Are you caught up in the circle of certifications? Do you think a certification will set up you and your business for success? There are governing groups who say they will certify you and your organization in just about anything.
It is understood to practice law each State requires their Bar Exam and a lawyer must have this approved to practice law in that State. A Medical Doctor must have the training and proof of training and more in order to have a medical practice. Each of us needs to pass a driving test and obtain a driver’s license in order to legally operate a motor vehicle.
Okay, we all agree so far. How much further does this go?
You might think of just about anything and search on Google and odds are good there is a certification program in place which will – in exchange for a few thousand dollars or more – provide you or your business with the training and the certification they offer. In the trades, such as electrical, plumbing, and certain other areas this is necessary as well.
What do you think about the rest? For example: in New York City, in Manhattan, dog walkers for hire is a popular position, where busy people who have a dog in an apartment will hire a person to walk their dog during the day for them. The professional dog walker has a ring of apartment keys and dog treats and you see them walking on the upper west side along the street with five or six dogs at a time. You may look this up or not it is up to you, there are a number of certification classes for dog walkers. What else?
The real questions for you to consider are the following:
- Who is certifying the certification program? Who made them the guru of the subject?
- Is their a requirement or a law which states you or your business have a specific certification? Or is it a requirement of your insurance provider?
- Do you have proof that this specific certification is necessary to obtain clients in your specific field?
Unless one of these items is true for you and your business why do you feel you need a certification? Unless there is training and then ongoing training and development in your area of expertise, why do you feel this is necessary? Unless you are now part of a community of experts and people who are like you who strive to be the best in your field who you might be able to learn from and share current information, why would you spend the time and the money?
If you are ready to learn more about what it takes to run a business built for success, Contact Mitch Tublin today info@mitchtublin.com or call 877-907-8223. Mitch is a certified coach by the ICF, International Coach Federation and a John Maxwell certified coach, trainer and speaker. In addition, Mitch is an LMI certified facilitator. Mitch is not a certified dog walker. He does walk his pet dog Molly often and she seems okay with that.
Hi Mitch,
I am guilty of thinking I need to be “certified” to be credible. Truth be told, no client has ever asked me if I am certified…so, I guess it could be viewed as a waste. It does make me feel better and I have certainly learned a lot from the programs that I’ve gone through.
Ellen
Ellen,
Agree with the importance of learning. Interesting fact how little the actual certification matters to a prospect or a new client.
It’s so easy to fall into the “fear” and feel we are not enough as we are – and that yet another cert will make us perfect! In fact, I’ve rarely had anyone ask about my certs (even though I have them out the wazoo)!
Patricia,
Wonder if it is a ‘permission’ thing? Do we feel we need to become
certified by some group or person to give us permission to do what we do?
I think that’s certainly a piece of it, Mitch and Ellen’s idea around credibility also is a piece.
I agree that many times a certification program is just a money maker for the certifier and is unnecessary for what a person wants to do. Good practices are one thing, certification is something else entirely.
Sue,
The certification process is one of the least questioned by prospects
and new clients as proven by survey after survey. With this being said,
new groups, organizations and individuals keep starting up programs to certify in something they offer.
Interestingly, the only certification I am pursuing is to be certified as a woman owned and operated business. The fee is modest and the documentation I had to submit filled a 1 inch binder.
As you say, I found much of the other certification offered in the marketplace to be a money maker for the person/group doing the certification. Not so much for the person being certified…
Terry,
Would really enjoy hearing more about your program when you complete it. You are a woman. You own a business. What are you being certified in?
I have my own Certification program for a process that is 100% unique to me (my Flower Archetype Success Technique); so, that is how I got to be the guru of my subject. I created it. 🙂
That said… my pet peeve about many other certification programs is that that teach another process without teaching what to do with it — how to get it out to the world (how to create a prosperous business with the tools) which is why I dig in DEEP with my programs on the “how to use this in the world” — AND that is why my students are getting phenomenal success with F.A.S.T.
I agree that there’s lots to consider when choosing a certification program (IF you choose one at all), and I’d add: does it teach you how to USE what you learn?
Katherine C. H. E.
Creator
Flower Archetype Success Technique (F.A.S.T.)
Katherine,
Agree with you. You have a defined niche and you deliver the goods.
Meaning how to use what you learn. Good for you!
I agree with Katherine … there are some really good certification programs out there. Yes they are created as a money maker for the person who created it — why would they create something to sell and expect to not make money?
Often certifications aren’t required and you don’t need them to build a successful business. But choosing to become certified in a method, approach, or system can help you get to goal faster. Many of these programs provide students with done for you materials they can use right away and in some cases it’s a better choice than recreating the wheel.
I would say that if it fit your needs, it can help you reach your goal faster, and you’ve done your homework researching it and the person who created it — go for it. Who cares if it isn’t required by your industry.
Jennifer,
Your points are well written. What is disturbing are the abundance of certification programs which are marketed which do not actually provide sound footing for how to run the business which the certification is for. This is not authentic and why the certification they offer is promoted as a requirement or proof of professional attributes is what is being questioned.