I just read an article that states that “teach, teach, teach” is Costco’s corporate philosophy too. Judith Logan, a Costco Assistant GMM, says in this article that it is Costco’s goal “to have buyers who are better educated in their products than their suppliers who sell them, to see through the marketing speak and offer the best value possible.” Costco even has Costco University to train their 130,000 employees in all aspects of their jobs, from food safety to buying Bordeaux wine. This speaks volumes about Costco’s never ending commitment to educating anyone and everyone who touches their members in any way.

That’s not all! At Costco’s “laundry college” their employees “work with laundry manufacturers to understand the science behind what makes a better laundry detergent.  They spend time in the labs and touring the production facility” to make them experts in their respective disciplines.

Costco even has stringent certification and licensing programs for their gas station, hearing center, optical store, pharmacy, photo center and tire center employees. Costco invests this money in training because they want their employees to be held to the highest standards of professional competencies. “This translates to better service and value for their members” says Tammy Clark, Director of Training for their Hearing Centers.

What’s this all mean to you?  If you aren’t creating a “a culture of wisdom”, as Costco calls it, with your internal and external supply chain community in every aspect of your supply chain management then you aren’t building the future of your supply chain on a sound foundation. Only through never ending training and education at all levels of your supply chain can you sustain, maintain and hold everyone that touches your products, services and technologies to the highest standards possible.

* Our next Certified Value Analysis Leadership™ Course will be held on November 4-6, 2008. Book now to save $200 before September 4^th!

I can’t think of any another profession (yes, value analysis is a legitimate and growing occupation in healthcare) that doesn’t require any training or educational requirements in order to be a value analysis leader or practitioner. Even bus drivers must have training, education and a special license to drive a bus.

Yet, value analysis leaders and practitioners make million dollar decisions, year-in and year-out, for their healthcare organization without any training. Is their something wrong with this picture?  I would think so!

If you aren’t aware of it, value analysis is an acknowledged and respected discipline with a 60-year history that has a defined six-step process (called The Value Methodology*) that needs to be religiously employed by VA leaders and practitioners in order to save money and improve quality. If you aren’t applying this value methodology in your value studies then you aren’t practicing value analysis – you are doing something else instead.   

To be truly called a value analysis professional (i.e. conforming to the standards of skill, competence, or character normally expected of a properly qualified and experienced person in a recognized disciple) you will need to upgrade, improve, and advance your skill sets to the next level of proficiency in this growing art and science.  This can only be accomplished with formal classroom training and education in this discipline.  

Isn’t it time you search out specialized value analysis training for yourself, value team leaders and your value team(s) so that you can become qualified and experienced in order to drive your value analysis bus?

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* If you are ready to upgrade, improve and advance your value analysis skill sets and learn the value methodology, may I suggest that you consider registering for our Certified Value Analysis Leadership™ Training Program to be held on November 4-6, 2008.