Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct – LSMB Business Solutions, LLC

Ethical Principles

The highest quality professional organizations have a set of principles or tenets designed to guide its staff and provide assurance to clients and colleagues about what to expect. This is a distinguishing characteristic of professional organizations, as opposed to other organizations or groups which may be more loosely formed.

Every Business Strategists who joins or works with LSMB Business Solutions, LLC must pledge to abide by these Ethical Principles and Code of Ethics.

Ethical Principles:

Competence

Business Strategists will maintain high standards of competence in their work.

Integrity

Business Strategists will represent themselves in an honest and fair manner, being knowledgeable about their particular competencies and limitations.
Business Strategists strive to be aware of their own belief systems, values, needs, and limitations and the effect of these on their work. To the extent feasible, they attempt to clarify the roles they are performing for relevant parties, and to function in accord with those roles.

Professional Responsibility

Business Strategists will uphold standards of ethical conduct that reflect well on the individual Business Strategists as well as the profession at large.

Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity

Business Strategists will treat clients with dignity and respect, being aware of cultural differences, their own cultural background and biases, and the client’s right to autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality.
Business Strategists accord appropriate respect to the fundamental rights, dignity, and worth of all people. They respect the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, and autonomy, mindful that legal and other obligations may lead to inconsistency and conflict with the exercise of these rights. Business Strategists seek to learn more about cultural, individual, and role differences, including those due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.
Business Strategists try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone unfair or discriminatory practices.

Code of Ethics

Introduction

Business Strategists work in a variety of specializations (such as personal/life and corporate/business) in order to help their clients. Business Strategists are specifically trained in Business Strategy through a school or mentor Business Strategists, and use/incorporate their individual life experience in their practice.

Business Strategists may use an array of titles, ranging from Business Strategists to consultant to facilitator. Although each Business Strategists measures their progress differently, the intention is always to assist the client in achieving their goals or transformations in a matter appropriate to the client using sustainable strategies. Due to the personal nature of most Business Strategy relationships, this Ethics Code provides the framework and values upon which professional Business Strategists base their practice.

The purposes of this Code are threefold.

First, it provides the broad principles and values to which Business Strategists subscribe. These include confidentiality and the utmost concern for the welfare and success of the client.
Secondly, it provides rules for Business Strategists to use in many of the specific situations that a Business Strategists might encounter.
Finally, this Code is meant to serve as a building block for the ethical and moral standards of Business Strategists. While each individual Business Strategists agrees to follow this Code, they are encouraged to supplement and add to it in order to build a lifelong commitment to building an ethical workplace and profession.

1. General Standards
1. 1.01 Applicability of the Ethics Code.
  1. (a) Any code may be considered as a normalization of experience into a set of rules. A code is adopted by a community because its members accept that adherence to such rules, including the restrictions this implies, is of benefit to all, inside and outside the community alike.
  2. (b) This code of ethics is directed to all professional members of the IAC®. It consists, essentially, of a series of statements which prescribe minimum standards of practice, to be observed by members. The code is intended to be observed in the spirit and not merely the word.
  3. (c) The activity of a Business Strategists subject to the Ethics Code may be reviewed under these Ethical Standards only if the activity is part of his or her Business Strategy work-related functions.
2. 1.02 Relationship of Ethics and Law Of The Country.
  1. (a) Although the Law of the country in which the Business Strategists practices will take precedent over the IAC Ethical Standards, Business Strategists will, at a minimum, strive to adhere to the IAC® code of ethics.
  2. (b) A Business Strategists should not engage in any illegal activities, including, but not limited to, copyright, intellectual property rights, or patent violations.
3. 1.03 Professional Relationship.
  1. (a) Business Strategists provide their services only in the context of the IAC® professional standards.
  2. (b) Trust and responsibility are at the heart of the Business Strategy profession. It is expected that Business Strategists will always act with integrity towards their clients, their peers, and themselves.
4. 1.04 Competence In Business Strategy.
  1. (a) A Business Strategists will not knowingly lay claim to a level of competence not possessed, and will at all times exercise competence at least to the level claimed.
  2. (b) Business Strategists provide services only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, or appropriate professional experience. Business Strategists should only accept work as they believe they are competent to perform.
5. 1.05 Maintaining Expertise.
  1. (a) Business Strategists maintain a reasonable level of awareness of current best business practices and professional information in their fields of activity, and undertake ongoing efforts to maintain competence in the skills they use.
  2. (b) Business Strategists keep themselves informed of new technologies, practices, legal requirements and standards as are relevant to the Business Strategizing profession.
6. 1.06 Outputs of Business Strategizing Services.
  1. (a) When Business Strategists provide Business Strategizing services, (inclusive of any assessments utilized), to an individual, a group, or an organization, they use language that is reasonably understandable to the recipient of those services.
  2. (b) If Business Strategists will be precluded by law or by any other means from providing such information to particular individuals or groups, they so inform those individuals or groups at the outset of the service.
7. 1.07 Respecting Others.
  1. (a) Respect for the individual is a cornerstone of Business Strategizing relationship.
  2. (b) In their work-related activities, Business Strategists respect the rights of others to hold values, attitudes, and opinions that differ from their own.
8. 1.08 Unfair Discrimination.
  1. In their work-related activities, Business Strategists do not engage in unfair discrimination based on any basis whatsoever.
9. 1.09 Harassment.
  1. (a) Business Strategists do not knowingly engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning to persons with whom they interact in their work.
  2. (b) Sexual harassment is sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature. Business Strategists ensure that their behavior is at all times appropriate and can in no way be described as harassment in any form.
10. 1.10 Personal Problems and Conflicts.
  1. (a) Business Strategists recognize that they too may experience personal problems which may exert an adverse effect upon the Business Strategists client relationship. Accordingly Business Strategists inform clients of any such problems, and together appropriate action is taken.
  2. (b) In addition, Business Strategists have an obligation to be alert to signs of, and to obtain assistance for, their personal problems at an early stage, in order to prevent impaired Business Strategizing performance.
  3. (c) When Business Strategists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing Business Strategizing-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their current Business Strategizing activity.
11. 1.11 Making Progress.
  1. Business Strategists take reasonable steps to ensure that the client progresses, and in cases where there is no progress Business Strategists strive to minimize any harm to their client.
12. 1.12 Misuse of Business Strategists’ Influence.
  1. Because Business Strategists’ professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence.
13. 1.13 Misuse of Business Strategists’ Work.
  1. (a) Business Strategists do not participate in activities in which it appears likely that their skills or assessments will be misused by others.
  2. (b) If Business Strategists learn of misuse or misrepresentation of their work, they take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or misrepresentation.
14. 1.14 Conflict of Interest.
  1. (a) Whenever feasible, a Business Strategists refrains from taking on professional obligations when preexisting relationships would create a risk of conflict of interest.
  2. (b) If a Business Strategists finds that, due to unforeseen factors, a potentially conflict of interest relationship has arisen, the Business Strategists attempts to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the affected person and compliance with the Ethics Code.
15. 1.15 Barter.
  1. A Business Strategists may participate in bartering only if the relationship is not exploitative. Business Strategists are free to negotiate accepting goods, services, or other non-monetary remuneration in return for Business Strategy services, within the legal and Income Tax limitations of the country of practice.
16. 1.16 Exploitative Relationships.
  1. (a) Business Strategists do not exploit persons over whom they may have a management role.
  2. (b) Business Strategists do not engage in sexual relationships with personnel over whom the Business Strategists has evaluative or direct authority, because such relationships may be viewed as exploitative.
17. 1.17 Referrals.
  1. When indicated and if professionally appropriate, Business Strategists may cooperate with other professionals in order to serve their client effectively and appropriately.
18. 1.18 Third-party Requests for Services.
  1. (a) When a Business Strategists agrees to provide services to a person or entity at the request of a third party, the Business Strategists clarifies to the extent feasible, at the outset of the service, the nature of the relationship with each party. This clarification includes the role of the Business Strategists (such as organizational consultant), the probable uses of the services provided or the information obtained, and the fact that there may be limits to confidentiality.
  2. (b) If there is a foreseeable risk of the Business Strategist being called upon to perform conflicting roles because of the involvement of a third party, the Business Strategist clarifies the nature and direction of his or her responsibilities, keeps all parties appropriately informed as matters develop, and resolves the situation in accordance with this Ethics Code.
19. 1.19 Delegation to and Supervision of Subordinates.
  1. (a) Business Strategists delegate to their employees, and assistants only those responsibilities that such persons can reasonably be expected to perform competently, on the basis of their education, training, or experience, either independently or with the level of supervision being provided.
  2. (b) Business Strategists provide proper training and supervision to their employees and take reasonable steps to see that such persons perform services responsibly, competently, and ethically.
20. 1.20 Records and Information Management.
  1. (a) Business Strategists create, maintain, disseminate, store, retain, and dispose of records and data relating to their practice, and other work in accordance with the law of the country in which they practice, and in a manner that permits compliance with the requirements of this Ethics Code.
  2. (b) Business Strategists are recommended to appropriately document their work in order to facilitate provision of services later by them or by other professionals, to ensure accountability, and to meet other legal requirements of their Country.
21. 1.21 Fees and Financial Arrangements.
  1. (a) As early as is feasible in a professional relationship, the Business Strategists and the client, or other appropriate recipient of Business Strategizing services reach an agreement specifying the compensation and the billing arrangements.
  2. (b) Business Strategists do not exploit recipients of services or payers with respect to fees, nor do Business Strategists misrepresent their fe
  3. (c) If limitations to services can be anticipated because of limitations in financing, this is discussed with the client, or other appropriate recipient of services as early as is feasible.
  4. (d) If the client, or other recipient of services does not pay for services as agreed, and if the Business Strategists wishes to use collection agencies or legal measures to collect the fees, the Business Strategists first informs the person that such measures will be taken and provides that person an opportunity to make prompt payment.
22. 1.22 Accuracy in Reports to Payers.
  1. In their reports to payers for services, Business Strategists accurately and clearly state the nature of the service provided, the fees and/or all other charges.
23. 1.23 Referral Fees.
  1. When a Business Strategists pays, receives payment from, or divides fees with another professional other than in an employer – employee relationship, the payment to each is based on the services (referral, consultative, administrative, or other) provided, and is agreed in writing prior to commencement of engagement.
2. Advertising/Public Statements
1. 2.01 Definition
  1. Advertising / Public Statements refer to any written documents or verbal statements that a Business Strategists makes publicly available (such as a brochure, article, speech, or professional resume) relating to strategizing.
2. 2.02 Statements by Others.
  1. Business Strategists understand that others may engage in making public statements for them, whether specifically asked to do so or not. Business Strategists will make their best effort to ensure that any such public statements are true and not misleading.
3. 2.03 Avoidance of False Statements.
  1. Business Strategists agree not to make any public statements that are false, under any circumstance. Examples of such statements include a Business Strategists’ training or experience and the fees they charge.
3. Business Strategy Relationship
1. 3.01 Structuring the Relationship.
  1. (a) Business Strategists will explain their fee structure prior to the first paid Business Strategy session with a client.
  2. (b) Business Strategists agree to bring up and discuss important topics as early as possible in the Business Strategy relationship. An example of such a topic is confidentiality (See also standard 4.01, Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality.)
  3. (c) Business Strategists agree to refer clients to other professionals when relevant. Business Strategists also will refer a client to a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist as soon as possible if they see or hear a problem that may necessitate mental health treatment.
  4. (d) Business Strategists make an effort to answer clients’ questions and address their concerns about Business Strategy as promptly as possible. When available, a Business Strategists will provide written information to address specific concerns about Business Strategy.
2. 3.02 Safety and Well-Being.
  1. (a) Each Business Strategists must make an appropriate referral to a Mental Health Professional or Emergency Service Professional at an early point of recognizing situations in which clients may put their own safety or well-being at risk, or the safety or well-being of others at risk, and in severe situations the Business Strategists must contact a Mental Health Crisis Service or Emergency Service on behalf of the client.
  2. (b) Business Strategists must not attempt to diagnose or assess any mental health issue or specific problem where clients may put themselves or others at risk, but must act solely out of their personal experience, as Business Strategists are not trained or licensed to make such diagnoses or assessments.
  3. (c) Business Strategists must notify the appropriate authorities when a client discloses that they are harming or endangering another individual or group. The Business Strategists must also attempt to notify the person or group who is being harmed or endangered. The Business Strategists does not need to discern if a mental health problem is present or in fact if the current or imminent harm is in fact illegal.
3. 3.03 Providing Business Strategy Services to Those Served by Mental Health Professionals.
  1. Each Business Strategists must decide whether or not to enter into a Business Strategy relationship with a client who is currently undergoing psychotherapy or other mental health treatment. Most important in making this decision is the client’s welfare.
4. 3.04 Sexual Intimacies With Clients.
  1. Business Strategists agree not to be sexually involved with current clients.
5. 3.05 Interruption of Services.
  1. Business Strategists will make reasonable efforts to make other arrangements for any interruption of Business Strategy services. For longer-term interruptions (longer than 1 month), the Business Strategists is encouraged to refer clients to other Business Strategists until they are able to resume Business Strategizing.
6. 3.06 Terminating the Business Strategy Relationship.
  1. Business Strategists agree to terminate a Business Strategy relationship when it becomes clear that the client is no longer gaining benefit (or is being harmed) from the Business Strategy relationship. In terminating the relationship, Business Strategists will suggest alternatives or provide referrals to Business Strategists or other professional services when appropriate.
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
1. These Standards are applicable to the professional activities of all Business Strategists.
2. 4.01 Discussing Confidentiality and the Limitations Thereof.
  1. (a) Business Strategists respect the client’s right to privacy. They do not solicit private information from the client unless it is essential in the provision of services, or the implementation of research. The standards of confidentiality apply once disclosure occurs.
  2. (b) The discussion of confidentiality occurs at the beginning of the professional relationship, unless it is contraindicated or infeasible, and from then on as necessary.
  3. (c) Business Strategists discuss the nature of confidentiality and its limitations with clients and other interested parties. Business Strategists examine situations in which confidential information may be requested or disclosed.
  4. (d) All information obtained in the course of the professional service is confidential unless there is a compelling professional reason for its disclosure. Business Strategists will disclose confidential information without a specific release if it is necessary to prevent foreseeable imminent harm to the client or another. In all circumstances, Business Strategists will be judicious in the amount of information that is disclosed.
3. 4.02 Maintaining Confidentiality.
  1. (a) Business Strategists are fundamentally prudent in the protection of the confidentiality rights of those with whom they work or consult. Business Strategists acknowledge that professional relationships, institutional regulations, and/or the law may establish confidentiality.
  2. (b) Business Strategists will not discuss confidential information in any setting unless privacy can be assured.
  3. (c) Business Strategists discuss confidential information only for appropriate professional, consultative, or scientific purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with such matters.
  4. (d) In their dealings with the public and media (including professional presentations, and writing) Business Strategists will be careful to guard the confidentiality of their clients. Moreover, Business Strategists will disguise confidential information so that clients are not individually identifiable. Business Strategists will only disclose confidential information if the client or legally authorized individual has given express written consent.
  5. (e) In a consultative capacity, Business Strategists do not share confidential information that could lead to the identification of a client with whom they have a confidential relationship. Business Strategists may only share this information if they have obtained the prior consent of the client, or if the disclosure cannot be avoided. Furthermore, Business Strategists share information only to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation.
  6. (f) Business Strategists take logical precautions to protect client confidentiality in the event of the Business Strategists’ cessation of practice, incapacitation, or death.
  7. (g) Business Strategists protect the confidentiality of their deceased clients in accordance with this Ethics Code.
4. 4.03 Records and Information Management.
  1. (a) Business Strategists maintain confidentiality when creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and disposing of records under their authority in accordance with this Ethics Code and laws of their country.
  2. (b) Business Strategists take precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of information communicated through the use of telephone, voice mail, computers, email, instant messaging, facsimile machines, and other information technology sources.
  3. (c) Business Strategists take practical and lawful steps to assure that records remain available in order to serve the best interests of clients.
5. 4.04 Disclosures.
  1. (a) Unless prohibited by law, Business Strategists will only disclose confidential information if the client, or person legally authorized to consent on behalf of the client, has given express written consent.
  2. (b) Business Strategists may disclose confidential information without the consent of the client only as mandated or permitted by law.
  3. (c) When possible, Business Strategists inform clients about the disclosure of confidential information and possible ramifications before the disclosure is made.
  4. (d) Business Strategists will only disclose confidential information to third party payers with the appropriate written consent.
  5. (e) Business Strategists must disclose certain confidential information as required by law or if the confidential information may put the client or others at risk of harm or compromise their well-being.
5. Business Strategists Training
1. 5.01 Design of Training Programs.
  1. Business Strategists who train other Business Strategists do their best to ensure that their training programs are well thought-out, and will provide the trainee the material that they are seeking.
2. 5.02 Descriptions of Training Programs.
  1. Business Strategists that train other Business Strategists shall not mislead others about the training they offer.
3. 5.03 Ethics during Training.
  1. Business Strategists that train other Business Strategists will ensure that they are made aware of this ethics code, when applicable, and will abide by it during the training process.
4. 5.04 Limitation on Training.
  1. Business Strategists agree to see their own limitations in training other Business Strategists, and in such instances when they don’t feel adequately experienced to train another Business Strategists in a specific area or technique, they will refer the trainee to another Business Strategists or training program.
6. Business Strategy Research and Publishing
1. 6.01 Planning Research.
  1. (a) Those Business Strategists that conduct research will design and conduct the research within recognized scientific standards.
  2. (b) Business Strategy research will be planned to minimize the possibility of misleading results from the collected data.
  3. (c) Business Strategists that conduct research have the competency to do so, or have other scientific professionals with competency overseeing the research.
  4. (d) Research will be conducted in compliance with all laws of the country in which research is carried out.
2. 6.02 Conducting Research
  1. (a) Approval or consent from research participants or hosting organizations shall be gained, unless (b) below holds true.
  2. (b) Approval or consent from research participants or hosting organizations is not required only in special cases, such as research with anonymous questionnaires or naturalistic observations.
  3. (c) Participants will be informed about the research and its anticipated use(s), in language that is understandable to the general public.
  4. (d) Where applicable, research participants shall be suitably protected from adverse consequences of participating in the research, including (but not limited to) potential consequences of withdrawing from the research.
  5. (e) If inducements are offered to research participants, such inducements shall not be excessive or inappropriate.
3. 6.03 Reporting of Research Results.
  1. When the results of research are made available, Business Strategists will not falsify or fabricate the results. Further, if significant errors in the research are found in the future, appropriate attempts will be made to correct the prior results.
4. 6.04 Plagiarism.
  1. Business Strategists do not copy others’ research or data without prior written permission from the originator.
5. 6.05 Publication Credit.
  1. Business Strategists take responsibility and credit only for their own work, and always give proper attribution when using others’ work.
6. 6.06 Professional Reviewers.
  1. Business Strategists who professionally review material prior to publication respect the confidentiality of the work, and credit the publication to the authors that submitted the work.

Sections 6.04 through 6.06 apply to all publications by Business Strategists.