SOCIETY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS

As our practice is founded on an ethical basis, we have become very active members in the Society Of Telecommunications Consultants, which requires all members to be ethical in their approach to consulting.

The Society Of Telecommunications Consultants (STC) is a premier organization of ethically based, professional, independent telecommunications consultants. Each member is required annually to sign an STC Code Of Ethics that distinguishes an STC consultant from others in the field.

Members are required to be independent and are restricted under the Code Of Ethics from selling any product or service other than independent services.

Read on to learn more about the STC and why Stephen Leaden, President, is an active member and adheres to such a strict Code Of Ethics.

STC Organization Overview

The Society of Telecommunications Consultants was formed in 1976 by a group of concerned telecommunications consultants who saw a need for a self-regulating professional body in the profession. The society membership includes a broad spectrum of voice and data communications professionals who objectively serve clients worldwide in business, industry, and government.

The Society of Telecommunications Consultants has a Vendor Advisory Council comprised of companies who provide information on emerging and ever changing voice, data, and video products and services. The Council supports members with comprehensive technical information and solutions to client application challenges.

Stephen Leaden, President of Leaden Associates, Inc., currently serves as a Board member of the Society and has been a Board member since 1992. Steve has always believed and been a strong supporter of the STC and its ethical views. It's what distinguishes Leaden Associates from other consulting firms in the field.

A major force in regulatory, legislative, and commercial concerns, the Society of Telecommunications Consultants is a working positive force in the communications industry.

STC Code Of Ethics

• Every member has the professional responsibility of fair dealing toward the member's clients, past and present, fellow members, and the general public.
• Every member has the professional responsibility of adhering to generally accepted standards of accuracy, truth, and good taste at all times.
• No member shall represent conflicting or competing interests, nor shall be placed in a position where the member's interest is, or may be, in conflict with duty to the client.
• Each member shall safeguard the confidences of both present and former clients, and shall not accept retainers which may involve the disclosure or use of these confidences to the disadvantage or prejudice of such clients.
• No member shall intentionally disseminate false or misleading information, and each member is obligated to use as much care as is humanly possible to avoid dissemination of false or misleading information.
• No member shall intentionally injure the professional reputation or practice of another member. However, if a member has evidence that another member has been guilty of unethical, illegal, or unfair practices, including practices in violation of this Code, the member is obligated to present the information to the proper authorities of the Society for action in accordance with the procedure set forth in the by-laws.
• In performing services for a client, no member shall accept fees, commissions, or any other valuable consideration in connection with those services from anyone other than the member's client.
• Each member shall, prior to the commencement of the services to be performed, make the client fully aware of the fee structure, and all associated costs.
• It is imperative that no member should be in conflict by retaining ownership in any company selling or leasing telecommunications products where such interest constitutes a conflict of interest.
• A member shall, as soon as possible, sever the relationship with any organization when the member knows or should know that continued employment would require the member to conduct himself contrary to the good conduct principles of this Code.

Vendor Advisory Council

The STC Vendor Advisory Council (VAC) is an important arm of the Society. An independent group, made up of representatives of major suppliers of telecommunications services and equipment, the Council supports STC members with
up-to-date information on their products and services.

They provide specially edited technical reports and manuals that give STC members valuable insight into product design, specifications, feature/benefit relationships and client applications.

Each Vendor Council member designates representatives to assist STC members in obtaining pertinent information quickly, and to speed up solving client problems.

STC: A Recognized Force In The Telecommunications Industry

The STC is a recognized force in the telecommunications industry. Membership is becoming an important consideration in the success and credibility of a telecommunications consultant. STC members and the firms with which they are affiliated represent over 1,000 professionals who recommend the purchase of more than $4 billion of telecommunications equipment and services each year.

Link to the STC