P U R C H A S I N G P O I N T S
Auditing is defined by Webster as the process of identifying, measuring, recording and communicating economic information about an organization.
Benchmarking is defined by Webster as a standard against which something can be measured or assessed.
As companies increasingly focus on their core competencies and outsource a greater percentage of the cost of goods sold, their performance becomes increasingly dependant upon that of
their suppliers. With this growing dependence, the need for and benefits from assessing suppliers are on the rise. Companies that assess their supply base find they have better visibility into supplier performance, uncover and remove hidden cost drivers, increase competitive advantage
by reducing order cycle times and inventory, gain insight on how to best leverage their supply base and align practices between themselves and their suppliers. Companies pursuing supplier assessment commonly see more than a 20% improvement in supplier performance
metrics (e.g., on-time delivery, quality and cost).
The barriers to assessing suppliers are numerous. From a process perspective, traditional assessment
approaches are costly and inefficient, requiring teams of assessors to visit suppliers at length. From an analytics perspective, most approaches are inadequate and unable to provide
the insight needed to drive better decision making and performance improvement. The analyses miss qualitative input, do not identify the root cause of performance issues and do
not align customer and supplier practices.
The role of an auditor of management systems has changed significantly and much more is expected of auditors. The trend is towards auditing outcomes for business improvement rather than auditing only for compliance. This is exemplified in new and revised international standards and in industry standards being adopted worldwide by business.

A key concept used in the video is that auditors can miss significant events in terms of a business
and its outcomes when their attention is narrowly focused. Auditors therefore need to have a broad view of the business and its objectives in order to perform their audit role.
This video is designed for internal and external auditors of standards such as : ISO 9001:
9001:2000, ISO 14001 and other management systems and codes of practice such as in health and safety, HACCP, health care, aged care, GMP, and so on.

March 16 TBA Inventory Reduction
April 20 TBA Mock Trial - Construction
May 18 Plant Tour

ISM-IDAHO, INC. MISSION STATEMENT
ISM-Idaho, Inc. serves as a center
of excellence in the development
of world class supply management
professionals by providing education,
leadership development and
networking opportunities for its
members.
VISION STATEMENT
ISM-Idaho, Inc. will be recognized
as a center of excellence for establishing and promoting best-in-class standards of supply management
by providing certification training
and continuing education, thus
enabling members to utilize this
knowledge while practicing with
the highest ethical standards

ANNOUNCEMENT: For every member that you sign up with ISM-Idaho, you
will have a chance to win two $25.00 gift certificates to Johnny Corino's in
Idaho Falls.
HOW?: Have your new prospect send in their application to Austin Carter
and have them indicate that you recruited them. Austin will then place
your name in the drawing for the gift certificates to be drawn out at our
May Meeting.
Applications are available on-line at www.ism.ws or contact Austin Carter.

Message from the Secretary/Treasurer
It is time to pay your annual membership dues. Invoices are being mailed out and are due back by February 28th. Please follow through and make sure your invoice gets paid
on time. A report is sent to ISM with the names of members that have renewed
and that is what we are billed on. If your name is not on that report, there will be a reinstatement fee of $50.00 that you will have to pay in addition to your membership.
Dues are $130.00 for continuing members and $150.00 for new, transfer or replacement members.
The ISM Board of Directors approved up to a 12-month waiver of dues for unemployed members. ISM will waive it's share of those members' dues provided the affiliate certifies
that it will waive local affiliate dues for any regular member who is unemployed for any reason. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact one of the Officers so
we can help you out.
Why be a Member?
Here are 18 reasons to belong:

1. Inside Supply Management® -
our monthly magazine contains national and international information on new trends and developments in the profession plus insightful "how-to" articles. The magazine is published exclusively for ISM members.
2. Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing
ISM Report on Business® (ROB)
Published in Inside Supply Management® - our monthly survey of purchasing statistics is the
first of its kind. It's considered by many economists to be the most reliable, near-term economic barometer available today.
3. Unlimited Access to ISM's Web Site -unlock the possibilities of this valuable research tool. Members can search an extensive database for information and articles on supply
management issues, take part in professional forums, contact their local affiliates or other related organizations, and learn about
ISM's assortment of educational products and services.
4. The Online Career Center - where you
can search a database of employment listings from across the country, post your resume for organizations to see, or take advantage of other career-enhancing tools.
5. The ISM Online InfoCenter - members
can search an expansive articles database via the Internet, access the FAQ table, search ISM's Bid
Specifications Database and take advantage of free Resource Guides.
PEO Brokerage, Inc. (PBI) - a business to- business broker of PEO (professional employer organization) services throughout the U.S.
6. National Waste Network -
National Waste Network (NWN) is a business exchange that serves the solid waste industry. With a database of more than 12,000 solid waste collection companies in the United
States, NWN is able to match your particular needs with information from their database of collection companies based on a variety of criteria provided by you. NWN claims an average
savings of 18% for customers they have
serviced in the past.
7. Purchasing Advocate - no one understands better than ISM how supply management affects the bottomline. One of our objectives is to promote the supply management profession. Members have access to all ISM printed and electronic materials to help promote
supply management within the organizational infrastructure.
We can help you communicate your value-added contributions to the senior management of your organization.
8. Affiliates - gain valuable contacts within your community during monthly meetings and educational functions. Keep on top of local industry changes and commodity trends. Be a part of a growing association run by and for supply management professionals.
9. C.P.M. Program - The Certified
Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) program
focuses on the managerial, administrative, and strategic, as well as tactical aspects of the purchasing and materials management function. The C.P.M. is designed for those working in any of the major private, public or non-profit work sectors and are administered by ISM. Members receive discounts on exams and study materials.
10. Committees - acquire new skills in planning, managing,and organizing while developing your leadership
potential. Some committee members
report on economic conditions (the
primary statistics become the highlyrespected Report on Business®), direct ISM's Annual Conference, assist in program development and much more. Only ISM members can participate.
11. Special Interest Groups and Forums - gain a deeper understanding of your supply management specialty and develop valuable connections across the U.S. when you join
an ISM Special-Interest Group or Forum.
ISM has Groups in interest areas ranging from materials management to the medical industry to federal acquisitions. Only through ISM can you participate in the ISM
Special-Interest Groups or Forums.
12. CAPS: Center for Strategic Supply Research - ISM members receive purchasing-related research studies and benchmarks free from CAPS, the only national not-for-profit research center in purchasing and materials management. CAPS sponsors three international roundtables throughout the year in North America, Europe and Asia. Participants include more than one hundred Fortune 500 companies.
13. Seminar Discounts - enhance your professional development and job performance when you enroll in ISM seminars taught by experienced instructors. Over 90 seminars are conducted annually throughout the
United States; intensive, one-week supply management programs are also conducted at selected
universities. Members save up to $200 on each two-day seminar and $400 on each management program. Our satellite seminar series addresses different purchasing/supply management issues and is offered several times throughout the year. This live program allows you to interact with speakers and peers without leaving your city or affiliate area.
14. Professional Development Resources - over 80 different audio/video programs and over 50 different books to choose from. All programs are designed to heighten your acumen in a variety of subjects, including:
global sourcing, negotiations, legal issues and supply management. Video tapes are easily adaptable to individual or group presentations. Publications include textbooks, workbooks, the TECHnotes series, with subject matter covering supply management topics plus general business information. These professional development resources accommodate your unique schedule and pace and ISM members save on all purchases and rentals.
15. Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit - network with 2000 peers at the only international conference devoted exclusively to purchasing
and supply management. Examine emerging trends and challenges during comprehensive workshops conducted by your peers. Workshop presenters are selected as a result of ISM's "Call for
Presentations." The conference attracts distinguished speakers to discuss current national and
international issues and features several sessions highlighted by prominent corporate leaders.
Members receive significant savings on registration fees.
16. The Journal of Supply Chain Management - the nation's first scholarly journal devoted exclusively to purchasing and materials management
research and development. New members receive more than one-half off the 1 year subscription rate.
17. Recognition and Awards
Earn recognition when you are rewarded for exemplary service to ISM and the profession at large. The J. Shipman Gold Medal, established in 1931, is the purchasing profession's highest
honor; other awards are given to ISM members for outstanding performance in the categories of Education/Learning, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Marketing/Communicating and Volunteerism.
18. ISM Knowledge Center
Members can enroll in a free course on cost/price analysis or take one of the growing number of other self-directed online courses and earn Continuing Education Hours toward recertification.


Who Can Join ISM?
Anyone involved in the purchasing or materials process, including without limitation, purchasing,
purchasing research, value analysis, inventory control, materials management, supply chain
management, or any other activity or function which is related to the purchasing or materials
process.
A full-time teacher of or researcher into, purchasing or materials management.
An editor, business manager, or secretary employed by an ISM affiliate.
An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full time in an accredited college or University.

ISM-Idaho, Inc. Newsletter
From:
Patty Kidman
Basic American Foods
415 West Collins Road
Blackfoot, Idaho 83221

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