Welcome to the ISM-7 Counties members' web site.   If you're reading this because you already belong, you are to be congratulated for your smart choice. ISM-7 Counties Inc.’s mission is to provide knowledge, professional development seminars and networking opportunities to the membership. Most meetings contain a Career Tune-up segment in addition to the main presentation on a professionally-related topic. In the current economic climate, knowledge, skills development and networking could not be more important. 

By investing in the brand of “you” with ISM-7 Counties group membership,  you are able to enhance your knowledge on important industry topics; stay informed of monthly meetings; access Professional Development Program information; see ISM National RSS   industry news feeds; as well as have access to current open positions via this site.

ISM provides opportunities for various Certifications. Why not update your career plan to include one of these Certifications. For those interested in giving their salaries a lift as well as increasing  job security, additional education and/or Certifications are documented to help you find success (i.e. C.P.M., CPSM, CPSD, etc.):  

·         “The results of ISM's sixth annual salary survey reveal the increasing value organizations are placing on supply management. The average salary for supply management professionals is now US$103,664, an increase of 5.6 percent over 2009 ($98,200).”¹

·         “Those professionals with an ISM CPSM ® designation are earning 23 percent more on average salary    compared with those without credentials.” ¹

·         “Education Matters:  Supply management professions with a bachelor’s degree earn 60 percent more than those with only a high-school education. While an associate’s degree can earn you nearly 23 percent more in salary than a high school education, a bachelor’s degree can lead to a 31 percent salary increase over an associate’s degree. . . . with a masters degree, . . . 18 percent more in salary than their counterparts with only a bachelor’s degree.”¹

Sometimes we just need a bit of inspiration to get started with Professional Development endeavors:

“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you

shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates

 “Make use of time, let not advantage slip.” -- William Shakespeare

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting. Below is the list of upcoming meetings:

11/17/11 -- Topic: Energy Price Risk Mitigation; Host: CSCMP NYCONN 

12/15/11 -- Topic: Unifying and Exploring Data Across the Supply Chain; Host: CSCMP NYCONN 

Jan. 2012 -- No Joint meeting due to weather risks

Feb. 2012 -- No Joint meeting due to weather risks, individual organizations may meet on their own

3/15/12 -- Topic: Risk Management in the Supply Chain; Host: ISM-7 4/19/12 -- Topic: Theme: Top Management Night; Topic: Demand Planning; Host: APICS TZ

5/17/12 -- Topic: TBD; Host: APICS TZ 

6/21/12 -- Topic: Supply Cab: Are You Still Smarter Than a Supply Chainer?: Theme: Fun night; Host: NYCONN 

Again, congratulations for investing in yourself and your career. Let ISM-7 Counties help you bolster your career path, increase your professional knowledge and network as well as improve your salary with a Certification. Guests and students are always welcome (please see the meeting announcement for RSVP details).

Sincerely,

Elaine M. Griffith

Elaine M. Griffith, C.P.M.

President

ISM-7 Counties Inc.

¹ ISM’s 2011 Salary Survey, John Yuva is editor of Inside Supply Management^®, May 2011, Inside Supply Management^® Vol. 22, No. 4, page 22: 

 Members of ISM-7 Counties are encouraged to visit the Membership News section to learn about your fellow members and about joining our group at LinkedIn.