC award is the highest level of internationally recognised management consultancy qualification which is now adopted in over 67 countries. This procedure is offered by the UK s Institute of Consulting (IC) which is a founder member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI)...The IC is part of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Note: Candidates from those countries with their own Management Institutes which belong to the ICMCI are required to obtain their CMC award though their own national institutes. Mentoring. The IC has a number of approved CMC Mentors including Tony Lavender of (cdi)-for those candidates who wish to use them; the use of a mentor is however not mandatory. 2. THE CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT AWARD. The Certified Management Consultant Award is the mark of a competent and confident consultant. It is the only internationally portable consultancy award and is recognised in 67 countries. The IC is the only organisation in the United Kingdom able to award the CMC. The CMC Award is achieved by completing a competency-based assessment process supported by experienced assessors who assess the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be a successful consultant. Normally, CMC candidates need to have at least 3-4 years experience in consultancy work ( although they do not necessarily have to have the title of Consultant ) and have done or been involved in at least three consultancy-type projects. The IC website, provides advice on candidates eligibility CMC is an independent endorsement mapped to professional standards and competences, that: - Proves your ability to provide solutions to client business needs that create value - Demonstrates that you have the experience and knowledge to deliver impartial and professional interventions - Differentiates you as a consultant that delivers high-quality services - Sets the standard for what is expected of preferred suppliers of consultancy services By achieving this award, you indicate to clients and peers that you have been independently verified against universally accepted standards for experienced business consultants. 1

2 CMC remains current and relevant through a 3-yearly re-certification - providing proof of continued development and competence. 3. THE IC, CMI AND THE ICMCI The Institute of Consulting is an organisation within the Chartered Management Institute, the only chartered professional body that is dedicated to management and leadership. This allows for sharing professionalism across Managers and Consultants. Combined with the influence and resources of the Chartered Management Institute, the Institute of Consulting is in the unique position of supporting individuals whose collective impact is to enhance performance in small and large organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors. The Institute of Consulting has a core focus towards consulting professionals. We offer those working or interested in consulting a dynamic range of products and services, from specialist qualifications to tailored membership packages to those seeking procurement advice. The Institute promotes excellence and is in a unique position to provide details of consulting services in every sector of the UK economy, through its high-achieving registered member listing. Our work with procurement industry experts gives us the confidence in understanding what is expected of our consulting members to ensure that we are succeeding to enhance industry performance. The Institute of Consulting offers a range of services to its members. These services are offered to business consulting professionals to assist them in their working lives. Our services assist members in running their businesses by sharing knowledge and developing key contacts and developing potential business opportunities. Exclusive membership benefits range from access to information and research, online support services right through to discounted professional services The Institute consists of 12 regions within the United Kingdom which allows us to have regional presence working closer with our members. 4. CMC QUALFICATION COSTS The CMC assessment process has been developed in a way that enables applicants to proceed at their own pace and fit the various stages in with their other commitments, whilst remaining professionally rigorous and upholding the high standards required of all CMC holders. Individual experience varies considerably. As a guide, candidates must have: - Full Member or Fellow membership of IC - Minimum of 3 years experience as a management consultant - Relevant qualifications/experience to underpin competence - Experience in all elements of the consulting life cycle - Have clients who value the contribution, delivery and impact you make to their business The process is designed to test your competencies as a consultant. There are three stages each intended to be a useful learning and self-development activity in its own right our objective is to help applicants become better consultants, as well as to gain a professional accreditation. 2

3 The Institute of Consulting has developed a mentoring scheme to help candidates to achieve the Certified Management Consultants award (CMC). This is an optional service you may access in addition to the support provided as part of your CMC registration. Mentors have been accredited by the IC but remain independent of us. It is up to the individual candidate and mentor to make arrangements of how and when to be mentored and financial remunerations. CMC Assessment is plus 20% UK VAT, plus membership fees (Member 150 or Fellow 190). Overseas candidates are required to pay in full in advance for the full group. IC will then process registrations. NB: There are additional costs for own country assessment see section 7 below which will be payable in addition to the CMC fee. 1. Registration: You must have Institute membership at full Member or Fellow grade to register for CMC. This should be done in advance online at Please note that you will have to provide evidence of your experience, client references and CPD records to gain membership. For more information visit: 2. Online Application: - Complete an application form, incorporating a client assignment and evidence of core consulting competencies - Provide evidence of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a consultant - Complete a competency-based self-assessment questionnaire, inviting 4 referees - Submit your portfolio for assessment. 3. Half day Assessment Centre: The assessment centre will be run by experienced consultants who themselves have gained CMC accreditation. You will be required to - Deliver a 15-minute presentation based on one client assignment from your application, followed by a 15-minute interview - Complete an individual and group case study, provided on the day Re-certification It is a mandatory element in retaining the award for CMC holders to evidence their ongoing competence every three years: completing a self-diagnostic questionnaire; providing a client reference; and an up-to-date CPD record 5. ARRANGEMENTS FOR OVERSEAS CMC CANDIDATES There are two routes for overseas candidates from candidates who wish to apply for the UK s IC CMC Mentoring is available for both please see section 6 below. These are: Route A: Assessment in the UK and Route B: Assessment in their own countries. ROUTE A UK ASSESSMENT a. Candidates decide whether or not to use a Mentor see section 6 below. b. Then apply on line via the website. Then follow the links. 3

4 c. Arrange with the IC for their assessment dates in the UK normally in London. a minimum of 3 candidates is normally required d. Attend the CMC assessment ROUTE B OWN COUNTRY ASSESSMENT a. Candidates decide whether or not to use a Mentor b. Candidates or their organisation Department, Company, Ministry, Agency, etc. apply to the IC for an in country assessment normally at least 10 CMC candidates are needed for an in country assessment. c. If candidates use a Mentor, agree and arrange the mentoring/training sessions. In their countries for details of the mentoring provided by Mr Tony Lavender see section 6. d. If candidates do not use a mentor they prepare themselves for the CMC assessments. e. Candidates or their Departments etc agree and arrange the details for the assessment. They provide the venue and logistics for the assessment including travel and accommodation for the assessors. f. The IC CMC assessors normally two assessors fly out and conduct the assessments. 6. MENTORING Tony Lavender, Director of his company - (cdi), is an approved IC Mentor for CMC. So far he has successfully mentored 35 CMC candidates from UK and overseas. In addition, his company is a Registered Centre with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the training for the qualification The Certificate in Management Consulting Essentials (CMCE) this is a foundation course and an ideal preparation for the CMC award. To date, this company has achieved over 100 CMCE delegates who have passed CMCE at the first attempt a 100% success rate. CMC candidates are strongly recommended to study for and obtain CMCE before applying for CMC but this is not mandatory. The mentoring provided is as follows: a. Assistance with the completion of the extensive CMC application form including the provision of an example of a completed form. b. Assistance with the selection of the example project to be used for CMC c. Help with the development of the project power point presentation. d. Training and practice for the two case studies used in the assessment ( an individual and group case studies) including the use of example case studies e. Coaching for the delivery of the PowerPoint case study. f. Conducting a practice CMC interview and mentoring on it g. Attendance as an observer/adviser at the actual CMC assessment interview [subject to IC approval at the time]. This mentoring is available for both above CMC Routes 7. COSTS The costs are: Institute of Consulting a. CMC Assessment plus 20% UK VAT (for both Routes) 4

5 b. For Route B costs of return business class airfares for the IC CMC assessors normally two assessors; per diem payments to cover the number of days travelling, plus days in country, plus nights to cover hotel and food costs; internal transport. Mentoring (Mr Tony Lavender) a. For Route A in UK per delegate b. For Route B in country. Return business class airfares; per diems to cover number of days for mentoring plus 2 nights; internal transport. 8. NEXT STEPS. These are: To visit the websites: and To decide whether the candidates are eligible for membership and have the relevant experience to complete CMC. To decide whether to use a mentor. If this is required contact a mentor. To complete the online Membership applications To provide CMC payment in full for the full group in order to progress registration. Contacts: Please contact Tony Lavender or telephone or for further advice or help. The contact with the IC/CMI is cmc@iconsulting.com or telephone