| You might not think that the image business is similar | | | | will provide you. Will it give you formal qualifications at |
| to the legal profession or accountancy - indeed that | | | | the end? Check whether the course covers the core |
| may be one of the reasons you are considering it in | | | | skills required for taking The International Federation |
| the first place - but like anything in life, a firm | | | | of Image Consultants (IFIC) / City & Guilds Masters |
| grounding in the principles and theory will then provide | | | | Award in Image Consultancy and/or the Association |
| a great base for your creative talents. You wouldn't | | | | of Image Consultants International (AICI) |
| consider becoming a teacher or a swimming | | | | Certification. Does it cover the key areas you want |
| instructor without training, and our business is no | | | | to develop comprehensively? Will it give you business |
| different. There are rules and tried and tested | | | | and marketing skills? Provide you with a support |
| methods which have developed over the years, | | | | network and contacts for the future? Will it enable |
| drawing on the experience and expertise of | | | | you to keep updated with the latest trends and |
| numerous image consultants. | | | | developments? You may not want all these things - |
| To run a successful business you will need to attract | | | | budget may not allow - but it may be better to wait |
| clients, and these clients will demand to see some | | | | and save up for the right course offering the right |
| level of formal training to give them the confidence | | | | qualifications than realise you have wasted your |
| to use your services. Once you have trained you will | | | | money. |
| want to add new skills and ensure that you are up to | | | | How do I choose my provider? |
| date with the latest techniques - ours is a rapidly | | | | Your course provider will be taking you on a journey, |
| changing business - so don't underestimate the | | | | and you need to choose an organisation you can |
| benefits that topping up your training can give you | | | | work with for the long term, one who shares your |
| by keeping clients coming back for more. | | | | beliefs and your passion for style. You need to check |
| If you are in a related business - maybe coaching, | | | | the qualifications and experience held by the course |
| beauty or fashion - image training can help add value | | | | provider. - do they hold an IFIC/ City & Guilds |
| to your business, giving you a competitive edge and | | | | qualification in the subjects they are offering? Our |
| building customer loyalty as well as developing a | | | | industry covers a broad spectrum of skills and a good |
| lucrative new income stream. | | | | provider will be active in many areas, continually |
| Choosing the Right Course | | | | keeping themselves up to date. Look for an IFIC |
| What type of course do I need? | | | | Audited Training Provider - they will have made this |
| Before you search for a provider you need to take a | | | | commitment. You will be investing a great deal of |
| clear long look at the type of training that will suit | | | | time and money in your professional training and so it |
| you, your personality and your lifestyle. The best | | | | is up to you to invest wisely. Research the providers |
| option for most people is the face to face approach, | | | | thoroughly - gain personal recommendations if you |
| but check carefully as this isn't always what it seems | | | | can. Many providers will offer testimonials on their |
| - you don't want to end up a face in the crowd. | | | | website - ask if you can contact these people and |
| Small groups will offer you plenty of one to one time | | | | speak to them - what was right for them may not |
| and the chance of building a relationship with your | | | | be right for you. |
| course tutor. If you find that you are unable to take | | | | Your budget |
| out enough time, or travel long distances consider | | | | As with many areas of life, in training you get what |
| instead breaking the course into modules and fitting | | | | you pay for. If something looks too good to be true |
| them into your lifestyle. | | | | then it probably is. Look out for extras - will the |
| Alternatively there are an increasing number of | | | | course fees cover drapes, cosmetics etc.? What are |
| providers offering distance learning through DVDs and | | | | your travel costs? Are you tied in to the course |
| online. This type of training has proved very popular | | | | provider in any way after the course? If you have |
| with those fitting training around another job, or | | | | found the right provider and the right course but it's |
| running a business, or those with young children. You | | | | not within your budget look at your options. Does |
| might even find you can mix and match these | | | | the course have a distance learning option - maybe |
| approaches. But remember, ours is a people business | | | | you can use this for some of the modules. Consider |
| full of colour and interactivity. Don't be tempted into | | | | splitting the modules and taking them as you can |
| thinking you can leaf through a couple of books and | | | | afford them. Talk to your chosen provider - you may |
| become an expert. | | | | find they are be happy to structure a sensible |
| What should the course cover? | | | | approach to maximise your learning and your budget. |
| You need to ask what tangible benefits your training | | | | Enjoy your training!! |