The Brave CPO: Deleveraging Organisational Finances

Dave HenshallStrategy, Thought Zone

Aligning CFO and CPO strategy to manage  organisational debt The Brave CPO: Deleveraging Organisational Finances. A guide for CEO’s, CFO’s and CPO’s to improve liquidity, credit ratings and borrowing capacity What’s in it for you? Strengthen balance sheet and finance fundamentals Reading time: 10 minutes 1. Introduction: As many industries still struggle to find indicators pointing towards sustainable economic recovery, … Read More

O Superman: Procurements Kryptonite

Dave HenshallStrategy, Talent

Procurement needs a strong mandate not super developed soft skills Not a week goes by without a talent shortage headline resulting in a great deal of noise regarding the profile of the modern procurement skill set. Here we make the case for CPO’s to focus on securing a strong mandate. The focus on soft skills A common criticism is a … Read More

Measuring Procurements Financial Impact: RONA

Dave Henshalle-learning, Influence, Strategy

It is becoming increasingly important that procurement is able to measure and report its impact on company performance, using metrics the CFO will understand and accept. RONA or Return on Net Assets, is one such metric.   RONA, is a financial measure that helps to express the relationship between profit, sales, expenses and total assets. RONA demonstrates how a company … Read More

Procurements Place in the Value Chain

Dave HenshallStrategy

Procurements Place in the Value Chain Procurements Place in the Value Chain – An interesting commentary from Spend Matters on procurement’s position in the supply chain which supports my own views (maybe that’s why I found it interesting). Namely, that procurement is the upstream part of the supply chain, where initial value is captured, whilst warehousing and distribution are downstream … Read More

Managing Procurement Through a Downturn:

Dave HenshallStrategy, Thought Zone

Managing Procurement Through a Downturn: Managing Procurement Through a Downturn – A guide for CEO’s, CFO’s and purchasing leaders on Surviving the Tough Times though Procurement Excellence What’s in it for you? Create opportunities to out-manoeuvre your competitors by building sustainable competitive advantage, and prepare for the next growth phase. Reading time: 15 minutes Introduction: Economic downturns typically are accompanied … Read More

Procurements Value Add: If not now – when?

Dave HenshallInfluence, Strategy

Procurement is now front & centre of the business world. So when will CEO’s place it at the centre of their business strategy?   If ever there were a set of conditions to emphasize the procurement functions strategic place in business and the modern world, it is the current maelstrom of recession, sovereign debt, gathering inflation, political revolution and natural … Read More

The Brave CPO: Which path will you take?

Dave HenshallInfluence, Strategy

The Brave CPO: Which path will you take? The Brave CPO: Which path will you take? The start of 2011 has seen a debate about procurement’s challenges as the combination of austerity drives and economic recovery converge.
 
Some commentators say the profession risks falling back into obscurity once the recovery really gathers pace. I share this concern, which was heightened by … Read More

Clear direction needed for procurement’s future

Dave HenshallInfluence, Process, Strategy

SM reported AXA CPO Heinz Schaeffer’s view that procurement would become a centre for “spend intelligence” but was hindered by a lack of suitable talent. While I share this view in part, there are several key points that need to be addressed by CPOs everywhere if procurement is to reach its full potential: What is Procurements End Game? There does … Read More

Expanding Procurements Scope and Influence

Dave HenshallInfluence, Strategy

Expanding procurement’s scope and influence is critical for CPO’s, if procurement is to develop its value contribution beyond cost savings. Here we discuss some mechanisms to help procurement leaders achieve this goal: The ability to expand the depth and breadth of procurement’s playing field, to take on greater spend under management and to move beyond cost savings are on the … Read More