Developing leadership skills that transform the supply chain to new levels of excellence is becoming more of a priority for organizations. Supply chain organizations need to take a holistic, strategic and global approach to leadership development. APQC's research indicates that there is a significant gap between leadership competencies needed for an organization to be successful and the competencies that employees currently possess, suggesting that there is indeed a leadership skills gap.

Nominations are being accepted through July 31, 2015, to recognize 30 individuals 30 years old or younger who are bolstering the supply chain management profession.

Amber Road, a provider of software applications and data for global trade management, has launched a GTM training practice.

The University of Miami's School of Business Administration has developed a mathematical model for price optimization and customized negotiation support.

APICS, an association of supply-chain and operations-management professionals, has developed the APICS CPIM Exam Simulator.

The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is offering a new online certificate program on the subject of supply-chain management.

ThomasNet and Institute for Supply Management have announced the winners of their first "30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars" Recognition Program, a jointly sponsored initiative to advance the future of the supply chain profession. The winners, aged 30 or younger, were recognized for making significant contributions to their organizations.