I know that you as a member of NAPM consider furthering your knowledge of your profession is important or you would not be wasting your time or money to be a member and attend dinner meeting or seminars. I hope that somewhere in your list of goals that you include getting your C.P.M certification, attend more dinner meetings and getting involved in the workings of your affiliate (we need your involvement to make it work for you).

I hope this will be a prosperous and successful year for you. See you at our upcoming dinner meeting.

NAPM-SA and APICS will be having a joint dinner meeting on January 17, 2001 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Lotus Garden Restaurant located at 5975 E. Speedway in Tucson. Their will also be second joint events with APICS with a tour of Raytheon planned for March 2001.

Our international guest speaker on January 17 will be Patricia Wickham, President of Education Nonpareil, a 3 partner multinational business consulting firm specializing in world class business concepts. Currently Patricia lives in El Paso, Texas but is also a instructor of Marketing Research and Strategic Management with European University at the Antwerp and Bruxelles, Belgium campuses and the Treasurer/Board member of APICS in Washington DC. Able to speak the French, Dutch and German languages besides English has allowed her to fulfill past roles of:

1. Operations Manager with AT&T GIS Europe in Bruxelles, Belgium
2. Logistics Consultant with Dow Corning Europe in Seneffe, Belgium
3. Material Manager with Johnson Controls Automotive Europe in 7 plants in 5 countries
4. New Products Manager with Case/Cummins Engine in North Carolina
5. Distribution Manager with Time/ATARI in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
6. Financial Analyst/MRP II Implementor with GTE Sylvania in El Paso, Texas

Besides Patricia's many accolades with APICS, the international and USA communities, she has been the 1991 International Woman of the Year with the International Biographical Center and Woman of the Year with the American Biographical Institute. Patricia will be talking about a case study of the "Warehouse On Wheels" or WOW which is a step by step methodology of extending Kanban directly to the Supplier's production line by implementing a long distance JIT conveyor belt to maximize economies of scale through the collaborative energies of the customer, suppliers and transporter. The "Warehouse On Wheels" is a state of the art logistics concept that is a visual management transport process that is based on the ultimate Kanban concept by reducing inventory, eliminating the cost of storage and supporting costs of capital investment, equipment and manpower. Hailed in European Management trade journals as the first successful continental "Just In Time" transport project, the WOW concept is now trademarked within the EEC countries.

There is a perception that JIT delivery has been achieved in Japan because "all their suppliers are in their back yard". Implementing WOW provides the closed loop to the collaborative Supply Management chain and eliminates the "back yard" theory. The successful achievement of this transport genesis could not have been achieved without the synergy that exuded between the three partners: customer, supplier, and sole source transporter.

This is a topic not to miss, so come join your fellow NAPM and APICS members for an international night to remember. Just remember, this special night is January 17 at the Lotus Garden Restaurant starting at 5:30 pm.

By Mare Allen

NAPM National Volunteer Positions Available
This notification outlines NAPM national volunteer positions available in April 2001. Descriptions for each position include term of office, qualifications, and duties for each vacancy.

NAPM provides the opportunity to all members to express their interest in NAPM volunteer opportunities. In principle and in practice, NAPM values and seeks a diverse membership. Individual viewpoints and contributions are pursued and respected. There are no barriers to full participation in NAPM on the basis of ethnic background, gender, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

Individuals interested in a national volunteer position may submit their qualifications and personal commitments to service NAPM in the desired position on the Volunteer Position Interest Form. The NAPM President, Chief Executive Officer, and the Executive Committee will review each Interest Form and determine the committee needs, qualities and capabilities needed, diversity, and other pertinent issues. The NAPM Executive Committee will develop a candidate for each position at its March 24, 2001, meeting and its recommendations will be submitted to the NAPM Board of Directors at its April 28, 2001, meeting.

If you have any questions about these positions, contact the NAPM Secretary, Holly LaCroix Johnson @ 800-888-6276 or 480-752-6276, extension 3030, or by e-mail at [email protected]

The Volunteer Position Interest Form may be obtained by calling the NAPM Secretary, through the NAPM Fax on Demand System (request document #43292), or through the NAPM Web site at www.napm.org/MembersOnly/Governance.cfm

The Volunteer Position Interest Form should be submitted to the NAPM Secretary, Holly LaCrois Johnson, NAPM, P.O. Box 22160, Tempe, AZ 85285-2160, fax 480-752-7890, or via the Web site by February 28, 2001.

The primary mission of NAPM is to provide professional training for the Purchasing and Supply Management career fields and to provide a certification program that attests to the achievement of a specific skill level. The C.P.M. / A.P.P. are the designations that reflect success in achieving this professional status. The NAPM-SA board encourages member to strive for these certifications and to make it easier, they are sponsoring a series of module reviews. These reviews will be based on the NAPM Study Guide, seventh edition, dated 2000. Interested participants should study the tasks involved in the specific module covered by the review. During the review all tasks for that module will be discussed and a practice test will be administered. If you have any questions give me a call at 206-4759.

The next review will be on January 20, 2001 and will cover module 3 of the new testing series (see the flyer in this issue for additional information). The plan is to offer a review each 3 or 4 months so members can complete the test on that module between the reviews and complete the four tests in one year. If you have any suggestions for this program let me know or tell any of the board members.

The next Satellite Seminar will be February 1, 2001 entitled "Contract Administration and Management". What makes a good contract and who should manage it? The answers are particularly important for contracting outsourcing, large services, management consulting, or research activities. This program will review important components of contracts, including statements of work, key term and conditions or clauses, and tools for effective administration. It will discuss how to administer performance-based contracts.

The Satellite Seminars are an excellent learning opportunity at a very reasonable rate only $30.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members if you have any questions contact Pete Petersen @ 648-8590 or Pancho Hernandez @ 733-1733.

By Elliott Chaitt, Global Resources Chairman
How do we perceive ourselves culturally? How do we perceive other nationalities? Are there differences? In many cases the answers will result in differences. Depending on where you were raised, your cultural understanding may be different than a co-worker, which could be entirely different than another nationality. As we deal internationally these differences really become apparent.

Culture is defined as "the customary beliefs, social forms and material traits of a racial, religious or social group." Though we come from different races, heritage and experiences, our American business culture is somewhat hompgeneous.

As Americans we have a tendency to believe in the individual and individuality. We also believe in making quick decisions, putting emphasis on time. This doesn't mean decisions are hasty, putting emphasis on time. This doesn't mean decisions are hasty, but timeliness is important. We also tend to believe in equality as opposed to a hierarchy. We believe we can present an opinion to our boss in a straight-forward manner and not be considered being "out-of-place" or disrespectful.

Americans for the most part are informal. We like to use first names when addressing each other no matter the relative positions in the company. We socialize during business meetings and usually resent someone being too formal by saying they are "stuffy." We also like to say what is on our mind and "cut to the chase." If we believe someone did something incorrectly, we feel we should bring it to their attention. We feel we can offer criticism, and still shake hands and get along fine afterwards.

What is all of this leading to? As we deal internationally we cannot assume that everyone thinks and acts like we do in the business environment. The Asians, for example, are very hierarchical. It is appropriate to address yourself to the lead person in a formal and respectful manner. They can be disturbed by an informal approach. They also believe strongly in saving face. No one is ever criticized in public. The team or group must have consensus before a decision is made.

Latin America and the Middle East are also regions that believe strongly in a hierarchical relationship. They too think that being direct is just being rude. Asians do not respect business people who lose their temper. They expect dignity even during stressful negotiations. Latino, Middle Eastern and Russian business people on the other hand are passionate and emotional. If you don't display some sense of passion, they don't thing you are sincere.

The foregoing should be a reminder to those of us who deal internationally. Know the cultural disposition of those with whome you negotiate and take the trouble to use the tact and diplomacy required to create an atmosphere of cooperation and good will.

Beginning in January 2001 the program for refunding of monies for passing C.P.M. modules will require the follows criteria be met.

A.The attendance of the NAPM-SA C.P.M. review class of the module being reimburse.

B.The attendance of any (3) three dinner meetings within that calendar year.

C.The passing of that module.

Maximum of $25.00 will be reinburse for each module meeting requirements.

Make sure you mark your calendar for this upcoming event. This will be a opportunity for you to visit with approximately 15 to 20 vendors and familiarize yourself with their new products and services that they have to offer. We will be having door prizes and dinner will be buffet style along with lots of fun.

Please see upcoming newsletters for more information or contact Pancho Hernandez @ 733-1733

All the plans are still not in place but to give you as much time as possible, here's what we have in mind at this time