[Peter Blackburn]

I have just enrolled at my local collage to do the introductory certificate, Im hoping it will give me a better insight. Its one day a week, Monday evening 6pm - 9pm and cost £175 and £6 enrolment fee but I can claim 22% off my tax for this.

The thing I didn’t realise is that the CIM want me to do a 1hour online test to become chartered that costs £55 then the introductory annual fee is £160.    http://www.cim.co.uk/home.aspx
Looking at the syllabus I am feeling a bit nervous to say the least.

Has anyone else done this course?

Cheers
Peter 

[robert meldrum]

Ask yourself
What do you expect to gain from the course...........bearing in mind it's aimed at people who wish to make MARKETING their career NOT run their own business and perhaps get an insight into marketing practice.
If you feel you must know more about marketing go to Waterstones and you will find simple, well written books on the subject.
The first day on such a course you will be told that marketing is simply ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you do to bring your business to prospective customers attention from a catchy name to good presentation and high on the list is a USP.
In terms of " what should I charge " they will tell you to charge " what the market or market sector you are targeting will pay "so you have to research the market and draw your own conclusions.
I did an MBA at Glasgow Uni 30 years ago which was great, but people like Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, etc, will tell you.............JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO IT and they are right.
In other words SAVE YOUR MONEY and PUT THE MONDAY NIGHTE TO BETTER USE maybe delivering a couple of hundred leaflets each night.

[Joe H]

Most course like this, Peter, will lead you to a level where you can walk away and put into practice what you learned (or not), and also prepare you to sit an external examination for a professional body where you pay extra for that "privilage".
Whether you do this is your choice, likewise whether you join that "institute" on an annual basis.

This qualification may get you into the face of a potential customer in a bigger way then say your cometitor. Having a marketing qualification, however, is no encouragement for a potential client to choose you over your cometitors.

As Robert says, books and videos on the subject would probably help just as much and be less onerous on you time.
You could put the money saved to the cost of short courses like spot & stain or some other where you fel you lacking.

[derek west]

books are the cheapest way to go, but you have to be focussed. setting aside time to study under your own steam can prove more challenging than the course its self. with night school, you have to be there and youve got a teacher on hand if something doesn't quite add up.
if you want to pursue marketting in the future (as a stand alone business) then this sounds like the right path to take. if however you just want to improve your business then books (if your focussed) is one option, or a much cheaper course with your college, will teach you pretty much the same as the cim.
hope this helps
derek

[JS2]

Chartered for £55 plus annual fee ?  This is what fully trained Architects and Accountants ultimately obtain after very long qualification periods.  I would say check the details carefully in case the course is on route for Chartered status after long term study etc.

Pete (JS2)

[Peter Blackburn]

Sorry got details wrong,

Payable to Park Lane College:

Course Tuition Fees: £175.00

Enrolment Fee: £6.00 (on-off fee)

Payable to CIM:

CIM Introductory Membership - £120.00 per annum

CIM Introductory On-Line test - £55.00

CIM Introductory – Project - £70.00


I'll let you know how easy it all is!

Peter

[mark_roberts]

Did an HND in business studies at college long time ago.  Did a fair bit on marketing and guess what








Cant remember any of it.

Mark

PS. its coming back to me 4ps, marketing mix, swot analysis      sore head now.

[Barry Livingstone]

Thats what i LOVE about this site The man wants to better himself so he asks a question and all he gets is bad vibes of dont do it, etc etc etc........Just remember every days a school day!!!

[Joe H]

James123

That maybe because some have been there and done that ie exprianced it our life.
and if you ask a question yougoing to get replies.

No doubt Peter will make his own mind up.

[robert meldrum]

Good answer from Joe and ...........anyone who can't take onboard what's being said would go nowhere on one of these courses and gain nothing from them.

Marketing courses are all about role laying, being led up dead ends, having to come to conclusions and knowing when you need to ask questions also, knowing who to ask.
Yes, you could gain from it information which could help you in your c/c business, but you will find the answer to just about any question you have about marketing on here, or be directed to companies who specialise in c/c services marketing.

If you want Marketing as a career than by all means go to college or uni and spend a couple years studying for a degree, but you're then becoming a 9-5 suit, which is fine, if it's what you really want.