Improvability.co.uk Training Solutions

Improvability Training

Professional Image, Colour & Style
Consultant Business Events

Training as an image / colour / style consultant
Our Answers to Your Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions | Consider the options
More training information | What is included | The practicalities

 

 

How much experience have you had, Kim?

I have been in this business for 28 years, since 1980 when the whole colour and image shebang began in the UK. Read my own story. It might also help for you to check some testimonials from ladies who have already trained with me.

What is included in each course?

Course content information

Will I find out which colours / styles suit me personally?

Of course. How on earth do you expect to advise others what suits them if you are looking anything other than absolutely gorgeous? Every trainee will discover their own seasonal and tonal colour directions on a Colour Analysis course. Every trainee will discover their own body shape, scale and Style personality on a Style course.

What do I need to bring with me?

You don't need to bring anything with you at all. I provide all the drapes, wallets, etc. to practise with. You can make notes in the manual or bring your own notebook.

Do you have practice drapes that attendees can use whilst training with you, or do we all need to supply / purchase our own for the course?

You don't need to purchase any additional materials before, during or after the training with us. We have complete sets of seasonal drapes, tonal drapes, men's drapes, colour fabric fans, colour wallets, etc. all to hand during the training.

If you have already trained with another company and are using their drapes, etc. then bring them along - I am very happy to show you how to use those within the rest of the course.

Yes, you can purchase such things from us at any time via the wholesale catalogue, but you don't need to purchase anything extra on top of your training fees unless you decide to do so. It is also important to note that we are not involved with any franchise and operate as an independent company so I will give you sound, impartial advice based on my own experience in the industry.

Do I need any experience to come on the Colour Analysis course?

None whatsoever.

Do I need any experience to come on the Ladies' Style course?

I would expect you to understand colour analysis thoroughly. If you advise someone that a certain shape of jacket is 'absolutely you, darling!", the first question they will ask is, "So, what colour should I look for?"

Do I need any experience to come on the Men's Image course?

The Men's Image course is only one day and is based on the assumption that you already understand colour analysis thoroughly.

Do I need any experience to come on the Corporate Image course?

see below.

I want to do the Colour Analysis training and follow that with the Corporate Image

There's no way you can do corporate work without understanding style and fit for both ladies and gentlemen.

In the corporate arena, no-one is going to pay you for colour alone; they expect you to give advice on professional dressing, and you have to be very quick and extremely knowledgeable in these situations. Business people (men, in particular) expect you to know your subject inside out and will show their disdain if you don't know your stuff. Companies will be paying you a premium rate so will expect a top-notch service.

Colour Analysis followed by the two-day Ladies' Style course will give you a leg up into the corporate world; once you are confident working with individuals and know your subject in depth, you could take on women-only business events.

I would also strongly suggest that you do the two-day Colour Analysis course first and become really proficient at that before training in Ladies' Stylefor another two days. Four days back to back will addle your brain anyway; quite how you're going to remember what you did on day two is beyond me.

Build your business one step at a time; in that way you will have a database of colour clients ready and waiting for you when you train in style.

I've trained with another company, have loads of drapes and wallets, but have no idea what to do with them

It is clear from training a number of people like yourself already that too much time on other companies' training courses is spent on draping (and getting you to sell make-up, scarves and accessories to clients who have only come along to find out which colours suit them.... ) and not enough time is spent on how to run the consultation itself.

We will spend a good deal of our time looking at how to start the consultation, how to finish it, what information to give your client, how to get your business up and running, how to market yourself, and how to create ongoing business with your client.

The actual methods of colour analysis are simple enough - it's just that I present several different ways of working out which season a lady is, and we will decide on the best one(s) for you personally.

In my opinion (which is always open for discussion!), draping a client should take no longer than 20 minutes, or confusion and / or boredom begins to set in - for both of you, and we will look closely at just how to launch your lady into the big, wide world knowing exactly which colours to wear to make her look fabulous.

I'm already practising as an image consultant. What would be covered on the one-day business consultancy course to refresh my colour business?

The content of a bespoke business consultancy training session is entirely up to you. You will have my undivided attention and we can look at absolutely anything to do with kick-starting your business.

In your case, as you already understand the fundamentals of colour, we could cover various methods of analysis (until we find exactly the right one for you), plus how to run a consultation, why your client is there, how to work out what they want from the consultation, etc. and how to deliver just that! As you already understand the pros and cons of running a successful business, we wouldn't need to include marketing, business skills and documentation, and I know you'd think it a waste of time to have your own colours done again, so we would have time to concentrate on your specific questions. You could email me a list of these before the day as our starter for ten, but the entire session is yours so we can digress at will!

After reading all this, you may prefer to take the slightly more structured two-day Colour Analysis course alongside 2 or 3 other trainees. Your choice!

Whichever one you go for, you get the full comprehensive manual plus I am here for back-up when the course itself is over. If you're currently working with the seasonal system, I can also show you how to add extra information for your clients by incorporating the tonal system - or vice versa.

Which is the best system? Seasonal or tonal?What I feel at the moment is a little unsure about it all and not that confident. I have been doing tonal but find most people like to know seasonal, too. Do you find the same?

Definitely. Every lady wants to know which Season she is but bear in mind that not everyone is seasonal. My mother has been trying to be a Winter for hundreds of years when really she is a 'Winter going into Spring'; she is so much happier now that she is just Bright and can wear both Winter and Spring colours.

The two systems are complementary; fundamentally they are not different; they offer your lady the best possible combination of information to help her find her best colours; working together, they allow you to give your client much more personalised colour advice.

Can you teach me Colour Analysis in one day from scratch?

I have tried (very hard) and failed miserably to do this. I just feel that we are both rushing all the time to fit everything in and, until you arrive at my door, I have no real idea how quickly you are able to assimilate the concepts that must be covered.

Be fair to yourself (and to me!). This is a business investment, not a fun day out. Treat it with the required amount of respect and invest two days of your time. Then you'll only have to do it once!

And before you ask, the same goes for Style!

How many trainees will there be on the course?

There will be a maximum of 4 ladies on each course and this will give you a chance to practise on each other, encourage and learn from each other, swap business ideas, and straight away you'll have a support network of like-minded independent business ladies like yourself to keep in touch with after the course (including me, of course!).

A small group environment works well because the interaction between professionals in the same, or similar, line of business adds an extra dimension to the training giving you an insight into how other consultants operate, the difficulties they encounter, and how different people overcome such difficulties. Plus, the specifics to be addressed for individuals during the training usually inspires other trainees, even if it just triggers new questions or new ideas that you simply hadn't considered before.

There are scenarios, however, where small group training isn't appropriate, and this is established between you and myself during the initial telephone conversation. Some trainees simply prefer one-to-one tuition; others have industry-specific objectives that often aren't compatible with the requirements of any other image, colour or style consultant. For example, opticians, florists, personal development managers and life coaches have completely different training goals from those of a colour consultant, and in those situations, those businesses may send one or two delegates for one, two or three days' training just for themselves.

When is the next course?

Take a look at the dates so far.

Where do the courses take place?

All training takes place in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK - check out location, travel and accommodation ideas, with maps and further web links.

Can you let me have a course schedule?

There isn't one. Each course develops and evolves around the delegates themselves. Sometimes we need to spend longer on one particular aspect of colour than another - how on earth can you plan for the human element in advance? Personally, I find it absolutely impossible as each lady I have trained so far has been uniquely unique (thank goodness).

Can I just book on the next course?

Before any prospective trainees book on a course I insist on an in-depth telephone conversation. We can then cover the fundamentals such as whether or not you and I strike a chord and would be happy to work together, and also establish whether or not I am able to meet your personal training requirements. I need to help you decide if your training requirements would be better suited to individual one-to-one tuition or a small group environment (maximum of 4 ladies).

How can you personalise the course for me?

It is incredibly important to me that all our clients get the most from their training and I encourage everyone to write a list of specific questions or points that must be covered during the sessions, and share this information with me in advance.

This gives me the opportunity to write additional material where appropriate in advance of, or after, your training and 'check-list' from time to time during the training itself to make sure everything is being covered.

With a maximum of 4 people on any one course, there will be plenty of time to discuss your own requirements, and sharing business ideas with other professionals on the course will open up new possibilities for you, too.

After 2 days am I going to be capable enough to carry out a consultation and charge people at least £xx for something I don't have experience in doing?

If you have the necessary tools (drapes, wallets, etc) to run consultations, and you are fully prepared with the appropriate documentation and your room/studio all set up to receive clients, etc. you will be able to run a consultation the very next day. We will talk about how much to charge your clients on the course itself, as this is dependent on you, your confidence level, and the type of market you are aiming for.

Colour supplies

To run your colour consultations, you will need a minimum of a selection of drapes, a cover-up cape plus four seasonal wallets and/or the six tonal wallets. You are free to source your own drapes and wallets, so these are not included in the course fees. However, I can supply any or all of the following for you at wholesale prices:

The wallets contain swatches of fabric which exactly match the drapes. They are precision dyed and are a one-off purchase. I have never needed to replace a drape yet; I have the same ones from over 25 years ago. My cover-up cape is still going strong after 18 years of constant washing and I have only had to replace my Seasonal fabric fans once in the same period. I have had my Tonal wallets for 7 years and they still look good enough for presentations.

You can order any or all of these to take away with you on your training course - cheque, cash or credit/debit card is fine on the final day. You'll be able to order further drapes, wallets, etc. at any time after the training from the online wholesale catalogue by credit / debit card only, and be able to supply your clients with a fabulous choice of colour wallets at retail, thus making a profit for yourself.

Do I have to buy my wallets, drapes, etc. from you?

Absolutely not. I have no worries where you obtain your supplies/materials from as I do not run a franchise.

We will have a starter kit ready for you to take away with you - but only if you want it!. This may help save you time, energy and postage if you had to sort this out by yourself and you will pay exactly the same price for these items as if you went directly to the suppliers (but you would then add shipping, of course). We have found that taking wallets, drapes, etc. away on the day often helps motivate most trainees to start work as soon as they can after the course.

I am really interested in purchasing the starter pack of drapes and wallets that you recommended in your email. How far in advance do I have to book these?

The starter pack can be purchased on the course itself by cash, cheque or credit / debit card. There's no need to book it in advance; I always have the drapes, and at least one each of the tonal and seasonal wallets for each person to take away with you - if you want to! Wait until you've seen them, and let's find out which approach (tonal or seasonal or both) is going to work for you before deciding which drapes and wallets you want/need.

If you order them after the course, you can do that online by credit / debit card only, and shipping costs will then apply.

How much does a course cost?

Our training solutions are completely flexible (see above) and the cost of our services varies accordingly depending on your needs:

  • One-to-one bespoke training will cost more than small group training sessions
  • Two or three friends / colleagues booking together will qualify for a group discount
  • Costs will be discussed over the telephone after I have a thorough understanding of your individual requirements

How can I pay?

Fees can be paid by cheque (GBP only) or debit / credit card.

A deposit paid at the time of booking secures the date(s) in my diary, and you have a choice of how to pay.

Payment of the deposit is the only way to make a firm booking. When people don't do that, I can only assume that they have changed their minds - and there are an amazing number of people who just don't bother to let me know, I'm afraid. I am indundated all the time with ladies wanting to come on this course or that course, and I am always having to deal with people who are not prepared or able to commit to dates, or want me to save a place for them.

Payment of the deposit settles all that confusion - for everyone:

  • The trainee has a date to aim for
  • I know exactly how many people are coming along
  • I can then offer any definite remaining places to further enquirers.

If I haven't received a deposit from you, then I do not have a firm booking for you in my diary - and that place will be made available to anyone else who enquires.

I think that image training courses in general are expensive. I only want to run a part-time colour business. What would you say your unique selling point is to justify the cost?

Anyone setting up in business needs to make an investment. Training and supplies are just two elements of that investment.

Over 50% of image / colour consultants run a part-time business, and that's because they either choose to keep it part-time to fit around family or current commitments, or they just don't know how to market themselves properly!

You need to look at how quickly you can recoup the investment by putting together a proper business plan. I suggest that you investigate training grants in your local area with Business Link, etc. Just be grateful that you don't have to buy premises or stock as well!

I would guestimate that it will take around 10 - 15 clients paying full price for a personal colour consultation to recoup the outlay; the price you charge is entirely up to you (and what sort of area you are working in) and we will look at how to set your prices on the course itself. If you are using these skills within your existing business and are not charging for them separately, you need to calculate how much extra business this extra service will bring in.

Our training courses are customised, personalised services designed to meet your specific business needs, tailored where necessary with additional workbook materials written by me. This is not classroom-style training with loads of trainees in the room; our training products are flexible and built around your requirements to suit your background and existing skills. All our courses include a comprehensive course workbook which includes all the theory for your training needs. For some trainees I may follow the workbook closely and cover everything almost page by page if that is what I think is needed. For others, I may skip over sections of the workbook and discuss additional subjects in detail, as required. Plus, I may even add additional customised content, writing additional pages of notes after the training has been completed specifically for you.

In short (as Mr. Micawber was wont to say), I offer personalised training, customised to your specific business needs.

My friend and I wish to start our own business in the town where we live. We don't have much money so cannot afford the thousands of pounds it seems to cost. Please tell us where to start.

Training for any profession is obviously going to cost money (though not necessarily thousands!) as people who run training courses are passing on to you their own valuable professional skills which probably cost them an awful lot to acquire in the first place; you can then set up in competition with them and earn good money yourself.

You should be looking at this as an investment in your future. You might want to check out how to raise the money (or part of it) with your bank manager or with Business Link; both will want to see a proper business plan, of course. Or maybe friends or relations could help? Every business requires a financial investment, especially if you need particular skills to do the job.

If you would like to talk this through and check out my fees and other set-up costs, then contact me.

Is there a qualification I need to hold to operate as an image consultant?

For the last 7 years, I have been a personal shopper for a major department store. I love my job passionately and feel I am ready to take the next step and work for myself. I want to be able to say my new venture is an image consultancy. Is there a qualification I need to hold? Training programmes seem very expensive and only repeating what I've already done!

 

There are no laws in the UK that say you have to have any qualification to set up as an image consultant. The Federation of Image Consultants will encourage you to spend money on a City & Guilds qualification but this is absolutely not a legal requirement.

The fees for training with a reputable company may seem expensive but trainers are passing on extremely valuable knowledge gained over a long period of time that will then enable you to go out and earn good money for yourself. The fees and time are an investment in your business, and will give you the confidence to know that you are providing the absolute best for your clients.

I go on at least three training courses every year so that I make sure I am giving my clients (and trainees) the most up-to-date service I can. The course I am going on at the end of this month alone will cost me around twice as much as I charge for the same time investment but it will be well worth it in the long run.

And you will certainly NOT be repeating what you have already done.

"Many thanks for your (above) email, a refreshing change to the ones I have received from (two other named colour companies)! I totally intend to commit to ongoing training and I will be ordering your 'in a box' package as my staple tool. I have been researching my new venture for some time and I can honestly say that your web site and yourself have been more help than any of the 'recommended' companies I have been in touch with. Thank you again and if I can ever be of assistance to you in anyway, please don't hesitate to contact me." Emma, UK (Mar 07)

Could you just clarify what qualification / certificate I would gain at the end of the course?

The Diploma awarded at the end of each course is our own certificate from Improvability to say that you have successfully completed our course in Colour or Ladies' Style or whatever that happens to be.

The Improvability course certificate is absolutely nothing to do with GNVQ or City & Guilds or such like. We provide customised training courses, tailored to your personal needs, so there's no way we could meet the restrictions imposed by either of these bodies (or any other, for that matter) and I wouldn't want to anyway.

If it is important to you then I suggest you take a look at the courses offered by other companies who subscribe to these qualifications.

Do you have a US supplier / distributor for your training courses and consultant supplies?

I have absolutely no suppliers / distributors anywhere in the US or anywhere else in the world, for that matter, so couldn't recommend anyone to you, I'm afraid. My training courses and workshops are unique so there's no-one else running them in the UK! When you come on my training courses, I'm afraid you get me!

If you can't get to a one-to-one training course, it might be worth you taking a look at our self-study DVD-based training package 'Colour Analysis in a Box'. We filmed an actual two-day Colour Analysis course which you can study at your leisure, and watch each of the ten DVDs over and over again. We ship anywhere in the world.

What is the dress code for the training courses?

For goodness' sake don't spend any time worrying about what to wear on the course. Just wear whatever is going to be comfortable.

You will be coming to my home so the whole session will be informal and lots of fun; kick off your shoes if you want to and relax. You are not on parade; you are here to learn so if you are more comfortable in jeans, then wear jeans; if you need a tiara to relax, then wear a tiara!

  • My home is a smoke-free zone - you'll have to stand outside if you need a nictoine fix.
  • My other half is a whizz with the coffee machine so your caffeine levels will be kept as high as you need!
  • I would ask that you do not chew gum (yuk!)
  • I will also insist that you turn your mobile phone off - you can phone home to check on the family or the cat's welfare at coffee and lunch breaks, of course, but you are paying for a business training course - let's set the trend now for how you will (hopefully) conduct your own consultations.
  • All refreshments and a light lunch (salad, sandwiches, baked potato, etc) are provided so you need to let me know if you have any particular dietary requirements.

Would I be able to train on a Sunday and a Monday due to days off work?

I run a full-time professional image and colour business and already work six days a week. Therefore, I don't work Sundays - even the Creator rested on one day of the week! I generally offer the training courses Monday to Friday.

What time does the course start and end?

Not before 10 am (I am not a morning person) but the start and end times are entirely up to you - to suit your travel / accommodation / childcare / whatever else arrangements. If we started at 10 am, then we would aim to finish around 5 pm but if you need to get away early to beat the traffic, catch your train or pick your children up - no problem.

This is YOUR training course so YOU decide.

There's an image consultant advertising in my area already. Surely there's no room for another one?

How many hypnotherapists and life coaches are advertising in your area? In my local Yellow Pages there are more than 20 hypnotherapists and 5 separate life coaches; there's clearly plenty of work for these professionals who are, at the end of the day, in the same line of business as image consultants - giving people confidence.

Personally, it wouldn't bother me if there were image consultants living either side of me; there must be 20 million women in the UK alone so there's plenty of work for everyone. And we all offer a different approach anyway. Like attracts like, and vice versa. Your clients will come to you because of YOU and your personality. There's plenty of room for all of us.

Could let me know the possibilities of making image consultancy a full time job?

The only statistical information I can give you on this is to quote from a 2006 survey of image professionals (mostly in the UK) - "47.5% of consultants surveyed are full time."

Obviously, until I know exactly what kind of business you are going to run, how business oriented you are, what your target market is, etc., it would be very hard to comment for you personally.

A senior fashion adviser at (one of the big department stores) told me that you need retail experience to work as an image consultant, as you will have to deal with not-so-pleasant customers. Of course she is trying to help, not knowing me...

This woman is talking utter rubbish. You need absolutely no experience in retail or anything else at all; just a desire to help ladies look and feel wonderful. If this lady is having to deal with not-so-pleasant customers, then she is attracting them to herself. Seems to me that she is not trying to help you at all; perhaps she wants to do what you are doing, and because she can't, she is determined to try and put down what you are doing. Ignore her. Keep your eye on what YOU want, and surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you to follow your dream.

Do I have to do the 'colour in a box' training or face-to-face training with you before I am able to order any supplies?

There is absolutely no requirement to buy anything at all from us before you can order supplies! The only requirement to order supplies at wholesale prices is that you register with us first - it's totally free. Just go to the wholesale catalogue page and click on 'apply online'.

If I do the training with you do I have to use your brand name?

Do you know - I have never been asked that one before! This is YOUR business and I just supply the training package to help you with YOUR business. You are never, ever asked to use the Improvability name. This is not a franchise. The diploma is obviously issued in the Improvability name but you don't have to display one, or even ask for one, if you don't want to!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions | Consider the options
More training information | What is included | The practicalities

 
 
 
 
 

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