When you become a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), you not only gain access to some of the finest supply chain intelligence in the world—such as the articles in this publication, the thought-leading research CSCMP sponsors, and the many information resources available on our website—you also become part of a global supply chain management community.

Your membership opens the door to a community that will give you access not just to new ideas and expert opinions but also to new professional connections. Being connected to this community will help you solve problems, learn what other companies are doing, and share best practices. The people in this community are the ones who will offer you insights on supply chain challenges you may be facing, or provide directions when you take a wrong turn. With the support of this global community, you'll be able to turn an apparent failure into an opportunity for growth and success.

Connecting with your peers leads to learning, personal growth, and career progression. But it will also benefit your company and its bottom line. The connections you form through CSCMP could lead to personal relationships with potential business partners and customers. These relationships will enable you and your company to stand out from the crowd and stay top of mind.

By connecting to CSCMP members, you also connect to those members' networks of contacts. Did you know that the average supply chain professional knows more than 3,000 people—and that each of these people has about the same number of contacts? Think about the possibilities this expanded network offers you!

As a supply chain professional, you are continually faced with unique challenges that require unique solutions. Each and every day, in fact, your business takes you where no one has gone before. Through CSCMP you have the opportunity to reach some of the brightest minds in the profession—a community of supply chain leaders who will light the way for you and help you realize your vision.

I urge you to take full advantage of what this community has to offer by attending local CSCMP events and conferences. By participating in these events and getting involved in your local roundtable, you will form connections with other leading supply chain professionals. When you attend CSCMP events, whether it's at the local level or our annual conference, you'll be able to put names to faces, contacts in your smartphone, and new ideas into your supply chain operation.

I've outlined a number of reasons to become a part of CSCMP's unique community. Here's one more: With the support of CSCMP and a global community of your peers, you have the power to shape and define the future of supply chain management.

Join us today. Find out more at cscmp.org.