Frequently Asked Questions
Earning your Green Consultant certification introduces you to a broad range of topics that provide a great foundation for your education. Use our business plan for success or move in another direction. Your credentials are the important start that you will need for an exciting and lucrative career as a GBL Certified Green Consultant. Introducing Green practices to homes and businesses is very important and very needed. Our program moves people and companies into Green through credible processes and smart applications.
Is this a true consulting program?
Yes, upon certification, you will have the ability to develop customers, offer training, build a local chapter of Green Business League, and certify qualifying businesses as a "GBL Certified Green Business." Other than going to college for four years, we feel that there is no other course offering as broad a range of material as you will find in our program. Be aware that after your three days of training, we will continue to provide a year-long post training of all students via video, websites, and download over the Internet.
Are there fees for my Consulting service?
The typical annual ranges from $500 for a small 3 person company to $5000 for a larger company to earn its Green Business certified level. There are fees for Green Awareness training and a variety of associated services. We expect that this program will easily grow to a six-figure income, but it is a business that requires enthusiastic effort.
How long will the $1495 training fee last?
The $1495 fee will go to $1995 in late 2010. As our numbers increase, the standards and requirement will increase. The price will never be better than it is today, and it is important to get yourself established in your community as this trend becomes a lifestyle everyone must follow.
What about other Green Consultant programs?
There may be some freelance consultant programs currently in place, but that will change. We own the federal trademark for "Certified Green Consultant," and we will protect against infringement. This means only our graduates are Certified Green Consultants.
Why not just hire Green Consultants where you want them?
This is not a job. This is a consulting program that desperately needs a ready field force. Hiring, training, and managing enough Green consultants is not efficient or smart. We will provide a business plan on the last day of training that will demonstrate how to grow a six figure income in record time.
Is this part of LEED?
No. LEED is primarily focused on building certification even as Green Seal is primarily focused on product certification. We commend LEED and Green Seal for their efforts, but the Green Business League is focused on PEOPLE and PRACTICES that frankly compliment other Green programs. We believe that certification of the operation and practices only helps when there is a Green building or a willingness to use Green products. Our niche market is PEOPLE and the improvement of PRACTICES in the daily operation of homes, schools, medical facilities, offices, and the business workplace.
What kind of support does a Green Consultant enjoy?
We have a pre-training and a post training program to help you be the best in your field. All consultants have direct access to our office. We support the consultant, and the consultants support the clients. Our office does not work directly with clients except in special cases.
How does a Green Consultant find clients?
We maintain several websites to attract clients. We direct this traffic to our trained consultant in the area without charge. This will not keep you busy however. We will show you how to offer corporate training events that will bring customers to you. The final day of training is designed to help every consultant learn a 90 day business system that you can use over and over again.
What are the requirements for GBL Certified Green Consultant training?
This program is not for everyone. A passion for environmental issues and business applications is probably the most important asset. If you have experience in some aspect of environmental, real estate, construction, janitorial, building inspection, energy, heat and cooling, etc; this may be helpful. Reading skills and enthusiasm is all it really takes.
Are there territories or exclusive areas? No. The market is too large to allow for territories. Some potential clients are multi-city and multi-state meaning you are free to go anywhere or to call on other Green consultants to help you handle the job.
Can I specialize in an area that I like?
Yes. Our program is a broad base that will have many opportunities for unique application. You are welcome to pioneer niche markets. If you keep us informed of your progress, we will divide a section in our Green Consultant forum for other people working in similar areas of interest.
Must I Renew my Certificate each Year with CEUs?
Yes. This is not a one-shot project. We believe that training is continuous and essential to proper operation of your consultant business. Each year, all students will be required to renew their certificate and complete a training program that we anticipate will be provided by extension learning. Renewal are a flat $250 each year including your Continuing Education programming.
Will I be able to "Certify" residential and Commercial buildings?
Yes. We have laid the foundation for a nationally recognized certification that flows through our Green Consultants. Your service is an important piece of the implementation plan. Our program is an an "Earned, not Bought" certification that is best implemented through our national team of Green Consultants. In every case, the financial rewards that you can expect are going to be impressive.
If a class is full, can I ask to be placed on "Standby?"
Yes. We will fill vacancies with standby candidates. We offer a limited number of classes each year, so do not miss the opportunity when we are near your area. We anticipate a video program for Green Consultant training in the second half of 2009, but we strongly suggest that the live classes offer a better learning experience and a chance to interact with the key people in our system.
Are there fees that we must share with the Green Business League?
Yes and No. Every student can work as a freelance, and pay only the $250 annual renewal fee for CEUs. If you use our trademark system of Green Business League certification, a 15% fee is the share that GBL uses to help further market this program. Your option, but passing along our national certification is an obvious winner that cannot be ignored.
