Understanding CMKG Certifications and Industry (CMA) Certification.
CMKG conceptualized and developed their first category management certification program in 2007 - the Certified Associate in Category Management (CACM). After working with many companies throughout the world, it became apparent that fundamental category management training and the development of a standard approach to category management was needed. The CACM program was CMKG's answer to meet those fundamental needs, and CMKG's new Certified Specialist in Category Management (CSCM) addresses more intermediate analytical needs.
The Category Management Association (CMA) (www.cpgcatnet.org) - the largest online category management association internationally - is dedicated to advancing category management professional standards. In 2008, they formed the Category Management Training Standards & Certifications Steering Committee to address opportunities and gaps pertaining to industry guidelines and skill set definitions for Category Management Professionals. The committee is comprised of dedicated volunteers from several leading manufacturers, retailers and universities.
In late 2009, this committee released their defined skill proficiency expectations in category management roles, and guidelines for the certification of training programs which conform to the standards established by this committee with sufficient rigor to merit the endorsement.
The profiencies and guidelines released by the CMA are very closely aligned to the CMKG approach, and as a result CMKG has quickly become the first training company in the world to receive their accreditiation, only weeks after the release of the standards.
The Difference Between CMKG and CMA Certifications
CMKG delivers educational programs that deliver specific skill objectives - funadamental learnings, intermediate or specific analytic skills. Their comprehensive programs are offered at both a foundational and intermediate level, with certifications included in each program. CMKG is a category mangaement 'Learning Institution', providing accredited training programs and a corresponding certification, once specific results are achieved.
The CMA is a governing body for the Category Management field. CMA certifications are provided for designation of a specific role or skill set. These are "Certified Professional Category Analyst" (CPCA), "Certified Professional Category Manager" (CPCM), and "Certified Professional Strategic Advisor" (CPSA). A comparison between these Category Management designations and the Accounting designations of CGA, CMA, and CA could be drawn to provide perspective on the term "designation".
The CMA is responsible for accrediting category management training programs (including organization's own internal programs, as well as 3rd party training organizations like CMKG), as well as individuals. By taking CMKG's accredited programs, individuals receive the training that will meet the requirements of the CMA for different designations. They will still have to separately apply for their designation (as CPCA, CPCM or CPSA) through the CMA.
CMKG will provide CMA with verification for individuals who have successfully completed programs, and are applying for designation with the association. The designation through the CMA is not automatically established by successfully completing a CMKG program -- this is a separate and distinct step that needs to be taken by the individual who is applying for designation.
For an understanding on how CMKG's programs match up with the CMA designations, click here.
If you have further questions about CMKG's certification and CMA designations, click here.