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Outsourcing versus Insourcing – Where to Play When the Music Stops

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 13:09:47 +0000

In the fourth article in a series charting the key issues in public sector procurement, we examine the difficulties for organisations in deciding whether or not to outsource key strategic services and what this may mean for procurement. I’ve been told in the past that procurement is a cyclical beast – the chances are high … Continue reading Outsourcing versus Insourcing – Where to Play When the Music Stops →

Why It’s Time To Grow Beyond Strategic Sourcing

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 09:39:45 +0000

If the CPO wants to have a seat at the table, they must move beyond delivering cost reductions to deliver solid and sustainable business value where it really counts: top line growth and business innovation. I recently worked on a large-scale program of strategic sourcing transactions across multiple business and technology functions. The strategic sourcing team produced a considerable volume of contracts and notably delivered … Continue reading Why It’s Time To Grow Beyond Strategic Sourcing →

Three Key Steps To Getting Brexit Ready

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 06:00:02 +0000

It’s been over two years since the UK voted to leave the EU. But beyond the exit date of 29 March 2019, little is known about the details of the Brexit agreement… Negotiations between Brussels and Whitehall are rumbling on with little sign of a breakthrough. And the longer they continue the less likely it … Continue reading Three Key Steps To Getting Brexit Ready →

Is It Time To Make A Career Move? Mind the gap

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 06:00:04 +0000

When things get bad at work do you find a way to fix it or consider a career move? The bad days are becoming more frequent, the work is no longer challenging and your procurement career seems to be floundering. The question arises: what must you do to kick your work life into action? If … Continue reading Is It Time To Make A Career Move? Mind the gap →

Talk Less, Ask More

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 17:00:13 +0000

Procurement leaders must create more opportunities to be open with the levels of the organisation below them and consistently request feedback… Talk less and ask more! “When you’re the CEO of a large organisation – or even a small one – your greatest responsibility is to recognise whether it requires a major change in direction. Indeed, … Continue reading Talk Less, Ask More →

Critical Factors When Selecting Your Suppliers

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 06:00:07 +0000

Procurement exists in a dynamic, fast-paced, constantly changing environment. So surely the reasons we use to select our suppliers and supply partners would change over time too? Wouldn’t they? It’s been over three years since the Procurious network was canvassed on what critical factors they look for in their suppliers. The world has moved on … Continue reading Critical Factors When Selecting Your Suppliers →

3 Mega-trends In Procurement You Need To Understand Before 2019

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 06:00:03 +0000

What are the key mega-trends procurement pros need to get their heads around before 2019? 1. Co-Creation – Using collective efforts to bring the best value Since the very beginning of my career in Procurement competition was a key. Competition helps procurement drive down prices using quotations, tenders, e-auctions or other tools. And, of course, it … Continue reading 3 Mega-trends In Procurement You Need To Understand Before 2019 →

Back To Blockchain Basics

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:00:08 +0000

Do I need to understand how Blockchain works? Where does bitcoin fit in? And how long until this tech hits the mainstream? Your questions: answered! When it comes to Blockchain procurement pros don’t know what or who to believe, when to expect its takeover or how to prepare. What’s the difference between bitcoin and blockchain, … Continue reading Back To Blockchain Basics →

Take the Nuclear Option at UPMG2018

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 06:00:07 +0000

Not many procurement conferences include a guided tour of a nuclear facility! Be sure to check out UPMG2018, the premier conference for utility purchasing managers. Go nuclear Remember the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster in 2011? As part of the international review that took place after the event, the United States instituted the “SAFER” program. … Continue reading Take the Nuclear Option at UPMG2018 →

Procurement Professionals: Get Your Blinkers Off!

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 06:00:03 +0000

Reluctant or unsure about driving greater diversity and inclusion in your procurement teams and the organisation at large? You need to take your blinkers off! When it comes to implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace it can be difficult to know where to begin. And perhaps you’re equally skeptical that your actions could … Continue reading Procurement Professionals: Get Your Blinkers Off! →

The Private Company Paradox

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 07:37:14 +0000

Procurement is going to have to do some extra work when it comes to evaluating private companies. Kelly Barner outlines the common pitfalls to be ready for… Many procurement teams have been tasked with diversifying the supply base. This often means partnering with small, diverse, or locally-sourced suppliers. One challenge that arises is that many … Continue reading The Private Company Paradox →

Brand You: how to create your own personal brand

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:18:00 +0000

Brand You: because no one knows you better… FLiP 2014 may have been and gone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reflect on some of the inspirational talks given. One such session saw Kate O’Reilly advise attendees on the art of shaping their own personal brand – Brand You (if you will). Kate was formerly … Continue reading Brand You: how to create your own personal brand →

Visna Lampasi receives The Faculty’s ‘CPO of the Year’ title

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:18:00 +0000

Leighton Contractors Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) Visna Lampasi was last night awarded the prestigious title of CPO of the Year by leading procurement advisors The Faculty. Announced at the Asia Pacific CPO Forum’s annual gala dinner held at Luna Park, Ms. Lampasi was selected from a pool of some of Asia Pacific’s top performing CPOs … Continue reading Visna Lampasi receives The Faculty’s ‘CPO of the Year’ title →

Generation Procurement: Georgina Portelli

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:59 +0000

Procuring a Bombardier Global Express XRS500 business jet was a once in a lifetime experience for Georgina Portelli, who names this procurement project as her greatest professional achievement so far. She was working at the Casino division of Tabcorp at the time, and needed a flash mode of transport for the VIPs. “Procurement tends to … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Georgina Portelli →

Generation Procurement: Matthew Dierkx

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:59 +0000

Matthew Dierkx might rub shoulders with some of the country’s most elite sporting stars all day, but for the Melburnian, it’s all just another day at the office. The procurement maven for the Australian Football League was offered the high profile role 18 months ago after working in procurement with the Melbourne Cricket Club. He’s … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Matthew Dierkx →

Generation Procurement: Tehara Wickham

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:59 +0000

Tehara Wickham was a young school girl when she migrated to Australia with her family. But the Sri Lankan-born woman ploughed through her studies, finished high school and then university studies in her new country. She graduated and relocated to Sydney for a finance role before moving back to Melbourne six years later for a … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Tehara Wickham →

Play the game like your life depends on it

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:58 +0000

We recently had the pleasure of Angela Giacoumis’ company, and she shared some pretty valuable insights with us. Not wanting to keep them to ourselves we thought it’d be fun to relay it to you in the style of Baz Luhrman’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”. Well why not eh? Put yourself first Be unreasonable … Continue reading Play the game like your life depends on it →

Is this the workplace of the future?

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:58 +0000

If you attended FLiP 2014 you’ll know that the underlying message was ‘shake up your professional outlook’. Today we’re turning our focus towards a business that’s been shaking things up in their own way – step forward Atlassian. This enterprising Australian software company is disrupting the staid and tired workplace culture of old – and … Continue reading Is this the workplace of the future? →

Steve Vamos on Tough Love and Technology

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

Steve Vamos brought more than thirty years’ experience of the Information Technology and online Media industry with him to the 2014 CPO Forum. And with this editor being an ex-Microsoftee, I was bummed I couldn’t be there myself! From January 2007 to September 2008 Vamos lead Worldwide Sales and International Operations for Microsoft Corporation’s Online … Continue reading Steve Vamos on Tough Love and Technology →

Geoffrey Garrett’s love-letter to Australia

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

Former dean of the Australian School of Business (at UNSW) – Geoffrey Garrett captivated delegates in Sydney, just a few short months before he makes a move to the other side of the world. Back in March it was announced that Garrett would take the helm at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). The School … Continue reading Geoffrey Garrett’s love-letter to Australia →

Generation Procurement: Aurelie Roberts

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

French-born procurement expert Aurelie Roberts was surrounded by champagne when she started out in the profession 14 years ago. As an intern with a French champagne producer, she was in charge of purchasing promotional items. At the time, the job was known as purchasing, not procurement, Aurelie explains. This early start proved the ideal springboard … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Aurelie Roberts →

The 5 must-have attributes of a procurement superstar

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

Procurement professionals need plenty of key attributes to be a real superstar. We’ve called out five skills that are vital for anyone working in procurement. If you feel any of these skills are still an area for development, then it’s about time to skill up… 1 The ability to innovate An innovator is someone that’s … Continue reading The 5 must-have attributes of a procurement superstar →

Meanwhile in London… (at the World Procurement Congress)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

The World Procurement Congress 14 as told by Twitter. Over 19-20 May London played host to the World Procurement Congress. Now in its second year the event brought together CPOs and thinkers in procurement and supply chain management from all over the world. Here is what attendees have been saying about it on Twitter: @AlanGleeson Standing … Continue reading Meanwhile in London… (at the World Procurement Congress) →

Video highlights from The Faculty’s CPO Forum

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:57 +0000

The procurement industry’s finest gathered in Sydney recently for a double-header of insight and opinion. Now the tables have been cleared away and the last sausage roll eaten, we take a look back at some of the highlights. Quick, fetch the popcorn! The Faculty ‘Tough Love’ Highlights from Orsino Media on Vimeo. Enjoy what you … Continue reading Video highlights from The Faculty’s CPO Forum →

Generation Procurement: Susannah Thelander

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:56 +0000

Susannah Thelander admits she had a sneaky peak in the dictionary on her first day of work in the procurement industry eight years ago. Because she wasn’t particularly sure what it meant. She had landed a role with the tenders and contracts department of Victoria Police as part of the Victorian Graduate Scheme, where participants … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Susannah Thelander →

The Procurious Files: Weekly Community Update

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:56 +0000

Welcome to the first of our Procurious community updates – a place to fill you in on all of the news, developments, and announcements from Procurious HQ. Procurious is currently in ‘beta’ – you’re helping us to make it better and iron out the bugs (hopefully there aren’t too many!) If you spot anything untoward … Continue reading The Procurious Files: Weekly Community Update →

Tag, you’re it! Can you spot yourself?

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:56 +0000

We’ve posted up a choice selection of photos from The Faculty’s recent FLiP 2014 event. Set against the glorious backdrop of Sydney harbour the event offered procurement’s brightest stars a valuable learning experience that was both engaging and interactive. Our man Jack Slade talked to the assembled throng about all-things Procurious – talking through its … Continue reading Tag, you’re it! Can you spot yourself? →

No normal team-building exercise…

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:56 +0000

When your company motto reads “we don’t do group hugs” – you know you’re in for something a little different… Unsuspecting delegates at the 7th Asia-Pacific CPO Forum took part in an emotional team-building exercise under the Sydney sunshine. Their task (should they choose to accept it) to assemble a brand new bicycle, but under … Continue reading No normal team-building exercise… →

Why having coffee with a competitor is one of the best things you can do

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:55 +0000

Meeting with a competitor for coffee might not sound like something the boss would approve of. But perhaps you should think again. Traditional competitors are putting aside professional differences to meet and share ideas in a new way of thinking that is gaining traction in workplaces around the world. This approach is increasingly being referred … Continue reading Why having coffee with a competitor is one of the best things you can do →

5 brilliant brand new apps for your mobile and tablet

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:55 +0000

A selection of interesting and useful apps for your everyday use. Buoyed by Procurious member Georgia Brandi’s discussion topic on productivity tools, we’ve come up with a few ideas of our own. Every day numerous apps are released into app stores the world over, but how do you know which ones are really worth your … Continue reading 5 brilliant brand new apps for your mobile and tablet →

Which corner of the world HASN’T Procurious reached?

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:55 +0000

Every week we aim to bring you a selection of useful updates and tips for getting the most out of Procurious. Procurious truly has worldwide appeal! Our users come from far and wide. Our list of visiting countries reads like the leaderboard for Eurovision – with the obvious exception of Australia… Our global reach takes … Continue reading Which corner of the world HASN’T Procurious reached? →

Social procurement is gathering global momentum

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:54 +0000

Companies bold enough to step into social procurement are discovering that it’s helping solve business problems and also improving the bottom line. A recent report on social procurement found that the movement is gathering momentum both in governments and private businesses around the world. The report, Corporate Social Procurement in Australia, was conducted by Australia’s … Continue reading Social procurement is gathering global momentum →

Generation Procurement: Tony Huang

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:54 +0000

He can influence how one of Australia’s most iconic companies spends more than a billion dollars every year. But it’s all just part of the job for Tony Huang, who’s in charge of strategic sourcing at telecommunications provider, Telstra. Tony heads up this important function for the telecommunications and media giant, making him accountable for … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Tony Huang →

Is procurement under attack on social media?

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:54 +0000

Social media can be an erratic and angry beast. One minute your company is being praised, and the next it’s under fire for a minor procurement program that’s somehow landed in serious hot water. To stay out of trouble, make sure you are prepared for any social media crisis well before there’s any sign of … Continue reading Is procurement under attack on social media? →

Generation Procurement: Jason Ng

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:17:54 +0000

International Jiu Jitsu competitor Jason Ng loves nothing better than unwinding from a day at the office with a training session of the Brazilian style of martial arts. “The sport has a huge strategic, strength and athletic component to it, which is similar to Judo. And strangely enough, the stresses I put on my body … Continue reading Generation Procurement: Jason Ng →

Procurement: the deliberate career choice