In this series, we talk to our Registered Management Consultants (RMCs) to find out how they have made an impact on their client’s businesses and capability upgrading.
We talk to Ms Yulia Saksen, director of branding agency, Creativeans, as she shares her story as to how she became an RMC.
1. Hi Yulia! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Yulia Saksen, director of Creativeans. We are a brand & design management consultancy headquartered in Singapore.
As the first ISO 9001:2015 and management certified creative consultancy in Singapore, we strive to continuously improve and excel in our capabilities while making the world a more creative place.
2. Why did you decide to become an RMC?
As a practicing consultant, I have to remain well-informed of the various programs and initiatives available in Singapore. Therefore, I was already aware of the new TR 43:2015 regulations for consultants when it was rolled out back then.
While there are other certification bodies available, I decided to be certified by the Institute Management Consultants (Singapore) due to the rigour and comprehensiveness of the RMC certification program. It is the only institute that offers training on code of conducts, do and don’ts of being a consultant and the consultancy processes. I went through a 3-day program which effectively equipped me with the best practices when handling different clients and allowed me to learn from other fellow consultants.
As an internationally recognised consultancy group, IMCS also offers a global perspective on consultancy via EDMs sent periodically to members and network opportunities through various initiatives.
It is something that I find very valuable, and what differentiate IMCS from others.
By being an RMC, I am a certified management consultant recognised by Enterprise Singapore. This enables my clients to tap on the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) – which helps them to defray up to 80% of their branding project cost. This kind of support is very valuable for the SMEs we work with especially in the current business landscape.
3. How else has this certification helped you?
In Singapore, high value is placed on credentials and certifications. These help to establish professional credibility and acts as a tool to convince clients of that you are the right fit for them.
Aside from that, the certification also opens more doors such as opportunities to collaborate with other RMCs offering complimentary services. This allows me to offer better and more holistic solutions for my clients.
Under the RMC, I must fulfill 90 hours of Continuous Professional Development to maintain my consultancy certification; and the certification is valid for 3 years. These encourage me and my fellow RMC peers to stay relevant and continuously offer the best solution for our clients.
Beyond the EDG, being an RMC has certainly been very beneficial and valuable to my role as a consultant.
4. What were the challenges faced during the course?
Initially, it was a little confusing because I was unfamiliar with some of the terms used in the learning material (e.g. Scoping). From my experience, we typically use terms such as research, audit, analyse etc.
After overcoming this, and familiarising myself with the different terms, it became much easier and clearer.
5. What were some interesting things you discovered during your RMC journey?
One part which I found very fulfilling was when I completed more than 1,000 hours of consultancy within 3 years of being a consultant. This is also one of the requirements to be an RMC.
As a business owner myself, I don’t regularly keep track of my yearly consultancy hours. So, it was quite eye-opening when I actually sat down to calculate the number of hours I’ve completed as a consultant. It was also really interesting to look back on past projects and the success of the solutions we tailored for our clients.
6. Would you recommend IMCS to others for RMC certification?
Definitely! Being certified as an RMC increases your exposure and network with more people, which can lead to opportunities.
After my certification and through networking events that IMCS conducted, I had the opportunity to know the council members personally. They made me feel that I had indeed made the right decision in joining IMCS as they strike me as being genuinely interested in helping our (member) consultants to grow and excel.
Their selflessness inspired me as well, and I did not hesitate at all when I was asked to join and serve the council. It is a pity that there are not many female consultants at the moment, and I think more of us can step forward to make a difference!
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Being an RMC is more than just a certification. It is also a mark of quality and professionalism which promotes high standards of professional and ethical conduct. It demonstrates your experience, competence, professionalism and enhance your professional image with your clients.
Choose to be an RMC today and join us here
