Introduction Increasingly, organizations see Supply Management as a core ‘must get right’ competency. In leading organizations around the world supply management is beginning to take an active role in product innovation and brand management, which require the critical skills incorporated into procurement’s golden triangle. These organizations realize that a large part of their relationship with end customers is in fact, … Read More
Time of the Buying Magician’s
As procurement’s profile has soared, companies expectations of what they can deliver has become even more challenging. The CPO is now being asked to be accomplished in a growing list of skills and responsibilities: Financial, commercial, supply chain, legal Reduce cost, Increase revenue, Improve working capital, reduce tax Stimulate supplier innovation Enhance the brand Decrease supply chain complexity Reduce risk … Read More
Staying Centre Stage
Once the current economic turmoil is over CPOs will need to develop new strategies to maintain executive attention. The economic downturn has highlighted the role procurement can play as a creator of value but many CEOs still view the function mainly in terms of cost savings rather than as enablers of growth. Having gained the attention of the board in … Read More
It's no longer a question of ‘should you outsource’, but why haven’t you outsourced?
‘Its not should you outsource’ but why haven’t you outsourced? ‘Its not should you outsource’ but why haven’t you outsourced? – CPO’s must have an outsourcing strategy for their company – we provide some pointers to help you develop your outsourcing strategy. Before outsourcing any part of their organization, companies should answer questions like the following as part of a … Read More
Beyond Cost Savings – Reprise
In an earlier post, I talked about the need for procurement leaders to move beyond cost savings. On my travels, it seems that many procurement leaders are still struggling to get their message across. So, if procurement cannot define its value then why should it be taken seriously by anyone else? To close the gap between procurement and the strategic … Read More
Is your procurement team ready to lead?
Having the right people in Purchasing is a must to delivering procurements promised strategic contribution. So try to answer the following questions for your organization: Have you developed a Culture where people are deeply aware of and have internalized the Mission, Vision and Core Values needed to execute the Purchasing and Business Strategy? How well prepared and equipped to carry … Read More
The Greatest Challenge is Internal: Stakeholder Relationships
The Greatest Challenge is Internal: Stakeholder Relationship’s Procurement is often perceived as an EXTERNAL facing function. After all procurement negotiates with suppliers and works with them to reduce cost and improve efficiencies doesn’t it? Well this may be true in part, but procurement’s ability to achieve its objectives is strongly impacted by the strength and quality of its INTERNAL relationships … Read More
7 deadly sins of procurement:
CPO’s offten operate in difficult challenging environments. So we produced a list of the sins to avoid: 1. No strategic clarity A strong business case, driven by a clear set of objectives owned by the key senior stakeholders, should be an essential pre-condition for any supply management leader. 2. Lack of sustained leadership at senior management level Supply management fails … Read More
Turning Strategic Procurement Planning into Reality:
Strategic Procurement Planning needs to have senior management commitment and be conducted at the Organizational, Category, and Supplier level, focused on the key business issues and objectives. The basis of good planning usually defines what will be done, who will do it, how it is to be done and when it will be done within the political context of the … Read More
Procurement: 12 Steps to avoid becoming irrelevant
Procurement: 12 Steps to avoid becoming irrelevant Procurement: 12 Steps to avoid becoming irrelevant – Supply Management needs to demonstrate execution excellence and add value beyond traditional cost savings or become irrelevant. To do this clearly requires alignment with the business goals and objectives and the support of the senior management team. Here are 12 suggested steps supply management can … Read More