Where do supply management executives—and their team members—need the most help? Clicks to the new Institute for Supply Management^® (ISM) Mastery Model™ may provide some insight. Since May 2015, the competencies on negotiation, cost management, supplier relationship management, and business acumen have received the most views, along with the sub-competencies on cost, contracting, competitive leverage/market intelligence and compliance.

These just scratch the surface of the skills supply management executives and their team members need to add more value to their organizations and advance to the next level. A new white paper from ISM provides a roadmap for success no matter where they are in their careers—from the ‘Essentials’ to the ‘Executive’ level.

The white paper elaborates on the ISM Mastery Model™, which was formally launched at ISM2015. The model, developed by practitioners for their peers, takes a view to the changes that the profession has experienced and looks at what is ahead. Increased globalization, automation, and external spending have all transformed the requirements for success.

“ISM’s Mastery Model is really the product of two essential elements. Along with the insight we’ve gained from certifying supply management professionals for nearly five decades, we also worked with more than two dozen practitioners from various industry sectors and career levels to help craft and enhance the content of this program. This has resulted in a supply management education tool that’s unlike any other,” said Thomas W. Derry, Chief Executive Officer of Institute for Supply Management^® (ISM^®).

Because these standards are so important to the future of the industry, ISM is publishing them free of charge on its website at www.instituteforsupplymanagement.org. Other competencies receiving frequent views since May include: Legal, Risk, Financial Analysis, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Mastery Model aligns with ISM’s existing offerings, such as the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) programs and ISM Services. ISM will continue to create new programs to advance professionals’ mastery and corporate teams’ success, as well. These include a diagnostic tool to outline gaps in sourcing teams’ skills that should be filled.

Download the ISM Mastery Model™ white paper at http://ism.files.cms-plus.com/2015/MasteryModel/images/Mastery%20Model%20brochure.pdf