So ... how are your investments performing?(commentary)

NOT YOUR FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS (ALTHOUGH financial rewards are always a benefit of investing), I am speaking of your biggest investment--the investment in yourself. Assisting you in Investing in Yourself is what NACM's Credit and Financial Development Division (CFDD) is all about.

Investing in yourself is your key to success for advancement in the business arena, as well as personal and professional satisfaction. You can find no better investment partner in this endeavor than CFDD. Our national CFDD organization and the many local CFDD chapters offer a plethora of investment tools to help both novice and seasoned credit professionals succeed in capitalizing on their investment.

CFDD offers many avenues for mentoring, networking, scholarships, conferences, training and educational programs all focused directly on helping its members achieve the best in personal and professional development. Here is a brief overview of the different "tools" in the CFDD "investment toolbox."

Training & Education: Education of the credit and finance professional is the primary focus of CFDD as it supports the vision and mission statements of NACM. Our chapters make it easy to acquire necessary Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and CCE recertification points. As well, many other educational opportunities are available at the local, regional and national levels. CFDD is an excellent resource for those seeking professional designation, roadmap and participation recognition.

There are over 10 national educational and training programs available to CFDD and NACM members. These published programs cover topics as diverse as Antitrust and You and Ethics--It's a Matter of Choice, to Human Resources & the Credit Manager, Credit Policies and Procedures and Financial Statement Analysis & Credit Scoring. Seasoned and experienced real-world credit professionals have developed each of these programs to work from the practical point of view of the working credit professional and their employers.

Networking: CFDD Chapters all across our country hold monthly educational meetings that offer not only the opportunity to take part in learning experiences, but also to meet with other credit professionals to discuss the art and science of credit management. Professional relationships and personal friendships that will benefit you throughout your career are created, molded and solidified through membership in CFDD and attendance at these meetings.

Conferences: Over the years, CFDD members have reaped the rewards of both professional education and networking through attending regional CFDD conferences. Beginning in 2007, the regional conferences will be compressed into one CFDD National Conference allowing a larger attendance and the drawing power to attract top-notch national speakers and instructors in a variety of contemporary topics that are pertinent to the credit arena. Our first National Conference is scheduled for October 25-27, 2007 in St. Louis, MO, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.