Code of Ethics

Linda Grossman and Jennifer Hanley are active members of the Northern California chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA). Founded in 1968, the IMC USA is the national professional association representing management consultants and awarding the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification mark. The Institute of Management Consultants establishes professional and ethical standards for management consultants, provides continuing education and information relevant to the profession, and increases public awareness of the management consulting profession.

All members of the Institute of Management Consultants pledge in writing to abide by the Institute's Code of Ethics. Adherence to the Code signifies voluntary assumption of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of law. The Institute's Code of Ethics is as follows:

Clients
We will serve our clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity. We will keep client information and records of client engagements confidential and will use proprietary client information only with the client's permission. We will not take advantage of confidential client information for ourselves or our firms. We will not allow conflicts of interest which provide a competitive advantage to one client through our use of confidential information from another client who is a direct competitor without that competitor's permission.

Engagements
We will accept only engagements for which we are qualified by our experience and competence. We will assign staff to client engagements in accord with their experience, knowledge, and expertise. We will immediately acknowledge any influences on our objectivity to our clients and will offer to withdraw from a consulting engagement when our objectivity or integrity may be impaired.

Fees
We will agree independently and in advance on the basis for our fees and expenses that are reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with the services we deliver and the responsibility we accept. We will disclose to our clients in advance any fees or commissions that we will receive for equipment, supplies or services we recommend to our clients.

Profession
We will respect the intellectual property rights of our clients, other consulting firms, and sole practitioners and will not use proprietary information or methodologies without permission. We will not advertise our services in a deceptive manner and will not misrepresent the consulting profession, consulting firms, or sole practitioners. We will report violations of this Code of Ethics.

The Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA) adopted this Code of Ethics on January 8, 1991. All IMC USA members agree to abide by its tenants. IMC USA is the United States member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI).