2009 NAPO ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO IN ORLANDO
We'll be there, so when you visit the Expo, stop by the BCPO® booth (#106) and say hello, get the latest information, grab a pen, eat some chocolate!
We will be unveiling the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS PHOTO GALLERY, so come check out who was certifiable! Search this large display for your friends and colleagues who've achieved the prestigious designation of CPO®. Now, wouldn’t it be great to see your picture up there? You’re a pro, right? Why not make it happen for yourself!
And while you're there...
- Complete a brief survey to be eligible to win a FREE CPO® Examination application fee. No expiration date, no strings, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements at the time of application.
- Find a "study buddy."
- Have a listen to the new BCPO® teleclasses on certification and recertification.
- Get the latest word on the BCPO® Social Networking groups on Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin and Ning.
- Meet BCPO® Board President, Audrey Lavine, CPO® and other CPOs who will be available to answer your certificataion-related questions
CPO® Voice
Our latest Q & A session was with
Athenée Mastrangelo, CPO®, Your Productivity Consultant.
BCPO: Why did you think it was necessary/important/useful to become a CPO®
AM: By being certified it shows your clients that you have the knowledge and experience it takes to help them out of the situation they are in, it sets you apart from people just starting the business. Don't misunderstand me, there are many new POs out there that have experience, know what they are doing, and are passionate about their business; but unfortunately there are also POs that start this business thinking 'oh, I love to organize' but don’t realize that running this type of business takes so much more.
I have had several occasions where a client hired a PO and instead of helping them they only made matters worse. The PO meant well and did what they believed was the right thing, but by not understanding the underlying problem they didn’t really help the client. This is mostly due to inexperience and lack of training and it's situations like this that hurt our industry.
In order for people to take us seriously, we need to have standards for our industry! And when we have certifications for specialties in our industry we set our levels even higher!
BCPO: Are there a lot of other POs where you are?
AM: In the past 5 years we have grown from 5 to 35 POs! Unfortunately, we do see many people start, but then quit within a year.
BCPO: How many are CPOs?
AM: If I’m not mistaken, there are 4 of us in Central Florida.
BCPO: Has being a CPO® made a difference?
AM:People in Orlando know what a PO is; most of them don’t realize that there are many different types of POs, i.e. residential, moving, business, senior, student, etc., and I think it’s important they know this. I personally don’t promote myself as a PO. My specialty is business and I focus mostly on improving productivity for my clients, organizing is only a part of what I do.
It’s up to us to promote ourselves and to educate our clients and prospective clients. I think we’re still in the early ages of this certification; here in Orlando the public doesn’t know there is a certification for our industry. In the beginning I didn’t use my certification to my advantage, but now I am using it in all of my marketing and it’s starting to show a difference. I believe it’s what we do with our certification that will make a difference.
The Board of Certification for Professional
Organizers
(800) 556-0484 • info@certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org