November 21, 2009

Mike Hendricks, Managing Editor
The Business Review
40 British American Blvd
Latham, NY 12110

Dear Mr. Hendricks:

Certainly the news from a recent high-profile political corruption trial covered by The Business Review, as well as some of the public discourse on the role of consultants in New York State work, are creating a negative impression of consultants and what we do  I wish to assure your readers that neither I nor any of my colleagues in the consulting profession collect bags of cash from bribery schemes, hold secret meetings about kickbacks or engage in shady business dealings  Instead, as members of the Consulting Alliance, a nonprofit association of the Capital Region’s leading independent consultants, we focus on upholding high standards of excellence in consulting through professional and business development and adhering to a strict Code of Ethics.

Consulting Alliance members have a wide range of experience and expertise that we provide to businesses, industry and other organizations  These include engineering, mergers and acquisitions, finance, training and development, health care, law, information technology, archaeology, lean manufacturing and six sigma, career counseling, marketing, public relations and sales, to name a few  When businesses and organizations need expertise to complement internal resources, add a new perspective or provide support they would not have otherwise, they turn to the Consulting Alliance for solid, objective and ethical counsel and/or services.

Our Code of Ethics obligates members to “always act in the best interest of the client, providing professional services with integrity, objectivity, and independence” and to “avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of such.” Further, the Code states that “a member shall not engage in any malfeasance, dangerous behavior, or illegal activities in any matter related to an assignment and shall report to appropriate authorities within or external to a client organization any such activities discovered within the scope of an assignment.” Adherence to this Code is an assurance to our clients and the general public that our members maintain the highest standards of professionalism in their conduct with clients, the clients’ customers and stakeholders, and their colleagues.

Far from the oft-seen caricature of the graft-loving fat cat, Consulting Alliance members are contributors to the economic vitality of the region  We are independent businesses—either solopreneurs or heads of small firms  We are actively engaged in the business community as individuals—many of us serve on boards of directors for non-profit associations – and through the Consulting Alliance’s strategic partnerships with other Capital Region business organizations  For example, over the years many of our members have served as faculty for the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program and as advisors in programs like Union College’s U-Start Business Incubator – both on a pro-bono basis.

I enthusiastically invite Capital Region residents to visit the Consulting Alliance website or, better yet, to attend one of our second-Friday-of-the month public programs held at Wolfert’s Roost.  We offer a range of topics important to our business community and provide insights into what consulting is really about.

Very truly yours,
Alan Stern, President
Consulting Alliance