CMDSM

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CMDSS CMDSS Recipient Jim Prevost PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW The primary objective of the Mail Systems Management Association (MSMA) is to support and/or provide opportunities for the professional development of its members.  For more than 25 years, the MSMA has conducted local and national educational meetings, conferences, expositions, seminars and tours.  The MSMA provides these opportunities for its members to develop skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.  The $900B mail communications industry is supported by hundreds of thousands of suppliers.  While the laws of business demand that successful organizations provide high quality services at competitive pricing, today’s mail industry suppliers are required to be more professional and knowledgeable than ever before.  Corporate buyers no longer look for vendor relationships, but trusted business partners. Suppliers are looking to certification programs as an effective way to demonstrate industry knowledge and mastery of required skill sets.  The certification of accounting, legal, data processing, training and human resources has long been accepted and recognized by professionals. Within each of these fields is an awareness of a body of technical knowledge required by professionals in order to perform effectively in their field.  The MSMA has developed a certification program to provide a similar awareness for mail and distribution industry suppliers.  The Certified Mail and Distribution Systems Supplier (CMDSS) is the foremost certification program for mail and distribution industry suppliers.  The Mail Systems Management Association certifies that candidates that pass the CMDSS Exam have the necessary qualifications and skill sets, and have mastered the specific body of knowledge designated by the Association as requisite for effective performance as a mail communications industry supplier. For more information about the CMDSS Certification Program, please visit our website at http://www.msmanational.org/.   WHAT IS A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM? CERTIFICATION is a process whereby an individual is evaluated and tested in order to determine that he or she has the necessary qualifications and has mastered the specific body of knowledge that has been designated by the organization as requisite for effective performance in their profession.  After successfully completing the qualification process and successfully passing the written examination, a qualifying individual can be “certified” as being an accredited professional.  Objectives of an Accreditation and Certification Program are: ·          To raise the standards of the profession ·          To establish a defined body of knowledge for effective performance ·          To recognize those who have demonstrated professional competence and high level business ethics ·          Encourage a continuing program of professional development and education for industry suppliers WORK EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO QUALIFY A letter must be provided from your current employer (on letterhead stationery) giving employment dates that show the following:   ·          Employment in the Mail and Distribution Systems field for 5 or more years with at least 3 years as supplier OR ·          3 years as a supplier with 2 years as a member of MSMA (can be concurrent)  A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current employer or a recognized professional manager is required. JOB CATEGORIES COVERED UNDER THE CMDSS PROGRAM The job categories below are samples of Sales & Service Job Categories: ·          Manager or Supervisor of: ·          Distribution Services ·          Messenger Services ·          Shipping Services ·          Receiving Services ·          Fulfillment Services ·          Office Services ·          Facilities Services ·          Suppliers or Consultants that provide equipment, software supplies or service to the mail delivery and printing industry. ·          Other reasonable categories of job descriptions that are directly involved in Mailing and Distribution Operations or Services. Note:  These will be subject to the review of the Education Committee. CMDSS PROGRAM The MSMA has established the Certified Mail and Distribution Systems Supplier (CMDSS) program.   It is important to note from the outset: a candidate does not have to be a member of the MSMA to participate in the program.  However, the program application fee for non-members does include a one-year membership to MSMA.  Certification does not waive membership dues after the first year of MSMA membership.  Membership in MSMA does not lower the prerequisite requirements for Certification.  The fee schedule is: ·          MSMA members:                         $375.00 ·          Non-MSMA members:                                $575.00 CMDSS QUALIFICATION POINTS REQUIREMENTS A TOTAL OF 150 EXPERTISE POINTS ARE REQUIRED: These expertise points (details of each area is outlined in the MSMA Professional Certification Application Form) are earned from the following areas: ·          Work Experience (Maximum of 80 points possible) ·          MSMA Membership Activities (Maximum of 60 points possible) ·          Non-MSMA Professional Activities (Maximum of 40 points possible) ·          Education (Maximum of 60 points possible) CMDSS EXAMINATION AND TESTING SCHEDULE The CMDSS examination consists of: ·          135 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) encompassing management and other supplier skills, and mail industry knowledge including: ·          Direct Marketing ·          Supply Chain Management ·          Negotiation, Selling & Presentation Skills ·          Postal Knowledge ·          Mailing Equipment & Systems ·          Mail Center Design ·          And much more! ·          5 essay questions (10 points each) on various topics to demonstrate your written communication skills and industry knowledge. ·          The CMDSS examination is administered twice a year at MAILCOM Conferences.  The CMDSS exam can also be administered locally.  For more information about the CMDSS Certification Program, please visit our website at http://www.msmanational.org/. ·          An extensive CMDSS Study Guide has been developed and is available for purchase in binder or CD format at http://www.msmanational.org/. CMDSS APPLICATION INFORMATION All the information required for qualifying to take the CMDSS examination is contained in the “MSMA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION CMDSS APPLICATION”. The entire CMDSS Application can be downloaded and you can order the CMDSS Study Guide from the National MSMA website: www.msmanational.org For additional information about the exciting opportunities available to you through MSMA, please contact your local MSMA Chapter or one of the MSMA National Board Officers: www.msmanational.org CERTIFIED MAIL AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SUPPLIER PROGRAM C M D S S CERTIFICATION Sponsored by: Mail Systems Management Association www.msmanational.org