Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Starnet Annouces Partnership with AAHID

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Based on the Starnet Membership’s response to a live presentation by Harry Brownett of Brownett Consulting during our recent Fall Membership Meeting and a follow-up webinar in December 2010, the Starnet Board has authorized the creation of “Starnet Healthcare.” This 2011 marketing initiative is a unique approach to enable Starnet Members to capture a larger share of the healthcare market for commercial flooring.

Central to this plan is Starnet joining The American Academy of Healthcare Designers (AAHID). We are pleased to announce that Starnet has been accepted by AAHID and is now recognized as a “Platinum Level Service Partner” of the organization.

AAHID was founded in 2005 as a professional organization with the purpose of certifying the knowledge skills and abilities of healthcare interior designers. AAHID designer “Certificants” are distinguished and qualified by education, examination, and work experience to practice healthcare interior design at all levels of the market. The AAHID certification symbolizes excellence, commitment and knowledge in the healthcare design industry. AAHID certification distinguishes preeminent healthcare interior designers from other architects, designers, decorators, and interior designers.

The Service Partner category was created by the AAHID as a way for non-manufacturing organizations to support its membership and participate in the organization from a Services and Best Practices perspective. “AAHID is proud to welcome Starnet as a new Platinum Level Service Partner. Starnet’s commitment to excellence, along with their commercial flooring expertise is very closely aligned with our mission and vision.” said Jocelyn Stroupe, AAHID President. The AAHID also has an existing group of Manufacturers as “Industry Partners” that offer knowledge and guidance relating to the products they each produce.

Starnet’s Management Group will be responsible for business communications with AAHID. Both the Starnet and AAHID Boards look forward to building a unique relationship by working to insure specified products are properly installed and maintained to maximize end-user satisfaction.

Starnet recognizes that both its members and the AHHID will benefit from improved knowledge and communications in the healthcare market segment. One way Starnet Healthcare will accomplish this is by differentiating Starnet member representatives as being specially trained in healthcare. The vision is to elevate the best and brightest Starnet sales representatives to a higher level of proficiency in relevant healthcare design issues, thereby making them a more valuable resource to healthcare designers and healthcare end-users everywhere.

The process of training and testing is comprehensive and valid. Brownett Consulting will conduct training and testing on behalf of Starnet and the AAHID. Qualified candidates who enroll in the Starnet Healthcare program will receive preparation materials, participate in web-based learning, and be required to pass a test. Those Members who successfully complete the Starnet Healthcare Certification will differentiate themselves through knowledge and be better prepared as a resource to A&D clients and end-users in the healthcare market.

Starnet Healthcare certification includes two levels of prerequisites, one for the Branch Office and one for each Starnet Healthcare Specialist working at the Branch Office. This allows each Branch to preserve continuity in the Starnet Healthcare program, while developing better sales and service performance in the healthcare market through its trained specialists.

• Starnet Member Branch Requirements:
• 5 Years Healthcare Experience
• 5 Major Project References
• Branch Manager is Certified Upon Approval
• 1 Trained Healthcare Specialist per Location, minimum.
• Starnet Healthcare Specialist Requirements:
• Participate in Starnet Healthcare Training
• Pass Test Approved by AAHID
• Renew Periodically (2 Years)

Marketing this advanced healthcare certification successfully will require a credential or brand that is recognized by the market. Starnet is already a recognized brand in the commercial flooring market. AAHID is already a recognized brand in the healthcare design and end user markets. Joining the Starnet and AAHID brands will establish Starnet’s brand in a stronger position in the healthcare flooring market. On the other hand, Starnet will generate greater awareness of the AAHID brand in the healthcare end user market. The credentialing of Starnet’s representatives is meaningful when the AAHID logo appears alongside the Starnet logo as part of a co-branded Starnet Healthcare marketing effort. Together, these brands are very powerful.

The AAHID has agreed to participate in a review process of the curriculum and test bank created for the Starnet Healthcare training program. The course of study focuses on health design issues. It will not promote any specific products. The AAHID will be reviewing and advising on the validity of information as it relates to current, generic health design issues. The program will not be a “design” credential. Starnet Members successfully completing the course will receive certificates that acknowledge that they have completed a comprehensive curriculum on health design that the AAHID recognizes as a meaningful commercial flooring sales training course.

The benefit to Starnet Members for participation in Starnet Healthcare is:

• An Opportunity to Distinguish Valued Employees with Starnet Healthcare Certification
• Grow Sales Volume in the Healthcare Market Segment
• Add Value to Vendor Partner Healthcare Business
• Recognition as a Valued Healthcare Knowledge Resource
• Increase Market Share in the Healthcare Segment
• Starnet Healthcare Certification Offers Exceptional ROI
• Create an Advantage vs. Competition
• Add Value to Your Business