so – its official: I'm a professional after
all (despite what some may feel are my efforts to the contrary...)
Some of you will know that as a provider of
support and consultancy services to enterprises, I 'fell' into self-employment
and become a micro business by accident nearly 8 years ago. It was never
part of any grand career or life plan, but rather a way that I could use what I
felt were my skills and gifts in a way that I could continue to support myfamily, and also offer some contribution to the wider world.
During one of my rare attendances at aconference recently I made the most of an opportunity to hear about the
work to develop and agree national standards for advisers to co-operativeenterprise. What struck me most from my participating in that session was
how I clearly I exhibit the '3 pillars of professionalism':
-
qualifications assessed against national occupation standards
-
assessed and qualified CPD
(continuing professional development)
-
subscribing to a recognised
code of conduct (especially useful in handling those rare occasions that
clients wish to file a complaint against me)
These are all things that I find myself naturally
doing – qualifications are a quick and easy way to allow me to assureclients of my skill and knowledge; CPD assures me that I'm keeping myself
up-to-date and having opportunity to reflect on my knowledge and thinking; and
codes of conduct I subscribe to through my membership of trade bodies (such as the Institute of Consulting) help keep me accountable (and so strengthen
my integrity).
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So it’s gratifying to learn that these
practices I've always adopted as being 'common sense' make me a 'professional',
but does this now mean I have to start behaving like one....? and if so, does
that mean I should start wearing a suit and tie and charging exorbitant rates
for my time ;-)
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