Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment

Become a fast learner

Do you want to learn more about supply chain management but don't have a lot of spare time? CSCMP has developed a series of online "Supply Chain Quick Courses" that will meet your needs.

Designed for entry-level to mid-level professionals, these courses were created by recognized experts in the supply chain field. Each course includes one instructional, online video that runs from 45 minutes to 75 minutes; teaching notes, including terminology and definitions, test questions, and an answer key; recommended further reading; and a video-player interface. Current topics include: demand management, financial fundamentals, manufacturing operations, performance measurements, physical distribution systems, quality, sales and operations planning, and master planning and capacity management. CSCMP will be continually adding new courses to download. Courses cost US $64.95 for members and US $94.95 for nonmembers.


Program: Supply Chain Quick Courses
Sponsor: CSCMP
Info:https://cscmp.org/education/quick-course.asp


Learn to think lean

Experts maintain that when you apply lean thinking to the supply chain, you can achieve a more efficient and effective operation with less waste. But how do you acquire that lean thinking? The Georgia Institute of Technology's "Building the Lean Supply Chain Problem Solver" course could be the first step.

Georgia Tech says that the course will teach participants how to "think lean" and use problem-solving tools to eliminate waste. Students will learn how to develop a keen eye for operational waste and discover and solve the root causes of business problems. This course is the first of three that participants can take to receive a Lean Supply Chain Professional Certificate. The course is cosponsored by CSCMP.

Program: Building the Lean Supply Chain Problem Solver
Sponsor: Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Dates: August 9-11, 2011
Info:www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/building-leansupply-chain-problem-solver


How to pay for performance

The University of Tennessee offers two courses about compensating providers of outsourced services for overall results instead of for specific products or actions. "Performance-Based Logistics" (PBL) is for managers who work with the U.S. Defense Department in PBL contractual situations. The course focuses on establishing and executing performance-based lifecycle product support. PBL concepts and applications are presented through lectures, question and answer sessions, case studies, and small-group exercises.

"Vested Outsourcing" is designed for managers in any industry who procure outsourced services such as third-party logistics, information technology support, or facilities management. Participants will learn about the underlying theories and practical applications of paying for results (such as on-time delivery) as opposed to paying for activities (such as picking and packing). The course will also help participants write their own performance work statements that link to desired outcomes.

Both courses are co-sponsored by CSCMP.

Program: University of Tennessee Center for Executive Education
Courses and dates: Performance-Based Logistics: September 13-16, 2011; Vested Outsourcing: August 1-3, 2011; November 8-10, 2011
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Info:https://thecenter.utk.edu/

Recent

More Stories

photos of grocery supply chain workers

ReposiTrak and Upshop link platforms to enable food traceability

ReposiTrak, a global food traceability network operator, will partner with Upshop, a provider of store operations technology for food retailers, to create an end-to-end grocery traceability solution that reaches from the supply chain to the retail store, the firms said today.

The partnership creates a data connection between suppliers and the retail store. It works by integrating Salt Lake City-based ReposiTrak’s network of thousands of suppliers and their traceability shipment data with Austin, Texas-based Upshop’s network of more than 450 retailers and their retail stores.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

minority woman with charts of business progress

Study: Inclusive procurement can fuel economic growth

Inclusive procurement practices can fuel economic growth and create jobs worldwide through increased partnerships with small and diverse suppliers, according to a study from the Illinois firm Supplier.io.

The firm’s “2024 Supplier Diversity Economic Impact Report” found that $168 billion spent directly with those suppliers generated a total economic impact of $303 billion. That analysis can help supplier diversity managers and chief procurement officers implement programs that grow diversity spend, improve supply chain competitiveness, and increase brand value, the firm said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Logistics industry growth slowed in December
Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics industry growth slowed in December

Logistics industry growth slowed in December due to a seasonal wind-down of inventory and following one of the busiest holiday shopping seasons on record, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The monthly LMI was 57.3 in December, down more than a percentage point from November’s reading of 58.4. Despite the slowdown, economic activity across the industry continued to expand, as an LMI reading above 50 indicates growth and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Keep ReadingShow less
pie chart of business challenges in 2025

DHL: small businesses wary of uncertain times in 2025

As U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face an uncertain business landscape in 2025, a substantial majority (67%) expect positive growth in the new year compared to 2024, according to a survey from DHL.

However, the survey also showed that businesses could face a rocky road to reach that goal, as they navigate a complex environment of regulatory/policy shifts and global market volatility. Both those issues were cited as top challenges by 36% of respondents, followed by staffing/talent retention (11%) and digital threats and cyber attacks (2%).

Keep ReadingShow less
women shopping and checking out at store

Study: Over 15% of all retail returns in 2024 were fraudulent

As retailers enter 2025, they continue struggling to slow the flood of returns fraud, which represented 15.14%--or nearly one-sixth—of all product returns in 2024, according to a report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte.

That percentage is even greater than the 13.21% of total retail sales that were returned. Measured in dollars, returns (including both legitimate and fraudulent) last year reached $685 billion out of the $5.19 trillion in total retail sales.

Keep ReadingShow less