I met someone the other day talking about the certified management consultant qualification issued by the institute of business consulting.My reaction was that it sounds a bit lightweight, as by definition it's pretty difficult to formalise and certify consulting skills.Is there value in it? Does it carry any weight with clients/employers etc.? It doesn't look like its that hard to get if you are already a practising consultant so I was curious.I do sometimes think it is a shame that the industry as a whole doesn't have more identity and/or organisations for professional development. Does anyone else agree? No offence intended by the use of the term "joke" by the way. Just being provocative!

Personally I think it's an extremely worthwhile qualification, and shows that you're committed to an ongoing course of continual self development. Obviously it's not an alternative to an MBA or PhD or whatever, but it does have real rigour and is intended to act as confirmation that you genuinely do have a complete/balanced set of core consultancy competencies. I think it's worth having because so many people call themselves a consultant these days, when in fact they are not. The CMC shows that you have been appraised by 'real' consultants who have in effect endorsed you and confirm that you are also a 'real' consultant, with all the skills, attributes and personal qualities that go with it. It's actually a lot more rigourous tougher to get than many people realise. So... I think it's well worth doing. Even if it's not recognised by many employers yet, you'll learn a lot in the process of getting it. Plus you'll make useful new contacts along the way.

Not useful unless you are working independently, in which case it could add some reassurance to clients that you have some level of competence. If you are already working within a recognised consulting firm I see little value in having it, and think most major consulting firms would concur.