Senior Lecturer appointed Academic Fellow at Institute Management Consulting Australia
By Greg Chapman
Malcolm Johnson’s years of knowledge and commitment to consulting in and outside CQUniversity has been recognised with his appointment as Academic Fellow of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI).
The Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), the peak professional organisation for management consultants in Australia, nominated CQU’s Senior Lecturer in the School of Business and Law, for his contribution to the management consulting profession.
“(Dr Johnson’s) invaluable contribution to management consulting in Australia is recognised through the development and stewardship of the Graduate Certificate in Business Consulting course at CQU and related contributions to professional development and research in management practices,” IMC National President and Board Chair, Peter Westlund said.
“(His) work has significantly advanced the development of professional standards.”
Dr Johnson said he was humbled by the appointment and recognition of his contributions.
“I’m not deserving of it really, but it’s very gracious of the IMC that they thought I could make a contribution,” he said.
Having been associated with IMC for the past three years, from the development of CQU’s Graduate Certificate program, through to arranging IMC guest speakers to present to students, Dr Johnson acknowledged that the management consulting sector had been through significant changes and review during that time, including a Senate review of Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC).
“I take the view that consulting is a great contributor to society because of the wisdom that consultants accumulate and the knowledge that they share,” he said.
“Consultants provide independent and expert perspectives on an issue, providing a range of solutions.
“They’re also important because they stop organisations from making mistakes.”
His discussion paper on the fallout from the senate inquiry into PwC looked at ways to restore trust in management consulting.
“There was a lot of collateral damage from PwC but there will be more positive impact on the wellbeing of the sector.
“There are about 90,000 consultants out there but no real regulation. The IMC has a robust code of practice and competencies – they’ve got quality processes in place. Anyone wanting to join the sector should seriously consider joining the IMC.
“There are a lot of people in the Institute who are of an age that they can share their experience – experience that is digestible and sensible and that can have an impact,” he said.
He added that his appointment will also open more connections with CQU and the University’s Graduate Certificate in Business Consulting.
“It’s very good to have the support of our Dean for the Graduate Certificate course as it provides a vehicle for measurable impact and allows future consultants to create their own futures.
“They also get the opportunity to collaborate with people with good minds and good ethics.
“Our course is a fairly new one, but those who are doing it are very experienced and motivated. The majority are women in their 40s with a wealth of knowledge they’re willing to share.
“We’ve got alumni who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and this program augments a lot of what they do and actually shows them that they have a lot of impact.
“This is a solid opportunity for CQU and its alumni – they can see their impact and have appreciation for the pathways available to them.”
After completing his MBA at the University of Queensland on strategy, Dr Johnson progressed into marketing and corporate planning. His PhD centred on Behavioural Finance. He also worked in the wealth management sector and operated several businesses in partnership before selling them and moving into academia. He was also the head for Thoughtful Leadership at the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
Dr Johnson joins Dr Alan Blackman CMC-AF, an Adjunct Professor at Griffith Business School and a Director of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes, and Michael McLean CMC-AF, a Senior Fellow at the Australian Graduate School of Leadership, where he is the Program Director of the Doctor of Business Leadership.
