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I read a quote in the June 2004 edition of Inbound Logistics
that I believe offered some sound career advice.
Excerpts that Daniel Pigott, Director of NAFTA Distribution
BASF Corp, BASF Canada, BASF Mexicana, had for people starting out in
logistics included the following points:
“Find a number of mentors: one in the area you want to work
the first 5 years of your career and one in the area you want to be 10 years
from now.” “Then become APICS certified within the first year. If you do,
you can write your ticket in logistics.”
I believe Mr. Pigott is right on target, not only for
novices in the logistics profession, but for any one in supply chain and
operation management professions!
Mentors offer guidance that may speed our career learning
curve, and in many cases offering a knowledgeable sounding board that helps
us better navigate the rocks, sandbars and undertow of our business. For
myself personally, there are several people who guided, challenged, and
sometimes prodded me to be more than I would have been on my own. To them I
offer my sincerest thanks! I hope that you have benefited from the guiding
hand of a knowledgeable mentor in your career. If not, look around your
company, peers, colleagues, and your APICS community.
I also believe strongly in the benefits of the APICS body of
knowledge and APICS certification. The APICS body of knowledge provides a
sound base for making our businesses run better today, and also provides us
with the knowledge to help our businesses transform themselves to remain
competitive in an increasingly complex global marketplace. Check out our
outstanding educational programs to polish or enhance your understanding.
The preceding paragraph sums up my belief in APICS. It has
been an honor and joy to serve as your APICS Wichita Chapter President the
last 2 years. We have tried some new things that did work and some that
didn’t work and I appreciate your patience. I also want to thank all of the
board members who have served for their hard work.
Follow your dreams and enjoy the trip.
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