PPS Launches Online Pricing Training and Certification Program, Announces 2009 Spring CPP Graduates

The Professional Pricing Society announces Online Pricing Training and Online Certified Pricing Professional course delivery for increased access, flexibility and cost-effectiveness

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 4, 2009 -- The Professional Pricing Society (PPS), the world's only professional society dedicated to pricing education and training (www.pricingsociety.com), has expanded their courses and Certified Pricing Professional (CPP) (http://pricingsociety.com/Page4805.aspx) designation program to an online delivery platform. Through this new delivery method, pricers all over the world will be able to get pricing training and achieve professional pricing certification at their own pace and from any location. The CPP designation is the industry recognized standard for advanced pricing knowledge in the business community.

Until recently, pricers could only attain their pricing training and CPP designation by attending sessions at live PPS events. However, in this challenging economy, PPS identified the need to expand options available to pricers for overcoming tightened travel and training budgets and for pursuing career advancement through continuing education. With the online program, CPP students can access and complete courses in any order, communicate with course instructors via email, participate in review sessions via teleconference, and complete their post-workshop exams online.

"We developed the online certification platform to give pricers access to the knowledge they need to build a successful pricing operation, especially in this challenging economy," says PPS President Kevin Mitchell. "We know that restricted budgets have made it difficult for many pricers to come to us, so we are delivering pricing training and certification to them on their terms. CPP participants can complete workshops at their convenience from anywhere in the world. This ability will be an important tool for keeping pricers abreast of the strategies they need to thrive in economic hardship."

The CPP curriculum was designed in partnership with leading business schools to give pricers a solid and proven foundation in pricing methods, pricing strategies and business best practices. CPP participants learn cutting edge strategy and business best practices from some of today's leading minds in pricing consulting and business academia. Additionally, new workshops are added monthly to address the current issues pricers are facing in this challenging global economy.

PPS also announced their Spring 2009 CPP graduating class, adding seven pricers to the elite group of CPP designees. Graduates earned their designation by successfully earning six CPP credits in PPS approved workshops and passing a four-hour certification exam. The newest class of CPP designees brings the total number of pricing professionals certified through the program to sixty three.

"In today's volatile and competitive market, successful pricers have to stay on the cutting edge of pricing knowledge in order to be top performers in their field," said Julie R. Martin, Director of Certification and Education for the Professional Pricing Society. "We commend our graduates for recognizing the importance of continuing education and for completing this exclusive certification program."

The CPP graduates received their diplomas in a ceremony held at a reception at the prestigious Ravinia Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Each graduate fulfilled rigorous certification requirements including: six full-day workshops and related testing followed by three months of intensive study using the 300-page study guide created by Temple University for the Professional Pricing Society and revised by the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester.

The 2009 Certified Pricing Professional Graduates are:

•    Tim Rowlands, President, Edgeworth, Inc.

•    Kristy Lingerfelt, Global Pricing Manager PCIBO, Eastman

•    Kyle O'Connor, Pricing Analyst, Open Text

•    Don Thomas, Director Global Pricing, Baker Petrolite

•    Stan Cherry, Director of Pricing, Stock Building Supply

•    Colby Imbrie, Pricing Project Manager, Pricing Consultant

•    Ron Greenwade, Global Pricing Manager, Baker Oil Tools

"Pricing is not just another function of sales, but rather a profit critical business operation," Mitchell explains. "By participating in continuing education and professional certification activities, CPPs worldwide are indicating to their peers, employers and employees that they are committed to professional development and that they have cutting edge skills in the latest pricing solutions and technology."

About Professional Pricing Society

Founded in 1984, the Professional Pricing Society (PPS) serves thousands of members, representing leading industries all over the world. The Society's mission is to nurture a growing community of professionals committed to disseminating pricing expertise throughout the business world. PPS is the only professional organization to offer a pricing certification program, and offers its Certified Pricing Professional (CPP) program via online and live event workshops. Publications distributed to members include an eight-page monthly newsletter and a 36-page quarterly journal. Further, the PPS website (www.pricingsociety.com) is a central resource for state-of-the-art pricing knowledge and hosts a job site where professionals can post or review new opportunities in the industry. PPS also maintains a blog (http://professionalpricingsociety.blogspot.com/) at and a Pricing Group on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/79502).

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