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
Procurement Assessments: The problem with selfies
CPO’s, HR & Trainers should be wary of self-assessments of skill, expertise, and knowledge In the same way that people embellish their CV’s to get a job they also exaggerate their skill set to gain a promotion or raise. Countless research has shown that self-assessments of skills are often flawed in substantive and systematic ways. The research has found the … Read More
Building a balanced bench is key to procurement transformation
A procurement bench strength program needs aggregated data to build a winning team: CPOs globally are aware of the talent imperative to procurement transformation. Building a balanced bench is key to procurement transformation – ensuring the CPO has a team that possesses the skills and experience required to fulfill an increasingly demanding role in the success of the organization. 1. … Read More
The Future of Procurement: Shaping the Team
Scene 2 Balancing Procurement Bench Strength: The Future of Procurement: Shaping the Team The Future of Procurement: Shaping the Team – In the previous post “Commanding the Stage” we discussed the players that are already shaping procurements future with whom the CPO must engage and command the stage. Here we discuss the CPO’s talent pool and the players they can select … Read More
The Brave CPO: Mastering Collaboration
Collaborations strategic value proposition can unlock the door to innovation and sustainable growth, CEO’s and CPO’s must turn the key A guide for CEO’s, CFO’s and CPO’s on how procurement can play a lead role in partner collaboration to secure a sustainable competitive advantage What’s in it for you? Discover why developing a collaborative capability will support sustainable growth and … Read More
Key Procurement Skills Development for Today: Category Management
Key Procurement Skills Development for Today: Category Management Key Procurement Skills Development for Today: Category Management – Don’t take that job until you have read this article, where we discuss what it takes to be a successful Category Manager. The upside, the downside, and what to look for in both candidates and employers. So you want to be a Category … Read More
Procurement Skills Gap Analysis: Problems of not completing one
Procurement Skills Gap Analysis: Problems of not completing one: Problems can arise when you don’t have a procurement skills gap analysis: CPO’s can plan a strategic capability building program that supports their procurement transformation Procurement Skills Gap Analysis: Problems of not completing one – The proactive identification of your procurement teams bench strength is a key requirement for today’s CPO. … Read More
Procurement skills and employee career development
Procurement skills and employee career development Procurement skill’s and employee career development – Build capability and provide opportunities for career progression for your team. Using clearly articulated and differentiated skill requirements across the procurement organization. We take a look at a best practice approach to building procurement capability through employee career development using a skills assessment as the driving tool: CPO’s … Read More
Are Procurement Professionals Negotiating 'Too Aggressively'?
Are Procurement Professionals Negotiating Too Aggressively? In a post over on our Linkedin Group Jeffrey Friend posted a link to a Forbes article raising the question – Are Procurement Professionals Negotiating Too Aggressively? The article contained many embedded articles within it, making the subject matter very broad and complex. We provide our analysis and insight below: The Forbes article is … Read More
Political Mindset: influence decisions and embed change?
Political Mindset: influence decisions and embed change? Political Mindset: influence decisions and embed change? – The final part of our introduction to the key procurement mindsets is the Political Mindset. The Political Mindset relates to our negotiation style when engaging stakeholders. It is importance because it defines our ability to influence decisions on who gets the resources, what goals and … Read More