About Us
One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple. ― Jack Kerouac
Mission
We support managers at all levels by hosting the technical and ethical standards of general management. Our members think of management as a calling, an opportunity to help their co-workers and organizations realize their full potential. See The Toolkit to learn about Standards-Based Management.
Origin
The Center for Management Terms & Practices is a US business launched in 2017 after ten years of development and a pilot with the Small Business Administration. Its tools, terms and training have been used by hundreds of managers in every sector.
Code of Ethics
We never want someone to use the Center’s ideas to do something hurtful or hateful. This is why the first term in The CMTP Index is 1.1 Ethics & the law: please study and discuss its Definition, 3 Good Questions and Approved Resources. Please read the Center’s Code of Ethics.
Principal
Before founding the Center in 2017, Derrick Van Mell was a management advisor for 25 years and worked with hundreds of leaders in all types and sizes of organizations. He has a BA in Economics, an MBA and an MA in English. He’s the author of dozens of published articles, the blog “Management as a Calling,” and the books Atoms & Orchestras: The Case for Standards-Based Management, Buildings Matter and Question-Based Planning. He’s spoken throughout the US and in Europe and Asia.
Knowledge Manager
Robert Van Mell graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa in Economics from Tufts University and has Masters degrees in both Business (honors) and Computer Science from The University of Chicago. His methodology (Stop&Think) for quickly capturing, distilling and valuing knowledge is of critical value to Center members.
Review Board
A standard is best managed by experienced people working with thoughtful and thorough guidelines. The Review Board sets policy for and carefully communicates changes to the terminology and resources in The GM Index of Terms. The Board listens to our members. Click here for it’s editorial and submittal guidelines.