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Inside Supply Management® — Writers' Guidelines for Article Submission

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Institute for Supply Management™ Mission Statement:

ISM's Mission is to lead supply management.

Three main points underscore the Mission. These include:

Expand supply management's sphere of influence.
Align Institute for Supply Management's organization with its Mission.
Enhance Institute's revenue generation to ensure the resources necessary to support the Mission.

About ISM

Publication Department's Mission Statement

As an industry leader, the publication team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of excellence in promoting and distributing accurate, pertinent, and timely information relating to the supply management profession. The team assists ISM and its membership with continual growth and recognition as a world-class authority in supply management research and education.

Inside Supply Management^® Mission Statement

Inside Supply Management^® is the authoritative resource for supply management executives delivering thought leadership, trends, and current issues.

Objectives — in priority order

To establish ISM as the leader in supply management.
To enlighten Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) members and executives about thought provoking and timely supply management concepts.
To communicate ISM's positions and initiatives.
To provide a forum for leading edge ideas and real world best practices.
To highlight the Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business^® as early indicators for assessing the state of the U.S. economy.

Editorial Submissions

The Institute for Supply Management™ has many audiences and offers a variety of products and services to serve them. The focus for Inside Supply Management^®, however, is to support ISM's mission to lead supply management by targeting those professionals positioned to first experience changes, trends and critical issues in the field. These individuals are concerned with strategy, broad business issues, how supply management fits into larger enterprise goals and insights on new "hot" topics.

In order to best support ISM's mission to lead supply management, the magazine must deliver thought-provoking discussion and information on those topics most relevant to today's forward-thinking, strategic supply managers. The editorial content concentrates on trends, current issues, and visions of thought leaders and supply management executives.

The magazine presents a first glimpse of topics, as they come onto the executive's radar screen. In addition, it's important to present thoughts and critical issues that should be on the executive's agenda, even if there are no clear-cut answers. The magazine presents examples from audience-comparable firms.

Inside Supply Management^® does accept editorial submission for select portions of the magazine. The most appropriate submissions are from forward-thinking supply management executives willing to provide fresh insights, lessons learned and strategic perspectives on relevant topics. Inside Supply Management^® does not typically accept submissions from the supplier community, nor does it have a forum in the publication to feature specific products, suppliers or services available in the marketplace.

The following sections of the magazine are authored by outside volunteer authors. Note the description and format of each section and the approximate length.

Tapping into ... (1,000 words)

This first-person column appears at least once per issue and gives a perspective on a critical aspect of supply management or a broader business issue that directly affects supply management. Authors (leading supply management practitioners or other thought leaders in the given topic) give insightful thoughts that pose a new way of thinking about the topic, make a connection between multiple angles, experiential knowledge, or a heartfelt perspective on one distinct aspect or application of the topic. Readers are left with "something to chew on" and view this topic in a new light.

Some key points to consider:

The column should focus on one particular sliver of the topic and not try to cover too much.
The article can carry somewhat of an "opinion" element to it.
The editorial is definitely seen as coming from a "thought-leader."

Part A (General Topics within Framework of Column)

Any number of topics can be covered, but the caveat is that the angle taken each time is high-level and insightful. The article must be written for a reader of at least a manager level rather than entry-level.

Broad topics include:

Performance measurements
Risk
Outsourcing
Ethics
Economics
Cost strategy/management
Diversity
Competition
Organizational structure
Quality
Knowledge management

Global sourcing
Setting strategy
Supplier management
Negotiations
Risk management
Social responsibility
The economy
Cost reductions
Logistics
Supply management as a service
Internal relationships

Examples of specific article angles:

"What if Prices Just Keep Going Up?"
"So-Called 'Ethics' in Other Regions of the World"
"What Keeps Me Up at Night..."
"Is it Ever Good to Leave Money on the Table?"
"The Most Critical Piece of Information I Can Share with the Supply Base"
"What Happens When the Company Mission Doesn't Trickle Down"
"Why China Wasn't Our First Choice"

Part B. Technology Segments (3-4 times a year)

When technology is featured in "Tapping Into," it will discuss a technology issue pertinent to the decision-making supply manager or business in general. Authors (practitioners or thought-leaders in the field) can detail certain application categories, discuss issues in sourcing/purchasing technology, or describe a successful implementation within a company. Predictions about future technology, major technology business trends, or objective technology comparisons are also appropriate. The article can be authored by a technology expert outside of supply management, as long as they make some connection to supply management applicability; we would rather have neat article about new technology with a remote supply management connection, than a "flat" article about old technology that is very supply management oriented.

We will not publish any technology columns that are self-promotional in nature.

Part C. Legal Segments (3-4 times a year)

When this topic is covered in "Tapping Into," it should detail a domestic or global legal issue pertinent to today's supply manager. Columns discuss legal standards/issues around the world, legalities related to global sourcing, contract language, how courts have interpreted buying-selling cases, regulatory information/acts, or general legalities surrounding supply management activities.

Out in Front: (500 words)

This monthly first-person column is authored by an experienced supply management practitioner or an expert in that field of leadership (e.g., motivation, organizational culture, mentoring, etc.) It provides insight, experiences, strategies, or perspectives on leadership and/or influence specifically related to one of the following:

The individual as a leader (of a staff, department or organization),
Supply management as a leader in the firm (for initiatives, progress, etc.), or,
Supply management as a leading discipline within the business world

Potential topics: Succession planning, developing talent, mentoring, talking to the CEO, "selling" supply management, the career path beyond supply management, etc.

Sustainability/Social Responsibility Column

This column covers sustainability, social responsibility and green topics. All are important issues where supply management can be the leader in their organizations. Many topics can be covered. While feature articles and profiles can focus on case examples, unique approaches, and standout individuals that might be spearheading impressive initiatives, this column has a different approach. We can discuss specific issues involved in implementing sustainability/social responsibility in supply management, such as challenges, solutions, resources, and so on, including the mechanics of making it come to life, or the day-to-day components that need attention.

Examples of potential column ideas:

Contract and RFP language: how to word it so suppliers know your 'green' intentions.
Understanding the importance of organizational structure in making changes.
Financial issues/costs: how to make decisions on what to do to go green...and what might be cost-prohibitive.
Speaking to suppliers: taking the soft approach, rather than coming down hard on them.
How to engineer a "win-win" dialogue.
The challenge of getting suppliers to understand 'the rules'...especially international suppliers.
Strategies to help your employees to be proactive about sustainability.
Creating your definition of 'green,' and working with PR to get it out to customers.
What will water supply issues in the future mean?
When to deselect a supplier for failing to meet sustainability/CSR/green goals and the best way to go about doing it.

Personal Connections

This column deals with personal issues affecting high-level supply management executives. Nearly all of the content in the magazine offers our readers suggestions on how they can better serve their organizations, which are often Fortune 1000 companies, and not much is offered on how they can help themselves.

Potential topics might include:

Coaching/mentoring
Health and fitness
Stress reduction
Personnel issues
Technology products for business people

Short Features

On occasion, a volunteer author may be asked to write a feature article on a particular topic. These short features allow us to quickly report and keep readers abreast of new supply management developments. Examples include: risk management, lead-free initiative, how-to buy a certain category, specifics about sourcing in a particular region, etc.

In addition to the articles listed above, each issue of Inside Supply Management^® will contain several feature articles. These are typically authored by staff writers, but there are ample opportunities to participate via interviews. One of the easiest ways to get involved with the magazine is to let the editorial staff know your areas of expertise and whether you're interested in writing or being interviewed.

Stop: Before writing an article, contact the editor.

Why e-mail or telephone first? By explaining your idea your idea in a concise paragraph or conversation, the editor can tell you if it's something the magazine has already covered. It is much easier to discuss and assess a topic if it is summarized in a brief abstract. Often, the editor can help you to refine your idea based on current magazine needs. Article ideas are shared with an internal review board before they are approved.

E-Mail: John Yuva
Telephone: 800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 3021

Editorial Content and Review

Inside Supply Management^® focuses on purchasing/supply management operations/practices, business practices, forecasts, new technology, research, the environment, the law, and other topics that influence the supply management profession.

All articles will be reviewed by members of the Editorial Review Board for a variety of factors, including timeliness, depth of knowledge, relevance to profession, accuracy and clarity. ISM cannot guarantee when, or if, a submitted article will be published. The ultimate suitability of articles for publication is determined by ISM in its best judgment, and ISM has no obligation to publish the article if ISM determines, in its sole discretion, that the article is unsuitable for publication. In the event that the article is published, the author will receive full and prominent credit for the work.

Earn CPSM or C.P.M. Continuing Education Hours

Supply management professionals tracking their CPSM or C.P.M. continuing education hours can earn additional hours by becoming authors.

Published articles in Inside Supply Management^® will earn the contributor one CPSM or C.P.M. point (equal to seven continuing education hours). Articles must be at least one page in length (each must be substantive, well developed, and research based). This corresponds with the certification requirements that articles earning points be published in an established supply management or trade magazine with an editorial review board identified in the magazine. Members are responsible for documenting their contribution for CPSM or C.P.M. points as they would for any other publication.

Submission of Unsolicited Articles

Articles will be accepted at all times; however, as a guideline, a Theme Schedule can be found here (Exhibit 1). A suggested minimum lead time is five months from publication date.

ISM will request articles from the membership or the general public in return for a byline. The quid pro quo is an author's credit including title, organization name, and location of organization, and two complimentary copies of the published issue of the magazine.

Format for Submission of Articles

Articles should be submitted via e-mail in Microsoft Word. Most other word processing formats can be translated. If you are using Microsoft Word, you can e-mail John Yuva and send your article as an attachment.

Author's name, title, address, daytime telephone number, and ISM affiliation (if applicable) must be included with the article.

Copy must be clean and accurate. Article length can vary — approximately 700-800 words for a one-page article, 1,200-1,400 words for a two-page article, and 2,200-2,500 words for a three-page article. Using double-spacing and one-inch margins, one page equals approximately 250 words. Therefore, a 1,200-word article would be about five pages in length.

For voluntary submissions, the author warrants that the article will be an original creation and that, in its current format, at least 60 percent has not been previously published.

ISM editorial staff reserve the right to make last-minute copy changes to articles even after final review and sign-off. This editorial authority is required to maintain flexibility and meet space or style requirements.

ISM uses The Associated Press Stylebook for punctuation, grammar and usage. An ISM Style Guide is available here. A "Write Well" document is also available (Exhibit 2) to assist authors with style issues.

Rights of Author and Editor

ISM requires copyright for articles submitted.

The writer/author and/or ISM have the right to reprint copies of the article with written acknowledgment of action to ISM and author. This may include the right to reproduce the work in any vehicle whether paper or electronic.

ISM affiliates may reprint articles in their newsletters and magazines with credit given to Inside Supply Management^® and the author, unless noted otherwise with article. Requests for reprints by nonaffiliates must be approved by ISM.

The authors of the articles published in Inside Supply Management^® are solely responsible for their accuracy and content. Opinions expressed in the articles and materials published do not reflect the opinions of ISM unless it is expressly stated that such opinions have been formally adopted.

Commissioned/Freelance Work

ISM will commission articles on a solicited basis from non trade-related individuals. Commissioned articles will be completed on a contractual basis that will stipulate the specifics of the agreement.

For commissioned articles, ISM requires sole rights to the material. That is, ISM retains all rights for use of the article. Articles submitted must be original work and the author maintains that no part of the submitted article has been published previously, except such parts that have been taken from the public domain.