IMC Journal

Networking 99: Grant takes the helm at SIGAC

[QQ]The chairmanship of SIGAC, (Special Interest Group Activities Committee), has recently been handed over to David Grant CMC, current chair of IMC’s Public Sector Special Interest Group (SIG). SIGAC is the steering committee that co-ordinates the work of all IMC SIGs and which together constitute the IMC network in the London and South East region. There are now over a dozen groups, which meet regularly to discuss particular specialisms in management consultancy and include information technology, financial sector, overseas consulting and marketing consultancy. Grant is currently managing director of Pro Term Consulting, a specialist consultancy firm working in the public sector.[QQ] He commented: “SIGs are at the heart of the Institute for members. Our meetings provide opportunities to debate key issues and add to our body of knowledge. This ensures that members maintain a commitment to continuing professional development and, through networking, share information and forge mutually beneficial business relationships.”[QQ] Grant understands the people-to-people nature of the consultancy business well. He worked in local authorities for 18 years prior to establishing Pro Term Consulting in 1991. “We have to offer the maximum number of opportunities for IMC members to meet, learn and work together”, Grant said. “This type of activity enables organisations to remain vibrant and forward looking. SIGs are an excellent vehicle for achieving this goal,” he added. CMC in a nutshell [QQ]A summary of the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) application process is now available free from IMC. The CMC in a Nutshell explains in a straightforward, question and answer format how consultants should work towards the CMC qualification and what is involved in applying.[QQ] IMC’s Professional Board recommended the development of the new format, as the full CMC Application Pack appeared discouraging to new enquirers because it was too detailed. This overview provides a useful starting point for those working towards the assessment. All Associate Members will receive a free copy of the Guide when it is published. For non-members, a free copy can be obtained from [email protected], quoting reference MCM0699. Members get discount book offer[QQ]Members of IMC can now get a 10 percent discount on all books from Waterstone’s Business Bookshop, located five minutes from Baker Street tube station at the London Business School. Members need to quote their membership number to staff at the branch, although IMC will supply the shop with a membership list, updated quarterly. Waterstone’s also offers a direct mail service, with postage and packing at cost. The manager of the store will be giving IMC’s Update Newsletter regular book reviews of new general management titles as well as on specialist subjects including consultancy, change, knowledge, IT, e-commerce, marketing/branding, and small business. The shop is located at 72 Park Road, London NW1 4SH, telephone 0171-723 3902. OCG set to collaborate with the DTI on export strategy[QQ]IMC’s Overseas Consulting Group (OCG) has just announced that it has joined the DTI’s Export Steering Group for Marketing, Communications and Management Consultancy. This project, which includes representatives from other professional bodies including MCA, CIM, BCB, and the DMA, co-ordinates the Government’s drive to promote British exports, particularly from the business services sector. It takes the form of a focus group from which it is planned to develop and implement an effective promotional strategy for the management consultancy sector, including provision of promotional material, participation in overseas trade fairs and the setting up of a website.[QQ] The OCG’s primary objective is to provide a forum for consultants wishing to work overseas, and has arranged a meeting to discuss these developments.[QQ] It is open to all those interested in overseas issues and who would like to find out about British Trade International – the Government’s new and exciting unified DTI-FCO trade promotion and development operation. British Trade International will be headed up by chief executive, Sir David Wright, and will seek to provide a fast, consistent and high quality response to its customers in the business community.[QQ] The meeting will be held on 22 June at the Institute of Electrical Engineers, London. A panel of informed speakers from the DTI will give presentations and answer questions. This will be followed by an interactive networking session during which opportunities for development of the SIG’s activities will be identified. The cost is £15 for IMC members and £20 for non-members.[QQ] Please contact Alison Smith at IMC to register. SIGs pilot web fora[QQ]The launch of the IMC Council Web Forum earlier this year has led to three further pilots being set up with IMC Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The fora aim to enable and develop yet further the IMC’s network of communications, with members of each SIG being encouraged to take part in discussion on-line. The three SIGs involved in the pilot, that will go live at the end of June, are Business Process Re-Engineering, Working with Business Links and other Agencies for SMEs and Customer Service Management.[QQ] These individual fora are in addition to the current e-mail networks that are beginning to develop throughout IMC’s regional network. For further details on joining the SIG web fora, contact John Devlin, (BPR SIG chair). IMC takes up interim need[QQ]A new IMC SIG in interim management is to be launched next month by Norrie Johnston CMC, an experienced interim consultant with his own practice, EPL Consulting. Johnston describes interim management as “the rapid hands-on resolution of business problems by highly experienced senior executives hired on a short-term contract of typically three to nine months”, while an interim manager is “an all-in-one project manager, consultant and senior executive”.[QQ] Interim management is growing at 30 percent a year and there are now between 1,000 and 5,000 interim consultants in the UK. Its growth is however constrained by lack of identity, fragmentation, and lack of standards.[QQ] Nobody yet represents the candidates or the clients and the trade association, ATIES, only represents some of the agencies, and lacks a networking dimension.[QQ] For details contact [email protected].