April 2010 Issue

APICS Update

Introducing the Customer-Focused Supply Chain Management Course
APICS is pleased to announce a one-day course for professionals in functions that support the supply chain (for example, sales and marketing, accounting, information technology, and senior executives). The Customer-Focused Supply Chain Management (CF SCM) course will provide an insider's view of supply chain management. It is designed to quickly and effectively educate team members who support supply chains, enabling them to help increase efficiency and generate improvements. The course strengthens the entire team and fosters appreciation of a properly structured and managed supply chain. This interactive course will be delivered through APICS channel partners.

An APICS Webinar providing an overview of the course took place on April 26. Please see below for a link to the recording of this APICS Webinar and a link to the presentation slides.

• Click to download the recording for the CF SCM course APICS Webinar.
• Click to download a PDF of the presentation slides.

2010 APICS International Conference & Expo Registration Now Open
Be sure to join us in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, October 17–19, 2010. APICS channel partner leaders will receive a special code to register for APICS 2010 and the Volunteer Leadership Workshop at a discounted rate. Watch your inbox for details.

2010 Learning Paths

• Global Supply Chain
  These educational sessions are divided into general and specific content. General educational sessions will discuss the fundamentals of effective global supply chain management. Specific educational sessions will provide thought leadership in global supply chain management with specific case studies and applications of best practices.



• Operations Planning and Control
  Educational sessions will be divided into general and specific content. General educational sessions will discuss the fundamentals of successful operations planning and control. Specific educational sessions will focus on case studies that identify means to maximize productivity and bottom-line profitability through operations planning and control.



• Lean
  Deepen your understanding and learn practical applications for the methods and mind-sets for building a solid lean operating environment.



• Professional Advancement
  Attend educational sessions in this learning path to understand how you can achieve career advancement through actions both large and small.

Learn more about the educational program at apicsconference.org.

New Online Certification Maintenance Application Form
APICS has launched an online Certification Maintenance Program application form, which will enable all certification maintenance candidates to submit applications through the APICS web site. The new submission method offers the following enhancements:

• Pre-populated contact information
• Secure electronic payment
• Automatic response to candidates that the application has been received
• Combined point tracking form and professional development journal
• Quicker response time
• Ability to update and re-submit information if required
• Electronic notification of approval or denial (with specific denial reason) within one week.

A printable form will still be available for those who wish to pay by check. The online and printable application forms can be accessed through apics.org/certification/maintenance.

APICS and Aberdeen Vault Announcement
APICS is pleased to announce that all members can receive two years of free access to the Aberdeen Research Vault, providing exclusive access to the latest Aberdeen analysis, market-moving news and vertical insights. This is a $995 value. Please encourage your members to take advantage of this member benefit by registering for the Vault today.

Access the Aberdeen Vault in Three Easy Steps

1. Go to this link to sign on to the Aberdeen Group Web site: http://vault.aberdeen.com/public/check-identity/vault/47573ySDXH/partner.aspx
   • Existing Vault Members who wish to extend membership: enter your user name and password
   • New Vault members: Enter your email address under "New Registration" and click "Enter"
2. Enter APICS VIP Promotional Code: 67845WJDYP in the box at the top, and click "Validate Code"
3. After validating the code, the registration cost should change to zero dollars - you are now ready to complete your account profile and begin accessing the full research library. Be sure to bookmark the site under your "Favorites" so you can find the site in the future.

Best Practices

Salt Lake City Chapter’s One Page Business Plan
As APICS volunteers, your time is limited. Many of you are juggling work and family commitments while others are busy enjoying retirement. In addition, the very nature of the operations management professional is to create efficiency where possible. In this vein, we highlight a chapter in the Pacific Western District that has created what they call the One Page Business Plan.

Grant Dalton, president of the APICS Salt Lake City Chapter, designed the One Page Business Plan to make his role and the roles of those on his board easier. “I wanted to respect the time commitment of busy professionals and found this was a great way to get chapter information out efficiently,” he said.

The document provides all the contact information of key chapter players along with a calendar of chapter programs and events, a chapter financial overview, key board of directors decisions (tracked and updated), communication efforts (including copy due dates and mailing dates), membership categories, tax and annual renewal information, and information about their partnership with Weber State University.

Merri Rich, CPIM, is a past Salt Lake City Chapter president and treasurer. “The One Page Business Plan allows for at-a-glance status of key performance indicators, important dates, and deadlines. It is designed to keep the board focused and informed with a clear and concise tool," she says.

While the creation of this document took some effort upfront, the chapter has found that it keeps busy volunteers on track and provides an easily accessible way to update board members and assign responsibilities without having to call a meeting. It also serves as an objective document that will become the cornerstone for board meetings moving forward, and it provides history for the chapter.  

For more information about the One Page Business Plan, please contact APICS Chapter Relations at chaprel@apics.org.

Chapter Development

Promote Your Chapter Events in the C-BOX Channel Partner Calendar
Gain visibility for your upcoming events in the new APICS Channel Partner Event Calendar located in C-BOX. The audience that will be viewing your event information are fellow APICS channel partners and volunteer leaders. 

Events that can be included in the calendar include special events such as regional conferences, TTT/LDI, seminars, or if you are exhibiting at an expo event. Please, no PDM events.

Fill out this online form to submit your events.

Announcing 2010 First Quarter Chapter Incentive Program Winners
APICS Chapter Incentives Program recognizes chapters increasing the presence of APICS in their local markets. The first quarter 2010 winners have been selected based on reporting in the categories of APICS certification, APICS Bookstore sales activity, and new member acquisitions.

See the winners recognized on the Chapter Incentive Program page in C-BOX. Click here.

Your chapter’s participation can earn you prizes and recognition by recruiting new members, delivering exceptional education, and supporting the APICS brand. Each quarterly winning chapter receives a prize and is eligible for the quarterly grand prize drawing for a $500 APICS gift certificate, which can be redeemed for APICS Bookstore materials or used towards a conference registration. A chapter is eligible to win one grand prize drawing per year.  

For further details or to ask questions about the Chapter Incentives Program, contact APICS District and Chapter Services at (800) 444-2742, extension 5436, or email chaprel@apics.org.

Important Reminder: The APICS CSCP Exam Deadline Is Approaching
Eligibility applications for the June 19 APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) paper-and-pencil exams are due by April 23. This is the last opportunity for chapter members to take the APICS CSCP exam in paper-and-pencil format before the December paper-and-pencil exam. Exam registrations must be completed by May 7. Reservations for the July/August APICS CSCP computer-based testing (CBT) window open on May 5, 2010. Encourage your members to find out more about the application, registration processes, testing locations, and exam dates. For more information, visit apics.org/cscp.

Q&A

Q. How should our chapter go about getting accredited so that our courses are eligible for tuition reimbursement from the Department of Defense (DOD)?

A: If selling training to individuals who are not part of a larger, funded training initiative on their base, tuition reimbursement is granted for courses that lead to certification and are offered by an accredited academic institution. For an example of this requirement, refer to the U.S. Army’s education page on tuition assistance at https://www.cool.army.mil/costs.htm#credentialing2.

The educational institution, such as an individual chapter classified as a standalone business, should seek accreditation from one of the U.S Department of Education’s regional/national accrediting agencies. For a list of the Department of Education’s approved agencies, please refer to the following link:
http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html.

The APICS Certification Department is currently pursuing accreditation with the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education for CPIM and CSCP. Though this designation isn’t necessary to qualify for DOD reimbursement of our exams since the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support assists financially, this accreditation will provide college credit for students who pass our exams. The approximate up-front cost for accrediting two to three programs is about $12,000, with an ongoing annual fee of $1000 to maintain accreditation. Attached to this email is a packet that describes the evaluation process and costs from the University of the State of New York’s National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (National PONSI). For more information about National PONSI’s accreditation process, please refer to the following URL:
http://www.nationalponsi.org/About_National_PONSI.htm.

Tools of the Trade

New Membership Renewal Tool for Your Chapter
Now there’s an easy way to help your chapter reach out to lapsed or suspended members with the creation of the APICS Membership Renewal Form. This form may be used at your upcoming PDM or in a mailing. C-BOX also features sample letters and e-mails to assist with your chapter’s membership renewal campaign. These tools can be found in C-BOX here.

Now Available! APICS International Conference & Expo Marketing Tool Kit
Promote APICS 2010 to your members with a variety of online and printed materials. From online and print ads to fliers, postcards, and more—the APICS 2010 Marketing Tool Kit can help you get started.

Click to visit the tool kit now.

Newly Posted Resources on C-BOX
Take advantage of online tools, services, programs, and information for your chapter or district through C-BOX, the partner collaboration tool box, at http://cbox.apics.org/Pages/default.aspx.

See the latest resources below.

• March Membership Summary Count Report
• 2010 Member Benefit Flier
• APICS Membership Renewal Form
• Customized Electronic Mailing List Form
• APICS Channel Partner Event Calendar
• 2010 International APICS CSCP Brochure
• 2010 International APICS CPIM Brochure
• 2010 Domestic APICS CPIM Brochure—Use the APICS CPIM brochure for your chapter recruiting efforts at chapter meetings, educational events, and corporate meetings. Order the 2010 APICS CPIM Certification Brochure from the APICS bookstore (Stock #09058V2010).
• Access the new Test-Taking Tips and Strategies to Improve Your Performance on APICS Certification Exams. These certification study tips were created by surveying APICS CSCP and APICS CPIM exam participants.

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