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E. Michael Shays earned his
CMC in 1973, became a Fellow in 1989, and received IMC’s
Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. He served as Chairman of IMC
in 1983-85 and again in 2001-2002.
Over the forty plus years Michael has been consulting with
clients, his practice has evolved to helping clients (and
consultants) who are looking for structure or a way to break an
impasse or to create a plan of action. His consulting helps
clients overcome barriers or other obstacles to achieve action
and, sometimes, breakthroughs with astounding results.
Michael attributes his success to three basic principles. First
by following the ethics of consulting as mandated by IMC, he has
won the respect of his prospects and clients. Second, by selling
benefits instead of processes or features, his close ratio is
high. Third, by consistently coming in or under budget and
beating deadlines, his clients have come to trust what he says.
He also says his success comes from learning from his and
others’ mistakes.
Michael says there are ten reasons he values IMC membership:
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He wanted to be a
professional in whatever he was doing.
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He wanted to achieve the
high standard the Institute set for certified management
consultants. It didn’t matter whether the world cared about
the CMC. It was enough that he cared.
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He found that membership
brought him together with others who cared about
professionalism the same way he did.
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IMC helped him to improve
his effectiveness as a consultant through conferences and
chapter meetings.
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Business. He obtained six
figure consulting assignments because of his activities in the
Institute. These also included referrals from other members.
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Support. In 1990 when he
and Nancy decided to start their own practice several IMC
members came to offer him advice and support.
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Friendship. He has
friends all over the world because of IMC and ICMCI. Those
friends he has made through IMC are deep friendships and often
include their spouses and children.
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The fun. The laughter,
the joy, the camaraderie when you are involved in IMC.
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The satisfaction of doing
something worthwhile for the Institute and others.
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The opportunity to grow.
Michael says IMC has let him practice new skills on IMC, to
try new ideas, new talks, and new challenges.
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