By Mare Allen

The distinguishing characteristic of a profession is the ability to combine ethical standards with the performance of technical skills. In fact, professional is described in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary as "characterized or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession." Webster's goes on to describe ethic as "a theory or system of moral values, the principles of conduct governing an individual or group." In order to achieve stature as a profession, the purchasing practitioner's must establish and subscribe to a set of ethical standards to guide our individual and group actions.

We must strive to achieve acceptance and adherence to this by all those who influence that process. The goal has been to convey the principles and standards, which we consider just, fitting, and correct. An underlying percept is that a member should never use his or her position for personal gain.

Although no set of principles and standards can be all-inclusive, these are established to cover major domestic and international purchasing issues. The same basic issues that apply in domestic also apply in international purchasing. These must include a sensitivity to and consideration of other cultures including the laws, customs, and practices of other nations.

Bear in mind that standards and guidelines cannot take the place of good judgement. When in doubt, consult your company managers, professional colleagues and your own conscience.

Just remember three major aspects in your position:

1. Loyalty to your organization
2. Justice to those with whom you deal
3. Faith in your profession

4. Network
5. Professionalism
6. Expand your horizon
7. Job Opportunities

By Scott Oldendorph C.P.M.

Purchasing, how many different types of purchasing can be done? When many of us are asked what do you buy, what is your response? Some of us buy "stuff" or "things" which is called commodity buying. Some of us by big expensive "stuff" or "things" which is called capital equipment buying. When buying someone's service in a specialty area that is called services buying. When you have a contract for the commodity or service covering a period of timeyou may need a contract administrator to follow the contract during it's procurement life. Purchasing is as diverse as the commodities to buy or the services to be rendered. Where do you fit into the purchasing puzzle? Or are you multi-talented and fit into many different pieces of the puzzle.

On October 13 at 7:00pm at the Doubletree Hotel we will have the honor to hear from NAPM district 1's director, Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM on the topic "Purchasing in the Service Industry". Anthony is the Vice President of Purchasing for the Hilton Hotels Corporation and the General Manager for Hilton Equipment Corporation (HEC) a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilton Hotels. Anthony is responsible for supervising the purchasing, supply management and formulating and implementing of procurement policies and procedures for all the Hilton corporate owned and/or managed properties and the Hilton Corporate offices in Beverly Hills, California. In addition to his duties at Hilton, he supervises all the activities of HEC which provides renovation, freight consolidation, installation and purchasing services for furniture, fixtures, equipment and operating supplies for Hilton properties and other non-Hilton entities.

Prior to his current position, Anthony's a 16 year Hilton employee that has worked as a regional director of purchasing in Phoenix, director of central purchasing in Washington DC, purchasing coordinator at Trump's Castle Hotel & Casino (formerly the Atlantic City Hilton) in Atlantic City, purchasing agent at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport, and assistant purchasing agent at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort & Towers in Miami.

Anthony earned his bachelor of science degree in hospitality management from Florida International University and is a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) and a Certified Foodservice Purchasing Manager (CFPM). He is also the secretary for the National Restaurant Association - Foodservice Purchasing Manager's Group and serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Purchasing Management as their Director for District 1.

Anthony is one of our rising star leaders in the purchasing field and with his vast experience at Hilton and NAPM this is a speaker not to miss. See you there and purchasing is our service.

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________

Company_______________________________________________________

#Attending________________________

Phone__________________________________________________________________________________________

Preferred
Entree(s)________________________________________________________________________________________

Don't forget to mark November 4, 1999 on your calendars and call and reserve your seat for the second of the 1999 - 2000 Satellite Seminars

Within the last few years, many software programs and tools have become available to assist purchasing and supply managers. This program will cover the wide range of products now available, and will provide detailed information on how to review, choose, and implement software into your organization. Other topics include:

• Defining the Business Need
• Assessing Sofware Needs and Requirements
• Make vs. Buy
• Decision Analysis
• Technology needs
• Legacy System Integration
• Working with Providers
• Testing and Acceptance
• Technical Support
• Supplier-Provided Training
• Customer Service and Support Issues
• Contracting for Software
• Negotiating Techniques
• Term and Conditions
• Uniform Commercial Code Update - UCC2B
• Intellectual Property Issues
• Scope of Work
• Warranties and Remedies

This subject has been addressed many times in this newsletter and by now you have probably decided its' important to you and your career or not... If you believe it is NOT important skip to the next article because this information is for people that are serious about being a professional in the purchasing field. Certification is one of the few ways to distinguish yourself as a professional and NAPM is the method of becoming certified. The NAPM-SA board has long felt the need to provide C.P.M./APP course but the opportunity just didn't present itself. The Board is happy to now offer this review at the local level and at a reasonable price. See the flyer included in this Newsletter. The Board would like to know how many of you are interested so accommodations can be reserved. If you are planning to attend please give Mare Allen, 887-4816 or Ralph Long, 206-4759 a call. Eventually we would like you to register and send the money but for now just let us know your interested. The plan is to present a module about every two month. This should give you enough time to test and prepare for the next module. If you have already passed one or more modules you can join this review at any time. Another consideration is that the NAPM-SA Board is considering offering an incentive, yet to be determined for all those that pass the tests. Watch for future information. For now just call to let us know your interested.

By Elliott Chaitt

Few of us can truthfully say that we have never engaged in stereotyping other cultures. The reason for stereotyping are deep-seated within us and it is not easy to change. However, if you are doing business internationally you may have a tendency to stereotype foreigners and their culture. If so, you need to recognize this failing and take corrective action if you wish to avoid unpleasant situations with your foreign trading partners.

People of other countries also tend to stereotype Americans. Prominent among these is that Americans lack knowledge of the culture and language of other countries. Unfortunately, this is generally true. American institutions of higher learning reinforces this stereotype in that one can earn a degree in business with very little knowledge of world history and the culture of foreign countries and no aptitude in foreign languages.

European countries are relatively small, close together and mutually reliant on each other for products and services. They share traditions, culture and economic ties to a large extent. An ability to speak the language of neighboring countries is a necessity for the conduct of trade. A major portion of the economies of European countries are involved in international trade. For example, imports and exports amount to about half of the gross domestic product in Germany while in the United States imports and exports are less than 20 percent of the gross domestic product. However, U.S. global trade was nearly $1.4 trillion dollars (in 1996) which highlights the importance of this segment of the economy and suggests that there are a lot of people earning a living in the global trade arena.

If you are one of those involved in dealing with foreign countries, take the time to learn about the culture, history, art, architecture, technological and economic development of those countries. You may be surprised at how you stereotyped those countries and their people. In my recent trip to the Baltic Sea area which included seven countries (including Russia) it was clear that U.S. culture has been adopted by the younger people in so far as dress, music and some food preferences are concerned. But one major difference is that most of the people in the Scandinavian countries are fluent in

English which is the second language of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. As a minimum, become familiar with the taboos of country(ies) with while you trade. Learn a few useful phrases in the country's language such as "Hello," "Good morning," "Thank you," "Please," and "No Thank You." This knowledge alone may be just what is needed to end the stereotyping that many foreigners apply to Americans.

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:

The NAPM "C.P.M. Study Guide" (Sixth Edition, updated 1997) is required study material.

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Name:_____________________Company:___________________________

Phone:____________________Fax:________________________________

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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT-SOUTHERN ARIZONA AFFILIATE SERVES AS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF COMPETENCY AND CONDUCT FOR ITS MEMBERS AND THE PROFESSION IN MATTERS PERTAINING TO PURCHASING AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT.

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