In this issue...

• March Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®: Business Activity at 63.1%.  Read more.
  
• Now Available Online -- 2005 ISM Conference Proceedings.  Read more.
  
• JPMorgan Global Manufacturing PMI.  Read more.
  
• Spotlight on Groups and Forums.  Read more.
  
• 2006 Call for Presentations.  Read more.
  
• April's Satellite Seminar: Supply Chain Research Trends and Market Intelligence.  Read more.
  
• One-Day Program Packs A Punch.  Read more.
  
• eDigest: Chemicals Newsletter.  Read more.
  
• ISM Professional Seminar Update -- May Topics.  Read more.
  
• Pre- and Post-Conference Seminars in San Antonio.  Read more.
  
• Term of the Day.  Read more.
  
• Contact Us.  Read more.
  

March Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®: Business Activity at 63.1%

Please note: The March Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business® was released prematurely on Friday (4/1/05) by Business Wire in error. The report was scheduled by ISM to be released on Tuesday, April 5 -- the third business day of the month.

Business activity in the non-manufacturing sector increased in March 2005, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

The report was issued by Ralph G. Kauffman, Ph.D., C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee and coordinator of the Supply Chain Management Program, University of Houston-Downtown. "Non-manufacturing business activity increased for the 24th consecutive month in March," Kauffman said. He added, "Business activity increased at a faster rate in March, as did new orders. Backlogs of orders also increased at a substantially faster rate than in February, indicating the likelihood of continued strong business activity in the months ahead. Additional good news is that none of the 17 industries included in ISM's non-manufacturing business survey reported a decrease in business activity compared to February."

To read the entire report click here.

Back to Top

Now Available Online -- 2005 ISM Conference Proceedings

The 2005 ISM International Conference Proceedings is now available on the ISM Web site for ISM members and nonmembers.

The Conference Proceedings contains over 75 Conference presentations submitted for publication by this year's Conference presenters. The online Proceedings can be sorted by title, author, or topic.

To review this year's Proceedings click here.

Back to Top

JPMorgan Global Manufacturing PMI

Expansion of Global Manufacturing Economy Steadied in Q1 2005. March Data Pointed to Solid Growth of Output and New Orders.

The Global Manufacturing PMI — a composite index produced by JPMorgan and NTC in association with ISM and IFPSM — posted 52.7 in March. Although the lowest reading for over one-and-a-half years, the level of the PMI has maintained a broad sideways trend since November 2004. This suggests that the consolidation of the global manufacturing economy following the slowdown in H2 2004 continued during the first quarter of 2005.

To read the entire JPMorgan press release click here.

Back to Top

Spotlight on Groups and Forums

The latest issue of Spotlight on Groups and Forums was published last week. This publication is a report of current activities and information from the ISM special interest groups and forums.

To view the current issue of Spotlight on Groups and Forums (or past issues) click here.

Back to Top

2006 Call for Presentations

ISM invites you to submit a proposal to present a workshop at our 2006 Conference, May 7-10, 2006 in Minneapolis, MN. Share your knowledge, ideas, success and insight with the profession. Motivate your colleagues to reach new heights. Inspire newcomers to embrace the profession.

As a speaker at the 91st Annual International Supply Management Conference, you are telling your stakeholders that you and your organization are leaders in supply management.

ISM is looking for innovation in supply management and strong leaders to tell their stories. ISM encourages presentations from the perspective of all sectors — manufacturing, service, institutional and public purchasing — and from the perspective of small as well as large organizations.

Deadline for submissions: July 1, 2005

For more information, or to access the online forms click here.

Back to Top

April's Satellite Seminar: Supply Chain Research Trends and Market Intelligence

What are the latest trends in the supply chain? How can supply professionals keep up with the rapidly changing procurement and supply environment? This satellite seminar focuses on the current state of the supply management profession and where it is heading, and includes a look at best practices and resources for effective decision-making. Supply chain experts will share their perspectives on market intelligence, including a discussion of how to recognize elements of market intelligence and its impact on today's business world.

Who Should Attend?
Both new and experienced supply management professionals who are seeking insights, resources, and strategies to assist in analyzing the supply chain and making decisions to enhance their organization's competitiveness.

Join us for this engaging program on April 14, 2005. For more information click here.

Back to Top

One-Day Program Packs A Punch

The Power of the Services Supply Chain: Strategies and Integration, June 2, 2005 at St. John's University on the Manhattan Campus, New York, NY. Minimize your time away from the office by attending this one-day event. Maximize your educational value by participating in every session. Sessions include:

• Consume in Moderation: Strategies to Contain the Cost of Professional Services
• Optimizing an Integrated On-Demand Supply Chain for Services
• Gearing Up to Lower the Services Spend
• Attacking Nontraditional Spend: How Tyco Is Sourcing Services

For more information on this program or to register online click here.

Back to Top

eDigest: Chemicals Newsletter

The ISM eDigest: Chemicals newsletter was released on Monday. Topics covered in this issue include:

• Chemical Industry News
• Risk Management in the Chemical Industry
• Commodity Report
• Additional Resources

The eDigest: Chemicals newsletter is produced in conjunction with the ISM Chemical Group. This FREE publication is a quarterly e-newsletter that provides timely information on supply management topics pertinent to the chemical industry and those purchasing chemicals. Each issue contains articles, facts, strategies, and resources to help you understand the sourcing issues that face this dynamic field.

To view the current issue or past issues of eDigest: Chemicals newsletter, or to subscribe click here.

Back to Top

ISM Professional Seminar Update -- May Topics

Professionals from around the globe attend ISM seminars to stay current with the latest trends in supply management and to gain practical solutions for success. Register to attend and ISM seminar today and achieve your professional goals and make a dynamic difference in your organization. Our May topics include:

• Supply Management: Tools, Techniques and Strategies for Success  #4230
  May 2 - May 4, 2005
  San Diego, CA
  
  
• The People Side of Global Competency Skills for World-Class Supply Management  #4235
  May 5 - May 6, 2005
  Atlanta, GA
  
  
• Best Practices in Procurement  #4241
  May 18 - May 20, 2005
  Washington, DC
  
  
• Fundamentals of Purchasing: The Building Blocks of World-Class Professionalism  #4242
  May 18 - May 20, 2005
  Cincinnati, OH
  
  
• Supply Chain Cost Identification and Reduction Strategies  #4243
  May 23 - May 24, 2005
  New Orleans, LA

Register 30 days or more in advance and receive a $200 discount. Save even more when you register online at www.ism.ws. To learn more about ISM's professional seminars or to search other great topics, dates and locations, click here.

If you or a colleague can benefit from attending one or more of these skill-building seminars, contact ISM today. To speak to a customer service associate, call 800/888-6276 or 480/752-6276, extension 401. Or visit ISM online -- click here.

Back to Top

Pre- and Post-Conference Seminars in San Antonio

In addition to our regularly scheduled seminars, ISM is offering several sessions at this year's Annual Conference. Attend ISM's Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas and earn additional Continuing Education Hours when you also participate in a pre- or post-Conference seminar. Choose from a variety of topics, including some new ones!

• Commodity Teams: Leveraging Value across the Entire Organization  #4231
  May 5 - May 6, 2005
  
  
• Contract Writing Basics: What All the Ts and Cs Mean  #4232
  May 5 - May 6, 2005
  
  
• NEW! Finance for the Supply Management Professional  #4233
  May 5 - May 6, 2005
  
  
• Power Negotiations: Unlock Your Powers of Influence and Persuasion  #4234
  May 5 - May 7, 2005
  
  
• How to Develop and Manage a Minority and Women Supplier Development Program  #4237
  May 7, 2005
  
  
• C.P.M. Instructor Information Program  #4238
  (Please note that this is not an Exam Review Course) May 12, 2005
  
  
• NEW! Understanding and Using RFID  #4244
  May 12, 2005
  
  
• Reducing and Controlling Cost with Cost-Containment Strategies  #4239
  May 12 - May 13, 2005
  
  
• Lean Purchasing  #4236
  May 12 - May 13, 2005
  
  
• Materials Management: Creating a Seamless Process  #4240
  May 12 - May 13, 2005

For detailed program information, or to register for any of these sessions click here.

Back to Top

Term of the Day

Today's ISM Term of the Day is: FREE TRADE.

Definition: The uninhibited flow of goods and services across national boundaries.

A different Term of the Day is posted on the ISM Home Page (www.ism.ws) each day -- 7 days a week. The Term of the Day is taken from the Glossary of Key Supply Management Terms.

ISM members can access the online Members Only Glossary of Key Supply Management Terms which includes terms from the private, public, and various industry sectors, and from a wide variety of sources. The Glossary can be browsed alphabetically, or searched by keyword.

To access the Glossary click here.

If you are not a member but would like membership information click here.

Help us update this Glossary! If you don't find the term or definition that you are looking for let us know. We will be updating the ISM Glossary in the coming months, and your input will be useful for the new edition. To contact us regarding the Glossary, e-mail: surveys@ism.ws

Back to Top

Contact Us

Questions/Comments? Contact RaeAnn Slaybaugh.

If you would like to sponsor this e-newsletter, contact Kathy Braase or Trish True.

Back to Top