Code of conduct - Foundational Business Centre

Code of Conduct - Introduction

Foundational Business Pty Ltd (Trading as Foundational Business Consulting) abides by the following Code of Ethics. This code of ethics forms part of the commitment of Foundational Business Consulting and it’s Alliance Partners to:

Develop realistic and practical solutions to client problems,
Act in the client’s best interests at all times,
Render impartial, factually based, independent advice,
Accept only those client engagements they are qualified to perform,
Behave with integrity and professionalism at all times,
Agree with the client in advance on the basis for their professional fees,
Safeguard confidential information.

Foundational Business Consulting requires adherence to this Code of Ethics as a condition of employment and a prerequisite to the establishment of Consulting Alliance Partnerships.

The Code sets out the principles of the ethical practice of business consulting. The purpose of this Code is to ensure Foundational Business Consulting and our partner consultants, maintain their professionalism and adhere to high ethical standards while providing services to clients; and also in their dealings with their colleagues and the public.

The individual judgement of consultants is required to apply these principles and persons may be liable to disciplinary action under the Foundational Business Consulting rules if their conduct is found to:

Be in violation of the Code, or Bring discredit to the profession or to Foundational Business Consulting or one of its Alliance Partners.

Foundational Business Consulting will investigate any such complaint and, amongst other options, may sever its relationship with a partner consultant if a breach is confirmed.

Foundational Business Consulting Code of Ethics

It is the objective of each consultant, as a professional business consultant (mentor or coach), to assist his or her clients to add value to the client’s enterprise; whether that enterprise takes the form of a business, a not-for-profit organisation or any element of government.
Consultants will serve their clients with integrity, competence, objectivity, independence and professionalism.
A consultant will only accept assignments that the consultant is competent to perform; and, on a client project, will only assign staff or engage colleagues with knowledge and expertise relevant to the client project.
Before accepting any engagement, a consultant will establish with the client realistic expectations of the objectives, scope, expected benefits, work plan and fee structure of the assignment.
A consultant will agree in advance with the client on the basis for fees and expenses. A consultant will charge fees that are reasonable; commensurate with the services delivered, the value created, and the risk or responsibility accepted.
A consultant recognises that the client’s enterprise has many stakeholders whose interests are sometimes divergent and will seek to balance and reconcile these different interests in their guidance to the client.
A consultant’s advice to the client will be delivered with independence and courage; always focusing on the long-term best interests of the enterprise as a whole, even when this guidance may lead to actions such as restructuring or retrenchments that may be painful in the short-term.
A consultant will continually invest in professional development to keep abreast of evolving knowledge within their profession and in areas of technical expertise.
A consultant will treat all confidential client information appropriately; will take reasonable steps to prevent access to confidential information by unauthorised people and will not take advantage of proprietary or privileged information, for use by the consultant or others, without the client’s permission.
A consultant will avoid conflicts of interest, or the appearance of such, and will disclose to the client immediately any circumstances or interests that they believe may influence their judgment or objectivity.
A consultant will offer to withdraw from a consulting assignment when they believe their objectivity or integrity may be impaired.
A consultant will represent the profession with integrity and professionalism in their relations with clients, colleagues and the general public.
A consultant will respect the rights of consulting colleagues and consulting firms and will not use their proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
A consultant will not accept commissions, remuneration, or other benefits from a third party in connection with any recommendations to a client without that client’s prior knowledge and consent and will disclose in advance any financial interests in goods or services that form part of such recommendations.
A consultant will refrain from inviting an employee of an active or inactive client to consider alternative employment without prior discussion with the client.
A consultant will not advertise their services in a deceptive manner nor misrepresent or denigrate individual consulting practitioners, consulting firms, or the consulting profession.
A consultant will promote adherence to the Code of Ethics by all other consultants working on their behalf.
A client, a member of the public or a consultant of Foundational Business may report any perceived violation of the Code of Ethics to Foundational Business Consulting. In the event of such complaint a review meeting will be convened to investigate and recommend appropriate actions, including but not limited to: mediation, arbitration or sanction against the consultant concerned. Foundational Business gratefully acknowledges and advises that the Foundational Business Code of Ethics has been created based on the Institute of Management Consultants Code of Ethics which can be found at https://imc.org.au/about/code-of-ethics/