(Thanks to Erica for typing these up)
CONFERENCE CALL FOR NEW & PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
MEETING MINUTES - 1/29/08
General Information
- AICI is an international organization with around 1200 members.
- Our chapter started in Ohio and had recently branched out with a sub chapter in Philadelphia.
- Intro of our board (KK and ETD were the only ones on the call)
- We get together every quarter to have a discussion with other image consulting professionals on things going on in the field. We generally meet in Columbus as a general mid way point.
- We had our first retreat in Cleveland this past summer but there is talk of hosting the next one in Pittsburgh in 2009.
- AICI members and affiliates come from a variety of backgrounds
- Some image consultants go by the name: Personal Shopper, Stylist, Etiquette Consultant, Branding Expert, Wardrobe Consultant, Media Consultant, Visual Communications Expert, etc.
- Start up cost in the industry: The largest part of start up is training. Most training is held outside of Ohio although there are some online trainings available (available on the resource page of the AICI website) The particular online training mentioned on the call was Joyce Knudsen’s www.imagemaker1.com
- Susan Abrams, International VP of Membership will email a list of questions to ask/interview a potential trainer to Kristen Kaleal so that it can be distributed to those on the call (See below)
Membership/AICI Information
- You can get a discounted rate for joining AICI as a student from an accredited university/institution and majoring in something related to the image consulting field
- You do not have to have started your own business or be in a student status to join AICI
- Currently the FLC exam is given once a year at conference in the United States and AICI tries to hold it out of the country to reach its international members at other times of the year
- AICI is currently trying to hold another FLC exam in the states and that may be announced at Conference 2008
- If you cannot make conference most of the audio tapes are available for purchase through the AICI website
Benefits of joining AICI
- Learning more about the field/Learn from other consultants
- Getting and bouncing ideas off of other professionals in the field
- Motivation, support, and friendship with other professionals in the field
- Ethical basis and accrediting agency
- Educational opportunities – international conference (Tampa, May 2008) and on the chapter level.
- Resume builder/credibility to your clients
- Marketing from AICI website (potential clients can find a consultant in their area from the AICI site)
- Opportunity to get on the board and enhance your credibility
- Advocate the image industry as a business, as opposed to a hobby
**It is your due diligence to call and interview training companies. Here are some sample questions:
- Will the course cover the core skills required for taking the AICI FLC exam?
- Do the trainers hold certification (AICI, CIP or CIM) with AICI?
- What is the duration of the training course?
- What subjects are covered?
- Does the course include training in marketing and business development?
- What is the size of the class?
- Are there additional costs to the training? (i.e. equipment, drapes, cosmetics etc.)
- What, if any, is the consultant's contractual obligation to the company after training?
- Does the company have an after-training support system for consultants?
- Are opportunities available for further training?
- Does the company provide lists of their consultants to the public on request?
- Does the company have a product line and if so, what is the profit margin and/or potential income from this?
- Is it possible to speak to one or two previous trainees?
