Continuing education is important not only for personal career development but also for learning new supply chain strategies and tactics. Here are a just a few examples of upcoming professional education programs around the world.

Transcend functional boundaries

Supply chain management is not just another name for logistics. Instead, it is a business approach used to transcend traditional functional boundaries, according to educators at The Ohio State University. This Supply Chain Management Executive Education course, cosponsored by CSCMP, teaches participants that supply chain management is the integration— from end user through original supplier—of key business processes that provide products, services, and information that add value for customers and other stakeholders. The program focuses on the management of the relationships between firms in the supply chain and is based on the supply chain management framework developed by Ohio State's Global Supply Chain Forum.

Program: Supply Chain Management Executive Education
Sponsors: The Ohio State University and CSCMP
Locations and dates: Auckland, New Zealand (with the University of Auckland): April 1-4
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.A.: April 14-18
Info: http://fisher.osu.edu/centers/scm

Take an integrated approach to logistics

Looking to expand your view of logistics beyond the traditional focus on transportation or warehousing? Michigan State University's Logistics in Supply Chain Management Executive Seminar will help participants understand the theory, dynamics, structure, and principles of logistics management. Co-sponsored by CSCMP, the program will emphasize supply chain integration, performance management, technology, and organizational dynamics. It will also help participants identify and understand the logistics and supply trade-offs associated with global operations. To supplement the lectures, the program utilizes a computer simulation that replicates a supply chain process.

Program: Logistics in Supply Chain Management Executive Seminar
Sponsors: Michigan State University and CSCMP
Location: Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A.
Dates: May 4-9, 2008
Info: www.bus.msu.edu/execed/programs/openEnrollment.cfm

Create value through partnerships

Integrated logistics management provides a competitive advantage that will help companies achieve success in today's business environment. The University of Tennessee's Logistics Executive Development Program focuses on how to create value for all members of the supply chain and coordinate logistics activities and strategies with other areas of the corporation. The course is designed for both users and providers of logistics services and places special emphasis on developing and managing logistics partnerships. Students learn how to use and share information strategically and how to take a process-orientation and systems management approach to logistics.

Program: Logistics Executive Development Program
Sponsors: The University of Tennessee and CSCMP
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Dates: May 5-9, 2008
Info: http://thecenter.utk.edu

Leaner, faster, stronger

Participants in Vanderbilt University's "Achieving Operational Excellence" seminar will learn how to make their supply chain processes leaner, faster, and more efficient. This involves conducting a "value chain audit" of their operation's various processes, identifying which of those processes need to be improved, and creating and leading transformational process-improvement teams. Co-sponsored by CSCMP, this seminar will teach participants to assess their operating strategies in the context of their target markets, core competencies, and business goals.

Program: Achieving Operational Excellence Seminar
Sponsors: Vanderbilt University and CSCMP
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Dates: May 13-14, 2008
Info: www.owen.vanderbilt.edu/vanderbilt/Programs/exec-ed

Practical guide to performance-based logistics

"Performance-Based Logistics: The Basics and Beyond" from the University of Tennessee and CSCMP seeks to help companies that have performance-based logistics (PBL) contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Tennessee's program focuses on establishing and executing performancebased logistics contracts and programs. The program format includes lectures, question-andanswer sessions, case studies, and small-group exercises led by university faculty members and industry experts.

Program: Performance-Based Logistics: The Basics and Beyond Course
Sponsors: The University of Tennessee and CSCMP
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Dates: May 13-16, 2008; August 19-22, 2008
Info: http://pbl.utk.edu

Optimize speed, agility, and efficiency

The annual Spring Symposium at Lehigh University's Center for Value Chain Research will focus on the theme of "Supply Chain Optimization for Speed, Agility, and Efficiency." University faculty and speakers from Johnson & Johnson, Air Products, GE, Hershey, and LogicTools will address this topic. The event will start with a networking and student-recruiting dinner, followed by a full day of presentations and discussions. The program is co-sponsored by CSCMP.

Program: Lehigh University Center for Value Chain Research Spring Symposium
Sponsors: Lehigh University and CSCMP
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Dates: May 13-14
Info: www.lehigh.edu/~inchain/SymposiumSpring08

Plan for a change

Michigan State University's Purchasing & Supply Chain Management Executive Seminar is not just five days of presentations, small-group workshops, and discussion sessions. The program also provides participants with an opportunity to plan a strategic change initiative for their own companies. Additionally, guest lecturers from leading companies will present case studies and advice from the trenches. Finally, participants will discuss their own best practices in a workshop facilitated by the program's organizers. This program is co-sponsored by CSCMP.

Program: Purchasing & Supply Chain Management Seminar
Sponsors: Michigan State University and CSCMP
Location: Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A.
Dates: June 1-6, 2008
Info: www.bus.msu.edu/execed