Mickie Rops Consulting

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to respond to my last post and point out that certification for certification professionals does exist (it took about an hour).  Let me just say, Buyer Beware.  There is a secret club operating that "certifies" certification professionals.  Why do I say secret club? 

1) Try to find them on the Web.  Even if you know the organization's name, good luck.  They do not have a branded url or even a branded e-mail.  I can't imagine wanting to be associated with (much less certified by) a group that is not established (or professional) enough to have its own e-mail.  I mean, seriously, would you have confidence in ASAE & The Center if John's email was [email protected]? 

2) Several of my certification consultant colleagues have tried to attend this group's events, but have been flatly turned away (competition, you see, because this group also provides consulting services to their "members").  In fact, if you read the organization's articles, they often interchange the terms clients and members.  But, why should you care as long as you're getting something valuable out of the relationship?  Well, that brings me to another point...

I've read the book (collection of e-newsletter articles) that serves as the certification exam primer.  First, it was written in the early 90s.   Second, much of the content is questionable, at best.  Bottom line: be careful about what you read.  Just because something is authored by an official-sounding organization, that does not mean it's good stuff.   

And, back to the certification certifications.  It brings up an interesting point.  Can having a certification be a liability?  Yes!  When I see someone with one of the certification certifications, my impression is not positive.  Having a certification can make a statement; be careful that statement is the one you intended to make.