Craig Schiller posted a blog that has had great commentary in response (over 70 responses) - and he combined two topics in his blog, selecting the right word - i.e. "invent" - and Barb Schwarz and Staging. I find a relevant third theme, but didn't want it to get lost as most people won't have time to read all the comments.
Craig touched on the ASP designation, which attendees of Barb Schwarz's staging class receive. I liken this to Jack Peckham's RECS (Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist). Jack's Cyberspace Society has a lot to offer its members, from tapes to resources to discounts. He deserves a lot of credit for putting all that together. But that begs the point.
What significance does or can a designation have if the only requirement is that you complete a course or that you join an organization? Taking a class doesn't make an expert. Why not say "X Class Graduate" or "Completed the X Course"? To me, a designation indicates, or should indicate, expertise. Take the well-respected CRS designation. We all know that not only did a CRS complete several courses, but that they have demonstrated proficiency, that they have completed a lot of transactions. How can you be a certified stager if you've never staged a home yourself? How can you be a cyberspace specialist if you don't know how to send an e-mail with an attachment?
There are many designations that require experience as well as education - the CRS, CIPS, CCIM - the new ASR designation goes even further in that in addition to coursework and proof of transactions, you have to submit references or referral letters from satisfied, pleased customers. Aren't these earned designations diluted by other "designations"? I have some of the other designations - I have them because I took classes or joined organizations that I took or joined to further my education, to learn something, to enhance my services to my clients. I don't print these designations on my cards because I don't want to mislead anyone.
What's wrong with calling something what it is? What's wrong with just talking about your education?
That's why I like a national designation like the CLHMS where you know what it means, or what it takes to get it. Yes, I've had the luxury designations from the major franchises I was affiliated with over the years - but there was no consistency in what it took to earn those company designations.
So much for my soapbox - but now you see why I didn't want to just post this as a comment bringing up yet another good point in Craig's blog.
I'm just going to attach letters to my card, such as LTSL, LEOE, etc.- because it's true. Sometimes, I Like To Sleep Late, and I definitely Like Eggs Over Easy. My guess is that it will not become an issue, because buyers and sellers don't care.
Sharon - I couldn't agree with you more. The one designation I do want to see is AR. Now that means something to me.
Sheron
Excellent points, Sharon. I agree with you on the CRS (I am one too). The training was outstanding. ABR was good as well.
Karen - yep, I bet that is what a lot of consumers say. :)
Jeff, LC, LTE, AOS, HP
Laurie - thanks for making me smile and then laugh.
Sheron - but what about the lurkers on AR??
Bryant - you know we have a lot in common - including crazy spouses.
Jeff - yes, the CRS, which has been around for a long time, really is a significant one. Great referral source, too.
Karen and Jeff - when I have clients who comment that they don't know what they all mean, I respond that "they mean that I'm constantly re-educating myself to be able to serve you better". Europeans like certifications.
I agree... it is not the fact that you paid to sit in a class.
We all can do that... if we have the cash.
EDUCATION IS AWESOME! But... what is IMPORTANT is what you do with it. How you apply it.
THAT is what a client/customer is going to recognize in the long run.
Not the ALPHABET SOUP that people have NO understanding of.
Me
Thanks for drawing this parallel back to the Realtor... it helps to drive home the point.
Leigh, I agree. I hate to see a loosening of requirements, they should be getting tighter! Also agree that organizations seem to want more annual membership dues.
Randy, I still recommend the CRS courses, too.
Tony, once you're started on your designations you'll conquer them the way you conquer everything you set your mind to. When I got my CRB all you needed was a CRS designation and then one CRB course. It was a great course, but I still think it's an unfair way to a designation. Same as RECS - have a CRS? just send in an application and your money.
Being fairly new I am just starting on mine. I'll be earning my CRS first.
I remember Linda Davis stating in a similar post that she has 2 set of business cards: one with the alphabet soup for colleagues and one without for the consumers. Consumers don't know what they mean so they can't care.
Maggie Dokic, OARTM, LEP, NSS
and just so you don't have to think it through: On Active Rain Too Much, Likes Eggplant Parmigiana, Needs Some Sleep. Thanks for the idea Laurie =)
Nice post Sharon.
This posting sure has elicited a good number of comments.
Truthfully, I don't know what some of them mean and posit that the public knows even less than I.
When I first saw CRS (and I are one) bet you know what I thought.
When I first saw CRB I thought that I had to be a broker/owner to get it; was already a CRS then.
Are we just feeding our egos with all of these designationa?
Maggie - consumers may not know what they mean, but I think they do care that we're continually equipping ourselves to better serve them.
Ed - No, I don't think we're just feeding our egos. The first question to ask is - would I take this class without the designation, to learn? If so (as in the staging course I took), we're not taking it for the designation.
Second, as to paying an annual fee to keep the designation - if there's value in referrals and/or resources, it makes sense - i.e., CRS. For one like QSV, it wasn't.
Excellent observation regarding designations. I think that most clients have no idea what those letters mean and I have only been asked a couple of times about them. So, perhaps the new ones are there more to make the recipients feel better than to give the clients confidence in the agent?
Sharon, reading my response again made me realize two things. One, I may have written something that isn't entirely what I meant. And two, regardless of that, it was off topic anyway! lol Sorry.
Your post addresses the quality of one designation vs. another. I agree that a designation should not be tied to whether you can afford the class or not. It should be tied in to education, experience and sometimes transactions. Clearly not all designations are created equal. I shall strive to earn the CRS first as everyone tells me that is a well-regarded one. I will research the issue each time I am ready to go for another. You are absolutely right in your response to me that customers do care that we continue to learn in order to better serve their needs. I appreciate the discussion.
Christina - or to generate income for the designation creators....?
Maggie - CRS is definitely a worthwhile designation and one that is recognized by most REALTORS®. Go for that one, then you can address the others.
Sharon, Funny about designations..I once had someone call and ask for Margaret Romegri.
So I took my designations off my cards and out of my ads thinking the public is NOT interested and does not understand these letters. Not too long after that, I had a client say that her last agent said.. She must not have any education or else she would advertise her designations. I put the designations back in my print ads.
Ok Ms. Klingel. I hear the bell, time to go get ready for the radio show. Wanna call in?
www.wcbm.com 410-922-6680 12 noon til 1 pm.
Sharon, I know you tried to phone in but we had too many callers to take them all. We also had two other guests that I was not aware of.
Since I was not maning the switch board, you did not have such a good chance today. Maybe next time.
Sharon, I do keep Sundays 12 -1pm open just in case they need me. Sometimes it is a few days ahead, sometimes it is a few hours ahead.