Image consulting is getting its fair share of exposure due to the latest hype surrounding makeovers and changing your image. Programs on television like What Not to Wear, Extreme Makeovers, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy are showing people what can be done by following some basic advice.
Companies are also starting to understand the importance of projecting a successful image in order to gain respect and acceptance in the market. The result of a successful projection will always be positive as the effect ripples to all areas of the business, and clients are being satisfied both personally and financially.
Image Consulting is however, misunderstood and often poorly represented, and it is for this reason that members of the SA Professional Image Consultants Association are striving to uphold the Code of Conduct of the association.
By signing and adhering to a strict Code of Conduct, Image Consultants choose to be recognised as being of the highest level of competence and professionalism in the South African image industry.
The SA Professional Image Consultants Association is dedicated to maintaining, improving and benchmarking the standard of professionalism and integrity expected from the profession. In so doing, the SA Professional Image Consultants Association strives to ensure that both experienced Image Consultants, as well as students being trained as Image Consultants, are competent, efficient and of the highest ethical standards.
Consultants must also reflect the necessary skill and personal development to deal with clients professionally, confidentially and with an appropriate degree of sensitivity.
The SA Professional Image Consultants Association also promotes and encourages the growth and development of businesses and entrepreneurs, without prejudice and discrimination and welcomes applications for membership. We look forward to successful applicants being affiliated to this dynamic and progressive association.
"The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour."
Vision
The SA Professional Image Consultants Association aims to promote and enhance the professional image industry in South Africa.
Mission
- Raise the level of image consultancy in South Africa.
- To create a benchmark for the industry.
- Contribute to the career success of Image consultants
- Promote good business sense and entrepreneurship as a means of being successful.
- Promote and increase the reputation, awareness and recognition of image consulting in South Africa.
"An ethical organisation is one that strives to live its values and to make these clear to all who have a relationship with it. It is perhaps not a perfect company but simply one that is still learning and growing, always keen to improve it's performance."
Code of Conduct
All members are obliged to accept and abide by the SA Professional Image Consultants Association
Code of Conduct, as a condition of membership.
- Approach all business dealings in accordance with the highest ethical standards, both professionally and personally.
- Seek opportunities to increase public awareness and understanding of the professional image profession.
- Refrain from all conduct or business dealings that will discredit the SA Professional Image Consultants Association, as well as the professional image profession.
- Support and further the Vision and Mission of the SA Professional Image Consultants Association.
- Encourage clients to participate in lifelong learning and promote ongoing self-development.
- Develop yourself continuously in order to ensure that you are kept up to date with the developments of the image profession, and also to develop your own potential in both knowledge and business acumen.
- Respect the policies and procedures of the SA Professional Image Consultants Association, as well as all consultants related to the association.
- Negotiate all contracts and agreements in good faith and strive to uphold the reputation of the image profession.
- Refrain from being involved in business without the necessary qualifications, experience or competencies.
- Ensure that all services offered and rendered, comply with the highest professional and ethical standards.
- Ensure that all services rendered are done without any prejudice or discrimination, providing equal opportunities and service to all clients regardless of race, gender, religion, age or physical disability.
- Uphold the values of the ‘Pillars of Character’, as seen below.
- Maintain a level of client trust and confidentiality that cannot be questioned.
- Do not use or reproduce any material, whether content or images, that may infringe on copyright laws.
- Operate as a fully registered and legal business in accordance with the laws of South Africa.
- Agree not to misrepresent the SA Professional Image Consultants Association in any way.
The ‘Pillars of Character’, developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics include:
- Honesty - being truthful, sincere, straightforward, forthright, frank and candid.
- Integrity – being principled, courageous, scrupulous, honourable, and upright.
- Promise keeping – being trustworthy, reliable, abiding by the spirit and the letter of the agreement.
- Fidelity – being loyal and discreet, maintaining confidences, and making objective judgments.
- Fairness – being equitable, open-minded, and willing to admit errors and change position.
- Caring for others – being courteous, prompt, decent, and compassionate, preserving dignity, and
respecting the privacy of others.
- Pursuit of Excellence – being committed, doing one’s best, and maintaining one’s competence.
- Accountability – leading by example, accepting responsibility, and avoiding the appearance of
impropriety.
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