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About · Code of Ethics

The MCG Code of Ethics.

Five principles that every engagement, every consultant, and every Certified Partner of Mashman Consulting Group is held to. The first is the one the rest depend on.

See It in Practice Raise a Concern
The Code

Five Principles, No Exceptions.

  1. 01Perfection isn’t necessary, honest communication is.
  2. 02Pricing is transparent: no undisclosed fees, and no upsell ever stands in the way of the agreed work.
  3. 03Clients come first: expectations and ownership are disclosed up front.
  4. 04AI is always disclosed, and it never masquerades as original thought.
  5. 05Credibility is earned, never manufactured.
In Practice

What to Do, and What Never to Do.

A principle is only as good as the decisions it settles. Each one below comes with examples of the conduct it asks for, and of the conduct it rules out.

01

Perfection isn’t necessary, honest communication is.

Everything else in this code depends on it. Work slips, plans change, and people make mistakes. A client can always rely on hearing about it plainly and in time.

Do
  • Tell a client the moment a deadline will slip, with the reason and the new date.
  • Say “we don’t know yet” when that is the truth, and say when you will.
Don’t
  • Bury a missed milestone in a polished update and hope it goes unnoticed.
  • Promise a result the firm cannot stand behind to win or keep a client.
02

Pricing is transparent: no undisclosed fees, and no upsell ever stands in the way of the agreed work.

The price of an engagement, and every fee in it, is disclosed before the work begins. The firm may offer more along the way, always as a clear choice with its price stated. The agreed work is delivered in full either way.

Do
  • Put the full price of the engagement, and of any add-on, in the proposal before work starts.
  • Offer an additional service as an option, with its price stated, and let the client decide.
Don’t
  • Charge a fee the client was never told about.
  • Make the agreed work wait on, or depend on, buying something more.
03

Clients come first: expectations and ownership are disclosed up front.

Before an engagement begins, a client knows what the firm will do, what is asked of them, and who owns what is made.

Do
  • Set out, in writing, what the firm does, what the client does, and who owns each deliverable.
  • Answer a client’s questions about scope and ownership before they sign, not after.
Don’t
  • Leave the scope vague so it can be argued over later.
  • Keep a client’s own materials, accounts, or files out of their hands.
04

AI is always disclosed, and it never masquerades as original thought.

MCG uses AI openly, as a spotter, not as the one lifting the weight. What it must never do is pass for a person’s own thinking or drift into grey areas.

Do
  • Say when AI drafted, edited, or assisted a piece of work.
  • Keep the ideas, the voice, and the judgment human.
Don’t
  • Present AI-written copy as a client’s original thinking.
  • Use AI to fake a voice, a face, a testimonial, or an endorsement.
05

Credibility is earned, never manufactured.

No tactic meant to convince the market that someone is something they are not, whether followers, press, or anything else.

Do
  • Earn press through real stories and real relationships.
  • Let an audience grow from the work, at its own pace.
Don’t
  • Buy followers, likes, or reviews.
  • Pay for a “featured in” placement and present it as earned press, or sell a Wikipedia page or a knowledge panel as a shortcut.
Who It Binds

One Code, Everywhere MCG Works.

The Firm

MCG and Its Consultants

Every engagement, virtual or in person, and every consultant who works on one. How consultations work.

Vendors

MCG Certified Partners

Only vendors who adhere to this code are certified, and adherence is a condition of keeping the badge. Certified Partners.

The Imprint

Mashman Publishing

Mashman Publishing works by the same code with every author. Publishing with us (opens in a new tab).

Questions

About the Code.

What is the MCG Code of Ethics?

Five principles that Mashman Consulting Group, its consultants, and its Certified Partners hold to in every engagement. The first, and the one the rest depend on: perfection isn’t necessary, honest communication is.

Who has to follow it?

Mashman Consulting Group and everyone who consults for it, every MCG Certified Partner, and Mashman Publishing. Adherence is a condition of certification for partners.

Does MCG use AI?

Yes, and it says so. AI assists the work and is always disclosed; it never masquerades as a client’s or the firm’s original thought. The AI Disclosure sets out the firm’s position in full.

Does MCG buy press or followers for clients?

No. Credibility is earned, never manufactured. MCG does not buy followers, likes, or reviews, and does not present a paid placement as earned press.

Can the price change during an engagement?

No. The price agreed before the work begins is what is paid, with every fee disclosed up front. There are no undisclosed fees.

Will MCG offer me more services?

Sometimes, when they would help. An offer is always optional, with its price stated, and it never stands in the way of the work you agreed to: that is delivered in full whether or not you say yes.

What if MCG falls short of the code?

Tell us at contact@mashmancg.com (opens in a new tab). Every concern is read and answered, honestly.

Engagements

Your name is already being interpreted. The question is who are they, and what are they thinking?

Engagements are accepted by application and seats are limited each quarter. Tell us who you are, what you are building, and the position you intend to hold.

Consultations are virtual or in person. See what each includes, and what is asked of you: Virtual or In Person.

Speaking fees available on request. Speaking for non-profits and charities is free of charge. You can also email contact@mashmancg.com (opens in a new tab) directly, or play Identity Quest™ (opens in a new tab) first.