Supplier Relationship Management for Collaboration, Impact and Business Success #4328
July 21-23, 2010 in Nashville, TN

Constant improvement in lead-time, quality and overall supplier performance is imperative to remain competitive in today's tough global economy. That's why Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) has become increasingly critical.

SRM provides an organizational focus on communicating and collaborating with suppliers on the many steps of the Supply Management process. This focus reduces the lead-time and total cost of acquisition, transportation and possession of goods and services for the benefit of both the buyer and seller. As a result, SRM provides a competitive advantage and improved profits. Earn 21 CEHs.

Registration fee $1,595* members / $1,895* nonmembers

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Center of Supply Chain Management Studies at St. Louis University Survey -

A recent study on supply chain and logistics operations cited risk management as a top concern in supply chain execution. Outsourcing, just-in-time practice, and adoption of lean principles, with the uncertain economic situation are some of the reasons, according to the study, that supply chain management is highly vulnerable these days.

My name is Ik-Whan Kwon, Professor of Supply Chain Management and Director of the Center of Supply Chain Management Studies at St. Louis University. I would like to invite you to participate in this research study on Risk Management in Supply Chain Operations. The objective of this survey is to study the nature of risk that you and your organizations face in operating supply chain management and formulate appropriate mitigating strategies. Although risk poses a serious threat to supply chain operations, very little is known how to assess such threat and prepare mitigation strategies. This study attempts to assess the sources of such threats and formulate a comprehensive mitigation plan.

The results of this study may be published in scientific research journals or presented at professional conferences. However, your name and identity will not be revealed and your record will remain anonymous since there is no way for us to know your identity during this survey process.

Your participation in this study only involves answering a few questions in each area of risk sources assessment and the risks to you as a participant are minimal since this survey is being conducted in an anonymous manner. You can choose not to participate. If you decide not to participate, there will be no penalty to you or loss of any benefit to which you are otherwise entitled. You may withdraw from this study at any time.

Although you may not receive a direct benefit from this study, your participation may benefit others by sharing information in this area and prepare them with better response in mitigating such risk encounters.

Should you have any questions about this research study, you can contact Dr. Ik-Whan Kwon, Principal Investigator at 314-977-7155 or kwoni@slu.edu. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, you can call the St. Louis University Institute Review Board at 314-977-2029 or irb@slu.edu.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to working with you on this project.

Sincerely,

Ik-Whan G. Kwon, Ph.D

Professor and Director

Click on this link to participate in the survey.    http://slu.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_8dmqETnQFdlgaBC&SVID=Prod
 

Welcome New Members!!!!

Rhonda Shurtleff - Kasco Corporation; Pamela Boger -  Olin Corp.;  David Belfield - LMI Aerospace; Andrew Barton -  Arch Coal, Inc.; Kim Reed - Ralcorp Holdings Inc.; Kent Young - MasterCard Worldwide; Alina Young - Magellan Health Services; Kevon Hall - Sigma-Aldrich; Tawnya Musial - Sigma-Aldrich; Amy Fitzgerald - Sun Chemical Corporation; Michael P. Steinke, C.P.M. -ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft Co.  

New Student Members:

Kendrick D. Ransom

Outstanding Benefits in Joining ISM - St. Louis
See attached PDF. http://www.ismstlouis.org/NewsLetter/Membership%20Material.pdf

New Membership Dues Invoicing Process for ISM-St. Louis

By now, members should have received an invoice from ISM National (out of Tempe, AZ) for your ISM-St. Louis membership renewal.  If you haven’t already received your invoice, please watch for it in the mail.  This year is the first time that ISM-St. Louis has utilized the billing option available through ISM National and as with any transition, there have been a few bumps.  Below are some of the initial issues that have been brought to our attention:

·         Odd billing amounts – The renewal rate for ISM-St. Louis should be $260 total for any current Regular members and $160 total for Associate members who has been with ISM-St. Louis since 7/1/09.  If you joined ISM-St. Louis since 7/1/09 then you should receive a pro-rated bill. 

·         New remittance address – In the past, bills were processed through ISM-St. Louis and remitted back to ISM-St. Louis.  Since ISM National is handling the invoicing process this year, all payments will be directed back to ISM National (Tempe, AZ address).

·         New members receiving invoices – There have been a few instances in which members who joined ISM-St. Louis since 1/1/2010 have received an invoice.  If this is the case, please contact ISM Nationals for further guidance.

I’d like to apologize for any confusion that this new process may have caused.  Should you have questions about your invoice, your first point of contact should be with ISM National customer service at 800-888-6276, extension 401 or via email at custsvc@ism.ws.  As always, I am happy to assist with any issues that need additional attention.  Thank you for your understanding as we work towards more efficient processes.

Melissa L. Orlando, CPSM, C.P.M.

Director of Membership

The April General Meeting was held on April 20th, which posed a schedule conflict for me. So like some of you, I too missed the meeting.  That was especially unfortunate, because if you have ever cruised or know someone who has, the topic "The Logistics Challenges Facing an International Cruise Line" presented by Tim Rand provided insights into =”How do they do that?".  Because I wasn't able to attend, I asked my colleague, Marshall Karibian, to take notes for me to use in this article.  Thanks, Marshall!
 
Tim provided a brief career overview of his experience with the Cruise Line Industry.  Based upon the special characteristics of his former employer, one would conclude Tim worked for a luxury cruise line. 
 
He stated that a cruise line is a Restaurant and Hotel with uniquely complex operations which rely on strong logistical and planning techniques to meet and exceed the expectations of its customers/passengers.  Tim said that behind the service staff who attends to the cabins and dining rooms, there are a number of key individuals who collectively make it possible for the staff to successfully interact with the passengers.  Shore Side, ship board, hotel, marine and technical staff execute a series of exchanges to make sure goods and services are placed appropriately to contribute to delivering exceptional service to passengers.  Behind the staff within the supply chain are suppliers and consolidators who serve to provision the ship at key points along its route.  From fine foods, international award winning wines and distilled beverages, to beer, mixers, soft-drinks and of course, those colorful umbrellas to shade your drink from the mid-day sun.  This network of supply managers and suppliers are often supported by a sophisticated data management network designed to track and report consumption and facilitate restocking of provisions at the next port of call.
 
There are several challenges that cruise lines face: Distance, Time Zones, Languages, International Trade and Commerce Regulations, Warehousing/Storage, Shelf-life of Perishables, soft-goods and Gift Items and Trash and Waste Management.  All of the supply chain activities of the cruise line are designed to happen out of the line of sight of the passenger.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it and I didn't even attend the general meeting. 

By Eugene Kattak, CPSM, C.P.M., Career Bank Facilitator