Category: Study

Preparing for Supply Management Certification takes time and planning. To begin, we ought to have a firm understanding of how the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and Certified in Supply Management (CSM) exams work. Fortunately there are several tools which test takers can use for you to prepare themselves for the CPSM exam. ISM does not require test takers to complete any preparedness materials or courses, however they are recommended to help review and further grasp the content of the CPSM exam. Here are a couple of the preparedness materials that test takers often use:

-Enter into CPSM Review Course
– Utilize various business, supply, and trade publications to get informed on current trends in the supply management industry
– Review the CPSM study guides or ISM professional series books
– Use the CPSM Diagnostic Kit to take practice tests to refresh their knowledge
– Study the CPSM Supplementary Reading List and certain supply management student textbooks

While there have been lots of test takers who become CPSM certified studies suggest that practicing and refreshing knowledge before the exam can generate higher finalized scores. Keep in mind that the more sources you have the chance to gain information from the more prepared you will be for the various questions on the exam. CPSM study guides will not contain the exact questions from the CPSM exam.

Preparation Materials

We are going to take a more in-depth look at a few of the preparedness options that examinees have the option to participate in before taking their CPSM certification exam.

Participation in CPSM Review courses

When you participate in review courses you are going to join a classroom setting discussing the techniques and strategies of supply management professionals with other students. This method of preparation is recommended if you are taking the course with a certified professional who can speak to their experiences in taking the exam and are familiar with all the content. All information covered in these sorts of courses should be up to date and they should be packed full of test taking skills and comprehension activities.

Utilizing business, supply and trade publications

Utilizing business, supply and trade publications to study up on new technologies or practices in the supply management community is a great idea. These journal and research articles can help you gain a firm understanding of new practices that you may perhaps otherwise be unaware of. When trusting in information from publications it is important to note the credibility of the author or company providing you with the information. Mere website content does not count as a publication and can provide you with some misleading information, so it is best to always use credible sources.

Reviewing CPSM study guides

CPSM study guides and preparation materials that have been provided by ISM are perfect methods to help you prepare for the material you will see on a test. These guides will often contain tips on how to study material that will be covered in the test and ways to read the questions that you will see on examination day. Some of these study guides will even offer you information on the specific knowledge that you should concentrate on when studying for CPSM certification. As if with the website content it is important that whatever study guides you use are from a reputable company that is familiar with the CPSM exam. Selecting from the many ISM study guides will ensure that you are getting quality information from those who focus on the CPSM exam.

Utilizing practice tests

It is always recommended, before you enter into the CPSM exam, that you use practice tests to check your understanding. These tests are created using actual questions from previous tests and will use the same skills necessary to succeed in your upcoming exam. Practice tests can help you gauge your preparedness for the exam and pinpoint the supply management components and concepts that you may be struggling in in order that you can focus your study time on them. The best part of taking practice tests is that you can evaluate yourself based upon the score of the diagnostic exams. If you take a practice test and are satisfied with your score then you know you are more than likely going to succeed in the exam. On the same note, if you take a practice test and are not happy with the score then you know you need to work a little harder on understanding the material to be covered.

Supplementary reading list

The supplementary reading list is a compilation of all the textbooks and literature pieces that contain useful information that could be on the exam. These texts vary in topic, however they have been cited as containing crucial information that a prepared supply manager will use on the examination. While a few of these texts must be special ordered, there are plenty that you can find online or at your local library.

Despite which study method you chose it is in each examinee’s best interest to utilize one method of preparedness. Our CPSM Boot Camp is the perfect culmination of several of these preparedness opportunities and seeks to provide you with all the information you will need for the exam in one location. There is a lot of content and information for the supply management industry, and the CPSM Boot Camp aims to clarify all of it for you.

Studying in groups has always been a fun where on one hand it helps in dealing with monotony of regular studies and procrastinations on another hand it benefits students with fast learning, fresh perspectives on a problematic topic and acuminate intellect. In this high tech era where half of the population prefer performing most of the task online such as shopping, banking, ticket booking etc students also try to make hay while the sun shines by replacing books with eBooks and real-life classrooms by real time classrooms.

University- formulated Virtual classrooms, student-organized online study groups and learning management systems are few of the numerous technologies that made synchronous distance-learning education convenient and cost efficient. Universities enrich their syllabus and coursework, enhance flexibility and relevancy of their programs and attract the best students and faculties to their campuses. Students augment their learning experience, explore the reading materials by experts, Web-based Q&A interactions deepen the knowledge of enhanced curriculum, immersion environments and regulated live classes ease the understanding of complex concepts. Students can share complaints and critiques of the course with their peers and teachers asynchronously or synchronously. Thus better participation, better communication, better information and assistance which will certainly lead to better education and learning.

Students create many Facebook, Yahoo and Google groups; invite members and share the study material. But many online experts claim additional negative impacts of using social networking sites as revision platform. Potential distractions, vulnerability to psychological issues, lack of immediate response and record tracking, limitation of student assessment and feedback in these social networking sites can stray students form focus and might result into bad grades.

There are many learning management system and learning platform available on internet which provide an intuitive, ready to deploy interface which require no training, multi-language and multi- course discussion board for more interactive and participative online study groups. Students from different demographics, experts from different dimensions can be added as members. Templates of project or test assignments, study materials of all the subjects and syllabi can be created and reused as per the requirements.

Members or group mates of virtual learning management system can also customize their platform by integrating powerful Google Apps to make it more efficient and beneficial. These learning platforms not only empower the courses of students but also enhance their potential of leaning without any distraction or harm.

This virtual leaning platform let todays web-oriented generation explore the zenith of knowledge.

Conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), IAS exam (Also called Civil service Examination), is normally considered to be very tough and the most Competitive exam.

A major Issue Every Student faces in this Reputed Exam is choice of optional Subjects. According to recent Changes in the Pattern of IAS exam, the preliminary Test has now been replaced by Civil service aptitude test, which will comprise of two objective papers carrying Equal marks for all students. So the students do not have to decide on the optional subjects for the preliminary exam.

Along with 5 compulsory papers for the mains exam (two for general studies, one for essay, one for qualifying English and one for a language from 18 optional languages), candidate has to choose two subjects from a list of 25 optional subjects. Following are the not allowed combinations in the upsc syllabus-

-> Political Science & International relations and Pubilc Administration,
-> Commerce & Accountancy and Management,
-> Anthropology and Sociology,
-> Mathematics and Statistics,
-> Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science,
-> Management and Public Administration,
-> Any TWO branches of Engineering,
-> Medical Science and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science,
-> Combination of TWO Literatures

In the previous pattern, candidates used to take their mainstream subject as first optional and most of the stuff was covered in the prelims exam and then all they had to do was to decide on the second optional subject. But in the new pattern, all the candidates are at equilibrium in the prelims and have to decide two optional subjects for mains exam with more agility and criterion in mind as this is the very factor that determines candidates chances for getting through in this exam.
Following are a few criterions to be taken care of while choosing optional subjects in new pattern for IAS exam-

Firstly, Candidate must be comfortable in grasping the subject. The decision should not be made on the basis of length of the subject but on the ones comfort with concepts in the subject. For example, History and geography are known for lengthy syllabus and answers, while public administration and anthropology have limited syllabus and short answers. The edge is not in selecting the subjects that have short or lengthy answers but in comfort with the subject.

Availability of IAS study material is also a vital factor in determining the optional subject. There should be enough resources available for preparing the subject, consulting to an experienced senior in case of a completely new subject in your perspective is quite sensible.

Candidate should not choose a subject just because its scoring. More students opting for an optional subject (say history) means more students with history will be chosen for next round and thus there will be a greater competition, it doesnt ensure a greater score.

For commerce students, a good combination is assumed to be Commerce+ Public administration, as Public administration Covers lots of topics in commerce like role of CAG etc.
Commerce + geography is also assumed to be a good combination if you can look around in the maps and are familiar with semi-technical topics. This combination is highly scoring and can score you 300-350 marks in the mains exam.
For biology students, Agriculture + botany are good combination since many topics of agriculture are covered in botany.

So its about candidates own comfort in understanding the subject and this decision must be made carefully since it is the very deciding factor for the candidates selection in this prestigious examination.

All the Best for your Success!!!

San Diego, CA, February 12, 2014 – Nature’s Innovation, Inc. announced today that a scientific poster showing positive research study results for their product CobraZol won Second Place honors at the Scripps 11th Annual Natural Supplements Conference.

The study, “Effects of Topical Cobratoxin in Alleviating Muscular Discomfort,” conducted by global CRO Medicus Research, revealed positive results for CobraZol a topical homeopathic formula designed to alleviate musculoskeletal pain arising from muscle, ligaments, bones, or joints, which affects approximately 70 million individuals in the U.S.

“This is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of topical homeopathic snake venom in relief of muscle pain,” said the study’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Udani. “The investigational product was clinically proven to reduce pain. It was shown to relieve muscle aches and joint pain in the study participants.”

The clinical trial concluded that topical use of the study product for alleviating musculoskeletal pain was safe and resulted in decreased pain in the neck, back, and joints of the test subjects. Bill Carlson CEO of Nature’s Innovation, Inc. stated, “We are excited and honored that our patented CobraZol pain relief product has achieved such a distinguished award. We have received such a tremendous response to CobraZol since its release in September 2013.”

The poster was prominently displayed throughout the Scripps conference, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, at the Hilton San Diego Resort. It was coauthored by Dr. Udani, CEO of Medicus Research, and the CRO’s Senior Scientific Coordinator, Michael N. Pakdaman, M.D., who was in attendance at the conference to discuss the significance of the study and accept the prize.

“We were very pleased to have the CobraZol poster accepted for presentation at this year’s Scripps conference, and extremely honored to have our study for Nature’s Innovation, Inc. recognized with this prestigious award,” said Dr. Udani.

The annual, distinguished Scripps conference, utilizing peer review, selects the most relevant abstracts that present a concise, clinically relevant overview of their evidence-based research.

About Nature’s Innovation, Inc.

Founded in 2004 by CEO Bill Carlson, Nature’s Innovation, Inc. manufactures and delivers natural and homeopathic FDA registered remedies for common skin conditions such as acne, eczema, ringworm, warts, nail fungus, skin tags and more. Nature’s Innovation, Inc. is continually researching and developing new and innovative solutions to assist in bettering your health. Brands by Nature’s Innovation, Inc. include Naturasil, Dr. Berry’s, CobraZol, Natural Spa, Bed Bug Patrol and more.

Nature’s Innovation, Inc. also markets a line of naturally focused pet care products for issues such as pet mange and pet ringworm. All of Nature’s Innovation’s products are backed by a 90 Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Press Contact:
Stephanie Neimiller, V.P. Sales & Marketing
Nature’s Innovation, Inc.
San Diego, CA
+1 770-904-2499
http://www.naturesinnovation.com

Management consulting is a field that essentially boils down to real-life case studies. A firm takes on a problem, analyzes it and offers potential solutions. Your career in management consulting will take a similar tack. As early as the interview stage, you need to be ready to jump in and handle case studies, whether on a theoretical or real level. Heading into the interview, it is essential that you prepare and practice, which will be key to getting hired by a top-tier management consulting firm.

Firms, such as McKinsey or Bain present a series of case studies during the interviewing process. The skills necessary to successfully perform on a case study interview are the similar skills needed to work effectively as a management consultant. Management consulting experts are required to understand the basic concepts in business, such as market structure or financials, as well as think analytically and in a highly structured manner. The case study interview shadows what a management consultant does on a daily basis and gives the hiring committee insight into how well the candidate would perform if hired.

BCG and A.T. Kearney have been using case study interviews for years with proven success. The process is nearly foolproof in determining success, according to the hiring committees of leading management consulting firms. If a candidate performs significantly well on a case study interview, they show that they will be a good fit for the company.

Preparation is needed before going in front of a hiring committee at any firm. Top consulting firms, such as Booz, highly encourage practice leading into your interview, whether that be with friends, colleagues or other consultants. Practicing in front of the mirror is a great way to overcome insecurity and provides a wonderful way to self-examine in terms of body language and style.

There are a number of case study practice guides available on the market today. Some firms offer interview advice and interview practice questions on their websites. You don’t need to drain your bank account by purchasing every study guide that was ever published, but selecting two or three solid and reputable guides may help you to succeed on your management consulting interview. The more exposure that you have to the types of questions and cases offered, the more prepared you will feel going into your interview.

It is important to think about cases and scenarios in your everyday life in preparation for your case study interview. This means, for example, that when reading the business section of the New York Times, you should put yourself in the position of the CEO. Ask yourself what you would do, how you would lead the team and how could you solve the problem. By presenting yourself with these types of scenarios on a constant basis, you are preparing yourself for the management consulting interview. It is important to be able to think quickly on your feet and present an answer with confidence and determination.

The case study is valued so highly that you performance on this task accounts for at least 50% of your determining score. Therefore, it is crucial that you prepare for these types of interviews. Doing well on this portion of the management consulting interview weighs heavily on you getting hired by the firm. If you are looking for an offer at one of the leading consulting firms, the best thing to do is practice, practice and practice some more. You cannot practice enough for the case study stage of the interview; when you are sure you have done enough, you need to go back and do more.

Landing a job at a management consulting firm is no easy task, but you can increase your chances of getting hired by doing your homework ahead of time. Take the case study interview portion of the hiring process seriously and land the job of your dreams.