[fibresafe]

Has anyone done the NCCA course lately - when I did it (about 6 years ago) it was complete theory, is it more hands on now?

When it comes to the NCCA and IICRC from the customers point of view - rarely do I come accross any customers who've heard of either!

[AquaMagic]

I notice a lot of people mentioning that their customers dont know who the NCCA and the IICRC are, and to be honest why would they? i didnt!. Its up to (in part) its members to educate the customer as to who they are when selling them selves.  Im not for a second saying that if you havent done the NCCA or IICRC course that you arent competent but i would say that its a benefit you can sell you customer if you can inform them that you are a member of a professional organisation.  Think of it this way, would you expect to pay more for corgi registered plumber and would you let a non corgi registered plumber change you boiler?,  if professional organisations within the industry can get the same level of publicity as corgi do them im sure it wont be long before members will see real benefits, but the members need to help push this. I.E if you are a member of the NCCA or IICRC or if you have passed the Flood School or if you have recieved training from EXtracta, Prochem, Woosafe, BIC's or whoever, you should shout it from the rooftops for your own benefit and for the benefit of other carpet cleaners who have recognised the importance of educating themselves and associating themselves with profesional bodies.

Dene

[Robert Watson]

Good post Dene.

Myself and 2  other NCCA members are talking about organizing something in
perhaps, Edinburgh? Its too much hassle and expense to travel to the usual venues down south.

We recognize the benefits as a marketing tool for sure, big time. I find that when the customer has the certificate in there hands, the jobs mine. It would also be good to actually meet with other members and to share experiences with.

If anyone fancies a trip to Edinburgh, mail me with your ideas of what you would like to be included in the day.
info@capitalcarpetcare.co.uk
Cheers
Rab

[AquaMagic]

Rabby

Another excellent example of this is a friend of mine a joiner by trade but makes his money walls and floor tiling, he recently became a qualified member of the Guild of master craftsmen, hes not the best salesman in the world and he is expensive, but he tells me that when customer mentions the price he flashes his certificate and takes a date for the work to be done, he does then off course back up his promises with excellent workman ship.  The point is customers feel safer if they know that they are paying for a recognised tradesman rather than someone who has just bought a henry and a karcher and reckon then can do the job.

It is my aim to be a recognised and trained member of each of the associations out there as i feel my customers desrerve the best, they will of coaurse have to pay for it though!   

Dene

[gwrightson]

Aqua magic, what do you mean by " a qualified member of the guild of master craftsman" as i am sure you are aware , this is not a particularly great trade organisition ,for a variety of reasons, formost practicly anybody can join, no matter what trade you are involved with.
 I beleive the only criteria, for been a member is, pay your money, and a couple of refrences, "and we know how anybody can get around that one" and i do beleive that a vast majority of the general public are now aware of this guild, and its downfalls, highlited by many consumer tv programmes.
after all plumbers, builders, leckies, joiners, masons, roofers, tilers, tarmac layers, etc, etc, etc and yes c/c too .
i see endless vans with the guilds logo on, and a mobile number only, thats in itself speaks volumes.
Dont get me wrong, I am not implying your freind is a cowboy or that the majority of its members are, I dare say there are many a good tradesman that are members, but in my opinion , not for c/c or for me
  Geoff