SENIOR PROFESSIONAL IN SUPPLY MANAGEMENT (SPSM) CERTIFICATION INFORMATION PACKET

Terms Valid Through February 29, 2012

Next Level Purchasing, Inc., P.O. Box 1360, Moon Township, PA 15108, United States of America Phone: (412) 294-1990, Fax: (412) 294-1992

info@nextlevelpurchasing.com www.NextLevelPurchasing.com

Table of Contents Section Description of SPSM Certification Program Descriptions of Classes in the SPSM Certification Program Description of SPSM2 Certification Program Descriptions of Classes in the SPSM2 Certification Program Frequently Asked Questions Enrollment Form Appendix A Page 1 14 19 21 25 27 29

Description of the SPSM Certification Program

Are you tired of not getting enough opportunities, respect, and money out of your purchasing career? Well, guess what? Nothing will change unless you take action towards becoming a worldclass purchasing professional. You see, todays employers refuse to reward employees for yesterdays skills. They demand that purchasing professionals like you use the most modern skills and achieve unprecedented results. They want you to save more money, achieve better operational performance, and reduce risk. So how can you acquire the most modern skills, achieve meaningful results, and convincingly prove your capabilities to todays employers? There is an impressive purchasing certification that communicates that you are supremely qualified for achieving success. It is the Senior Professional in Supply Management (SPSM) Certification. Earning your SPSM Certification is the action to take if you want to bring the most modern purchasing practices into your organization and achieve your career potential. From reverse auctions and eProcurement to strategic sourcing to improving supplier performance and more, youll learn exactly how to deliver results for your employer. And when you make your employer more successful, your own career success is likely to follow! How is the SPSM Certification a true win-win for both you and your employer? A recent survey of over 2,100 purchasing professionals throughout the world has shown that purchasing professionals who have earned the SPSM Certification achieve an average of $476,027 (US) more cost savings and avoidance for their employers per year than those who haven't earned the SPSM. For more proof of the value to SPSM's and their employers, check out these real-life examples. After enrolling himself and several team members in the SPSM Certification Program, Bob Price, SPSM and his team DOUBLED their previous years cost savings, leading to Bobs PROMOTION to Director of Global Supply Chain Management. He then promoted one of his SPSM-certified staff members into his former role. Watch Bobs video Select from more videos After earning her SPSM Certification, Carol Gissell, SPSM was promoted to Director of Purchasing. In just one negotiation in which she applied what she learned in the SPSM Certification Program, she saved her employer much more than the employer invested in her certification. And she continues to use her education to deliver return on investment for her employer. Watch Carols video Select from more videos

How will you benefit by earning this purchasing certification?

You get real-world skills and strategies that will help you perform better in the workplace right away! You will join an elite group of purchasing professionals who are reporting that the SPSM Certification has helped them get large pay increases, great performance evaluations, and promotions! You can demonstrate to your employer how committed you are to being the best at what you do! You can use the SPSM credentials after your name, increasing the respect you'll earn from your management, co-workers, and peers! You will qualify for the type of high-paying jobs that prestigious employers advertise on our site! You get personalized, expert support to ensure that you can successfully apply what you learn for measurable results! You earn your purchasing certification entirely online - you can complete the whole program whenever and wherever you want!

Earning your SPSM Certification is a three-step process. Here are the steps Step #1: Complete the six highly personal and interactive online classes of the SPSM Certification Program. You earn 44 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) by successfully completing the following online classes, in this order:

Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals (6.5 CEHs) Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals (7 CEHs) Supply Management Contract Writing (7.5 CEHs) Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying (8 CEHs) 14 Purchasing Best Practices (8 CEHs) Savings Strategy Development (7 CEHs)

Step #2: Take the SPSM Exam. This online exam consists of 90 challenging questions covering material from the six aforementioned online classes. These questions comprehensively test your ability to apply skills to situations that you may face in your purchasing job. And, again, you take it online meaning that you DO NOT have to travel to a testing facility. You can take the exam from anywhere that you have access to a computer connected to the Internet.

Step #3: Submit Your Purchasing Certification Application. This application helps you compile all of the documentation necessary to earn your SPSM Certification. You dont need to work on this application until youve passed the SPSM Exam. If youre like most purchasing professionals, youll be happy to know that it doesnt have to take a long time to earn your SPSM Certification and begin reaping the career rewards that come
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from being certified. You have up to 2 years to complete the SPSM Certification Program, but the self-paced nature of the program allows you to complete it and earn your SPSM Certification much faster if you wish. Check out this table to estimate how long it will take you to earn your purchasing certification based on your personal study habits: If you can dedicate this amount of time to studying More Than 4 Hours Per Week 4 Hours Per Week 2 Hours Per Week 1 Hour Per Week 2 Hours Per Month You can earn your purchasing certification in Less Than 3 Months 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year 2 Years

Heres how our online classes work. Less than 24 hours after you sign up for a class or the SPSM Certification Program, you will get an introductory email providing you with a username, password, and instructions for accessing our online classroom. Then: You can start your learning whenever you want there is no schedule or start date You can work through the classes any time of day or night, totally at your own pace Each class consists of eight lessons. Each lesson takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete. You can stop after completing each lesson or take multiple (or even all) lessons at one time. So for any given time that you choose to log in to the online classroom, you might spend just 30 minutes online (to take just one lesson) or up to eight hours online (if you want to complete the entire class in one sitting). It is all up to you!

To enhance your learning experience, we've presented many "Extra Resources" to students enrolled in this purchasing certification program. For each of the six classes that comprise the program, we'll link you to five articles that expand on the subject matter covered in that class!
"I would have to say that the way Next Level Purchasing delivers its education is great! It is clearly a method where you can actually learn what is being presented and actually apply it in the workplace. As I reviewed other purchasing certification programs, the others seemed too technically presented and surely do not cover the full spectrum that the SPSM Certification Program does. The SPSM Certification Program offers a more dynamic overall approach to purchasing and I am glad to benefit from it." Darnell Speight, SPSM Contracting Agent Washington, DC, USA

Once you complete all six classes with an average quiz score of 70% or higher per class, you are eligible to take the SPSM Exam. When you pass the SPSM Exam and we approve your application (available at www.NextLevelPurchasing.com/app.pdf), you officially become a Senior Professional in Supply Management 1. And once you become an SPSM, you are then eligible to pursue the higher-level SPSM2 Certification. (For more information on earning the SPSM2 Certification, see page 19)

Hi. I'm Charles Dominick, the President of Next Level Purchasing. If you choose to improve your workplace performance and enhance your career by pursuing your SPSM Certification, I will make these three promises to you:

CHARLES' THREE PROMISES

1. You will develop world-class supply management skills! Each major technique that you learn has been used to deliver measurable results in the real world for top-notch organizations. You'll learn how to apply these techniques to deliver those types of results to your organization. Your online learning experience will be more than just interactive - it will be PERSONAL! You'll engage in exercises and quizzes with immediate feedback and use our "Ask Charles!" feature to send an unlimited number of instant messages to me - your SPSM-certified instructor. I will personally respond to your questions by email within 24 hours. Sometimes within minutes! Even on weekends! You even have the option of requesting a FREE Video Reply From Charles delivered to you by email. Its personal, face-to-face instruction whether youre in the United States, Europe, Africa, or anywhere else in the world! You will have FUN! Youll enjoy a truly rewarding experience as the reading material, audio clips, and exercises are lively and entertaining as well as educational. But don't just take it from me. This is what Matilde Waizer, a Purchasing Manager from Florida, had to say: "I am really enjoying the module and applying the knowledge acquired. It is fun and the information is easy to digest. Thank you!"

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If you're wondering if the SPSM Certification is right for your industry or valued in your country, the answer is a resounding "YES!" All course material is developed such that it can be successfully applied to any

industry manufacturing or services. The industries represented by those already enrolled in the SPSM Certification Program attest to that fact. Current SPSMs are from countries around the world and industries as diverse as health care, manufacturing, financial services, information technology, tourism, aerospace, government, oil, agriculture, and many more. It is highly likely that other purchasing professionals from your country and/or industry have earned or are in the process of earning their SPSM Certification. Earning your SPSM Certification ensures that you wont be falling behind your peers or competitors. Check out this map of where our students are located:

So how can you feel confident that the SPSM Certification will really help you have a more rewarding career? Here are a few other things to consider: A recent survey of over 2,200 purchasing professionals throughout the world has shown that purchasing professionals who have earned the SPSM Certification earn an average of 10.4% more per year than those who havent. Prestigious organizations including many Fortune 500 companies - from over 50 countries throughout the world have enrolled their purchasers in the SPSM Certification Program. The highly respected publication Purchasing Magazine highlighted the satisfaction of SPSM graduates in their article "Online Education Provider Gets High Marks From Buyers" There are always dozens, if not hundreds, of high-paying jobs with employers who prefer the SPSM Certification continually posted on our Jobs For SPSMs Web page Next Level Purchasing is an organization that is: An official Education Partner of the National Contract Management Association

The only certification provider named to the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 a list of the top service providers in the supply chain field

A Better Business Bureau Accredited Business

A recipient of the 2011 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania

Getting started on your path to your SPSM Certification is easy. We offer two all-inclusive programs for earning your SPSM Certification so that you pay one price for everything you need to
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become certified. Those two programs are called the SPSM Certification Program and the all new SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program. Both the SPSM Certification Program and the SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program provide you with a package that is priced far less than their components are worth. No matter which option you choose, there are: NO additional books to purchase! NO educational prerequisites! NO requirements for documenting experience! SPSM Certification Program SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program w/ iPod SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program w/ iPad

Access to Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

Access to Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

Access to Supply Management Contract Writing and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

Access to Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

Access to 14 Purchasing Best Practices and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

Access to Savings Strategy Development and a certificate upon completion. Worth: $209

One opportunity to take the SPSM Exam (if you fail, you can retake it for a nominal fee). Worth: $75

Certification application fee included. Worth: $89

SPSM certificate upon certification. Worth: $100

Engraved award upon certification. Worth: $199

Bonus #1 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: personalized Performance Appraisal Improvement Analysis by email. Worth: $400

Bonus #2 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: $30 Amazon.com gift certificate. Worth: $30

Bonus #3 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: CD-ROM with printerfriendly, PDF versions of the class material. Worth: $240.

Bonus #4 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: Purchasing Performance Measurement spreadsheet template. Worth: $29

Bonus #5 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: audio CD entitled "Career Survival In Supply Management."
Worth: $10.

Bonus #6 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: access to educational Webaudio interviews with supply chain leaders. Worth: $10.

Bonus #7 for signing up on or before the Special Deadline below: "Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Your SPSM Certification". Worth: $10.

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A 30-minute implementation consultation by phone with the instructor. Worth: $150.

The eBook Supply Management in the Real World. Worth: $79

The SPSM Multimedia Study & Implementation Guide - a collection of over 50 audio and video clips, all loaded onto a FREE iPod Touch that you get to keep forever! Worth: $700

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The SPSM Multimedia Study & Implementation Guide was very helpful and made my studying a lot easier! It was very user friendly and had all the information needed for the exam. I listened to it in the car to and from work for two weeks and felt that it clearly had a positive impact on my score. Without it, I may have had to retake the SPSM Exam. Christl McKenny, SPSM Purchasing Supervisor Rancho Cordova, California, USA

An iPad- Use it to complete your classes and access the pre-loaded SPSM Multimedia Study & Implementation Guide - a collection of over 50 audio and video clips. Yours to keep forever!
Worth: $950

Actual Worth Your Price

$2,446 $1149 (US)

$3,374 $1749 (US)

$3624 $1999 (US)

The Special Deadline to get the bonuses mentioned above is February 29, 2012! You must enroll on or before this date to get these bonuses! If it is not apparent how good of a value that the SPSM Certification Program is, consider these points of comparison: The SPSM Certification Program costs 23% less than attendance at the 3-1/2 day International Supply Management Conference
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The SPSM Certification Program costs 52% less than earning the Certified Public Accountant license2 The SPSM Certification Program costs 97% less than one year of tuition in Vanderbilt Universitys MBA program3

If youre still not convinced about how smart an investment that earning your SPSM Certification is, you should know that we GUARANTEE your satisfaction. That's right - your online learning experience is 100% risk-free. If you are not satisfied for any reason whatsoever, let us know within thirty days of signing up and you will get a hassle-free refund. But youll undoubtedly be delighted, just like this purchasing professional: I have taken several other purchasing courses and certification training and Next Level Purchasing, by far, has the best package. The SPSM Certification Program provides a plethora of information that can be put to use immediately. I know that I have. Many other courses and books will tell you what to do, but not show you how to get there. You have provided step by step examples and directions to take any purchasing department to the next level! Abe Austin Purchasing Manager Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA Don't procrastinate and lose out on all of these bonuses! Simply complete the registration form in the back of this document and return it to us with your payment. Within 24 hours of our receipt of your registration form, you will receive an email with instructions for getting started. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-412-294-1990 or send an email to info@nextlevelpurchasing.com.

Not sure if youre ready for the intensity or expense of a purchasing certification program? See Appendix A for a description of our no obligation Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recertification is required every four years. Recertification requires that you earn 32 Continuing Education Hours in purchasing and supply management topics from Next Level Purchasing or an approved education provider. See the FAQ for more information.
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Cost of an online course and four tests. Sources: www.rogercpareview.com, www.nasba.org Source: www.vanderbilt.edu

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Descriptions of Classes in the SPSM Certification Program

I. Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals

If you are new to purchasing, are you ready for the many challenges you'll face in the months ahead? Our highly personal and interactive online class "Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals" walks you through the purchasing process step-by-step. You'll be ready for these challenges. And you won't need the years of experience usually required to learn how to deal with these challenges. You'll get more than just an introduction to purchasing - you will become an expert at flawlessly executing and managing purchases. You will learn how to make the many decisions necessary to identify the best potential suppliers, plus

How to most effectively prioritize requisitions How to decide when to use competitive bidding, negotiation, or both How to successfully conduct competitive bidding using solicitation tools such as RFP's and RFQ's How to use financial and operational analysis to select suppliers with not only the best monetary offer, but also the least risk of failure How to determine whether a contract, purchase order, or other method of ordering is best for a certain purchase How to use follow up techniques to ensure supplier compliance How to close out a transaction with confidence How to think like a purchasing manager How to prepare for the future of purchasing

II.

Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals

Are you failing to take advantage of Microsoft Excel's powerful techniques for purchasing? Look, even if you are an experienced Excel user, you may not be utilizing the tools that can help you make sound purchasing decisions and deliver top-notch presentations. Our highly personal and interactive online course "Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals" will enable you to perform sophisticated purchasing analyses through exercises that are based entirely on the situations that you face in your purchasing work. You will learn how to use PivotTables, functions, and subtotals to summarize large amounts of purchasing data, plus

How to impress management with professionally formatted bid comparison sheets How to assess the competitiveness of supplier pricing through developing "Should Cost Models"
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How to assess all elements of supplier attractiveness by creating weighted average supplier scorecards How to use Excel's sophisticated decision support features How to visually compare bids, analyze spend, and track supplier performance by creating charts How to develop "Target Pricing Models" for negotiation strategy

III.

Supply Management Contract Writing

Youve noticed the changes in purchasing over the past few years, havent you? The changes that have purchasers doing less order processing and more contracting and relationship building with suppliers? This new role requires that you have a new skill set contract writing. Yet most purchasers dont have much expertise in contract writing. This is troublesome. Because if you arent familiar with the advanced techniques of contract writing, you can put your organization at risk and be committed to a poor performing supplier for years. The bottom line is that you need world-class contract writing skills to be successful in purchasing in the 21st century. Now is the time to get those skills. Our highly personal and interactive online class "Supply Management Contract Writing" will give you the skills necessary to minimize your procurement risks. This class goes way beyond the typical, dry explanations of contract law. Through plain English examples and interactive exercises, you will learn how to negotiate and write effective contracts and iron-clad terms and conditions.

You will learn how to protect your organization from the disastrous effects of suppliers' failure to perform, plus

How to decide if you need the protection of a contract How to choose the most appropriate form of agreement How to structure contracts How to select, use, and develop language for methods of dispute resolution How to write a contracts key legal provisions such as indemnities and limits of liability How to write a contracts key commercial provisions such as pricing and delivery How to write a contracts key technical provisions such as specifications and warranties How to make use of effective styles of contract writing How to effectively proofread and organize contract revisions

IV.

Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying

Have your suppliers figured out how to neutralize your negotiation strategies? Most savvy sellers go through negotiation training at least yearly. Unless youve been just as diligent at improving your negotiation skills, your chances of getting the best deals from your suppliers are very slim.
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Unfortunately, many purchasers feel that their past negotiation experience will serve them well today. Guess what? Sellers have figured out how to thwart yesterdays purchasing negotiation tactics. And much has changed. Supplier-friendly win-win negotiation is the new standard. You have less preparation time than ever. You may even get lured into using the convenient, but often ineffective, method of negotiating by email. If it seems like youre at a disadvantage, you are! But you can quickly get the modern negotiation strategies and skills you need to get the best deals in todays environment. Our highly personal and interactive online negotiation course Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying will teach you the latest and greatest negotiation strategies so that even the most savvy sellers will give you the best deals possible. You will learn the 9 essential steps of preparing for a negotiation, plus

7 strategies on which to base a negotiation How to prevent the disasters common to team negotiations The unique things to consider in international negotiations When negotiating by email is smart and when it is the most foolish thing a purchaser can do How to persuade a sole source supplier The Negotiation Secret Suppliers Don't Want You To Know The persuasive concept that great marketers and salespeople use, but purchasers don't use often enough The 1 negotiation technique that is difficult for even the best sales negotiators to overcome Exactly what to say in 18 common negotiation situations 4 common supplier tactics and how to neutralize them 7 mistakes most purchasers don't realize that they make and how to avoid them How to close a negotiation with big results using respectful pressure 6 ways to continually improve your negotiating abilities

V.

14 Purchasing Best Practices

Wouldn't it be great if you could implement the purchasing best practices that are used by the world's top corporations? Do you think it is impossible because your existing staff is so busy and you don't have the budget to hire an expensive consulting firm? Think again! You can introduce purchasing best practices into your organization easily, without outside help, if you have the right guidance. Our highly personal and interactive online class "14 Purchasing Best Practices" makes it realistic for you to quickly and significantly improve your performance and the performance of your purchasing department. You'll become a respected purchasing leader by following this class' step-by-step instructions, examples, and exercises, as well as the 39-page Sample, Tool, and Template Pack which is included with your registration. Get ready to deliver world-class purchasing results! You will learn how to strategically measure purchasing performance, plus

How to improve your spend management by implementing a buying plan

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How to select the best suppliers by using cross-functional commodity teams, scorecards, and total cost of ownership analysis How to improve vendor performance through a supplier performance management program How to optimize supplier relationships How to improve risk management How to map and improve processes How to leverage technology such as eProcurement and Internet Reverse Auctions How to conduct benchmarking How to achieve efficiency through the systemization of purchasing operations How to utilize a strategic plan

VI.

Savings Strategy Development

Your CEO wants to know: "Are you executing a cost savings strategy or are you just 'winging it'?" Could you respond by producing a top-notch written strategy? If not, our highly personal and interactive online class "Savings Strategy Development" can help you. You will learn a systematic method of establishing a cost savings strategy in your organization. Your plan will be comprehensive, covering everything from analyzing your spend to strategic sourcing to continually improving cost savings processes. You'll also understand many nuances of how to write an RFP within the context of a step-by-step sourcing process. You will learn how to identify sourcing and savings opportunities by analyzing your spend, plus...

How to define several types of savings and avoidances How to create or improve a commodity classification system that optimally supports sourcing and savings initiatives How to find and take advantage of easy cost savings opportunities How to achieve cost savings by leveraging existing supplier relationships How to negotiate savings without straining a supplier relationship How to diligently manage costs by utilizing the Producers Price Index and developing your own Supplier Price Index How to get everyone to apply the same, proven approach to cost savings by implementing The Ten Phase Approach To World-Class Sourcing How to track the progress of your sourcing strategy How to determine a methodology and strategy when writing an RFP How to write an RFP that is aligned with the final contract How to write an RFP that achieves the perfect balance of standardization and customization How to write an RFP that is aligned with evaluation scorecards How to write an RFP that ensures equitable ("apples-to-apples") supplier comparisons How to write an RFP with an optimized supplier response format How to report cost savings in a way that will be embraced by executive management

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Description of the SPSM2 Certification Program

The world of purchasing and supply management is constantly changing and growing. The standards for the performance excellence of purchasing professionals like you are continually being raised. Accomplishments that are considered advanced one year are usually considered common practice years later and even outdated years after that. As a result, there are purchasing professionals that are regarded as top talent and then there is everyone else. But the good news is you have the opportunity to become one of the best in the purchasing field by earning your SPSM2 Certification. Recognizing that purchasing is evolving in its responsibilities and duties, the SPSM2 Certification will allow your certification to grow with you and prepare you for new challenges you will experience in your career. The SPSM2 is not a replacement for the original SPSM Certification, but simply a higher level of achievement. Similar to a master's degree being a higher level compared to a bachelor's degree, the SPSM2 will be an indication of your continued dedication to advancing your career. The SPSM2 Certification builds on the skills and knowledge that you have already acquired while earning the SPSM Certification and adds training on processes that are becoming more significant in the purchasing field- management and international procurement.

Susan Lemley, SPSM2 receives the first SPSM2 Certification from Next Level Purchasing President Charles Dominick, SPSM

Earning the SPSM2 Certification is a three-step process, similar to earning the original SPSM Certification. Only currently certified SPSM's are eligible to enroll in the SPSM2 Program. Here are the three steps STEP 1: Complete the following online courses:

Expert Purchasing Management Professional Purchasing Project Management Basics Of Smart International Procurement Executing A Global Sourcing Strategy

STEP 2: Pass the 60-question SPSM2 Exam STEP 3: Submit the SPSM2 Certification Application
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Achieving your SPSM2 also serves to recertify you as an SPSM for a 4-year period, even if your original SPSM Certification expires earlier. Your original SPSM Certification will become linked to your SPSM2 Certification. Recertifying for the SPSM2 automatically recertifies you for the SPSM and both will have the same expiration date. Maintaining your place among the top talent in the profession and ensuring that you are ready for tomorrow's purchasing challenges is crucial. As an SPSM2, you'll become one of the most elite purchasing professionals ready to handle challenges with confidence while achieving great results. And if you sign up for SPSM2 Program on or before December 31, 2011, you will get all of these bonuses:

One year of access to the four online courses CD-ROM with printer-friendly, PDF versions of the course material $30 Amazon.com gift card* One opportunity to take the SPSM2 Certification Exam ($75 value) The SPSM2 Certification application fee included ($89 value)

The SPSM2 Program and all of these bonuses are yours for only $949 (US) per student. Don't procrastinate and lose out on all of these bonuses.

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Descriptions of Classes in the SPSM2 Certification Program

I. Expert Purchasing Management

Are you a purchasing manager who worries about balancing the many demands of your leadership role? You're not alone. Today's companies are expecting more than ever from their purchasing managers. And today's environment is confronting purchasing managers with more challenges than ever. Between being accountable for measurable results, pleasing internal customers, and ensuring that your purchasing staff improves its productivity, you may feel it is impossible to do a good job. After all, it isn't easy keeping up with evolving best practices, new technologies, and changing markets. But fortunately, there is a way for you to learn how to meet and exceed today's high standards for purchasing management excellence. Our highly personal and interactive online course Expert Purchasing Management will teach you everything you need to know to lead your purchasing department to new levels of success! You will learn how to report purchasing performance metrics to senior management, plus

4 things about the purchasing environment that you need to assess right away How to develop a purchasing customer service survey Tips for improving purchasing staff productivity The secrets for involving internal customers and establishing a successful Purchasing Advisory Board The most important things to consider when naming your purchasing department 5 common purchasing department structures and their advantages and disadvantages How to prioritize commodities that the purchasing department will source 4 indicators that you should look for to identify non-traditional areas for potential savings 3 different ways to assign buyer responsibilities The types of various purchasing profit center models and the dangers of choosing the wrong one How to staff your purchasing department with the right people How to create a Purchasing Dashboard How to set the perfect purchasing department goals How to develop purchasing policies and procedures How to establish a standard sourcing process Strategies for using templates to improve productivity and reduce problems Best practices for making recommendations to senior management 3 ways to reduce the tactical purchasing activity under your management 5 steps to take to ensure that you don't do buyers' work How to improve compliance with purchasing initiatives The essentials of launching a purchasing department Web site How to assess the available purchasing technology by watching video demonstrations of leading software from Ariba and Zycus 10 keys to eSourcing success

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II.

Professional Purchasing Project Management

Do your purchasing projects suffer from delays, unpleasant surprises, and a lack of true organization? Do you wish you could build a professional project plan and then actually adhere to the plan, delighting your management? Well, you can! Being able to consistently lead purchasing projects to successful conclusions involves learning and applying proven project management principles. Our highly personal and interactive online class "Professional Purchasing Project Management" will teach you everything you need to learn to successfully manage modern purchasing projects. You will learn how to identify and execute the five phases of projects, plus

How to create a project charter that will properly set managements expectations How to create standard project documents like work breakdown structures and Gantt charts that help to keep your projects on track How to create network diagrams that will reveal realistic timelines for your projects How to identify the critical path of projects in order to know where the biggest risks for project delay lie How to identify the most significant risks facing your project How to develop a risk plan The four risk responses that are available to you How to use project management software to make project monitoring easier, more accurate, and less time consuming Tips for great delegating Four ways of accelerating a project How to properly use the terminology and apply the techniques used by experienced and certified project managers How to report project progress to management What scope creep is and how to avoid it

(NOTE: Prior to its recent expansion, this class was formerly entitled Microsoft Project For Purchasing Professionals.)

III.

Basics Of Smart Internationl Procurement

Are you responsible for increasing your organization's international procurement and don't know where to begin?International procurement is a challenge. Buying internationally is much more complex than buying domestically. Buying internationally involves having to expand your knowledge of many aspects of procurement that you don't have to worry about when buying domestically. Differences in cultures, laws, communications, currencies, and more have to be understood to support international procurement. And if you don't have a good foundation, your international procurement efforts will have a higher probability of failing. But the good news is that the details of successful international procurement don't have to be a
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mystery. Our highly personal and interactive online course "Basics of Smart International Procurement" will teach you the critical things every purchasing professional needs to know before buying from foreign suppliers! You will learn how to assess the cultural differences that you may experience with suppliers from different parts of the world, plus

7 key characteristics of cultural differences that you need to know to avoid any unpleasant surprises from your suppliers How to determine whether international suppliers might be withholding bad news from you How international suppliers differ in the importance they place on personal relationships How the importance of contracts will differ among international suppliers When you might face one of the worst shocks - an international supplier's request to renegotiate a contract 5 critical clauses that should be included in every international procurement contract 6 principles for writing contract language that is clear and ideally suited for international procurement situations Tips for reducing intellectual property risks How to handle communication when you and your supplier have different native languages Little known facts for reducing communication misunderstandings with foreign suppliers, including the use of jokes, hand gestures, and written communications How exchange rates get factored into international procurement transactions How to calculate currency conversions Currency risks associated with international procurement transactions How hedging tools like forward contracts and options are used to protect buying organizations from cost increases 3 ways that products are services are priced and a currency strategy for each The increased significance of accurate forecasts in international transactions and how poor forecasts impact cost A risk sharing formula that truly distributes risk equally between a buyer and a foreign supplier

IV.

Executing A Global Sourcing Strategy

With all the talk about the global sourcing that many companies are doing, one may think that it is easy, right? That perception could not be further from the truth. Global sourcing may be one of the most complex activities youll encounter as a purchasing professional. Theres no doubt about it global sourcing is a challenge with many opportunities to fail. There are many complex processes that need to be done right. Its not enough to know what those processes are. You need to know how to perform those processes in order to be successful. Despite the challenges of global sourcing, purchasing professionals do succeed at it. They succeed because they know specifically how to handle all of the situations involving coordinating logistics, dealing with customs, arranging payment, identifying countries for sourcing, finding suppliers, calculating landed cost, assessing risks, and implementing their global contracts. Our highly personal and interactive online course "Executing A Global Sourcing Strategy" will teach you how to take global sourcing from a concept to a successful reality!
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You will learn a strategy for selecting products, countries, and potential suppliers for your first global sourcing initiative, plus

How to make your work easier by working with logistics support organizations such as freight forwarders and customs brokers The critical details you must know about ocean and air freight How to determine global shipment quantities and frequencies How to ensure smooth customs clearance How the various duties, taxes, and fees affect total cost of ownership 13 Incoterms and how to use them to properly allocate the costs and risks of global shipments How you may be impacted by the large number of regulations affecting shipments to the United States The advantages and disadvantages of the channels for your global sourcing effort, including international procurement offices, suppliers subsidiaries and representatives, third party IPOs, and direct ordering The various global payment methods such as letters of credit, wire transfer, and supplier credit 8 steps for evaluating prospective global suppliers and, ultimately, selecting the best one Terrorism issues related to global supply chain management How to use a landed cost model, which is provided with the course How to integrate risk analysis techniques into your global sourcing strategy to evaluate the potential effect of exchange rate fluctuations, the need for unplanned expedited shipping, and more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I've decided to pursue my SPSM Certification. How do I get started? A: If you want to enroll online using a credit card, visit http://www.NextLevelPurchasing.com/registration.html. If you want to enroll using another method, print the form found on page 19, complete it, and send it to us with your payment or purchase order. You will receive an email with your username, password, and instructions within 24 hours of our receipt of your registration. You can begin immediately after receiving this email!

Q: What are the benefits of earning the SPSM Certification? A: Next Level Purchasing realizes that employers and purchasing professionals alike want more than just a purchasing management certification to show for their investment. That's why the SPSM Certification is designed to produce measurable benefits to both employers and purchasing professionals alike. Purchasing professionals who have earned the SPSM Certification report that they have reaped these benefits:

Getting better jobs Getting more respect Getting excellent performance evaluations Getting large pay increases

Employers who enroll their purchasing employees in the SPSM Certification Program can be assured that their purchasing staff will be able to:

Save more money Do a better and more efficient job of supporting operations Minimize and manage risk Function more independently, freeing up management to focus on more strategic work

Q: How do I earn the SPSM Certification? A: Earning your SPSM Certification is a three-step process: Step 1 - Pass the six online courses of the SPSM Certification Program
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Step 2 - Pass the SPSM Exam Step 3 - Submit an application

Q: Which courses do I need to pass to be eligible to take the SPSM Exam? A: You need to pass these six courses: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals Supply Management Contract Writing Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying 14 Purchasing Best Practices Savings Strategy Development

Q: Do you offer group discounts for several people from one company to enroll in the SPSM Certification Program at one time? A: Yes. If you have a group of four or more purchasing professionals who wish to earn their SPSM Certification, please send an email to cdominick@nextlevelpurchasing.com and tell us how many people you wish to enroll. We'll tell you how large of a discount you qualify for.

Q: When can I begin my studies in the SPSM Certification Program? A: The SPSM Certification Program is available on an "on-demand" basis. Within 24 hours of our receipt of your registration, you will receive an email with your username, password, and instructions. You can begin immediately after receiving this email!

Q: How well-recognized is the SPSM Certification? A: The SPSM Certification is globally recognized for being the most modern, high-quality purchasing management certification. Some things to consider when evaluating the recognition of a purchasing management certification are: First, what employers are enrolling their purchasing employees in the certification program? Second, what employers are seeking to employ individuals with the purchasing management certification? Third, what are people saying about the certification?
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For the SPSM Certification Program, prestigious organizations - including many Fortune 500 companies - from throughout North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia have enrolled their purchasing professionals in the SPSM Certification Program. See http://www.NextLevelPurchasing.com/customers.html for names of such organizations. Prestigious organizations also regularly place employment ads containing the words "SPSM Certification preferred." This demonstrates the degree to which the top organizations in the world value the capabilities that SPSM-certified purchasing professionals can bring. Our "Jobs For SPSM's" page at http://www.NextLevelPurchasing.com/purchasingjobs.php is constantly updated with new purchasing positions. And those who investigate or participate in the SPSM Certification Program rave about its value. This is most evident in the testimonials from satisfied students that are placed throughout our Web site and the "SPSM Certification Success Stories" section of our site, as well as in published articles such as Purchasing Magazine's article "Online Education Provider Gets High Marks From Buyers."

Q: How long will it take me to complete the SPSM Certification Program? A: Though you have up to two years to complete the SPSM Certification Program, the SPSM Certification Program is totally self-paced. This means that the more time you can dedicate to your studies each week, the faster you'll earn this valuable purchasing management certification. For example, if you are able to dedicate one hour per week to your studies, you will complete the program in about one year. If you can dedicate two hours per week, you will finish in about six months. If you can dedicate four hours per week, you will finish in three months. If you can dedicate more time, you can finish even quicker! The average SPSM finishes the program in about six months. A handful of SPSM's have completed the program in less than 60 days.

Q: Is the SPSM Certification recognized in my country? A: The SPSM Certification is a globally recognized purchasing management certification and is rapidly increasing in its recognition. Prestigious organizations from throughout North America (including Canada), South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia have enrolled their purchasers in the SPSM Certification Program.

Q: If I fail the SPSM Exam, can I take it again? A: Yes. There is a nominal fee to retake the SPSM Exam. Also, to ensure the integrity of the SPSM Exam, you will be given a different version of the SPSM Exam each time that you take it.
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Q: Do I need a degree or a certain number of years experience to earn the SPSM Certification? A: No. While Next Level Purchasing recognizes the value of higher education and lots of experience, we have found that there is not a perfect correlation between education and/or experience and success in the purchasing profession. There are a large number of purchasing professionals who do not have degrees yet still deliver great results for their employers. We have also found that many sharp individuals with just a few years of experience outperform some of their peers who have decades of experience. Therefore, we think that it would be unfair to definitively exclude candidates from certification consideration based on their education and experience levels if they prove to be capable of performing at a high level within the purchasing profession. We welcome you and will appreciate the opportunity to help you have a rewarding career.

Q: Do I need to go to a testing facility to take the SPSM Exam or can I take it online? A: You can take the SPSM Exam from anywhere you have a computer and an Internet connection.

Q: The SPSM Certification Program consists of six online courses. Can I just pay for one course at a time? A: Yes. This is called our Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan. You can read more about the Pay-AsYou-Go Certification Plan in Appendix A.

Q: If I sign up for the SPSM Certification Program, will I also have to purchase additional textbooks or other materials? A: No. All of the materials you need will be provided in our introductory email and within the online classes themselves.

Q: What is included in the price I pay for enrollment in the SPSM Certification Program? A: Your enrollment in the SPSM Certification Program includes complete access to all six online classes of the program, all of the materials you need to pass the classes and the SPSM Exam, one opportunity to take the SPSM Exam, a waiver of the certification application fee, creation and shipping of your SPSM certificate, and creation and shipping of your engraved award. If you sign up for the SPSM Certification Program, the only potential additional cost you may incur for your original certification is the nominal cost to retake the SPSM Exam if you fail it. If you pass the SPSM Exam on your first attempt, you will not be charged any additional fees for your original certification.
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Q: I live outside of the United States and do not have a credit card. How can I enroll in the SPSM Certification Program? A: Most of our students from outside of the United States pay with a check/cheque, international money order, or bank draft in US currency. One of these instruments should be easily obtainable from your local bank. Simply complete the form found on page 34 and mail it to us with your payment. Within 24 hours of our receipt of your registration, you will receive an email with your username, password, and instructions. You can begin immediately after receiving this email!

Q: What payment options do I have when pursuing my SPSM Certification? A: You have three payment options: Option #1 SPSM Certification Program. This is the least expensive option. You pay a single fee of $1149 (US) upon registration. This fee covers everything you need to become certified. Option #2 SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program. This option provides you with the most comprehensive collection of study materials. You pay a single fee of $1749 upon registration. It includes everything provided in the SPSM Certification Program, plus additional optional study components such as the SPSM Multimedia Study & Implementation Guide, an eBook, and more. Option #3 - Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan. This option allows you to keep your individual payments to $209 or less. It is more expensive than the SPSM Certification Program, but does allow you to spread out your payments over a longer period of time if you need that flexibility. Complete details about the Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan can be found in Appendix A.

Q: I used to be in purchasing but have been working in another field. Will earning the SPSM Certification help me return to purchasing? A: With constant downsizing in both good economic times and bad, many very talented purchasing professionals are finding themselves looking for work. If you are looking for an open purchasing job, you are facing stiff competition. And, if you've been out of the purchasing profession for a while, your competitors are likely more up-to-date on newer purchasing management practices such as eProcurement, reverse auctions, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management. You are at a severe disadvantage. However, the SPSM Certification will give you a thorough understanding of all of the latest purchasing management practices. Plus, you will have a designation that will separate you from the competition. All in all, the SPSM Certification can indeed help you break back into a very competitive profession.

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Q: How will I receive the certificate after I earn my SPSM Certification? A: You will receive your certificate by postal mail.

Q: Once I earn my SPSM Certification, how do I maintain my certification? A: Recertification is required every four years. Recertification involves earning 32 Continuing Education Hours in purchasing and supply management topics from approved sources. Preapproved sources include Next Level Purchasing, the National Contract Management Association, the Institute for Supply Management, and the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Continuing Education Hours earned by attending the procurement conferences listed at: http://www.nextlevelpurchasing.com/procurement-conference.html will also count towards recertification. Other sources will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Next Level Purchasing will contact you annually around the date of your certification anniversary to remind you when you are due to recertify. Recertification involves submitting an application and a nominal processing fee. You may submit your recertification application at any time prior to the expiration of your certification and no later than the date that your certification expires

Q: Do you offer lifetime certification? A: No. To maintain the SPSM Certification as the most modern and globally recognized purchasing management certification, we require that you continually keep yourself up-to-date on the latest purchasing management practices. As an SPSM, employers will know that you are skilled in the most modern purchasing management practices.

Q: Can I take the classes of the SPSM Certification in a live environment? A: No. To maintain the SPSM Certification as the most modern and globally recognized purchasing management certification, it is imperative that all of our students from everywhere in the world get their education from a single source - our online classroom. This will give employers the assurance that, no matter where in the world you are located, you got the same high-quality education and met the same high standards as all other SPSM's.

Q: Do you have a location in my country? A: Next Level Purchasing has a single office location in the United States. Our online classroom is used by purchasing professionals from throughout North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. As such, there is no need to have a separate location in each country.

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Q: Can I use my VA benefits/the GI Bill to fund some of my certification expenses? A: Yes. In April, 2007, Next Level Purchasing had received official notice that it has been approved for Veterans Education under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, Section 3689. This entitles qualified veterans to be reimbursed for their expenses incurred for the SPSM Exam. Please note that for licensing and certification, the GI Bill only reimburses veterans for the cost of exams, not for the cost of courses associated with a certification. For the SPSM Exam to be billed as a separate line item, you must pursue your SPSM Certification through the Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan, described in Appendix A. You may find it less expensive to enroll in the SPSM Certification Program and forgo your VA benefits although it is important to note that the GI Bill will reimburse you for all testing fees (up to a certain threshold) even if you fail the SPSM Exam.

Q: Can I apply credits from my experience, a degree, or another certification towards the requirements of the SPSM Certification Program? A: Your past education and experience is likely to help you with some of the material in the SPSM Certification Program. However, in order to maintain the SPSM Certification as the most modern, most globally recognized purchasing management certification available, we are unable to accept credits earned through other means. While this policy may disappoint you at the moment, it would actually help you if you were to earn your SPSM Certification. Employers will value your certification because they'll know you really earned it without taking any shortcuts or receiving any special accommodations. Your certification will be 100% based on the latest global purchasing management practices, not a mix of today's practices and yesterday's practices or national practices and global practices.

Q: To be reimbursed for my purchasing management certification fees, I require documentation of my score expressed as a letter grade or GPA. Can Next Level Purchasing provide this? A: Yes, but this information is not provided by default. Since inception, we've required the SPSM candidate to get at least 63 out of 90 questions correct on the SPSM Exam to pass it. After passing the SPSM Exam, the candidate will have the option to request a signed letter on our letterhead documenting their achievement of a letter grade or Grade Point Average (GPA) for the SPSM Certification Program. So, the certified candidate must contact Next Level Purchasing to specifically request such a letter.

The letter grade or GPA will be based on the number of questions the candidate answered correctly on the SPSM Exam as follows:

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SPSM Exam Score 84 90 77 83 70 76 63 69 Less than 63

Letter Grade A B C D F

GPA 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

Q: Is Next Level Purchasing affiliated with a professional association? A: Yes. Next Level Purchasing is an official Educational Partner of the National Contract Management Association. In addition, the Continuing Education Hours that Next Level Purchasing awards are recognized by several other professional bodies and government agencies.

Q: How does the SPSM2 Certification relate to the SPSM Certification? A: Once you have earned your SPSM Certification, you are eligible to pursue the higher-level SPSM2 Certification. Earning the SPSM2 Certification will satisfy 100% of the SPSM Certifications recertification requirements, so many SPSMs who plan to recertify will choose to do so by earning the SPSM2 Certification. Because the SPSM2 is valid for a four-year period, earning it also recertifies you for the SPSM Certification, even if your SPSM Certification expires earlier. The two certifications become linked. Recertifying for the SPSM2 automatically recertifies you for the SPSM and both will have the same expiration date. Plus, you get to add to the credentials you use after your name. For example, either of the following is a correct use of the credentials: Charles Dominick, SPSM, SPSM2 or simply Charles Dominick, SPSM2. Just for the sake of clarity, the SPSM2 is available in addition to the SPSM. The SPSM2 is not a replacement for the SPSM, just another level, similar to a masters degree being a higher level of achievement compared to a bachelors degree. For more information on earning the SPSM2 Certification, please see page 19.

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1315 Coraopolis Heights Road Suite 1001 Moon Township, PA 15108 United States of America

ENROLLMENT FORM
Four Ways To Enroll: 1. Register online at www.NextLevelPurchasing.com/registration.html (credit/debit card orders only) 2. Complete this form and fax to 1-412-294-1992 (credit/debit card orders, transfers, and purchase orders only) 3. Complete this form and email to info@nextlevelpurchasing.com (transfers and Western Union only) 4. Complete this form and mail with payment information to the address above Company Name:_______________________________ Student Name:__________________________________ Student Phone Number:_________________________ Student Email Address:___________________________ Address Where Certificate Should Be Sent: Home Work (check one and write address below)

____________________________________________________________________________________________ What is your current job title?:______________________________ Offer Code (optional):______________

Check off the programs and/or courses in which you are enrolling: Certification and Training Packages Program # Title # of Lessons A 48 SPSM Certification Program
(includes individual courses E-J below)

Cost (in US dollars) $1149.00 $1749.00 $949.00 $359.00

B C D

SPSM Certification & Enhanced Results Program

(includes individual courses E-J below) SPSM2 Program (includes individual courses K-N below)
Only currently certified SPSMs are eligible to enroll in the SPSM2 Program

48 32 16

Finance For Strategic Procurement Series

(includes individual courses O & P below)

Individual Training Courses Course # Title E Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals F Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals G Supply Management Contract Writing H Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying I 14 Purchasing Best Practices J Savings Strategy Development K Expert Purchasing Management L Professional Purchasing Project Management M Basics of Smart International Procurement N Executing A Global Sourcing Strategy O Finance For Strategic Procurement, Part I P Finance For Strategic Procurement, Part II
(Completion of Part I required for eligiblity to enroll in Part II)

# of Lessons 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 1

Cost (in US dollars) $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $14.99

Q R

Dominando los Fundamentos de Compras Negotiation No-Nos

Total Amount For All Checked Lines: $_______________ Payment Method (check one): Check/International Money Order/Bank Draft/Cheque (Enclose check/money order/bank draft/cheque made payable to Next Level Purchasing, Inc.) Purchase Order (Attach purchase order, terms are net 15) Credit/debit card (Complete and submit Credit Card Information section on Page 2) Wire Transfer/TT Western Union (Payment must include an additional $25 charge, payable to Next Level Purchasing). Please contact Next Level Purchasing for payment instructions prior to sending money.
I hereby submit this application subject to the Registration Policy found on Page 2.

Signature:__________________________________________________________ Date:_________________ Page 33

1315 Coraopolis Heights Road Suite 1001 Moon Township, PA 15108 United States of America

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

Type of card (circle one): Visa MasterCard American Express Discover

Name on card:___________________________________________ Card #:_________________________________________________ Expiration date (mm/yy): __ __ / __ __ Card Security Code (3 or 4 digits on back of card): _____________ Address Where Your Credit Card Statement Is Sent (you may leave blank if same as address on page 1)
_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

Signature:___________________________________ Date:_________________

Next Level Purchasing Registration Policy

If you are unhappy with enrollment in any Next Level Purchasing course or program, you may request a refund by sending an email with the subject line Refund Request" to refunds@nextlevelpurchasing.com, by faxing a letter to 1-412-294-1992, by mailing a letter to Next Level Purchasing, Inc., Attn.: Refunds, 1315 Coraopolis Heights Road, Suite 1001, Moon Township, PA 15108, USA, or by calling 1-412-294-1990. Please refer to the refund schedule below to determine refund amounts. This refund schedule is in accordance with the Distance Education and Training Councils Business Standards and enrollment shall refer to the date that the student signed an enrol lment form or, if enrollment was done online, the date that the student completed the online transaction. Individual courses (8 lessons in length) Refund request within seven (7) calendar days of enrollment Student will receive the amount paid for the course(s) Refund requested after 7 calendar days of enrollment, but before 30 days of enrollment o Completed less than 1 lesson (10%) Student will receive 90% of the fees paid ($188.10) o Completed 1 full lesson, but less than 2 lessons (10-25%)- Student will receive 75% of the fees paid($156.75) o Completed 2 to 3 full lessons, but less than 4 lessons (25-50%)- Student will receive 50% of the fees paid ($104.50) o Completed 4 or more lessons (50%)- Student will not receive a refund ($0) Senior Professional in Supply Management Program Refund request within (thirty) 30 calendar days of enrollment Student will receive the full amount paid for the program. Refund requested after 30 calendar days of enrollment, but before 60 days of enrollment o Completed less than 1 course (10%) Student will receive 90% of the fees paid ($1034.10) o Completed 1 course, but less than 2 courses (10-25%)- Student will receive 75% of the fees paid ($861.75) o Completed 2 to 3 courses, but less than 4 courses (25-50%)- Student will receive 50% of the fees paid ($574.50) o Completed 4 or more classes (50%)- Student will not receive a refund ($0) SPSM Certification and Enhanced Results Program Refund request within (thirty) 30 calendar days of enrollment Student will receive the full amount paid for the program. Refund requested after 30 calendar days of enrollment, but before 60 days of enrollment o Completed less than 1 course (10%) Student will receive 90% of the fees paid ($1574.10) o Completed 1 course, but less than 2 courses (10-25%)- Student will receive 75% of the fees paid ($1311.75) o Completed 2 to 3 courses, but less than 4 courses (25-50%)- Student will receive 50% of the fees paid ($874.50) o Completed 4 or more classes (50%)- Student will not receive a refund($0) SPSM2 Program Refund request within (thirty) 30 calendar days of enrollment Student will receive the full amount paid for the program. Refund requested after 30 calendar days of enrollment, but before 60 days of enrollment o Completed less than 1 course (10%) Student will receive 90% of the fees paid ($854.10) o Completed 1 course, but less than 2 courses (10-25%)- Student will receive 75% of the fees paid ($711.75) o Completed 2 courses (25-50%)- Student will receive 50% of the fees paid ($474.50) o Completed more that 2 courses (75%)- Student will not receive a refund ($0)

The students registering for Next Level Purchasing's training will be given User Names and Passwords to enable them to access the lessons and other class content. The students may not disclose their User Names and Passwords to any other individual or group. Next Level Purchasing reserves the right to cancel a student's registration wi thout refund if that student is determined to have shared his/her User Name and Password or charge the student registration fees for each individual that has accessed purchasing manager and buyer training content using the student's User Name and Password. Students must answer 28/40 review questions correctly in each full-length course for successful completion. If they are unsuccessful, they are encouraged to review the material, free of charge, until they can successfully complete the course. If a student is unsuccessful in passing the SPSM Certification Exam , they may retake the exam for a $75 fee. Next Level Purchasing's purchasing manager and buyer training lessons and content may be printed or otherwise reproduced for the student's use only. The dis tribution to other individuals or groups of printed or otherwise reproduced online class lessons or content is strictly prohibited. In the event of such distribution, Next Level Purchasing will be entitled to all remedies under copyright or other applicable law. Next Level Purchasing's liability to any particular student and/or the organization who had paid for the registration of that student is limited to the amount paid for the registration of the student. Next Level Purchasing will have the right to use the students' and their organizations' names on its web page which lists cus tomers. The inclusion of these names will not be presented in a manner so as to indicate any endorsement of Next Level Purchasing's purchasing manager and buyer training. Any student who requests a refund as part of Next Level Purchasing's money back guarantee will forfeit his or her right to an y incentives that were offered for registering for the purchasing manager and buyer training. The student will be required to return any incentives to Next Level Purchasing with postage paid by Next Level Purchasing . If the student received a printerfriendly version of the class material, the student must delete all electronic copies of the version and destroy all printed reproductions of the material. All refunds will be paid to students within thirty (30) days of the students cancellation of enrollment. If Next Level Purchasing has provided a gift certificate or giftcode as a bonus for enrollment, Next Level Purchasing reserves the right to reclaim that gift certificate if it was not used within one (1) year of enrollment.

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Appendix A: Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan

If youve wanted to earn your SPSM Certification, but have struggled with deciding to pay the upfront costs, there is good news! Next Level Purchasing has launched the Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan. You can earn your SPSM Certification without paying large sums of money at one time. The Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan allows you to enroll in any class individually and decide later if you wish to use it towards SPSM Certification! You can take just one class, take a few, or take them all. Its up to you! There is no obligation to pursue your certification. If you complete all six classes that are part of the SPSM Certification Program, you will have the option of taking the SPSM Exam and applying for SPSM Certification. Here are the steps and current costs associated with earning your SPSM Certification via the PayAs-You-Go Certification Plan. Note that these costs are subject to change without notice. And, just to be clear, it is more expensive to pay for these supply chain certification components separately than it is to pay for enrollment in the SPSM Certification Program, which includes each of these components. Step # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOTAL Step Description Take Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals online class Take Microsoft Excel For Purchasing Professionals online class Take Supply Management Contract Writing online class Take Powerful Negotiation For Successful Buying online class Take 14 Purchasing Best Practices online class Take Savings Strategy Development online class Take SPSM Exam Submit application Cost (USD) $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $209.00 $75.00 $89.00 $1,418.00

If you want to earn your supply chain certification less expensively, please be reminded that enrolling in the SPSM Certification Program includes all of the above steps for just $1,149. You simply need to decide if you would rather (a) spend less money by enrolling in the SPSM Certification Program or (b) paying more but spreading your payments out through the Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan. Here are some important details about the Pay-As-You-Go Certification Plan: A. When you successfully complete each online class, you receive a Certificate of Completion. Each Certificate notes the date that you completed the applicable class. Copies of these Certificates must be included when you submit your application. For a Certificate of Completion to be valid towards SPSM Certification, the completion date on the certificate may not be more than five years earlier than the date on which your application was postmarked. Cost of classes, the SPSM Exam, and the application fee are subject to change without notice. The only way to have complete certainty over your certification costs is to fully enroll in the SPSM Certification Program, which features an all-inclusive price. Taking the classes in the order described is strongly recommended, but not required. The order of the classes represents a logical progression from the most basic material to the most advanced.
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B.

C.

So what are you waiting for? Use the enrollment form on page 34 to sign up for either Mastering Purchasing Fundamentals or the SPSM Certification Program to get started on earning your SPSM Certification today.

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