• Standards of Ethical Conduct for Professional Packaging Consultants
• What to look for in a Packaging Consultant

Standards Of Ethical Conduct For Professional Packaging Consultants
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1. Professional packaging consultants shall - to the best of their ability - protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the client in the fulfillment of their professional duties, and will refuse assignments rather than compromise personal standards of integrity.

2. Professional packaging consultants accept only those contracts in which they have complete competence.

3. Professional packaging consultants do not accept assignments from two clients at the same time which relate to competitive products without the knowledge and consent of both parties.

4. Professional packaging consultants treat all information relating to the business affairs of a client as confidential, including the client's anonymity (if requested).

5. Professional packaging consultants conduct business in a professional and dignified manner, and will uphold the honor and integrity of the packaging consulting professional, opposing incompetent consultation and the design of deceptive or misleading packages.

6. Professional packaging consultants continue to pursue knowledge and professional development in packaging to provide clients with state-of-the-art advice, contribute effort and funds to the furtherance of packaging technology, and share experience and knowledge with other members of the profession.

7. Professional packaging consultants establish fee structures and accept payment for services from only one source in the conduct of a project unless both parties agree and are informed of each other's participation.

8. Professional packaging consultants are truthful and forthright in observations and recommendations to the public clients and vendors. Professional packaging consultants make clear the significance and limitations of reported findings and make every effort to prevent the misuse or misrepresentations of such documentation.

What To Look For In A Packaging Consultant
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Here are several selection criteria you may want to consider as you look for the right packaging consultant for your needs.

1. Experience. You're paying for expert advice, so make sure the consultants you consider are equipped to deliver that advice.

2. Strong ethics. There simply is no substitute. If you don't have complete confidence in the honesty and personal integrity of the consultant you work with, then the information that consultant offers is of little or no value.

3. Complete objectivity. A consultant's opinion cannot be compromised by preconceived ideas or emotional involvement.

4. Cost. You get what you pay for. Both low and high quotes should be thoroughly studied, analyzed, and considered in relation to what you expect to get.

5. Good listener. Ultimately, you'll want the consultant to do much of the talking. But the consultant must know what your problem is before he offers a solution. Beware of candidates who don't take the time or aren't smart enough to listen to what you have to say.

6. Self-confidence. If a consultant's demeanor doesn't suggest that s/he has what it takes to get the job done, s/he probably doesn't.

7. Strong analytical skills. Often, the challenge isn't in finding a solution, it's figuring out what the problem is in the first place. Make sure the consultant you hire has the analytical skills needed to help you develop a full and accurate picture of problems, solutions, and the various repercussions of those solutions.

8. Creativity. You don't hire a consultant for boiler- plate suggestions and regurgitated ideas. Look for signs of innovation, unique approaches, and a different perspective.

9. Personality. A good match of personalities between client and consultant helps ensure a successful relationship.

10. Size. Is the firm large enough - or small enough - to handle your project?

11. Full-time attention. Make sure your work isn't an afterthought after a long, hard day looking for or working at the consultant's "real" job. Your work will never be a priority for an unemployed or moonlighting packaging professional. To ensure your project gets the attention it deserves, hire a professional packaging consultant.

12. Ability to transmit knowledge. Brilliant thoughts and innovative solutions will do you no good if the consultant doesn't have the communication skills he needs to pass those ideas onto you.

13. Strong references.