Read below about some great promotions for the new bookstore in 2008.

When you order from itSMF USA, the proceeds go towards covering our direct cost of materials. Additional proceeds are used to fund general itSMF USA operations and services.  Your fellow members on the Board of Directors are working on a host of new services and initiatives generated by requests for increased collaboration and networking opportunities, more support in ITSM content development, better website tools, etc.  The new services under development are being significantly funded by the proceeds of your publication purchases.  So please take advantage of your membership discount and give back to yourself by buying your books and other products from itSMF USA whenever possible. 

Looking Back on 2007

In 2007, I joined the Board of Directors to replace a Board member who had resigned.  The Board of Directors, with the support of the LIG Presidents Council, established a set of Core Objectives and key actions for 2007.  The objectives most relevant to Publications are as follows:

• To promote and facilitate the development, organization and propagation of best practice content relevant to the US Market
  
• To ensure that the itSMF USA is properly represented in the definition, creation and endorsement of any 3rd party Best Practice, Standard or Framework that is within the scope of IT Service Management

Our 2007 efforts quickly became focused mostly on ensuring the successful introduction of ITIL®  v3.  As many of you know, this was the largest international coordination effort in ITIL® and itSMF history. After working through many issues with our suppliers, we were able to make it through the launch phase and deliver an unprecedented volume of materials to our customers.  If you had to wait a few days or weeks for your books, we thank you for your loyalty and appreciate your patience. 

The itSMF USA is now contributing heavily in the international arena, developing new and strong relationships with multiple suppliers, including OGC (the publishers of ITIL®) and other key publishers such as Van Haren.  We also play a major role in the itSMF-International’s Publications Executive Subcommittee (IPESC).  IPESC is the organization that coordinates the global review and evaluation of ITSM best practice literature and provides official “endorsement” of material as being representative of best practice.  Only IPESC-endorsed books can place the itSMF logo on their covers. I personally have the honor of representing the USA in the IPESC process.  

Looking Ahead to 2008

Now, let me tell you about what our staff and volunteers are working on for 2008: 

• Online Bookstore (just launched)
  -  First 100 orders will include a FREE Van Haren v3 pocket guide
  
• itSMF USA Best Practice Collaboration and Information Creation
  -  A new subcommittee to work on content and processes for collaboration and sharing
  
• Authoring of Books by itSMF USA Members
  -  Publishing and/or endorsement by itSMF-USA (to be non-competitive with existing itSMF-Internationally-endorsed titles)
  
• Electronic Content
  -  New eBook content of v3 – itSMF USA will play a role
  
• Official ITIL® Network Access
  -  Online subscription to ITIL® and other OGC content
  
• Book Samples and Book Sales Inventory for LIGs and Events
  -  Book samples for review at LIG meetings, or stock of books for sale at national, regional, local events
  
• New itSMF-International Services
  -  New services jointly offered by all publications teams from itSMF chapters around the world (knowledge sharing, global research projects, etc.)
  
• Volume Programs
  -  Bulk purchase discounts.  We are also considering ideas like co-branding to allow us to give away complementary pocket guides.  If you buy in volume, please contact me.

Questions?  Give me a shout.  Many of these initiatives are still in the exploration stage.  If you have ideas, requests, needs, or just an interest in participating, I welcome your involvement.  The first Publications Committee conference call will be held in mid-January and I hope to have enough people involved to begin forming subcommittees.  Right now, we have a small team of committee volunteers from all parts of the country and would love to have more.

And remember, always check the Publications section of www.itsmfusa.org to place your book orders.  If there is something that you wish to order that we do not carry, please send your email to publications@itsmfusa.org so that we can keep tabs on the market demand.

Kirk Holmes
itSMF USA Board of Directors
Chair, Publications Committee
President, National Capital Area Local Interest Group
publications@itsmfua.org
or kirk@holmes-inc.net

 

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