Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

The results of the ISM Membership Needs Survey 2006, reveals some of the emerging trends in the supply management industry.

Included in the results were that while the majority of workers responding still are involved with purchasing activities, a large number of them are branching out into other areas like services and strategic sourcing. This shows that the profession is changing in its areas of responsibility and emphasis.

Another major result of the survey is that since 2000, the workers in manufacturing have dropped to 38.8 percent, which is way down from the 50.4 percent of 2000.

The most important topics in the survey have remained the same as last survey with Negotiations, Cost/Price or other Financial Analysis and Strategic Sourcing being the top three. One change has been Supplier Relationship Management has moved up to the number four position from its former fifth place ranking, showing the desire for more training in that area.

Certification is another important to for workers as those holding the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certification are rewarded with higher wages as almost 75% of certified workers make $65,000 a year or more while only about 50% of those non-certified do.