With today's technology, communications travel at the speed of light, or even faster. Information is now exchanged in real time. The instantaneous way in which we move information around the globe is a critical component of today's rapid-fire business environment.
The supply chain community has always embraced technology. Replacing bad inventory with good information was a mantra years ago, and progressive companies incorporated this philosophy into their operational plans. In today's best-in-class supply chains, the immediate exchange of information is a given—it's what we do with that information that separates the best from the rest.
Technology has been a major contributor to the notion of "going global." Globalization requires not only the exchange of information in real time but also understanding the unique characteristics of different countries' infrastructures. Supply chain managers must also be aware of various geopolitical environments and economic situations, as well as the culture of the people in those environments
This is, in part, what is driving CSCMP's activities on almost every continent on the planet. The emerging "globalness" of our discipline and the supply chains within it are enticing on the one hand, yet daunting on the other. Our members are asking us to help them gain an in-depth understanding of this worldwide arena, and we are responding with an abundance of offerings.
CSCMP continues to expand its global presence. We've offered seminars in China, Dubai, Europe, Taiwan, and all over the world. We'll continue this trend in 2008 with educational seminars in China, Dubai, Europe, and South Africa.
CSCMP's support of higher education is a cornerstone of our organization, and it impacts the profession on a global scale. We are committed to our partnerships with institutions that help educate the supply chain professionals of the future.
Our second European research seminar was recently held in Paris, just prior to our annual European conference. This event helps develop collaborative connections between European researchers and CSCMP's Journal of Business Logistics, where many of their research papers are published.
We're conducting extensive research on supply chain costing, an area that has recently come into sharper focus as businesses around the globe grapple with the volatility of economic factors like outsourcing and energy. It's unusual for a professional association to offer both research that plows new ground and education to enhance professional development, but CSCMP is dedicated to doing just that.
And we continue to offer global supply chain perspectives in a wide range of worldclass publications, including this magazine as well as in CSCMP Supply Chain Comment, CSCMP Explores…, and CSCMP Global Perspectives.
At CSCMP, we know supply chain pros are managing more complexity than ever before. Our goal is to develop and provide educational programs and products for you, the global supply chain professional, to help you compete in the 21st century. We want to give you the tools you need to be the most effective supply chain manager you can be, wherever you are in your career, wherever you are in the world.
