Certification

During the past few months, ISM has been updating and distributing information about the changes to the A.P.P. program. In addition to all the information posted on the web, the latest NewsLine contains a great summary of certification changes and study recommendations.

As a suggestion, ask your newsletter editor to devote an entire affiliate newsletter to the subject of certification. Include information about certification and process changes gleaned from the ISM web site and the NewsLine. In addition add some personal testimonials by people in the affiliate who have certified. Questions such as; " What difference has certification made in my career?" "How difficult was the certification process?" "What worked best in preparation?" etc. Challenge some of the current officers and C.P.M. members to prepare a "Top-Ten List" of their favorite certification references. [here is one of mine] Highlight study opportunities and include links to resources.

Seems like a "Certification Issue" could be a very popular and weighty newsletter indeed!

Education

Pacific Northwest Purchasing Conference.

National Association of Purchasing Management - Western Washington will host the 62nd Pacific Northwest Purchasing Conference in Seattle, October 5-7, 2005. Reserve space in your schedule to attend now.

Seminar:

Negotiation Skills and Strategies. March 7-8 2005, Spokane, WA. Presented by: Washington State Chapter of NIGP

Software?

What computer software do you use to do your job? For most of us I suspect it's Microsoft Office. Is it a frustration or are you truly using computer software to make the job easier? Regardless of your skill level today, software advances regularly, and it always seems like we can learn a new trick to save time.

Most effective people understand that professionals develop their own professional development program. They spend a few minutes each week learning something new about their software tools . Fortunately there are many informative and entertaining web pages devoted to helping us use Microsoft Office better. Here are a few examples:

The Crabby Office Lady - advice with attitude
Microsoft Office Assistance Center
Small Business Technology tips
How to use Excel pivot tables to analyze data.

Personal Development

Am I an employee worth keeping? What makes a great employee? (hint: It's more than just showing up for work on time... Companies use personnel resources to accomplish goals and meet objectives. Just like the commodities we purchase everyday, personnel resources have to be the right quality, meet company needs, add value, etc.)

This means that we have to become experts on selling ourselves if we want to keep a job, advance, or find a new job. Read more about Selling Yourself

ISM News

These from the latest ISM NewsLine http://www.ism.ws/MembersOnly/Newsline/Newsline1104a.cfm

Membership Vote: There is a full membership vote planned for annual meeting. Included are new BOD appointments as well as bylaw changes. Expect member notices to be issued in December. Balloting will have to be finished by the January BOD meeting. Accordingly, the next affiliate newsletter might be the last chance for Affiliate officers to provide members some guidance and encouragement to vote. If you haven't heard about the issues and wonder how best to vote, contact an affiliate officer.

Person of the Year Nominations: Each year ISM recognizes volunteers who provide outstanding service to the membership and profession. We all know the value of being recognized and the discouragement which can come from being taken for granted. Please take a minute to discuss the nominating process with some of your affiliate members and make the effort to reward someone in your affiliate who has been helpful to you.

Hotlinks

Ever wonder what the Hanford cleanup looks like? Those of us who work here can attest that the cleanup problems are huge. If you've never seen it up close, there are some interesting streaming video tours of the area on line. Number 14 shows the K-Basin where much of the old fuel is being removed from the storage pools into safer storage. http://www.hanford.gov/information/sitetours/?tour=virtual

Public Cell Phone Directory

A directory of cell phone numbers will soon be published for all consumers to have access to. It is called a cell phone registry. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register. The number is 1-888-382-1222 OR you can go to their web site at http://www.donotcall.gov/ and add your number to the do not call list. It is free.

Find more news and articles in the BuyTrain Archive
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Provide Feedback and suggestions for future newsletters at any time. I'll try and use what I can.

I really do appreciate those of you who take the time to write and comment on this newsletter!

TTFN,

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	MLTWEB is assembled and maintained by Michael L. Taylor, C.P.M.
	Materials and articles prepared by Mike may be shared for purchasing education provided that this source is cited and no fee is charged. The rights for any other use are withheld.
	Copyright; Michael L. Taylor, C.P.M.
	Last Updated: 10/06/2006