At IRD and System Admin Insights (SAI), we’ve made a clear (and sometimes costly) decision:

We do not accept sponsorships, referral fees, or affiliate commissions. Period.

Most consulting firms and professional communities are sustained in some way by monetized vendor relationships. Whether it’s through direct sponsorships, referral kickbacks, or substantial payments exchanged for preferential treatment, the result is the same. Even when those payments aren’t a firm’s primary revenue stream, they set the tone. They introduce an unspoken obligation. And they compromise the integrity of the relationship.

We’ve chosen a different path.

We fund our work entirely through service revenue and member fees.

That means when we recommend a tool, feature, integration, or vendor, it’s not because someone paid us to. It’s because we actually believe it’s the best fit for you.

For IRD Clients

Our consulting recommendations are made with zero financial incentive from software vendors, including iCIMS. We work with iCIMS every day. We know and respect their team. But we don’t accept referral fees from them or anyone else. Our only loyalty is to your results.

For SAI Members

Your membership fee powers a community that’s vendor-neutral by design. We don’t allow paid placements, “sponsored” sessions, or affiliate-backed recommendations. If we highlight a product or invite a guest, it’s because we believe it brings genuine value to the community—not because someone paid us.

A Moment That Sealed It

Not long ago, someone offered to buy IRD. The offer was serious—and flattering.

But it forced a deeper reckoning: What does it really mean to stay independent?
Because once you’re owned by another company, you’re no longer free to make every decision based on what’s best for your clients or your community. Even with the best intentions, priorities shift. Expectations change. Objectivity erodes.

I realized after much reflection that accepting the offer could have compromised our independence—not just legally, but culturally. And that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

Around the same time, I was explaining our commitment to not taking kickbacks to a longtime member. She looked at me and said, “We count on you for that.” That one comment cut through all the noise.

It reminded me: integrity isn’t just about how we operate. It’s what people count on us for.

Integrity Isn’t a Slogan. It’s a Decision.

When you work with IRD or join SAI, you’re not just buying a service or joining a community. You’re supporting a values-driven movement. Every recommendation, every introduction, and every insight is offered with clear eyes and clean hands.

We’ll never put our thumb on the scale. That’s our promise.