 Technology Means Business Code of Practice
Zakoo Designs is currently working towards obtaining the Technology Means Business Award. By joining this affiliation Zakoo Designs has pledged to work within a stringent code of practice set out by it's governing body.
Zakoo Designs will never oversell products or service's to companies and will only undertake projects that we know we can achieve. In situations where a client require's a service that Zakoo Designs do not supply, we would help the client by pointing them in the direction of a professional within that field.
What is TMB? (Technology Means Business)
Technology Means Business (TMB) is the industry standard accreditation for those providing integrated business and information and communications technology (ICT) advice to small and medium sized enterprises (SME's).
TMB started by a call from Government and leading technology companies to improve the quality and consistency of advice received by small and medium sized enterprises (SME's).
It is an organisation within the Chartered Management Institute, supported by the DTI through the UK Online for Business initiative and by four founding sponsors: BT, Compaq, Intel and Microsoft, and more recently Hewlett Packard.
TMB provides a benchmark of good practice in the provision of advice offered to SME's, accrediting Advisers and Approved Centres against the TMB standard.
The ultimate aim of TMB is to improve the competitiveness of UK SME's through the provision of effective business-related ICT advice.
Professional Standards
Advisers accredited against the TMB Standard are independent and qualified persons who provide a professional service by:
Listening carefully to every client to identify, investigate and deal with a range of problems including, strategy, finance, marketing and staff development;
Formulating recommendations for appropriate action through factual investigation and analysis with due regard for broader management and business implications;
Working with the client to agree the most appropriate course of action and, when required, providing assistance with implementation;
Dealing with the affairs of the client in strict confidence;
Striving continually to improve their own professional skills and,
Maintain a high quality of service; and, maintaining high standards of personal conduct and performance.
This Code of Practice is based on that prepared by the Institute of Management Consultancy.
Principle 1: Meeting clients' requirements
Advisers shall regard the clients' requirements and interests as paramount at all times.
1.1 Advisers will only accept assignments for which they are suitably qualified.
1.2 Before accepting an assignment, Advisers shall clearly define, in writing, the terms and conditions of the assignment including the scope, nature and period of the service to be provided, key stages with milestones, the allocation of responsibilities and the basis for remuneration.
1.3 Advisers shall only subcontract work with the prior agreement of their clients (and shall take responsibility for the quality of that work).
1.4 Advisers will hold as strictly confidential all information concerning the affairs of clients unless the clients have released such information for public use, or have given specific permission for its disclosure. (Where funding rules require disclosure, the terms and nature of the disclosure should be explained in advance of agreement to proceed and be confirmed in writing.)
1.5 Advisers will develop recommendations specifically to address each client's problems; such solutions shall be realistic and practicable, and clearly understood by the client.
1.6 Advisers will leave with the client a sufficiently comprehensive written report to act as a reference.
1.7 Advisers will undertake careful planning, frequent progress reviews and effective controls.
1.8 Advisers will refrain from inviting any employee of a client to consider alternative employment unless agreed with the client.
Principle 2: Independence, objectivity, integrity
Advisers shall avoid any action or situation inconsistent with their professional obligations or which in any way might be seen to impair their integrity.
2.1 Advisers will maintain a fully independent position with the client at all times, making certain that advice and recommendations are based upon thorough impartial consideration of all pertinent facts and circumstances and on opinions developed from reliable relevant experience.
2.2 Advisers will declare at the earliest opportunity any special relationships, circumstances or business interests which might influence or impair judgment or objectivity on a particular assignment.
2.3 Advisers shall not serve a client under terms or conditions which might impair independence, objectivity or integrity; they will reserve the right to withdraw if conditions, beyond their control, develop to interfere with the successful conduct of the assignment.
2.4 Advisers shall not take discounts, commissions or gifts as an inducement to show favour to any person or body.
2.5 Advisers will advise the client of any significant reservations about the client's expectation of benefits from an engagement. They will not accept an engagement in which they cannot serve the client effectively.
2.6 Advisers will not indicate any short term benefits at the expense of the long-term welfare of the client, without advising the client of the implications.
2.7 Advisers will discuss and agree with the client any significant changes in the objectives, scope, approach, anticipated benefits or other aspects of the engagement which might arise during the course of carrying it out.
Principle 3: Responsibility to the profession
Advisers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner which will enhance the standing and public regard of the profession.
3.1 Advisers recognise the need to ensure that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date and will take appropriate action to this end, (including active participation in continuing professional development programme's).
3.2 Advisers will not knowingly, without permission, use copyright material, or a client's proprietary data, or materials or techniques that others have developed but have not released for public use.
3.3 Advisers will not accept an assignment from a client knowing that another firm is serving the client in a similar capacity unless assured that any potential conflict between the two assignments is recognised by, and has the consent of, the client.
3.4 When asked by a client to review the work of another professional, Advisers will exercise the objectivity, integrity and sensitivity required in all technical and advisory conclusions communicated to the client.
3.5 Advisers, in publicising work or making representations to a client, shall ensure that the information given is:
factual and relevant;
is neither misleading nor unfair to others; and,
is not otherwise discreditable to the profession.
3.6 Advisers will acknowledge individual rights and choices and ensure they treat all customers and colleagues with respect.
Principle 4: Responsibility to the Business Link Network
This section relates to Advisers who register with TMB for inclusion on the National Business Link Consultants Register.
4.1 Advisers will encourage and take note of client feedback and aid the Business Link operator in producing a performance report at the end of each project.
4.2 Advisers will negotiate agreements and charges for professional services only in a manner approved by Business Link operators.
4.3 Advisers, in publicising work or making representations to a client secured through the Business Link network, shall ensure that the information given is not discreditable to the Business Link network.
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