Tweet

Supply Chain Management Certificate/Course USA/CANADA

Written by: Jon Hansen

Article Overview: Network Member Question: I’d like to get information about Supply Chain Management Certificate/Course in USA/CANADA. Preferred top Universities. Andre Caliman, Sales and Marketing Executive, Brazil

Supply Chain Management Certificate/Course USA/CANADA

My Answer:

The question regarding the real-world viability of the various programs being offered by institutions and associations at times conjurs up images of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome was burning.The greatest challenge that is faced is how the business community views these designations. And in this regard, many programs continue to overlook some critical facts.

A 2007 survey of CFOs produced these startling results:

73% of the total average annual savings claimed by an organization’s purchasing department, are rejected by CFOs as being invalid. They do not impact the bottom line, and as a result minimize the perceived value of purchasing to the organization. (Note: cost avoidance is one of the many savings myths that continue to be championed in course materials as a viable objective that is worthy of pursuit.)

This “absence of value” was further emphasized in the same study, which found that more than 80% of all CFOs interviewed do not believe that the CPO and his/her department make any meaningful contribution to the organization as a whole.

Finally, in a CPO Agenda Roundtable, senior executives expressed the opinion that purchasing departments are best run by individuals who do not have (or come from) a purchasing background.

As an international speaker these as well as other findings continue to resonate with my audiences as purchasing professionals strive to carve out their place in the emerging global marketplace.

With the focus of most association certification programs just now beginning to shift to a platform that will eventually (and hopefully) elevate the professional designation to a level that is seen as being on a par with that of a CA or CPA, the real issues we face is not how we view the programs as a profession, but how other professions within the corporate heirarchy view us and the corresponding value we bring to the table.

Once again, and given the growing recognition of the importance of looking outside of the realm of traditional “educational thinking”, it is through this filter of real-world understanding that you should evaluate the veracity of any curriculum.

Specifically, take prospective course materials to individuals from other departments within your own organization, such as finance and IT. Ask them their thougths concerning the value of the curriculum and how it meshes with their objectives from both an individual department and enterprise wide standpoint.

Related Articles
  Are Multiple Supply Chains Important Survey Response 2
  What are the 3 biggest challenges faced by supply chain/purchasing professionals today? (Survey Result 6)
  Are Multiple Supply Chains Important (Survey Response 4)
  SME's - Is tendering harmful to SME's?
  What are the 3 biggest challenges faced by supply chain/purchasing professionals today? (Survey Result 8)

Article Tags: answer the question, business community, cost avoidance, course materials, cpo, critical facts, designations, fiddle, global marketplace, greatest challenge, international speaker, meaningful contribution, myths, professional designation, professions, purchasing department, purchasing departments, senior executives, startling results, viability



Related Forum Posts
Seek Venture Capital & Funding - Hello, Greetings from India. I am Seeking Venture Capital for Offshore Software Company Start-up. Need advise along with Business Model Sample. I have a basic outline for an offshore company. 1. Technology - like Microsoft Dot Net, Java, LAMP 2. Talent Team - Found Good Technology Developers. 3. Where I can get the leads/potential customers - Leads have been identified who are willing to move forward offshore projects. 4. I do not have resources like funding. It is a very critical factor to me Industries: Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail, Insurance, Distribution & Logistics, Healthcare, Industry Associations and Software Product Development, Agricultural Industries and Etc. Services: Offshore Software Development Company. Offices to be located: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and USA. Products/Services/Applications in areas like POS & Billing, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Material Management, Inventory Control, Plant Maintenance, Purchasing, Accounting and Logistics. Dynamic Web Programming with Database Driven Content Management Systems, Online Stores for E-Commerce, B2B Solutions, Community Portals, Website Redesign and Development, Custom ERP with Enterprise Wide Functional Modules such as Marketing, CRM, Accounting, Inventory Control, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Purchase & Stores, Logistics and Supply Chain. Seek your further questions and help. Thank you, Best Regards, Jayapratap.
No B.S. Time Management - A great book I read on Time Management is No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy.
An "Easy Button" - In the US, Staples Office Supply company has a commercial that features an easy button. The idea is that when you have a difficult task, you hit the easy button and the task is easier. Staples is saying that they make it easier. But, my question is, what would you use an "easy button" for?? Chris
Which kind of industries are you interested in? - Ecological or E-business or Investment or Finance or Management or Non-Profit or Retailer or others.
HRPreneur - Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and I recently started my own Human Capital (HR) consulting firm called HRPreneur Inc. HRP focuses on making human capital a strategic differentiator for SME's. Below is a summary about HRP; Who We Are: HRP is a Human Capital consulting firm with 30 years of experience that becomes an extension of your company by providing a full array of services to help you create a highly engaged workforce focused on achieving strategic results in order to build a long lasting great company! Mission: HRP provides small and medium sized businesses a Strategic HR Business Partner to increase employee engagement, resulting in cost savings, increased productivity and results at an affordable rate! Vision: To inspire and warrant SME's reach their full competency! Cost Effectiveness: We provide over 30 years of experience at a fraction of the cost at a strategic executive HR business level You will save between 50% to 60% in costs per year on salary, bonus, benefits, training, office space alone We will provide you additional cost efficiencies through our services Services: • Strategic Human Resources Planning • Organizational Redesign • Change Management • Organizational Culture Development • Employee Engagement Programs • Leadership Assessment and Development • Compensation Design • Talent Acquisition • Assimilation and On-Boarding • Performance Management • Talent Management & Succession Planning • Human Resources Due Diligence • Human Resources Audit • Full Service HR Outsourcing


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Email Marketing Made Easy #11 - Avoiding Spam

Avoid Burnout: Do the Limbo Regularly

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.