Complete version Interview Mark Law - Advanced Management Skills

1. INTERVIEW WITH MARK LAW – CEO - ADVANCED MANAGEMENT SKILLS,
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, con motivo de su visita a Bogotá el 24 al 26 de febrero del
2010, Hotel Pavillon Royal, para dictar el curso de Consultoría Profesional, en asocio con
Alvaro Triana Soto, Director de la División de Consultoría Gerencial de TRIANA, URIBE
& MICHELSEN
Mayores informes: www.amskillsla.com e-mail: alvaro@amskills.com Cel: 311-511-22-22
Tel: 601-96-60
THE FUTURE OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
Question 1: Why are you introducing professional development and qualifications for
management consultants in Colombia and Latin America?
Answer to Question 1:
This initiative, as far as we know, is the first time structured professional development for
consultants has been brought to Colombia and Latin America obtaining an International
Certificate such as the CMCE. Management consulting in Latin America is still an emerging
profession in Latin America compared to developed countries, where professional qualifications,
a standard body of knowledge and a commitment by practitioners to a professional code of
conduct or ethics are present, valued and monitored.
This initiative is about bringing the highest professional standards and practices to consulting in
Colombia and Latin America.
Question 2: What are the benefits of an international management consultant certification in a
Latin - speaking country like Colombia?
Answer to Question 2:
There are multiple benefits of international management consultancy certification for each of the
different stakeholders.
For clients, international certification assures them that they are working with a recognized
professional of the highest caliber who has signed up to best practice professional development
and a recognized code of conduct and ethical practice. Most importantly it maximizes the value
consultants create for clients and reduces the risks of projects going wrong.
Calle 93 B No. 12 - 48 P. 4 Bogotá, Colombia
Tels.: (57-1) 601 9660 - 621 5810 Fax: (57-1) 611 4209 - 635 1914
E-mail: tum@tumnet.com Website: http://www.tumnet.com

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For consultants, it gives them a framework for professional development, allows them to
demonstrate their expertise and also that they meet the highest professional standards.
For government, it ensures that an influential profession is growing under control and reduces
the risks of major financial scandals like Enron in the USA.
Question 3: What are the skills developed in your course that are relevant for professionals to
strengthen taking into account the current challenges of Colombia for increasing its international
visibility and competitiveness?
Answer to Question 3:
Management consulting is all about helping clients create value. Our course provides a structured
framework for helping clients create value. One obvious way is to help clients reduce waste in
their business processes and improve productivity. Other ways include developing new products
and services and identifying new market opportunities. Whichever way value is created, it helps
the Colombian Government achieve its economic objectives by improving competitiveness and
innovation.
Question 4: Tells us about the Institute of Business Consulting, which is the International Entity
that would provide the certificate for the Management Consultants.
Answer to Question 4:
The Institute of Business Consulting (IBC) is probably the world's oldest professional body for
individual management consultants and was founded in 1962 to "promote professional
excellence". It is now part of the United Kingdom's Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
which has about 80,000 members worldwide. Management consulting qualifications are issued
by both the IBC and CMI. There is also an international 'umbrella' organization called the
International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) which was founded in 1987
to promote best practice on an international basis.
Question 5: What has been the experience of the United Kingdom in the regulation of the
management consultant profession?
Answer to Question 5:
Clients are increasingly seeking consultants who have recognized professional qualifications.
Several of the big consulting practices have now adopted the frameworks for professional
development for their own staff. Over the next ten years it is envisaged that all management
consultants will become professionally registered in the United Kingdom.

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Question 6: Do you think the Colombian companies should require this certificate in order to
guarantee the proficiency, reliability and professional ethics of management consultants?
Answer to Question 6:
Yes absolutely. Colombian companies should have a structured scoring system for assessing
their management consultants and professional qualifications should be a key criteria for
selection.
Would you get your teeth mended by an unqualified dentist? Of course not. Would you use an
unregistered lawyer? Definitely no. Why then should clients use unqualified, uncertified
consultants who have not had structured professional development nor have they signed up to a
professional code of ethics?
Question 7: Do you think this international certification could help to improve the current image
of management consultants in general?
Answer to Question 7:
Of course. Many companies are operating on an international basis and only internationally
recognized qualifications can give clients the assurance that they are working with a consultant
of the highest caliber. This is a win : win. Clients get professional consultancy services that
create value and deliver the change they need. Consultants get professionally recognized. This is
good for the clients, good for consultants, good for the economy and good for Colombia.