Joining an association

buda said:
Scott



By the way, your customers may not have asked you what kind of certification you have, but if you had an "IDA Membership Decal" on your window and a "IDA Membership Certificate" on your wall they would notice.



And, certainly they would notice any Certificates of Training you had posted on your wall.



If you do not see the benefit of using your membership in an association as a marketing tool to set you apart from your competition then I certainly cannot convince you of the value.



Regards
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Only window would be my car and that's where the PDA sticker was and no one ever seemed to notice or ask me about it.



You've yet to explain how any customer would actually know how an IDA membership would make me more qualified to detail their car, not like it is recognized like ASE certification. My typical customer is someone who was referred to me or found me on the internet. I'd say my regular internet activity, posting in forums about detailing demonstrates my level of competence far better than any association in the IDA would. I do give back to the detailing community by my forum involvement (not just autopia) by helping educate others about what proper detailing is and what it looks like. Plus, as many autopia members can attest, I am very good about referring people out of my area to competent detailers I have met through autopia.
 
Sounds to me like a window sticker alone doesn't cut it. Maybe being able to post the association logo ( or even Autopia's, for that matter) on one's business website advertising his membership in it and including it on a business card might draw more attention to it and prompt curiosity about what the association is. :nixweiss
 
Scottwax said:
Only window would be my car and that's where the PDA sticker was and no one ever seemed to notice or ask me about it.



You've yet to explain how any customer would actually know how an IDA membership would make me more qualified to detail their car, not like it is recognized like ASE certification. My typical customer is someone who was referred to me or found me on the internet. I'd say my regular internet activity, posting in forums about detailing demonstrates my level of competence far better than any association in the IDA would. I do give back to the detailing community by my forum involvement (not just autopia) by helping educate others about what proper detailing is and what it looks like. Plus, as many autopia members can attest, I am very good about referring people out of my area to competent detailers I have met through autopia.
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:werd: I think there's an echo forming in here....
 
this thread needs locked and buda needs banned. there is nothing written on the IDA's 'benefits' page that is any different than being a FREE member here or elsewhere.
 
You're going way overboard. Ban buda? seriously?



Professional associations such as this have the potential to do great things for industry as a whole. But, that requires the willingness and dedication of the top people in their field.



One example, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. They have come up with a standardized exam that is the benchmark for every person in the accounting profession. Passing that test and becoming a CPA is a requirement for advancement in that field. It means more money and job security for those that have it. That's what an association like this can do.



After I took a quick look around the IDA's website i saw two things that look very promising. One was the certification program they have in the works and the other is the campaign to educate the public about detailing services.



Can anyone tell me how having a national standard of practice and standards as well as having a more educated public would be a negative? I understand not wanting to be a part of it but slamming them for having a membership fee of $95, really?
 
Michael let me compliment you on your post regarding an industry association.



Your comments reflect that "you get it."



Encourage you to join the IDA it needs people like you to lead the association and the industry.



Bud Abrahal
 
Comparing IDA to getting a CPA? Really, Evel Knievel couldn't make that jump (in his prime, on a good day with a stiff wind at his back) Do you see any of the top detailers that post here and other forums proudly proclaim they're IDA members? What benefit is there? What can they give you that you can't get from joining Autopia? This is detailing, there isn't (to my knowledge) a college degree available nor a state licensing program like hair stylist and such. Detailers advance on their own skill, their business sense (which there are college courses for that) and their desire. The best get that way cause they have it in them (like Dale Ernhardt told Junior, son, if you got it, nobody can take it away, if you don't, you want make it in this sport).



For a few bucks I could have have a certificate printed declaring me "Detailer of Excellance by the Royal Order of the Barking Moonbats" and have it proudly framed and on my wall. It'd mean as much to my customers.
 
JuneBug said:
Comparing IDA to getting a CPA?
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No, I wasn't comparing the two. I was trying to give an example of the potential of this type of association.



JuneBug said:
This is detailing, there isn't (to my knowledge) a college degree available nor a state licensing program like hair stylist and such. Detailers advance on their own skill, their business sense (which there are college courses for that) and their desire.
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I'll ask you directly. Can you not see how having a nationally recognized set of standards, best practices and certification would benefit the industry as a whole?



Why is it that the perception in the national media and with consumers is that detailing is cheap and easy? MSN Thread
 
MichaelM said:
I'll ask you directly. Can you not see how having a nationally recognized set of standards, best practices and certification would benefit the industry as a whole?



Why is it that the perception in the national media and with consumers is that detailing is cheap and easy? MSN Thread
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How would they enforce that detailers keep those standards? It is easy to set up tests to show the knowledge of a detailer but that doesn't mean they have the actual skill to do the job or will follow said standards while actually working. How would the IDA then check-up on detailers after the fact and make sure not only do they have the knowledge to properly detail a car but are actually taking the proper steps and have the skill required to polish out a car to remove swirls and not put more swirls back in? Body shops have ICAR certification and we all know they can't buff out a car after wet-sanding properly. Rotary holograms, overspray, sanding marks under the paint, etc, I've seen all that come out of ICAR certified body shops. Certification doesn't mean squat if there isn't proper enforcement of the standards.
 
Michael:



As mentioned earlier, if a person cannot see the benefit of an industry association; if they cannot see the benefit of having their business recognized by consumers as member of an industry association; if they cannot see the benefit of certification there is nothing you can say to convince them.



That is why I said you "get it." You are a businessman first and a technician second, if at all. In the long term it is the detail businesses operated by businessmen and women that will succeed and make the most money.



Thank you for your posts.



Bud Abraham
 
Membership in a professional organization always has potential to be a business strengthener and if a newer organziation gains enough support, the more impact it will have;therefore being more beneficial to its members. But its strength only lies in its numbers. So I see it asa boost the membership, even if it doesn't seem worthwhile at first. It can mean boost the profession in the long run.



I can't see the IDA's creation of the certificate program to be anything less than positive for detailers. It has the potential to lend significant credence to the field of professional detailing in the public's eye. I would say a detailer or detail shop being able to post certification can be like a repair shop posting of ASE certification. Some certification is better than no certification. It serves as a symbol of trust for potential customers. Although it's true it can't guarantee whether or not a shop or a detailer is "good", if enough post that they are certified, they will be more likely to come across as more trustworthy than those who are not. Perception is really powerful. I see membership and certification as possibly being a type of investment.It may take quite some time, to really see the effects, but in that sense, I think the certification can be a pretty powerful tool for one's business. Let's face it too, if you don't feel you're getting enough benefit from it after trying it, no need to renew.



I sense a bit of sensitivity to the price of entry here on this forum. What have other detailers said about it?
 
Bill D:



You are indeed a positive thinker and smart business person. As is said about positive thinkers:



"The positive thinker sees the invisible, sees the intangible and achieves the impossible."



Thank you for articulating what I was not able to say about the IDA and being an operator members.



Regards

Bud Abraham
 
Sure Bud, no problem.



I say this, as I think is fair to say, from an objective point of view as well, since I am not a professional, for hire detailer, but rather a passionate enthusiast. Nevertheless,I would very honestly love to see the field, at no matter what level, continue to rise in popularity and credibility.
 
How often is any of us asked about our credentials? More often than not, it is our reputation that precedes us.



When I recommend detailers to people out of my area, it isn't any association they might belong to that motivates me to suggest them but rather their obvious ability that shows through their participation on Autopia. If any organization would be good for detailing it would be websites like Autopia who already have a lengthy history of teaching detailing excellence.
 
I'm wondering if Autopia and the IDA could "join forces". They both have considerable strengths in promoting the industry. Might be best of both worlds that way. :nixweiss
 
Bill D said:
I'm wondering if Autopia and the IDA could "join forces". They both have considerable strengths in promoting the industry. Might be best of both worlds that way. :nixweiss
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Great idea. You never know...:tape:
 
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