NEXT Certified is a standard and program Sandy Gerber, the founder of NEXT implemented to change the way advertising agencies and external business service providers work to benefit all team members and especially the NEXT clients.
Gerber, tired of the 20+ years she saw advertising agencies source workers outside their business, mark up those services to their clients and then tell the clients their team was all “in-house” – she knew she had to change the model.
Gerber created the “NEXT Certified” program to inspire a cultural shift in agency transparency and ensure a specific level of excellence and quality while working with external business service providers.
The NEXT certification process is easy to apply for and difficult to be certified. There is a strict criteria for certification and a limited amount of certifications are granted every year to ensure the quality and integrity of the program.
To be NEXT certified, a team member must address key criteria areas of focus including:
- Affinity and alignment to the NEXT team core values
- Demonstration and proof of skill excellence, experience and quality
- Adherence to NEXT process and systems
- Commitment to prioritization of NEXT projects
- Examples of responsible timeline and pricing management
- Exceptional customer service and organization skills
- Support NEXT STEP Philanthropy Program
The “NEXT Certified” program has four levels of certification:
- NEXT Certified Associate – A service provider who meets the criteria and is given the opportunity to work on a client project. There is no commitment fee for this level of certification. All NEXT Certified Associates are reviewed annually to assess level of certification.
- NEXT Certified Member – A service provider who meets the criteria and is working on a series of Projects By Request NEXT projects. There is no commitment fee for the NEXT Certified Member however the Member must ensure the service provider is committed to the NEXT team and is supporting marketing of their business.
- NEXT Certified Partner – A service provider who exceeds the criteria and is dedicated to specific Agency of Choice NEXT projects.
- NEXT Certified Fan – A person curious, excited or proud of the NEXT Certified team who is eager to stay in touch! To become a fan, simply “like” the NEXT Certified Team Facebook page and keep connected to what is happening with our amazing team!
| “NEXT Certified” Benefits for Team: | “NEXT Certified” Benefits for Clients: |
|---|---|
| Preferred service provider to NEXT Clients | Service Provider Excellence & Quality |
| NEXT generates client business | Access to “NEXT Certified” Team |
| Working with Professionals | NEXT is single source contact |
| Business Profiling & Marketing | Process Oriented Team |
| Communications & File Mgmt Systems | Peace of Mind |
| NEXT STEP Program Contribution | NEXT STEP Program Contribution |
Discover more about the Certification process and Apply to be NEXT Certified today!
