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The Two Obvious Challenges Of Digital Transformation That Everyone Ignores

Thu, 24 May 2018 00:18:51 +0000

A digital transformation is set to take place in the coming years, and the Procurement world can expect substantial changes as a result. As Heraclitus once said, “the only thing that is constant is change.” Another thing that is equally true today is that digital is playing a central role in pushing organisations and individuals…

Always Let Procurement Be Your Guide…

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:57:51 +0000

As we move from the age of mandate into the age of guidance there is enormous opportunity for procurement pros to make themselves known and heard… SAP Ariba’s Vice President, James Marland, believes that the procurement function is moving from what he calls the Age of Mandate into the Age of Guidance – and that’s…

3 Ways To Increase Your Procurement Salary

Tue, 22 May 2018 09:29:51 +0000

Another day in your procurement job, another day moaning about your unsatisfactory salary… If you want things to change here’s how you take control! I’ve always said that I’m extremely happy working in Procurement, and there’s no question that it’s great to be doing a job that I’m passionate about. But no matter how much…

7 Procurious Influencers Who Are Smashing Modern Slavery

Mon, 21 May 2018 05:45:54 +0000

Not all heroes wear capes! But surely there are few people more deserving of a superhero’s recognition than the procurement pros fighting against modern slavery day in, day out….? Last week, a heavy-hitting list of 100 modern-day abolitionists was splashed across social media following the 2018 Annual UK Top 100 Corporate Modern Slavery Influencers’ Index Recognition Dinner in London –…

Gaining Entrepreneurial Experiences In An Enterprise Environment

Fri, 18 May 2018 00:49:28 +0000

Look out ‘blockchain’ and ‘transformation’, there’s a new hyped word quickly rising through the ranks – and it may soon eclipse you both: ‘intrepreneurship’. Intrepreneurship is a philosophy or set of experiences that allow a professional to combine the authority and accountability of entrepreneurship with the (relative) safety and job security of a corporate gig….

How Digital Transformation Will Shake Things Up In Procurement

Thu, 17 May 2018 08:52:31 +0000

Some of the gains brought about by digital transformation will be immediate – including its impact on that all-important bottom line… Throughout the past few years, many organisations have undertaken a strategy of digital transformation. These transformations step-change many processes for businesses in order to take advantage of embedding faster, more collaborative and more analytical…

3 Ways To Take The Pain Out of Contract Management

Wed, 16 May 2018 00:36:46 +0000

Managing supplier contracts is one of the most fundamental and, arguably, simple tasks undertaken by procurement teams. But for many it’s also a major source of anxiety. So why does procurement find it so difficult to successfully manage supplier contracts? Given the ever-improving technology landscape and growing popularity of cloud-based SaaS solutions, one would…

Late, Late For An Important Date? Why Time Isn’t On Public Procurement’s Side

Tue, 15 May 2018 09:45:41 +0000

Time is fleeting and never more so when a contract deadline is looming large. How can public sector procurement professionals use their time more effectively? In the second in a series of articles on the challenges facing public sector procurement, we examine the issue of time and why it must be managed better. Before we…

Unleashing the Real Power of your Supply Chain

Sun, 13 May 2018 00:18:06 +0000

The human element will make or break your supply chain career. Procurious Founder Tania Seary reveals the human strengths that AI will never replace and how to leverage that competitive advantage. There comes a time when you forget why you ever started. I’ll never forget my first meeting as a procurement executive with a supplier….

4 Ways Procurement Could Better Manage Risk

Fri, 11 May 2018 00:55:18 +0000

Procurement pros need to get better at managing risk. Because supply chain disruption can come from any angle, whether it’s caused by a supplier site failure, environmental or geopolitical factors, or even adverse weather… If it’s not already, risk management should be a top priority for businesses. The consequences from not actively identifying, managing and…

Agile Procurement Through the Ages…

Thu, 10 May 2018 00:03:15 +0000

Agile principles are all about the decision-making process. What changes should you implement to drive greater value at higher speed? At IBM, we understand agile as a set of principles and values that when thoughtfully considered across the business, enable quality decision making, empower teams, and delight customers. In procurement, the Category Manager’s role is to…

US Intel Chiefs Urge Business Cooperation On Cybersecurity

Tue, 08 May 2018 22:10:12 +0000

But what are the trade-offs in terms of privacy and civil liberties? Highlights from General Keith Alexander and John Brennan keynote at #ISM2018. During the American Revolutionary war, military commanders of the 13 Colonies realised that the conflict could not be won with soldiers alone. Civilians left their towns and farms to swell the ranks…

Arianna Huffington: No More Brilliant Jerks In the Workplace

Mon, 07 May 2018 20:37:12 +0000

#ISM2018 keynote Arianna Huffington is on a mission to end the collective delusion that burnout is the price we pay for success. In 2007, Arianna Huffington collapsed in her office. “I hit my head on my desk, broke my cheekbone, and came to in a pool of blood. I asked myself the question: is this…

5 Nashville Chartbusters For Procurement Professionals

Sun, 06 May 2018 16:00:07 +0000

How are the smash-hit singles of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton relevant to procurement? Let’s find out. Procurious has landed in Nashville! This iconic town is everything we hoped for – the neon lights, the honky-tonk venues, the gift shops brimming with cowboy boots and sequin-studded denim jackets. But Nashville is also known…

6 Top Tips From 6 Procurement Influencers

Fri, 04 May 2018 08:01:29 +0000

We interviewed some of procurement’s most influential leaders to hear their advice for the global procurement community. Here are there 6 top tips… Are we running out of humans who can get the procurement job done? Is the future office-free? Should every procurement team have a Chief Data Officer? How do you sell yourself, your team and the profession to the…

Humanity, Environment, Ethics – For A Responsible Supply Chain

Thu, 03 May 2018 09:01:48 +0000

Tackling modern slavery might seem like an insurmountable problem for you to tackle alone, but even a reduction of one is huge. January: Human Trafficking Awareness Day April: World Earth Day In between these two months at the very beginning of the year, and surrounded with newly renewed resolutions, many of us go about our day to…

5 Reasons Business Partnering is Procurement’s Secret Weapon

Wed, 02 May 2018 08:04:54 +0000

Unlocking the benefits of business partnering won’t happen overnight, but if you can get it right, partnering can supercharge relationships between procurement, your stakeholders – and your suppliers. “For me, business partnering is about building trust,” says Keith Bird, Managing Director of The Faculty. “It’s also a marker of the maturity of your procurement function.”…

Paydirt! Resources Sector Supply Chain GM Wins Prestigious Award

Tue, 01 May 2018 11:49:46 +0000

Hot off the press: the Asia-Pacific region’s 2018 CPO of the Year and Future Leader in Procurement (FLiP) of the Year have been announced at The Faculty’s Gala Dinner. Dramatically shifting the impact of procurement in a truly international role, MMG General Manager of Supply Chain Ron Brown has been recognised for delivering major procurement…

Procurement Operating Models Explained

Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:37:51 +0000

Centralised? Centre-led? What’s the difference, and how do I know which operating model is best for my organisation? Starting a new job can be both stressful and exhilarating. The people are different, the location is strange and the way they work is peculiar to that enterprise. There may be a seven-level procurement organisation chart or…

Could Procurement Make Brexit A Breeze?

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:32:53 +0000

So much about Brexit is still a mystery. But one thing’s for sure – procurement pros can help their organisation turn a negative into a positive! It’s impossible to say precisely what the role of procurement will be in the post-Brexit world; the future is simply too uncertain. And it’s easy to infer this sense…

5 Ways Procurement Can Make Brexit A Breeze

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:32:53 +0000

So much about Brexit is still a mystery. But one thing’s for sure – procurement pros are a crucial factor in helping their organisation turn a negative into a positive! It’s impossible to say precisely what the role of procurement will be in the post-Brexit world; the future is simply too uncertain. And it’s easy…

A Little Less Hesitation, A Little More Risk Taking

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:31:54 +0000

As human beings, we are naturally petrified of risk and uncertainty. But our lives are little more certain than a game of poker – and we’d do well to embrace that! Caspar Berry, professional poker player extraordinaire, knows exactly what it means to take risks. But he admits that it can be a scary business….

What Is IBM’s CPO Looking For In New Hires?

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 07:46:53 +0000

IBM’s CPO, Bob Murphy, talks soft skills, AI and what he’s looking for in his leadership team at IBM… This Article was written by IBM’s CPO, Bob Murphy. Procurement professionals should be excited about Artificial Intelligence and robotic automation. We’re looking to these technologies to handle the repetitive tasks, the more mundane pieces of work,…

Could The 21st Century Wilberforce Please Stand Up?

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:28:07 +0000

The world is in dire need of a 21st century William Wilberforce to realign the corporate moral compass on this increasingly pressing issue of modern-day slavery In the early 1800s, the politician and social reformer William Wilberforce famously spearheaded the movement to abolish slavery. His campaign was long and hard-fought, beginning in 1787 with the…

“Hey, Procurement…” The Rise of Chatbots in Supply Management

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:37:45 +0000

Procurement tech guru Bertrand Maltaverne explores the benefits, limitations and pitfalls of chatbots in procurement – with some animated examples! “Hey, Siri,…” “Alexa,…” “OK Google,..” Digital assistants are ubiquitous. We talk to them (Siri, Alexa, Cortana, etc.). We chat with them (Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Skype, WeChat, etc.). They are in our phones, in our computers,…

Conference Season Is Upon Us!

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 03:10:17 +0000

Turn on the auto-reply, pack your suitcase and strap yourselves in – it’s #procurement conference season. Why are so many great conferences packed into the same few weeks of the year? Yes, the weather is usually reliable, but having successive (or even overlapping) conferences forces procurement pros to pick and choose carefully. And your conference…

6 Critical Skills You Need If You Want To Succeed In A Digital World

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 09:10:08 +0000

How should procurement professionals adapt in order to survive in a digital world? The digitally enabled workforce needs to nail six key skills… This is a unique time for procurement organisations. Never before have companies been able to derive more competitive advantage from superior procurement capability. The function’s role is shifting from a sourcing gatekeeper…

Do You Know What Your Supplier’s Supplier’s Supplier Is Up To?

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 11:18:48 +0000

So you’re pretty sure there’s no slavery lurking within your supply chain? But what can you do to be 100 per cent sure? Modern Slavery. You’d know it if you saw it, right? Especially if it was under your nose… And on your watch… In fact, you’re certain that there are no instances of modern…

10 Questions to Ask in a Purchase-to-Pay Demo

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:48:20 +0000

$1 million is wasted every 20 seconds collectively by organisations around the globe. So, here are some areas to dig into and questions to ask during a purchase-to-pay demo. $1 million is wasted every 20 seconds collectively by organisations around the globe. Yes; you read that correctly – organisations are losing money to the tune of…

30 Under 30 Stars Prove This Enduring Stigma Is Disappearing From the Profession

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 09:03:38 +0000

Procurious uncovers the five factors in common across this year’s inspirational group of 30 Under 30 Supply Chain Stars. Delivering over $20 million in cost savings, building a new procurement function from scratch and creating a cutting-edge suite of analytical tools are among the outstanding personal achievements of 30 young professionals named winners in the…

How Your Network Can Turbocharge Procurement

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 12:44:41 +0000

Networks have the power to transform procurement teams and turbocharge the businesses they link together. So how do you get the best value from your network? Since you’re here reading Procurious, I can already tell you appreciate the value of networks. And you’ve probably realised that the wider your network of professional connections, the greater…

4 Realities of a Cloud Spend Management Implementation

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:50:41 +0000

Implementing new tools and systems is enough to make the bravest of procurement pros shudder with dread. So what are the four biggest risks associated with cloud spend management implementation… With a wide array of cloud-based applications on the market, many organisations are saying goodbye to out-dated, legacy systems and adopting new Software as a…

How To Prepare For Post-Brexit Procurement In The Dark

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 09:28:37 +0000

Procurement pros know the worst and best case Brexit scenario… But how do we prepare when faced with such a lack of concrete insight? The Brexit process has been a triumph in politics over practicality. We may know roughly what the government wants to achieve politically, but the practical solutions for achieving those goals and…

3 Ways To Keep Up with the Social Media ‘Joneses’

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 00:38:07 +0000

What do you mean you had time to read The Economist cover to cover – don’t you have a job to do??! Kelly Barner advises how you can keep up with the Social Media ‘Joneses’. We all know one… that person in your network that not only mysteriously has the time to think, read, discuss…

Navigating The World’s Largest Procurement Conference

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 06:09:11 +0000

ISM2018 is nearly upon us! With an action-packed agenda featuring no less than 100 educational sessions to choose from, it’s vital that attendees arrive in Nashville with a plan. I’ve made the 22-hour journey from my home town of Melbourne all the way to the sequin-studded city of Nashville, Tennessee, to report on the jewel…

Procurement In 7 Memes

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 23:24:53 +0000

They say a picture tells a thousand words. How about a procurement meme? Okay, millennials. Strap yourselves in, because I’m going to attempt to meme. Is meme even a verb? Perhaps not, but that isn’t going to stop me. For older readers who don’t really know (or care) what memes are, don’t worry – I’ve…

5 Tips On What To Do When Things Go Wrong In Procurement

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:27:53 +0000

We share 5 tips on how to manage procurement difficulties when the policies and guidelines fall short and things start going wrong… Over the course of the last decade, a lot has changed in public procurement. Among other developments, international organisations have gotten more involved in public procurement policy, creating toolkits (think O.E.C.D in Paris), and standardising…

“Wat the?” 5 things I learnt about Watson Supply Chain in Vegas

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 23:41:54 +0000

Rather than adopting the “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” mantra, I wanted to share some new insights into Watson that I gleaned at IBM’s mega thought leadership event – Think 2018. 1. Watson needs education – but it’s a fast learner! When you think of Watson, you probably think of a computer that…

Public Sector Procurement Talent: Fact V Fiction

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 00:56:30 +0000

The search is on for top talent to fill an increasing number of procurement roles. But is the public sector being beaten to the finish line by its private sector counterparts? In the first in a series of articles charting the key issues facing public sector procurement, we examine the facts and fictions of the…

6 Ways Procurement Pros Can Be More Effective

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:28:04 +0000

87 per cent of organisations have faced a disruptive incident with suppliers in the last 2-3 years. How can we work in more effective ways? Transforming into a strategic procurement organisation is not an easy journey. But there are a few obstacles that procurement teams should address sooner rather than later when thinking about how…

PLEASE FIRE ME: I JUST CAN’T QUIT!

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:19:12 +0000

Stuck in a miserable, but well-paid, job you can’t afford to quit? Don’t get yourself into that position in the first place! Philip H. “hates his life”. Those are his exact words. Specifically, he hates his all-consuming job. The work bores him and he no longer believes in his firm’s mission. The gruelling hours he puts…

5 SOFT SKILLS PROCUREMENT PROS SHOULD BE DEVELOPING…NOW!

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 00:11:26 +0000

If you want to hold on to your procurement career in the long term, you ought to be worrying about mastering your soft skills! We got wind of the fact that IBM, arguably the world’s most robotically advanced procurement team, is focussing on its employees’ soft skills. As Justin Mcbryan, Learning & Development, Strategy, Communications…

Exploding The 4 Social Enterprise Myths

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 08:50:44 +0000

Social enterprises require a LOT of extra procurement work and handholding. So it’s totally fine to avoid them…right? We love busting the most common myths in procurement. And there’s no myth more satisfying to bust than one that can benefit everyone. There’s a lot of misinformation going around about the pros and cons of social…

6 Ways Procurement Pros Can Dominate Their Data Strategy

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 10:08:49 +0000

Building a nimble process, speaking the right language and gathering your data from the right sources will have you nailing a flawless data strategy in no time! When most procurement professionals think about data they imagine a darkened back-office room and a huddled group of silently-working number crunchers. But it’s data that gives your organisation’s…

Why Diligence is Due

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 09:00:26 +0000

Ethical sourcing makes good business sense. Plus… it’s the law! Nick Ford explores how to exercise due diligence. Pioneering U.S. academic fundraiser James W. Frick once cautioned prospective donors: “Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” For procurement professionals, how they…

Sorry Kids: Easter Chocolate To Be Cancelled After 2050

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:58:26 +0000

The world is running out of chocolate… And if procurement pros can’t find a way to save the day, no one can! Most of us like to indulge in a little (or a lot of!) chocolate over Easter. In Britain alone, the projected Easter spend for 2018 is $892.6 million. And in the US, 2018 Easter…

Supplier Diversity? I Don’t Have Time For That!

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:59:05 +0000

“No one wants to change suppliers…” but embracing Supplier Diversity is getting easier than ever before, and there’s a whole host of reasons it’s good for your business! Supplier diversity programs are a hot topic. We know we’re supposed to have them… And we’re told that they’re a great thing both for our organisations and…

3 Ways To Win The Internet (You Don’t Have To Be Justin Bieber…)

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:59:05 +0000

The social media world is a scary place and unfortunately it’s scaring away the professionals and organisations who need it the most. How do you embrace today’s internet culture and use it to your advantage? The Procurious London CPO Roundtable was sponsored by Basware. Elizabeth Linder, Founder and CEO of The Conversational Century joined YouTube in…

Procurement Pros: Make Like Lady Gaga

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 01:42:26 +0000

If your procurement job is making you feel like you’re stuck in a Bad Romance you need to make like Lady Gaga! Embracing collaboration will have you on The Edge of Glory in no time! When you think of great, inspiring role models for the procurement profession, pop-music superstar Lady Gaga might not be the…

Tail Spend: Are You Counting Your Losses?

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 01:28:24 +0000

Nobody said controlling tail spend was easy. But those “insignificant” purchases soon add up… For 35 per cent of procurement teams, tail spend – those small, ‘insignificant’ purchases that soon add up – is one of their top nuisance areas, according to research by Spend Matters. And it’s no wonder, with a disproportionate amount of…

How To Deal With The Office Timewaster In 4 Videos

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 10:04:14 +0000

There are few thing more frustrating in life than a workplace timewaster. And the worst thing? They come in all different shapes and sizes, which makes them harder to spot! Colleague: “Hey there buddy, did you have a good weekend?” Me: “Sure did! But I’ll have to tell you about it later because I’ve got…

Do You Have Any Idea What Your Consultants Are Doing?

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:31:26 +0000

Hand-on-heart: Can you swear that you’ve properly briefed consultants and paid only for what you’ve received? Buying professional services is often accompanied by a host of reputational risk and budgetary pressures. However, for the public sector, a new approach to professional services procurement is proving that it doesn’t have to be that way. Public…

Are You A Data Hunter Or A Gatherer?

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 01:27:18 +0000

Are you trying to stay afloat in a huge “data lake”? Trust us, there are better ways to manage and manipulate your data to make an impact. Are you a data hunter or a gatherer? There’s a whole lot more to data than simply having it… If you’re one of those procurement professionals who’s anxiously sitting on…

4 Things Supply Managers Need To Know About China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:18:32 +0000

Get to grips with the jaw-dropping scale of China’s investment in ultra-modern supply chains stretching from South-East Asia to Scandinavia. China’s Belt and Road initiative is big. VERY big. We’ll get to some of the awe-inspiring numbers in a minute, but first let’s look at why this project is particularly relevant to supply management professionals…

Revealed: 4 Things CFOs Really Want From Procurement

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:31:22 +0000

Ever get the feeling you’ve been barking up the wrong tree? Let’s cut out the second-guessing and focus on the four essentials that Chief Financial Officers want from procurement. Andrew Porter values having a good night’s sleep. As CFO of the Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) and President of the G100, the peak body for…

Step 1: Brush Your Teeth Step 2: Change the World

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 09:22:44 +0000

“Molly, the reason you got less than Thomas, is because you are a girl.” We take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s International Women’s Day… The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have triggered an intensely powerful outpouring of testimony and solidarity among people around the world. But this is only the…

Looking Through The ‘Glass ceiling’ – 30 Years On

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 09:48:04 +0000

Have women smashed through the glass ceiling in the last thirty years? Seeing the many posts regarding International Women’s Day made me think – what is all this fuss about? We’ve got this sorted, haven’t we? But then I think back to where my procurement journey began and realise only 30 years ago the world…

#Metoo: Coming To Your Workplace In 2018

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:05:05 +0000

#Metoo changed the gender equality landscape dramatically in the space of a few months. Here’s how we can build upon those hard-won gains. #Metoo has shaken the world – and rightly so. That it has taken until 2017 for significant attention to be paid to the harassment and abuse that women have been subjected to by…

7 Steps To Thinking Like A Freak

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 01:41:45 +0000

The best thing you can do to improve your productivity, your rationality and your creativity is learn how to Think Like a Freak. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen Dubner, The New York Times bestselling authors of Freakonomics plainly see the world like no one else. In their book series, which includes Freakonomics, SuperFreakonomics, Think Like…

Bridging the Talent Gap in Procurement: Attracting New Hires in a Digital World

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:42:26 +0000

Want procurement teams to attract the best talent? Show us your stuff! According to The Deloitte Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey 2017, 87 per cent of the respondents agree that talent is the single greatest factor in driving procurement performance. But the rates of new hires and recent graduates pursuing a career in procurement is…

Digital Transformation Skill Gap Shock

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:26:26 +0000

Only six per cent of CPOs possess the strategic leadership trait of being able to lead digital and analytical transformation in their organisation. What’s going on with the skill gap? It seems that everyone’s talking about digital transformation. Every procurement team globally lies somewhere on the maturity curve that begins at one end with 1990s-style…

When the Data Strategies Align….

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 10:26:55 +0000

There is a growing need for consuming data almost at the same time as the data gets generated – but how do you get your procurement data strategy straight, and align it with the corporate strategy? There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective cognitive solutions. It’s akin to conducting a…

Procurement Leaders: Stop Talking About Headcount Reduction!

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 01:45:27 +0000

If you want your procurement teams to be more open to adopting cognitive solutions and less scared of them, stop talking about headcount! There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective cognitive solutions. It’s akin to conducting a group of musicians – it might be possible (easy even!) to attain a pleasant sound…

How To Avoid Transaction Automation Landmines

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:03:30 +0000

When it comes to implementing transaction automation, managing the trade-off between the speed of execution and the granularity of data is a challenge… There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective cognitive solutions. It’s akin to conducting a group of musicians – it might be possible (easy even!) to attain a pleasant sound…

Is Your Taxonomy Flexible and Multidimensional?

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:44:26 +0000

For a taxonomy to be effective, and feed a cognitive engine, it needs to be multidimensional, flexible, and situation based… There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective cognitive solutions. It’s akin to conducting a group of musicians – it might be possible (easy even!) to attain a pleasant sound from a solo…

Is Your Procurement Data Fit For Purpose?

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 01:24:24 +0000

How do you know when your data is fit for purpose? Start by putting the why before the what! There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective cognitive solutions. It’s akin to conducting a group of musicians – it might be possible (easy even!) to attain a pleasant sound from a solo instrument… …

RPA vs. BPA: Spot the Difference…

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 12:39:26 +0000

If you’re getting your RPA mixed up with your BPA. let us clear a few things up… When it comes to trending topics, there’s a lot of acronyms getting thrown around these days and sometimes they get used interchangeably when their meanings are actually very different. Robotic process automation (RPA) and business process automation (BPA)…

4 Reasons You Should Never Date a Procurement Professional

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:42:22 +0000

She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s cute – but she works in procurement?! No, thanks! Here’s why you should never, EVER, go out with a procurement pro. “Psst – hey. Hey, bro. I heard you’ve got a thing for Jenny on the third floor?” “Yeah, man – we’re going out to dinner tonight. First date!” “Dude….

For Procurement to Fly, You Need The Right Team Onboard

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 09:38:52 +0000

Digital Transformation is critical to the future performance of any procurement department… But you need the right team on board to truly fly! In case you hadn’t noticed, the old approach to Procurement no longer works. Following a strict sourcing process, beating suppliers for extra margin and imposing strict controls on employees is simply not…

I Don’t Have Time To Do Market Price Research

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:17:26 +0000

We’ve all experienced it – a niggling feeling that we could have gotten a lower price for a product or service … if only we’d done our research. But who has that sort of time? IBM’s CPO, Bob Murphy, is concerned that his peers around the globe aren’t getting a proper night’s rest. “Chief Procurement…

UK Accuses Russia Of Massive Cyberattack on Global Supply Chains

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 04:35:07 +0000

Maersk, TNT and other global companies that suffered nearly a billion dollars in collective damages were not the intended targets of a Russia-launched cyberattack. How, then, were they infected? “The UK government judges that the Russian government, specifically the Russian military, was responsible for the destructive NotPetya cyberattack. Its reckless release disrupted organisations across…

4 Ways Diversity Makes A Rock-Solid IMPACT

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 00:38:10 +0000

Cultural diversity – whether it’s racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual – is an increasingly hot topic that shows no signs of slowing down. Let’s examine why diversity in the workplace has gone from a “nice-to-have” to a critical business imperative. Diversity leads to a higher market share While communities are becoming increasingly culturally diverse, businesses…

Buying Social, Expressing Yourself Online and Other Procurement Challenges…

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:22:51 +0000

Does it pay to buy social? Can I build greater trust online? And how do I prepare my team for AI developments? We answer some of the questions and challenges on the minds of procurement leaders… The Procurious London CPO Roundtable was sponsored by Basware. How do you evolve your organisation from the mindset of “we’re…

Buying Social, Expressing Yourself Online and Other Procurement Challenges…

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:22:50 +0000

6 Reasons It Pays To Care In Procurement

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 09:56:39 +0000

“Do good, feel good” or “Do good, and save lots of money”? Whichever you find the more enticing, we can certainly conclude that it pays to care in procurement! Pat McCarthy, SVP and GM, SAP Ariba North America, is one of the driving forces behind SAP Ariba’s Business with Purpose initiative. Over time, he’s noticed…

How To Conduct A Cognitive Symphony

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 01:25:13 +0000

If cognitive technology is not normally your forte, let us be of assistance. In one week we’ll have you conducting a cognitive symphony! There are many factors that require careful consideration to bring about effective, scalable and sustainable analytics and cognitive solutions. Intelligence is the conversion and enrichment of data into meaningful business insights. It’s…

Warfare Just Got A Whole Lot Cheaper

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 02:21:16 +0000

The US Navy’s recent purchase of two drone-incinerating laser cannons signals a turning-point in the ever-rising costs of sourcing – and firing – high-tech weaponry. Remember the USS Zumwalt? Launched with much fanfare in 2013, the guided missile destroyer was equipped with 155-millimeter advanced gun systems, designed to fire the Long Range Land Attack Projective,…

3 Essential Ways to Motivate Staff and Improve Morale

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:37:00 +0000

Want to lead a happy and productive workforce? When it comes to improving staff morale, you need to focus on three key factors. As a leader, you have several concerns and major responsibilities that all need your attention. This means you must be able to focus on the big picture: if you constantly have to…

Procurement with Purpose: Beyond the Bottom Line

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:48:59 +0000

How can you embrace the notion of procurement with purpose authentically and in ways that are consistent with your core beliefs and ideals? Sustainability improves the bottom line, and companies can do good while doing well. In fact, research shows that purpose-driven companies with strong performance in environmental, social, and governance outperform the market by 4.8…

Procurement Agility in the Age of Digitalisation

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 08:47:46 +0000

How can your procurement team embrace the age of digitalisation and develop an effective roadmap that ultimately puts you in the driver’s seat? The digital enablement field is wide open, with no single right answer on how to proceed. However, there are ways that can help organisations plot a way forward. CPOs must define a roadmap…

Four Essential Capabilities For Your Procurement 2020 Roadmap

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:40:08 +0000

Procurement 2020 will look a little different with new skills, knowledge and tools to address entirely new challenges. Procurement has seen rapid change in a relatively short span, the value creation of this function has increased multi fold becoming more strategic, collaborative and technology driven. This momentum is expected to continue and quicken in the…

From Cannonballs to Mobile Apps: The Fight Against Modern Slavery

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 01:18:12 +0000

Disney, Walmart and other big players have partnered with Humanity United to launch Working Capital, a $23 million early-stage venture fund aimed at creating scalable, ethical supply chain innovations. Image: Royal Navy Brig “Acorn” chasing a slaver vessel in 1841, by Montague Dawson. In 1808, the Royal Navy established the Preventative Squadron, tasked with suppressing…

Megatrends Shaping the Future of Finance

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 01:56:13 +0000

Disruption, innovation, transformation, change – the watchwords of modern business. But how do these apply to Finance and Procurement? What are the trends that are likely to shape your role? And how do you prepare to adapt to the opportunities that these bring? Barely a day goes by when the headlines aren’t doom-mongering about “the…

What’s Coming To Procurious in 2018

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:16:48 +0000

What’s around the corner in 2018…? There’s a whole host of exclusive procurement content and events for you to get your teeth stuck into! The Procurious community, at 26,000+ members, is growing faster and providing better networking opportunites than ever before. To keep pace with our growing membership, we’ve planned out the most exciting year…

Removing Obstacles to Competitiveness with CLM

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 09:53:48 +0000

Do you view CLM as an automated filing cabinet? You’re completely missing the point! When you think about why a company would invest in a contract lifecycle management (CLM) solution, the first things that come to mind might include improved governance and agreement administration. But is that it? If the ROI of CLM is limited…

Can You #FeeltheLove This Valentine’s Day…?

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:37:47 +0000

As a procurement professional, cutting costs is the very least you can do! Procure with purpose and start driving change world-wide… Our webinar, Feel The Love takes place at 3pm GMT /10am EST on 14th February 2018. Register your attendance for FREE here. NEWSFLASH: Being world-class today doesn’t mean being the best in the world. It means helping the world…

Five Best Negotiation Scenes In Film And TV

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:52:08 +0000

How much can you learn about negotiation by sitting on the couch watching movies? Plenty. Want to become a better negotiator? You could diligently read up on the subject or attend some negotiation training courses, but for the couch potatoes amongst us, you might just learn more by watching some of your favourite films. Negotiation…

Flashback Friday – Can You Make Procurement Decisions Under Fire?

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 09:49:04 +0000

Are you struggling to lead or motivate your team through difficult times and under extreme pressure? We’ve got some top advice from someone who knows a thing or two about making decisions in extreme conditions… Andy Stumpf spoke at the Chicago Big Ideas Summit 2017. Read more about our upcoming event – The London Big Ideas Summit –…

Do We Still Care About Professional Associations?

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:40:35 +0000

Do procurement professionals across the globe still see the value in professionals associations? And, if not, what can these associations do to regain their appeal? When Procurious put out a call for procurement survey participants, we were delighted when 500+ professionals across more than 50 countries shared their insights and wisdom. We’ve investigated the finding…

My 5 Networking Goals For 2018

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 01:54:56 +0000

Given that she’s always “banging on” about #networking, it’s no surprise that Tania Seary’s 5 New Years Resolutions are all about growing – and nurturing – her professional network. This year I am going to: Find my fabulous five Dine (not eat) Keep watering the seeds of possibility Connect the dots, and Take more photos!…

The ‘Why’ Behind the Drive for Retail Process Efficiency

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 01:09:07 +0000

Process efficiency is good. In fact, it’s one of the most frequently cited objectives for the procurement profession. But it can’t have a real impact unless we understand the bigger picture… As we expand the impact of procurement beyond savings, one of the most frequently cited objectives is process efficiency. In theory, if procurement can…

Dude, Where’s My 3D-Printed Car?

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 03:49:45 +0000

3D printers have been around for 30 years, yet the prediction of “one in every household” has not yet come to pass. When will this technology really hit the mainstream, and how will it impact our careers in procurement? For those of us keeping an eye on the coming megatrends that will impact the…

Procurement Process vs. Chat-Bots

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 01:22:55 +0000

What are chat-bots? What can they do? Are they soon to replace all procurement functions?! Software Robots (called Bots/Bot) are dramatically disrupting procurement processes involving human interface. They will have a high appeal on the transactional and digital side of procurement processes and will gain growth in the coming years with cognitive and machine learning tools….

Sustainable Procurement: Reversing The Race To The Bottom

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:22:39 +0000

Don’t dismiss the importance of supply chain sustainability! Learn from the mistakes of others and count yourself out of the race to the bottom! A short-sighted focus on cutting costs and speeding products to market is resulting in a race to the bottom that will cost companies more in the long-run. Top performers in sustainable…

Taking The Heat Out Of The Resolution Room

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 01:46:20 +0000

If you can’t take the heat get out of the resolution room! Or invite Watson! We’ve all been there. Something’s gone terribly wrong with a major customer delivery. Emails are flying around and there are rumours from HQ that “heads are going to roll”. Everyone concerned has been summoned to “THE meeting” in order to…

Data. Tech. Talent. Giving Procurement The Edge

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 01:55:23 +0000

Today’s challenging business environment is marked by social and economic uncertainty, weakness and volatility in emerging markets, and increasing geopolitical risk. How can procurement teams ensure they have the edge? Dramatic changes in the role of the procurement function over recent years have meant a remit that exceeds traditional operational responsibilities, often having a critical…

Welcome to the Most Miserable Day of the Year

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 05:11:27 +0000

Feeling down? You’re not alone! Today is Blue Monday, a date widely claimed to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept of the most miserable day of the year was first publicised back in 2005, dreamt up by a public relations agency on behalf of holiday company Sky Travel. Put simply, the…

3 Reasons Why You Should Multisource Your Procurement Software

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 01:46:50 +0000

Choosing new procurement software should be exactly that, a choice! Duncan Jones on why organisations should follow an eclectic, multi-sourcing strategy for their key business applications. While doing my research for The Forrester Wave™: eProcurement, Q2 2017, I was surprised and disappointed by how many companies I interviewed had bought an incumbent vendor’s eProcurement product…

You Will Be Assimilated: The Collective Intelligence Of Procurement

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:20:17 +0000

For those who remember “The Borg” from Star Trek, you’ll remember the notion of a dispassionate alien mind-being that would suck up your individual mind to subsume into the collective intelligence. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Crazy stuff, right? Or maybe not. Flash forward to today. For most people, your every move is…

The Best 10 Minutes of Wasted Time I Ever Spent

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 01:58:52 +0000

Have you ever sat in a meeting and thought, ‘I am never going to get these 10 minutes of my life back’? I had that experience and it turned out to be the best poorly-used time I ever spent. During my time as a procurement consultant, I once met with a client who wanted to…

Team Approach: How Procurement Pros Can Procure Talent Better

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 01:32:42 +0000

What’s harder than finding top talent for your procurement team? Finding the RIGHT talent! The only thing harder than finding top talent in the current candidate driven market is to find the right talent. Especially those individuals that have the technical and collaborative skill-set required to be successful with today’s ever-growing list of expectations from…

7 Procurement Trends To Watch Out For In 2018

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:01:55 +0000

Which hot topics and trends will everyone in procurement be talking about in 2018…?What’s the buzz in 2018? We’ve done a spot of investigating to identify all the hot topics the procurement world is excited (and concerned!) about in the coming year… 1. Technology Hype Won’t Let Up Steve Banker, writing for Forbes, concurs stating…

Improve Contract Compliance by Thinking Like Sales…Not Procurement

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 01:45:03 +0000

Call us crazy but we reckon Procurement would be better off looking at the Contract Management process the same way sales does… If you’re anything like me as a procurement practitioner, you think of our end-to-end process in a linear fashion. It usually starts with spend analysis or some other source of information (budget, ERP,…

Let’s Get Internet of Things (IoT) Ready for Procurement!

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 01:43:58 +0000

What can the the Internet of Things (IoT) do for you and your procurement team? IoT is a big buzzword these days. From industry experts to academia to specialised thought leaders, everyone is talking about how IoT as a technology has the potential to disrupt not only the day-to-day workings of our companies, but also…

2017 Rewind- The Impact Of Blockchain On Procurement

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 01:41:19 +0000

As part of our 2017 Procurious rewind, we’re taking a look at the top blogs of the year. Blockchain was one of the hottest topics on the site this year. It’s time to brush up on your knowledge and understanding right here, right now! Blockchain technology will not only impact procurement and procurement professionals but is…

2017 Rewind – IBM CPO: You’re Finished If You Think You’ve Finished

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 01:26:21 +0000

As part of our 2017 Procurious rewind, we’re taking a look at the top blogs of the year. This article features our interview with IBM’s CPO Bob Murphy, who believes there is nothing so important as professional development and human relationships. The numbers are eye-watering. IBM CPO Bob Murphy looks after a $70 billion spend –…

Happy New Year From Procurious

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 01:42:12 +0000

Happy New Year from everyone at Procurious HQ! We wish you all the best for the year ahead. We’d like to thank all of our 26,000+ members for an incredible year at Procurious. And we can’t for all the exciting things we have in store for you in 2018. Stay tuned! -Procurious HQ

2017 Rewind – Do You Have The Right Skills To Deliver On Tomorrow’s Procurement Strategy

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 01:17:34 +0000

As part of our 2017 Procurious rewind, we’re taking a look at the top blogs of the year. This piece looks at why are our procurement teams are falling so short when it comes to delivering on strategy? Shockingly, 60 per cent of CPOs believe their teams do not have the skills to deliver their…

2017 Rewind – Help! A Potential Employer Asked For My Facebook Password

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 01:55:01 +0000

As part of our 2017 Procurious rewind, we’re taking a look at the top blogs of the year. Today’s article advises what to do when a recruiter asks for your Facebook password! Have you ever been asked to hand over your social media details in a job interview? Don’t panic – it’s probably just a stress test….

Procurious Picks: What Were You Reading In 2017?

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 01:05:46 +0000

As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a look at some of our most-read blogs of 2017… The procurement people have spoken* and we can now confirm the official top five Procurious blogs of 2017. From assessing the impact of blockchain to exclusive interviews with global CPOs; from recruitment advice to top career…

Season’s Greetings From Procurious

Mon, 25 Dec 2017 01:36:46 +0000

The Procurious team would like to wish all of our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! A huge thanks to all of our 26,000+ members for your work and support in helping us build the community this year, for all your posts, pictures and stories, questions and answers and connections! –…

‘Tis The Season To Waste Lots Of Food….

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 01:09:26 +0000

An estimated 1/3 of the world’s food is wasted along the supply and consumption chain from farm to kitchen. What can you do to help this Christmas? This morning you may have discovered your milk was spoiled and tossed it in the garbage before trying to find something else to eat. Maybe you didn’t finish…

How The Robots (Nearly) Stole Christmas

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 00:32:38 +0000

“Every Who down in Whoville liked working, a lot … until one day The Boss met a clever robot.” Continuing the tradition of a festive poem in the run-up to Christmas, check out this modern retelling of The Grinch from Procurious’ Content Director, Hugo Britt. Every Who down in Whoville liked working, a lot… until…

Procurement Pudding (It’s A Trifle Complicated)

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 01:46:19 +0000

Nothing says Procurement quite like a classic trifle; it’s intricate, it’s complicated, but if you get it right… everyone wants a piece of it! As the holidays descend upon us, it’s time to start winding down the gears to relax and – inevitably – reflect on the year that was! Time with family and friends…

Guess The Impact: Can You Handle The Pressure?

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 01:46:03 +0000

How can you prepare when you know the worst is coming, but you can’t be sure when, where or how it will come? The Guess The Impact quiz will help! What would be the impact on your global supply chain if a volcano exploded in the Pacific? How would your supply chain be affected? Would…

Christmas Supply Chains and Fist Fights in the Toy Aisles

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:08:00 +0000

Do you remember the Tickle-Me-Elmo War of 1996? What about the Cabbage Patch Kid Riots of 1983? No amount of long-term forecasting can prepare manufacturers and retailers for the moment a product becomes the “must-have” toy of the season. Robert Waller, a clerk at a Canadian Wal-Mart, told a harrowing tale about toy-mania in an…

Don’t be Fooled and Underestimate Blockchain

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:43:34 +0000

Do you find it comforting to dismiss blockchain as “flash in the pan”? Simona Pop believes you’d be a fool to do so and explains why it will live up to the hype. There is a pattern emerging where new technologies are treated with a certain degree of skepticism. After the initial wave of excitement…

Why Don’t You Trust Social Media To Help Crowd-Source Solutions?

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:30:42 +0000

Whoever said you’ve got to harness the power of the crowd, clearly didn’t get around to telling the procurement professionals! The vast majority of you have never used social media to crowd-source a solution….When Procurious put out a call for procurement survey participants, we were delighted that 500+ professionals across more than 50 countries shared…

Strategic Sourcing Tech Investment Is The Key To Transformation

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 01:34:54 +0000

Are you running a little late to the digital transformation party? They do say better late than never! As we’ve explored previously, digital transformation is changing in the world of supplier sourcing. According to The Hackett Group’s Sourcing Cycle Time and Cost Measurement study, firms are spending around $275,000 a year on software that streamlines…

Career Advice To A Procurement Newbie….

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 01:55:24 +0000

Did it feel like you were thrown in at the deep end upon entering the procurement world? Some of Procurious’ resident experts offer some career advice to anyone starting out on their journey…. Starting out in a new career is never easy; there’s so much to learn, good impressions to be made and new people…

12,000 Jobs Gone: Coal Supply Chain Hit Hard

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:13:40 +0000

Businesses that supply equipment to coal and gas power plants are cutting costs dramatically in response to the rise of renewable energy. General Electric’s new CEO, John Flannery, is cutting 12,000 jobs in its electrical power division. The blood-letting comes in response to GE’s 44% plunge in the Dow this year, and an ongoing battle…

What To Do When Your Procurement Employees Are Leaving You

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:01:40 +0000

Do your procurement employees seem to be fleeing the business left, right and centre? Trust us: it’s not you, it’s them! But in these circumstances, should you even bother developing them? When Procurious put out a call for procurement survey participants, we were delighted that 500+ professionals across more than 50 countries shared their insights…

Is The Economy Heating Up, Or Cooling Off?

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 10:46:28 +0000

What do the stats from ISM’s Report On Business reveal about the economy and how can they help you on the job? The October Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI®) registered 58.7 per cent in the U.S. It showed a decrease of 2.1 percentage points from the September ISM® Manufacturing ROB reading, yet the report stated that the…

That’s The Sound Of Your Procurement Career Taking Off….

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 01:24:51 +0000

This pup is taking control of their procurement career by listening (for FREE!) to our Gen NEXT podcast series. Why don’t you join us…? The Procurement Gen NEXT podcast series, sponsored by Telstra, begins on the 11th December. Sign up to Procurious (It’s FREE!) to access the full series. The new generation of procurement professionals…

Sourcing, But Not As We Know It!

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 01:42:19 +0000

How many procurement pros do you need to manage $1 billion of spend? We examine the stats revealing the state of today’s sourcing landscape… How many staff does it take to make a success of strategic sourcing? We might not have a definitive answer to that question, but we do have access to some figures…

The Jaggaer Juggernaught Rolls On

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 01:39:18 +0000

With the recent acquisition of BravoSolution, Jaggaer continues its trajectory of rapid, aggressive growth to contend for the title of the world’s largest spend management solutions company. The Jaggaer growth story has been interesting to watch. Formerly known as SciQuest, the company’s announcement about BravoSolution needs to be understood in a long line of acquisitions…

Meet the James Bond of Procurement

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 01:10:00 +0000

Looking for some holiday reading? We review Christopher Hepworth’s “The Last Oracle”, a fast-paced thriller starring Sam Jardine, the world’s greatest negotiator – and a procurement professional! As a series of bizarre climate-related events occur across our planet, it seems the world is edging towards a catastrophic tipping point. Rex Daingerfield is the owner of…

International Supply Chain Risks: How U.S. Sanctions Can Kill Your Deal

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 11:55:31 +0000

U.S. sanctions are being applied more vigorously than ever to perceived foreign foes. What risks do these sanctions pose to our supply chains and what Mitigation Strategies Can be Used? The United States (U.S.) had $2.21 trillion Dollars in exports in 2016 according to the U.S. Department of Commerce (D.O.C)i, and an estimated 10.7 million…

Could You Do A TED Talk On Your Category?

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:25:54 +0000

Great category management is like a killer TED Talk – it’s strategic, it’s well researched and it’s delivered with true passion. Have you got what it takes? Our webinar, Breaking the Groundhog Day Mentality: Enabling A True Category Management Mindset takes, takes place at 1pm GMT on 29th November 2017. Register your attendance for FREE here. …

Debt as a Source of Risk in the Supply Chain

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:32:24 +0000

What debt conditions, putting pressure on our global economy , should procurement pros make themselves familiar with? And how can we mitigate supplier risk? This blog was written by William B. Danner Two leading authorities on corporate financial health, Dr. Edward Altman, Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at New York University’s Stern School of Business and creator of…

TGINF- Thank God Its Not (Black) Friday

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 09:20:26 +0000

We should probably all be grateful that Black Friday is over and done with for another year. But what have we learnt from the biggest shopping day of 2017? There’s nothing quite like the cold panic of a missed opportunity. Particularly if said opportunity comes in the form of a heavily discounted HD television, bargain…

Introducing the Lavergne Procurement Matrix

Fri, 24 Nov 2017 02:54:05 +0000

Are you a #procurement value-creator, or a cost-reducer? Perhaps you’re neither of these – or both? Procurious member Remy de Lavergne has created a new matrix that shows, among other things, just how far the profession has come. “Procurement is the process of finding, agreeing terms and acquiring goods, services or works from an external source,…

Why Don’t You Trust Your Procurement Boss?

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 07:58:56 +0000

Ever feel like you’re being stabbed in the back by your procurement boss? You’re definitely not alone and we have the stats to prove it! When Procurious put out a call for procurement survey participants, we were delighted when 500+ professionals across more than 50 countries shared their insights and wisdom. Amongst our most startling…

Three Imperatives Of Every Successful Category Manager

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 09:32:09 +0000

Every leadership role in every business comes with its own set of imperatives, a set of tasks that must be focussed on to guarantee success. But what imperative should a great category manager follow?This article was written by Lynn Rideout – Director Procurement Services, Denali – A WNS Company. Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Fred Wilson once described…

Three Imperatives Of Every Successful Category Manager

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 09:32:09 +0000

Are You Ready For The Procurement Rebels And Revolutionaries In Your Team?

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:01:36 +0000

We know Gen Z don’t fit into the traditional workplace – but how can procurement organisations embrace these revolutionaries to benefit from their rebellious nature and leverage their innovative approaches? As a procurement manager with very rigid, process driven procurement software in place, how do you plan to manage the potential chaos that will come…

Would You Order A Tesla Electric Semi?

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 00:39:19 +0000

Elon Musk promised that the Tesla Semi reveal would “blow your mind clear out of your skull and into an alternate dimension”. The truck is certainly a game-changer for the logistics industry, but Tesla faces some steep challenges if it plans to win over the commercial market. We can’t wait to see these trucks on…

IT Procurement Without a Tech Strategy Is A Recipe For Disaster

Fri, 17 Nov 2017 11:48:50 +0000

If you’re struggling to effectively run your IT procurement processes, it might be time to evaluate your strategy! This article was written by Harry Wilson, an IT Consultant. Read more via Leap Consulting. If procurement is the series of activities and processes required during the acquisition of any IT infrastructure, software and systems, IT procurement…

Breaking the Groundhog Day Mentality: Enabling A True Category Management Mindset

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:52:19 +0000

Does your category management journey ever remind you of the movie Groundhog Day? Our latest webinar will advise you on how to break that repetitive cycle!Our webinar, Breaking the Groundhog Day Mentality: Enabling A True Category Management Mindset takes, takes place at 1pm GMT on 29th November 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. The…

Deal Or No Deal? The Brexit Effect

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 01:15:27 +0000

What are the implications of Brexit on Procurement? And how should the function be preparing for the various possible outcomes? Zycus’ webinar The Brexit Effect Understanding Brexit and Its Impact On Procurement takes place on Tuesday, 21st November 2017. Register for free here. On June 23 2016, the world woke up to some very unexpected news….

Have You Aligned Your SIM & CLM Systems?

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 01:13:53 +0000

Procurement teams with mature SIM and CLM systems can extract greater value from supplier relationships. How can the two be brought into better alignment? This article was written by Kelly Barner for Determine Procurement is so accustomed to aligning our technology and processes with the objectives of the business at large that we sometimes miss…

Check Out The Keynotes for ISM2018 Nashville

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 22:42:57 +0000

ISM has done it again, with three globally-recognised keynotes announced ahead of its highly anticipated annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. About this time every year, the Institute for Supply Management announces its keynotes for its upcoming annual conference. As usual, the lineup for ISM2018 is impressive, with Mitt Romney, Arianna Huffington, and John Rossman set…

Why Public Sector Procurement Consolidation Won’t Take Forever

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 01:29:52 +0000

Driving change within the public sector takes forever… and ever! Right? Tim Hamper begs to differ as he explains why procurement consolidation will only accelerate in coming years, if not months! A few weeks ago another UK public sector body, Fastershire (a partnership between Gloucestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council, backed by the Department of Culture,…

Blockchain: Are You Bothered?

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 01:22:15 +0000

There are so many misconceptions around blockchain and its potential impact. Will the fundamental concept of blockchain really have a significant impact on procurement, finance and supply chain? Last month’s Procurious London Roundtable was sponsored by Basware. Blockchain is the coolest technology of the moment and the hype surrounding it only appears to be growing…

How Do You Get Your Biggest Idea Through a Big Company?

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:17:56 +0000

Think you know what it takes to drive a big idea through an even bigger company? Watson Supply Chain was built on one big idea…On 24th January 2018 3.30pm EST Procurious founder, Tania Seary, will be speaking with Joanne Wright in IBM’s webinar: How IBM Built the Cognitive Supply Chain of the Future. Register here. Five…

Whose Services Are You Really Procuring?

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 01:41:32 +0000

The workforce is fundamentally changing and it’s increasingly important that you can access the skills you need when, where and how you need them. But with the increase in corporate usage of external workers comes additional challenges and risks. Driven by the digital age, we’re seeing a shift in the way work gets done. Globalisation…

A New Role Emerges: Supply Chain Scrutinisers

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 01:19:03 +0000

Any increase in transparency is good news for the supply management profession. That’s why the rise of the 3rd-party Supply Chain Analyst is a development that the profession should welcome, rather than fear.How many articles have you read about Apple’s supply chain? Dozens, no doubt. Tesla’s is similarly scrutinised, along with McDonald’s, Walmart’s and a…

The CPO’s Guide To Persuasion

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:05:02 +0000

What’s the number one skill required by the CPO of the future? According to award-winning Australian CPO Kevin McCafferty, you won’t get far without mastering the art of persuasion. Broadspectrum Executive General Manager and 2017 Asia-Pacific CPO of the Year Kevin McCafferty will deliver a keynote session at the upcoming GovProcure2017 conference, running from 5th-7th…

Data Is The Alpha And Omega Of The Future

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 01:23:35 +0000

Do you feel like your procurement team is in good shape when it comes to your existing e-procurement solutions? Sure you won’t get “stuck” with an obsolete system? Eric Wilson talks on the importance of data. The event might be over, but you can still register for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago to access footage from the event. It’s…

How Much Business Does £300m Of CSR Get You?

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 01:58:32 +0000

That might sound subversive – after all, CSR isn’t about the bottom line. Is it…? There are many definitions of CSR. In general terms, it is about delivering benefits for economic, social and environmental stakeholders. On the ground, we’ve seen fantastic work going on – exemplified by organisations like Business in the Community. We genuinely believe…

You will be Assimilated: The Collective Intelligence of Procurement

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:58:54 +0000

For those who remember “The Borg” from Star Trek, you’ll remember the notion of a dispassionate alien mind-being that would suck up your individual mind to subsume into the collective intelligence. Resistance is futile. Crazy stuff, right? Or maybe not. Flash forward to today. For most people, your every move is being tracked by your…

You Don’t Have To Be In Melbourne To Strike Gold Today

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:01:56 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit has landed in Melbourne! And there’s a plethora of inspiring and insightful content for you to sift through… Some would say that Melbourne is famous for the Victorian gold rush of 1851. For a short time the gold output from Victoria, Australia was greater than in any other country in the…

Micro-inequities Add Up

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 01:20:35 +0000

How often do you a halt a conversation, mid-flow to check your phone or reply to a text message? Ever thought about how actions like this impact the people around you? Tom Verghese explains micro-inequities. Let me ask you this question, how many of you have experienced one or more of the following scenarios: You’re…

Why You Should Encourage Dissent In Your Procurement Team

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 01:14:42 +0000

Think you’d prefer an easy life when it comes to managing your procurement team? Think again! If you truly want your organisation to flourish and cope with the unthinkable events coming your way, you need an organisation that’s rife with dissent! From Brexit to the election of President Trump; from numerous terrorist attacks to Spain’s…

Renegotiating Mindsets From Competitive To Collaborative

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 01:14:39 +0000

When you change from seeing your top suppliers as competitors to enablers, and take a collaborative approach, how you negotiate with them will change dramatically. This article was written by Sarovar Agarwal, Partner, Communications Media and Technology Practice at A.T. Kearney. Procurement leaders are facing more pressure than ever in the current business environment. In the…

Why Procurement Should Give Cognitive Tech A Warm Embrace

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 02:45:59 +0000

When you pushback on the advances of cognitive technology, you’re buying yourself, and procurement, minimial time. Working side by side in a warm embrace is the way to do it! Our webinar, Beat The Bots: How Being Human Will Win The Day, takes place TODAY at 1pm BST on 24th October 2017. Register your attendence for…

Big Ideas Summit Lands In Marvellous Melbourne!

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:43:07 +0000

Toot tooooot! After wowing audiences in London and Chicago, Procurious is steaming into Melbourne to bring the first ever Big Ideas Summit to Australia! With only one week to go, now is your chance to buy a ticket or join the Digital Delegate Group to follow the action online. If you’re interested in getting involved but…

Workplace Inclusion: Cut the Fluff!

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 23:35:14 +0000

3 Practical Ways to Move the Needle on Inclusion in the Workplace.. On 30th October, we’re bringing The Big Ideas Summit to Melbourne! Want to join us? Grab a ticket here to secure you seat! Business Leaders are tired of hearing about the “D” word. Tired of hearing about diversity initiatives, forums, unconscious bias training,…

5 Soft Skills Procurement Pros Should Be Developing…NOW!

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 10:20:25 +0000

If you want to hold on to your procurement career in the long term, you ought to be worrying about mastering your soft skills!Our webinar, Beat The Bots: How Being Human Will Win The Day, takes place at 1pm BST on 24th October 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. We got wind of the fact…

Sprinting Outside Your Comfort Zone

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 00:30:51 +0000

When ultra-athlete, World Vision Ambassador and Melbourne Big Ideas Summit speaker Samantha Gash ran 3253 kilometres across India in scorching heat and punishing humidity, she discovered that even best-laid plans will always go awry. But, as she tells Procurious, any challenge can be overcome by adapting your plan, recalibrating and moving forward. Hear Samantha Gash LIVE…

Are You One Of Procurement’s Gen NEXT?

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:36:57 +0000

Did you know that 50 per cent of procurement professionals don’t trust their bosses to help them win promotions? No wonder most of us are going online to proactively manage our own careers! Exclusive to Procurious members, the Procurement Gen NEXT report shares career-boosting insights from 500+ global professionals. Get your copy today. Looking for…

Cognitive Process Automation Is So Much More Than Robots

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:27:44 +0000

With 45 per cent of business processes having the potential to be automated, it’s of little surprise that organisations are embracing the opportunity presented by technology. On 30th October, we’re bringing The Big Ideas Summit to Melbourne! Want to join us? Grab a ticket here to secure you seat! Shifting business landscapes, a relentless focus…

Eyes on the prize: 5 ways soft skills can help you focus on the big-ticket projects

Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:46:55 +0000

From guest contributor Shaun Hughes, Chief Procurement Officer, Telstra. In a complex and hyper-connected world, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to juggle every demand on your time without losing sight of important projects. The solution doesn’t lie in downloading the latest time-management app, or introducing the latest project management methodology, but in the development of five…

How To Train Your CEO To Get What The Business Needs

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 01:13:33 +0000

The majority of CPOs are still reporting three levels down from the CEO. Enrico Rizzon, Partner, Procurement & Analytics, A.T. Kearney Australia outlines how procurement can build a strong business case! On 30th October, we’re bringing The Big Ideas Summit to Melbourne! Want to join us? Grab a ticket here to secure you seat! Procurement…

Does Your Procurement Team Have The Human Touch?

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:28:15 +0000

We’ve had quite enough of the scare-mongering out there that says the robots are coming to steal our jobs! We’ve got some inside info that suggests having a human touch in your procurement team is by far the most important thing! Our webinar, Beat The Bots: How Being Human Will Win The Day, takes place…

Supercharge Your Intelligence

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:39:22 +0000

How can technology improve the savings, scope and speed of your supplier searches by supercharging your intelligence The event might be over, but you can still register for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago to access footage from the event. “There’s a tremendous opportunity [for procurement] to leverage technology and data to accelerate processes and bring insight into…

Line ’em Up: Five Ways To Take A Swing At The Biggest Challenges Facing Procurement

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 00:15:57 +0000

What are the hottest topics on the table for Australia’s leading telecommunications company? Telstra’s Alexandru Butiri shares five challenges – and five solutions – to trends that will resonate with procurement professionals everywhere. Today, we’re at the point where we need to look forward to see what’s coming, understand where the dynamics of the industry…

Procurement And The Conversational Century

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 00:42:51 +0000

The social media revolution has allowed for traditional institutions to create personal digital conversations with their audience. We are in the era of ‘The Conversational Century’. On 30th October, we’re bringing The Big Ideas Summit to Melbourne! Want to join us? Grab a ticket here to secure you seat! When he was born in July…

Boeing Acquires Robotic Aircraft Maker

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 01:09:59 +0000

Imagine an aircraft that can take off and land vertically, but isn’t a helicopter. It has an intelligent pilot, but there’s no human being sitting at the controls. Boeing has propelled itself into the world of futuristic aircraft with its acquisition of Aurora Flight Sciences. Boeing announced on Friday that it will acquire Aurora…

Take the Positive Procurement Pledge

Sat, 07 Oct 2017 01:52:50 +0000

Eight months after its launch, the International Standard for Sustainable Procurement (ISO 20400) has the potential to help procurement professionals stamp out the worst aspects of supply chains worldwide. But what can be done to create a groundswell of support for this voluntary Standard? ISO 20400 creates a standard that will enable every organisation…

Five Surprises From ISM’s 2017 Salary Survey

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 00:49:56 +0000

A double-digit increase in salaries over four years, a continuing gender pay gap and similarity in salaries across generations are just some of the insights to be found in ISM’s foremost annual research initiative, the Salary Survey. To create the ISM Annual Salary Survey report, for the past 12 years Institute for Supply Management has…

8 Reasons You Won’t Want To Miss Basware Connect

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 01:07:47 +0000

Basware Connect is just around the corner, and is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the 2017 procurement event calendar. Procurious has the inside word from our knowledge partner Basware on the top eight things to watch out for on Wednesday 18th October. The very latest on Industry 4.0 Whether you’re from…

Take Some Advice From Procurement’s Top Influencers

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 13:00:55 +0000

Don’t cry because it’s over…. Smile because you can re-live all of the action from The Big Ideas Summit Chicago on Procurious! The event might be over, but you can still register for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago to access footage from the event. Last week, Procurious gathered 50 of the U.S.’s top procurement and supply chain influencers in Chicago for…

Don’t let your career break become a career breakdown

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 01:20:16 +0000

We know the story; a promising career comes screeching to a halt! But how do you ensure your career break is the start of something brilliant and not the car-crash it, at first, appears to be! The first part of my professional story sounds exactly like scores of other professional women’s: college, work, apartment, graduate school (nights), wedding, better job, travel, better…

Keep It Cool: Four Tips For Top Negotiators

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:31:20 +0000

If there’s no exchange, there is no negotiation. Great negotiators know that a willingness to compromise is often the only way to avoid a stalemate. Negotiation is increasingly prevalent in our daily lives and is a necessary part of a wide range of professions. Given the nature of the globalized and fast-paced world in which…

Spot the Signs: 9 Ways To Identify Modern Slavery

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 05:46:15 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, the victims of modern slavery are not always hidden away in secret locations. After a 126% increase in reported slavery, Crimestoppers UK has partnered with a labour abuse authority to help the public – and supply management professionals – recognise slavery taking place in their own backyard. As procurement professionals…

Three Risks Every Procurement Organisation Needs To Manage

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:59:28 +0000

Experts around the globe tracked the terrifying advance of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma earlier this month, plotting and estimating the potential damage to life and property as the monster storms approached the U.S. mainland. Can the deployment of cognitive AI lead to more accurate predictions and better risk management? IBM’s global supply chain has been…

Can You Make Decisions Under Fire?

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:03:13 +0000

Are you struggling to lead or motivate your team through difficult times and under extreme pressure? We’ve got some top advice from someone who knows a thing or two about making decisions in extreme conditions… Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! “There are only two types of leadership.” begins Andy Stumpf “good…

4 Cognitive Tools That Are Advancing Procurement

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 17:00:36 +0000

Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by the magnitude and potential of cognitive technology. The greatest journeys start with that all-important first step and, when it comes to AI, you just need to get started! We’re live from the Big Ideas Summit Chicago! Register now as a digital delegate to follow all of the day’s action! There’s a lot of…

Hope Is Not A Strategy

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:02:37 +0000

As Procurious assembles 50 of the U.S.’s most influential procurement & supply chain leaders in Chicago; you’re invited to take control of your career and join us for FREE as a Digital Delegate! It’s all too easy to find excuses for why your career is not panning out the way you intended. Soft targets for blame include your…

4 Ways To Engineer Serendipity In Your Workplace

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 01:32:49 +0000

Has a chance encounter at your workplace water fountain ever led to something unexpected and incredible? Greg Lindsay has some unique advice on how to engineer these moments of serendipity… Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! Innovation Is Fundamentally Social – Greg Lindsay Greg Lindsay, Futurist, Urbanist, Journalist and Author, is a…

On The Spot! 60 Seconds With Basware…

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 01:31:29 +0000

Are you a progressive thinker? Do you possess humility and a thick skin? Find out why this is important as we put Basware’s Eric Wilson on the spot with a round of quick-fire questions. Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! With less than a week to go until we launch…

The Supply Vulnerability That Could Kill The Electric Car

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 04:34:19 +0000

Nearly all the pieces are in place for the long-overdue surge in electric car production. But before the automotive industry can finally transform itself, there’s one supply challenge that remains to be solved. Prices for rare earth elements are rising. China holds one third of the world’s reserves, and – alarmingly – 97% of…

Look Who’s Coming To The Big Ideas Summit Chicago…

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 01:22:13 +0000

Whoa! I’ve just heard about the cracking line-up at The Big Ideas Summit Chicago and I want in! Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! You won’t believe the stellar line up we’ve got in store for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! Our speakers include a Blockchain expert, an…

The Digitisation Of Procurement Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:30:44 +0000

Want to enhance the customer experience but struggling to find the time? IBM’s, Lucas Manganaro, explains why the digitisation of procurement is the gift that keeps on giving! Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! If the job of a procurement department is to provide a service to the enterprise, then…

Three Secrets of Procurement Talent Magnets

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 01:34:13 +0000

Why is it that some organisations consistently attract the best and brightest talent in the profession, while others miss out? ISM CEO Tom Derry tells Procurious that it’s not just about salaries… In the sports world, there’s a tradition known as coaching trees. This occurs in teams where an inspirational coach is known for developing…

Strategic Procurement: A CFO’s Guide To Getting There!

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 01:39:56 +0000

Ever felt like a different perspective on that age-old plea: “Help! I need to be more strategic!” would do your procurement team the world of good? Here’s what a CFO has to say on the matter… Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! What do we hear from procurement professionals…

Assessing the Impact of Hurricane Harvey

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 03:23:00 +0000

A special report from ISM on the impacts of Hurricane Harvey has found there will be ongoing challenges around pricing, speed of delivery and certain commodities due to the storm’s destructive path through Houston, Texas. Facts, not fear. Back in July 2016, ISM’s CEO Tom Derry told Procurious why his organisation had put out…

Against The Clock: 60 Seconds With IBM….

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 01:45:52 +0000

What makes for an exciting workplace, how do you identify the great leaders and what skills are crucial for procurement? We put IBM’s Graham Wright to the test in a round of quick-fire questions. Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! With less than two weeks to go until we…

The Hunt Is On For 30 Under 30 Millennial Role-Models

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 00:31:25 +0000

Do you know a young gun who’s already making their mark on the supply management profession? Perhaps you’re one yourself? Nominations are now open for ISM and THOMASNET.com’s “30 Under 30” Supply Chain Stars program. It’s already happening. In companies large and small all over the globe, Millennials are being asked to step up into very senior…

Is Independence The Next Procurement Disruptor?

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 01:53:57 +0000

In workplaces that have less structure and much greater independence, where we can bring our own technology to work and use it to innovate, what does the future hold for procurement? Disruption has become something of a buzzword lately. With brands like Uber, Airbnb, Airly and Tesla making headlines in Silicon Valley it’s very easy…

Do You Have The Right Skills To Deliver Tomorrow’s Procurement Strategy?

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 01:12:57 +0000

Why are our procurement teams falling so short when it comes to delivering on strategy? Changing mind-sets and attracting fresh talent will help start the party! Register now as a digital delegate for The Big Ideas Summit Chicago! Shockingly, 60 per cent of CPOs believe their teams do not have the skills to deliver…

Your Procurement Career Upgrade: Download Complete!

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 10:13:50 +0000

Career Boot Camp 2017: That’s a wrap! 5 global CPOs, 5 FREE procurement podcasts – available NOW! Career Boot Camp 2017 is done and dusted! Sign up here (It’s FREE!) to access all five podcasts. Procurious promised we would upgrade your career. We pledged that we would transform your procurement future. We swore our five, global CPOs would prepare you…

Barclays CPO: You’re In The Driver’s Seat, So Take The Wheel!

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:57:39 +0000

Don’t just come along for the procurement ride! If you want to make it big as a CPO, you’ve got to get in the driver’s seat and take the wheel! Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) What are today’s CPOs looking…

Let Them Eat Cake With Co-op CPO

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 10:12:39 +0000

“Procurement talks too much about procurement. You don’t tell them what the recipe is. You just show them what the cake is going to look like!” Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) Rigid processes can inhibit procurement’s ability to advance efficiently but there are…

Crank It Up A Notch With AstraZeneca’s CPO

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 10:11:36 +0000

You don’t always have to reach for the stars in procurement! Sometimes it’s ok to crank it up one notch at a time. AstraZeneca CPO, Dapo Ajayi, explains why. Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) We’d never say it’s a bad thing for…

“I Just Don’t See How Blockchain Can Apply To My Business”

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:33:18 +0000

Blockchain naysayers are echoing the words of short-sighted CEOs in the early 1990s who refused to recognise the disruptive potential of the Internet. American Blockchain Council Executive Director Jack Shaw demonstrates why businesses need Blockchain as a cornerstone of their digital transformation strategies. Business Technology Futurist Jack Shaw is a keynote speaker at Procurious’ upcoming…

Why Vodafone’s CPO Is Locking Up His Data Scientists!

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 09:03:55 +0000

If you’ve got a data rockstar lurking somewhere in your procurement team- hold on to them tight! They could be your most valuable asset… Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) When you’re the CPO of a global business, it certainly helps to…

Rio Tinto CPO: How To Fail Forward In Procurement

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 10:28:38 +0000

“No one is an Olympic caliber downhill skier from the outset!” Ramsay Chu, CPO Rio Tinto. That’s why procurement pros have to learn to Fail Forward! What better way to advance your procurement career than gaining inside information from the very best in the business. If you only knew your CPO’s top priorities, what they’re looking…

The BIGGEST Mistake Leaders Make On Their Way To The Top

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 01:55:04 +0000

Procurement leaders, listen up! We hate to break it to you, but life’s not fair. And neither is your procurement career! Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) How many times have you been told about someone’s promotion and thought “how did they…

Automation: Who Says You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See?

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 01:35:52 +0000

If your business is engaged in international commerce, you’re probably struggling to toe the line with supplier risk management. Automation, alerts, and third-party data are your best defense. Managing supply chain risk is no walk in the park. Exogenous events like the recent terrorist attacks in Barcelona have drawn attention to the EU’s rules to…

Personal Development: You Da Brand!

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 01:15:39 +0000

So you’ve decided you need to take your procurement career to hand by proactively managing your personal development? Here’s how to set yourself up for success. Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!)…

Procurement Shines Brightest On A Burning Platform

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 01:28:09 +0000

Economic woes, political uncertainty and digital disruption might trouble your CEO, but it should delight the CPO. After all procurement can perform best on a burning platform. There has never been a better time for procurement. A combination of the economic cycle, global politics, and digital disruption has brought ambiguity to the marketplace. If, as…

5 Global CPOs Answer Your Top 5 Procurement Questions

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 12:17:32 +0000

How did the CPOs at Barclays, Vodafone, The Co-operative group, AstraZeneca and Rio Tinto fare when we put them to the test in a round of quick-fire questions? Career Boot Camp 2017 launches on 4th September, featuring podcasts with 5 global CPOs. Sign up here (It’s FREE!) Wouldn’t you like to know how the best in the…

Aaaaaall aboooooard for the Chicago Big Ideas Summit!

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 04:20:25 +0000

Today marks exactly one month until the Big Ideas Summit in Chicago! NOW is the time to sign up as a Digital Delegate and access globe-beating content from the procurement capital of the world. If you’re interested in getting involved but still not entirely sure what’s going on, look no further – we’ve compiled a…

Social Currency In Procurement: Do You Know Enough To Be Dangerous?

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 01:53:40 +0000

In recognition of how central social currency is, procurement pros are using their social networks to build, influence, and deliver results. The question is: do you know enough to be dangerous? Connectivity is central to how we live and work in 2017. When something exciting or unexpected happens, many people immediately share the news, and…

Negotiation Skills? Going Once, Going Twice…Gone!

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 01:27:01 +0000

Does the rise of eAuctions mean the professions’ hard-won negotiation skills are now irrelevant? On Procurious, we’re keeping a close eye on the rise of procurement-related technology and what it means for roles and skill-sets across the profession. One such technology – the eAuction – has proven itself to be a highly efficient way of…

How to Make Sure You’re Not Being Sold Smoke And Mirrors

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 01:31:39 +0000

Can you spot the difference between theoretical and real ROI? Basware’s Eric Wilson gives the run-down on preventing value leakage in Purchase-to Pay. Register now free of charge as a digital delegate for Big Ideas Chicago! Buying enterprise software is no easy undertaking – there’s a lot of factors to consider, multiple stakeholders to please and…

Upgrade: Be Tomorrow’s CPO, Today

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:07:35 +0000

Five days. Five influential CPOs. Are you ready to upgrade your career at Career Boot Camp 2017? Sign up to Procurious to access Career Boot Camp from 4th September. Do you dream of becoming the CPO of a top organisation somewhere in the distant future? Are you putting in the hours today to make sure you’re…

Is the era of the fence-sitting corporation over?

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 03:44:01 +0000

Corporate CEOs have historically remained silent on politically divisive issues to avoid a potential backlash from consumers and their own employees. Last week, this rule was turned on its head. Three high-profile advisory councils were disbanded by U.S. President Donald Trump last week after a cascade of CEO resignations over his response to the Charlottesville…

Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose: Why The Young Are Snapping Up Tech Jobs

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 01:47:04 +0000

Job satisfaction comes down to three things: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Does this explain why millennials are dominating in the tech industry? Numerous industries have been accused of many different types of hiring bias and flawed hiring policy. The service industry, for example, has long been subject to questions about its lack of affirmative action in…

Big Ideas From The Procurement Capital of the World

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:32:04 +0000

Procurious’ flagship event, the Big Ideas Summit, is landing in Chicago in September – and we want YOU to be involved! The Big Ideas Summit is landing in the Windy City, and this is your chance to be a part of it! If you can’t join us in Chicago in person on Thursday 28th September…

Please Fire Me: I Just Can’t Quit!

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 02:01:53 +0000

Want to win a XK-X300 Quadcopter Drone? Take our survey!

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 00:56:51 +0000

With world-class talent and unlimited potential, a career in procurement can be brilliant … but you’ll need a plan to make it happen. That’s why we’ve launched our “My (Brilliant) Procurement Career” survey to understand how YOU will manage your own career into the future. Ten minutes is all it will take to put yourself in the running to win this…

Attention All Employees: Report For Microchipping

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 02:54:26 +0000

Does the idea of a corporate microchip implanted into your body make you squirm, or are you fascinated by the possibilities? “Hold your breath – one … two … [stab].” A Wisconsin-based marketing company (Three Square Market) recently hired a piercing professional to inject microchips into 50 of its staff. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips…

Punished For Parenting – The Most Expensive “Time-Off” You’ll Ever Take

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 01:52:07 +0000

Ah, the joys of parenting! If you’ve got children, you’ll know that it’s pretty damn difficult, and costly, to return to the workplace post-parental leave – as if you needed that extra stress! What should your organisation be doing to ease your transition? You’re coming to the end of nine months (give or take) parental leave and my…

5 Ways Employers Can Appeal To Talent On Career Breaks

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:35:13 +0000

Prospective employees returning from career breaks have a pretty good idea of their priorities. Want your organisation to appeal to them? Follow these steps… Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm on 10th August 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. When I returned from maternity leave I realised just…

Annual Leave: Make Sure You Seize The Days!

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 01:59:11 +0000

It’s the same story around the globe. Paid annual leave is yours for the taking but you never quite get round to using it…We need to shake up our priorities! Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm on 10th August 2017. Register your attendance for FREE here. Years ago, there…

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 00:46:48 +0000

Procurious’ Hugo Britt shares his experience of what happens when you truly disconnect – whether it’s on an extended career break, or just a short trip away. Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm on 10th August 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. It’s 2009. I’m sitting alone…

Facebook AI Research Team Shuts Down Negotiating Robots

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 01:28:38 +0000

Facebook has shut down two robots after they abruptly stopped using English and invented their own language while conducting a negotiation exercise. There have been a flurry of reports over the past week about Facebook’s decision to shut down two chatbots – named Bob and Alice – after they developed a coded language that was…

IBM Global Procurement’s Radical Transformation

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 01:53:02 +0000

Transformation has become the new norm as organisations respond to an onslaught of shocks. But is there a best-practice way to go about transforming a procurement function? We interviewed Procurious Partner, IBM Global Procurement, to discover why they’ve been recognised on the global stage for their approach to the challenge. If you were to stop…

Four Work-Life Questions To Ponder On Vacation This Summer

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 01:25:41 +0000

Going on vacation this summer? Print this out and take it someplace without any Wi-Fi…. Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm on 10th August 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. You packed your favorite journal and a couple of pens. You planned some time on the beach,…

The Three Stages To Coming Back From Your Career Break With A Bang

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 01:54:52 +0000

Fretting over your imminent redundancy? Let’s put a positive spin on this! A career break is the perfect time to re-calibrate, cruise and power up! Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm on 10th August 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. It’s the stuff nightmares are made of….

Out Of Office: Your Career Break (Through)

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:40:48 +0000

Sick to death of the daily grind? A well-earned career break might be just the ticket! Our webinar, Out of Office: Your Career Break (Through), takes place at 1pm BST on 10th August 2017. Register your attendence for FREE here. It was once considered a career kamikaze but taking time out mid-career is a growing…

The Procurement Tipping Point

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:29:05 +0000

At what point should a growing business bite the bullet and professionalise procurement? New research from Wax Digital has found that the right time is surprisingly early in a businesses’ growth, but it’s usually done on the back foot. As professionals in the sector we tend to think that procurement is the sole domain of large organisations spending millions…

Has Technology Tipped the Scales on Your Work-Life Balance?

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 02:00:06 +0000

Information on demand. Constant connectivity. Global coverage. Are these a boon to our working lives? Or can there be too much of a good thing? We live in a world of unprecedented connectivity. No matter where we are in the world, we have a host of information at our fingertips. Which is great when it…

Different Country, Same Procurement Culture?

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 01:31:01 +0000

Heading off to begin a new procurement chapter abroad? Make sure you’re prepared to accommodate, and adapt to, a new culture. Have you ever wondered what courage it would take to pack your bags and set off across the globe in order to start an entirely new chapter? Juggling a new home, new job and a new…

Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Here’s How to Tell

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 01:11:15 +0000

What exactly is emotional intelligence (EQ)? How can you determine if you have those characteristics? And why is it so important? You’ve probably heard the term “emotional intelligence.” It’s come into vogue in recent years, with numerous books being written about the subject. Businesses are increasingly focusing on emotional intelligence and researchers are increasingly learning…

Why Being Reliable Spells Doom to Your Career

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 01:10:41 +0000

Do people in your workplace ever refer to you as reliable, trusty, dependable? That’s got to stop! Are you a woman working in procurement? Join Bravo, our specialised group on Procurious. Truth or myth Myth: Having a reputation for being “reliable” and “getting the job done” makes you valuable. Over the weekend I’ve been helping…

There’s One Key Reason To Buy American In 2017

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 01:36:41 +0000

With the Trump administration’s “Made in America” campaign in full swing, attention has turned to the Pentagon’s global supply chain. The reasons to Buy American might be a little more compelling than you expected…. In 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the 1933 Buy American Act which required the Pentagon to purchase US-manufactured products for…

Long Tail Spend 101: New School Approaches

Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:44:20 +0000

Procurement ought to care a whole lot about long tail spend and lay out the best way to manage it in the “consumerisation of tech” era… I have no doubt that agility, innovation, and adding value to the business should be of paramount focus to procurement teams evolving beyond cost-center status. Who wants to be…

Evergreen Wisdom for a Changing Profession

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 01:54:57 +0000

When was the last time you reached out to a Procurement Guru? Although the battleground is changing, those among us with scars have a lot of relevant insights to share. We knew we’d be in for a treat when we locked in an interview with ISM board member Ann Oka. Ann is the former senior VP of supply…

Don’t Be Afraid To Kick A Colleague When Negotiating

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 02:01:58 +0000

In a major negotiation, procurement needs to deal not only with the supplier representative on the other side of the table, but with the internal stakeholder sitting next to you. If that person deviates from the script – as they so often do – then don’t be afraid to kick them in the shins. It’s…

Can I Really Be Me And Succeed At Work?

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 01:25:06 +0000

Scores of women struggle to be their most authentic selves at work without the fear of negatively impacting their careers. How can you be your fabulous self in the workplace and still succeed! Join the women in procurement conversation in the Procurious Bravo group. I moderate forums quite regularly for women that focus on the themes…

The Brexit Horror Show: It’s Going To Be Rocky!

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 01:44:27 +0000

We all like to watch a good horror show.. but UK customs trying to manually process our imports? Entertainment it is not! Are you ready to watch the Brexit horror show unfold? The National Audit Office (NAO) pubilished a report last Thursday reviewing HM Revenue & Customs’ development of the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS). The…

The Importance of Strategic Thinking

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 01:47:51 +0000

“It is not enough to be busy… the question is: what are we busy about?” How do you find the time for valuable strategic thinking? Last month, I ran a one-day workshop for senior leaders at a multinational organisation. One of the common themes that came up when we were establishing the ground rules for the session…

Blockchain Is Real. It’s Here Now And It’s Coming To Transform the World

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 01:49:41 +0000

Why are organisations so keen to bury their heads in the sand and pretend blockchain isn’t happening – it all starts with a severe case of NIH syndrome… There are certain market analysts who would have you believe that the benefits of Blockchain technology are “Hype” and the real benefits are still 10-20 years away. There are several…

A CPO ’s “To-Do” List for the First 100 Days

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 01:48:06 +0000

100 days of being a CPO….What’s on your to-do list, where do you start and how do you develop your action plan to transform the procurement team? You’re hired! After the jubilation of accepting a job wears off and you’re successfully on-boarded to your new company, you learn you have 100 days to develop a…

You Don’t Have To Be A Procurement Genius

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 11:32:02 +0000

So you think you’re some kind of procurement genius? In this day and age, there ain’t no such thing and that’s ok! We all like to think we’re geniuses, that we can single-handedly solve all the procurement problems of the world. We now know that the concept of the ‘solo genius’ is largely a myth….

24 Series 9: India Plants 66 Million Trees

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 01:11:15 +0000

The following events occur in real time: India takes on the monumental challenge of planting 66 million trees in just 24 hours. And they didn’t even need Jack Bauer’s help… The world reeled when, last month, President Trump made the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Many regarded this as the most devastating decision of his…

I’d Like To Purchase Some Expert Advice

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 01:10:05 +0000

Obtaining access to high quality consultancy services can often be the crucial factor in the success of a project. But buying advice is also one of the most confusing challenges for procurement. How can we overcome this? Despite some consolidation in the financial consultancy sector, the overall market for consultancy services continues to grow, with the global…

Infographic: Want To Get Ahead In The Gig Economy?

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 01:17:16 +0000

By 2020 43 per cent of workers are expected to be freelancers, embracing the gig economy – How can you be sure to make it work for you? There is a lot of upside to being your own boss, and more and more people are finding this out by taking the plunge. Today 34 per…

The Elephant in the Room: Aligning the Executive Team for Change

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 02:00:10 +0000

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner. Lora Cecere considers how to align the executive team for change. Take a hard look at this lonely elephant. In my travels, in most corporations, this is the picture I see. My goal for this blog is to connect…

7 Ways IoT Is Already Changing the World

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:31:27 +0000

From connected healthcare to retail and water management, the IoT will revolutionise the way we live. It’s already having some pretty major impacts… This article was written by Gauri Bapat. The wave of connectivity had extended beyond phones, laptops, and tablets and is permeating into our daily lives. With an explosion of connected devices in the…

China’s TIP Demotion: Productive ot Provocative?

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:08:05 +0000

2017’s Trafficking in Persons report highlights China as one of the worst global offenders of human trafficking. How does this impact your supply chain decisions? The U.S. government revealed details of its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report last week. The report is the government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. Rex…

B2B Is Dead. B4B Is Born

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 01:39:36 +0000

B2B or B4B? Does it really matter? After all, what’s in a title? Perhaps everything…. Isn’t that a bold idea? What’s in a title? Maybe everything. Something that is very personal and possibly deep. A worldview that can shift our thinking and inspires us to do few things totally different. Nah. How can that be? How…

Surviving The AI Revolution

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 01:57:37 +0000

Will you be a survivor of the AI revolution? You’ll need to be well equipped and prepared for anything… This article was written by Naveen Joshi. Artificial Intelligence is speeding the robot revolution and can be responsible for replacing a huge portion of the human workforce with machines, and there’s nothing we can do to…

Buzzwords, Jargon and other LinkedIn Problems

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 01:34:36 +0000

One person’s Head of Procurement is another person’s Procurement Executive and another person’s Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain. How do you ensure your LinkedIn profile isn’t confusing employers and holding back your career? LinkedIn currently boasts over 460 million users and two new signups per second. If that makes you feel like a…

9 Signs You’re Undervalued At Work

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 01:34:24 +0000

Feeling undervalued at work? If you can’t remember the last time you got a pay rise , haven’t received any formal training since your role commenced and are consistently working unpaid overtime, you probably are! This article was written by Anna O’Dea, Director and Founder of Agency Iceberg. We all have a sense of our…

A Whole (Foods) New World For Amazon

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 01:57:55 +0000

Whole Foods: it’s fresh, it’s organic and it comes with a hefty charge. So where on earth does Amazon fit in? Procurious investigates… Last week, to the public’s surprise and the retail world’s horror, Amazon announced that it was buying organic supermarket chain, Whole Foods. For the meagre (in Amazon terms) sum of U.S.$13.7bn the…

The Impact Of Blockchain On Procurement

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:30:30 +0000

Blockchain won’t wait for you to be ready for it, which means it’s time to brush up on your knowledge and understanding right here, right now! Blockchain technology will not only impact procurement and procurement professionals but is expected to be more pervasive in our business and personal lives than the internet itself. To put…

The Five Myths Of Workplace Underrepresentation, Busted!

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 02:41:19 +0000

Too scared to talk about workplace diversity and inclusion? Dominic Price will happily go first as he debunks the 5 most common myths about underrepresentation. As a 6-foot-4-inch straight white guy in tech, it might seem unusual that I’m writing about diversity and inclusion. The reason is,more of us need to: write about it, talk about it,…

Is P2P Keeping Us Stuck In The Mud?

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 02:02:19 +0000

Still debating maverick spend in your organisation, griping about tail spend or struggling to implement the right systems? Perhaps P2P is holding you back! This article was written by Eva Milko. Is it me or has not much changed in the world of Purchase-to-Pay (P2P)? Twenty-five years have come and gone and yet we continue to discuss…

The Struggle is Real: Building Effective Procurement Teams

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 02:05:59 +0000

The struggle might be real but, according to VSP’s CPO, the solutions are many when it comes to building the most effective procurement teams! The conversation around talent shortages in the procurement space has been going on for five or ten years now. I’ve come to realize that the real problem is not the lack of…

Cladding Purchase in the Spotlight After Grenfell Tower Fire

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 07:01:07 +0000

After the tragic death of at least 58 people in the Grenfell Tower fire, confusion remains over whether the decision to use combustible panels in its construction was in accordance with British building regulations. The Guardian and the BBC have both reported that Reynobond panels with a combustible polyethylene (PE) core were used in…

How Algorithms Will Add Super-Intelligence To The Way Your Company Spends Money

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 01:37:16 +0000

As algorithms, virtual assistants, and bots infiltrate conversational interfaces across business applications, in the crosshairs is company spend tracking and control. This is the panacea we’ve all been waiting for to an age-old problem. Messaging services like Slack are ground zero for a new generation of integrated bots in the workplace. Most have stopped…

The Value of Social Media Voices in Supply Chain

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 01:00:13 +0000

Social media: It’s vast, it’s unstructured, and it’s overwhelming. But the value for supply chain is there to be extracted! According to Business Insider, social media sharing outpaces some of the most data intensive B2B activities: Facebook processes 500 times more data each day than the New York Stock Exchange and Twitter exceeds NYSE’s daily…

IIoT: Tomorrow Thinking for Supply Chain

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 01:44:07 +0000

The Internet of Things (IoT) is designed to make our data more useable. What opportunities and concerns does it present within logistics, where it is referred to as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) ? The trends of Supply Chain technology are shaping the future of logistics management. The common thread is the push toward hyper-interoperability, where technology, people and process…

Is Marketing A Procurement Blind Spot?

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:27:27 +0000

If your marketing expertise is a little below par, don’t despair! Marketers need your help and luckily there’s a lot procurement can do… How much do you know about ATL, BTL and TTL? Learning marketing speak is the first step in gaining support of your colleagues over the fence and establishing your credibility. The marketing…

The Root Cause Of Maverick Spend

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 00:30:17 +0000

The issue of maverick spend continues to dominate the Procurious Discussion Board. Does the solution lie in systems? People? Or something else entirely? Let’s examine some of the approaches to tackling mavericks that came up when this question was crowd-sourced to the global Procurious community. We keep an eye on the most popular discussion…

Have A Nibble On These Bitesize Videos

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 01:18:57 +0000

Take a 2 minute break from your hectic schedule to join Tania Seary. She’ll help you to dig a little deeper, inject some sparkle and rise to the top in your procurement career with these new videos. Finding and keeping up with the most intriguing, and useful, procurement content online can put you ahead of your…

How To Hold On Tight To Prospective Procurement Talent

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 01:38:59 +0000

The recruitment process can be brutal. You’ve worked hard to identify and attract the best procurement talent. But, at the last minute, the candidate pulls out leaving you back at square one. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the…

Help! A Potential Employer Asked For My Facebook Password

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:32:36 +0000

You’re in the middle of a job interview when the recruiter shocks you by asking for your Facebook password, citing “company policy”. Do you: A) Meekly hand it over; B) Kick over your chair and storm out; or C) Politely but firmly refuse? Have you ever been asked to hand over your social media details…

From Pittsburgh to Paris – Let’s Clear the Air

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 01:34:11 +0000

It’s all very well putting Pittsburgh before Paris, but did you know that modern anti-pollution laws first started in Pennsylvania? Tania Seary gives the run-down on steel cities, “death-fogs” and Pittsburgh’s incredible transformation into an innovation hub. It’s not every day Pittsburgh hits the news, but it certainly did last week with the…

The New Age Of Procurement Technology

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 01:14:55 +0000

Procurement technology went full sail and you eagerly jumped on board. But now 90 per cent of all technology is about to become obsolete. Are you prepared for the new age? As the vice president of Basware’s Purchase-to-pay solution it goes without saying that I’m involved in a lot of procurement technology selection decisions. And over the…

Think Big, Think Business, Think People

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 00:31:07 +0000

“I’d rather regret the things I did, than the things I didn’t do.” Insights and wisdom from the career of Hans Melotte, Starbucks EVP Supply Chain and ISM Chair. Hans Melotte is less than one year into his “wonderful new adventure” leading Starbucks’ global supply chain. At the same time, he is nearing the end…

Trump Has Exposed Corporate America to a Carbon Tariff

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:31:21 +0000

Putting aside the issue of catastrophic global warming for a minute, let’s look at a very possible consequence of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement – retaliatory measures from other nations in the form of a carbon tariff on American products. Well, there goes the planet. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has dominated the…

eLearning Videos: It’s The Final Countdown

Sun, 04 Jun 2017 01:59:09 +0000

They say all good things must come to an end, and, sadly it holds true for our FREE e-Learning videos. The good news? You’ve still got a little time to enjoy them! You’ve got four weeks to access our eLearning course “Introduction to Procurement” for FREE: enrol here. Good times don’t last forever, and boy has Procurious had…

Best of the Blog: You Appointed WHO As The New CPO?!

Sat, 03 Jun 2017 01:21:57 +0000

Increasingly, companies are appointing CPOs from outside of the supply management profession. What does this tell us about C-level expectations of procurement, and why are supply management professionals missing out? Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best…

The Big Squeeze in Public Procurement

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:14:21 +0000

As budgets continue to shrink, how can professionals working in public procurement do more with less? We live in a world of apparent contradictions. The amount of money being spent by global governments is rising year on year. And yet, in the majority of these countries, public sector institutions are seeing budgets shrink at the same…

The Rise of the Procurement Robots

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 01:46:55 +0000

Yes, robots may be on the cusp of usurping the roles of many procurement professionals, but are the tasks being automated those that we really want? In 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” the Terminator character, played by a certain Austrian bodybuilder/actor/governor/reality star, revealed how Skynet computers became self-aware and began waging war against the humans. Is…

Infographic: Nailing Your Next Presentation

Wed, 31 May 2017 01:18:27 +0000

Want to grab your audience’s attention with the first sentence of your presentation and keep them intrigued throughout? These presentation do’s and don’ts will have you presenting like a pro in no time! Some people jump at the chance to present, while the very thought of getting up in front of an audience can make many…

Going Abroad? Tips For Staying Cyber-Safe

Tue, 30 May 2017 00:14:01 +0000

Keeping thieves at bay when travelling used to involve money pouches and hidden pockets. These days, the threat has moved into the cyber sphere. Keeper Security’s Co-founder Darren Guccione explains. The holiday/vacation period is looming, and many people are making plans for international travel. If you are among them, be sure you have done all you…

IBM & SAP Ariba Join Forces To Transform Procurement

Mon, 29 May 2017 01:34:24 +0000

Procurement today needs to be about insights and intelligence. Will a new SAP Ariba and IBM collaboration be the function’s force for good? Last week, tech giants IBM and SAP Ariba made the announcement that they would be joining forces to transform the future of procurement. Together, the two will launch a hub for delivering…

Best Of The Blog – Neurodiversity – Your Secret HR Weapon

Sun, 28 May 2017 01:58:55 +0000

A lack of understanding about neurodiversity has meant those with a neurodiverse profile have historically endured stigmatisation and struggled in the workplace. John Floyd explains why, and how, this is changing and what we can do to accommodate and embrace differences. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to…

10 Ways Social Media Can Get You Hired

Sat, 27 May 2017 01:40:19 +0000

You never know who’s watching you on social media, there’s every chance it’s your dream employer. Here’s how to make sure you get noticed and get that job! We live in an era when we have the ability to access information in a fraction of a second. Technology has allowed us to accomplish tasks and…

View from the top: Three Ways Procurement Must Transform

Fri, 26 May 2017 07:03:05 +0000

ISM’s top brass called in the media to map out the transformation of the profession into a tech-focused intelligence agency that will attract the very best talent. Tom Derry (ISM CEO), Hans Melotte (Starbucks EVP Supply Chain & ISM Board Chairman) and Kristopher Pinnow (CPO B/E Aerospace & ISM Board Member) sat down with the…

Colin Powell Talks Security, Trade and Trump at #ISM2017

Thu, 25 May 2017 08:01:19 +0000

While many attendees at #ISM2017 were waiting to hear what General Colin Powell would say about President Trump, the former Secretary of State also provided some valuable insights into supply management. “An army marches on its stomach,” says Powell to a packed ballroom at #ISM2017. “It’s the logistics that allows you to face an enemy.”…

Five Ways Procurement Can Change the World for Entrepreneurs

Wed, 24 May 2017 13:06:13 +0000

“Behind every growth story like ours, there’s always a procurement person who has provided an opportunity.” Procurious caught up with inspirational dynamo Nina Vaca at ISM2017 to discover why procurement needs to give entrepreneurs every chance. “The unsung heroes of my stories are always in procurement and supply,” says Nina Vaca. The Chairman and…

Networking No-Nos

Tue, 23 May 2017 12:03:56 +0000

You only get one opportunity to make a first impression, so don’t blow your chance to make a positive contribution to your personal brand equity by making some classic mistakes at your next procurement networking event. The way you approach networking in a crowded room depends upon your personality. Is it your first time at…

Take The Disney Approach To Procurement

Mon, 22 May 2017 01:57:10 +0000

Learn how to drive procurement change programmes like a Disney Executive. Founder Tania Seary and the Procurious team are at Walt Disney World Florida for ISM2017. Today, she shares some timely advice on what Procurement can learn from the famous Disney Formula. Here’s a little-known fact – I used to work for the Walt Disney…

Getting The Biggest Bang For Your Buck At A Procurement Conference

Sun, 21 May 2017 14:21:09 +0000

Game-on! There’s a right way – and a wrong way – to approach a major procurement conference. With your company making a significant investment to have you there, here are five tips to help you demonstrate an impressive ROI. You’ve arrived at a major procurement and supply management conference. Let’s imagine, for a minute, that…

Best of the Blog – 3 Ways To Build A Match Fit Procurement Team

Sat, 20 May 2017 01:05:45 +0000

You never know what’s on the horizon, so you need to be prepared for anything. For procurement that means staying agile and always being match fit. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best Procurious blogs. If you…

Who to follow on Twitter at #ISM2017

Fri, 19 May 2017 10:06:04 +0000

Heading to ISM2017? Digital-savvy delegates know that alongside the audible buzz of conversation heard at the event, there’s another rich dialogue taking place – on social media. With an estimated 2,500 supply chain and procurement professionals en-route to ISM2017, there’s a lot to look forward to. From 21st to 24th May, delegates will share knowledge,…

Who to follow on Twitter at #ISM2017

Fri, 19 May 2017 10:06:03 +0000

Fight Or Flight? How To React To Change

Thu, 18 May 2017 09:55:07 +0000

Curl up in a ball, or seize the moment – what’s the best way to move forward in a period of uncertainty and change? One thing we know, given the past 18 months, is that dramatic political change leads to economic uncertainty. With protectionist sentiment rising, trade remaining stagnant, the US economy led by a…

Trailblazing CPO Commercialises Procurement

Wed, 17 May 2017 13:47:46 +0000

Broadspectrum CPO Crowned Asia-Pacific’s CPO of The Year Flipping the old perception of Procurement as a back-room entity on its head, Broadspectrum CPO Kevin McCafferty has been recognised for introducing a value-based approach to procurement and dramatically transforming the function into a customer-oriented, bottom-line focused team. McCafferty’s achievements in consistently achieving both financial and operational…

What To Do When Slavery Is Revealed In Your Supply-Chain

Tue, 16 May 2017 23:40:34 +0000

It’s the stuff of every CPO’s worst nightmare; finding evidence of slavery within their organisation’s supply-chain. Sadly, it’s probably more common than you think… It’s relatively easy to turn a blind eye to modern slavery, particularly when it’s not happening on your own doorstep. It’s also easy to assume that modern slavery isn’t a prevalent issue in today’s society….

Have You Got The Grit Required To Be A CPO?

Tue, 16 May 2017 12:50:36 +0000

When your supply chain is in daily danger of being rocked by disruptive events, it takes grit, determination and resilience to remain proactive. Procurious asked straight-talking Zimmer Biomet VP of Global Sourcing & Instruments, Howard Levy, for his thoughts on the top three attributes required by the CPO of the future. His answer? Resilience,…

The Power Of An Online Network

Tue, 16 May 2017 00:32:36 +0000

Your online network can give you the edge in procurement – but only if you’re an active, value-generating participant in the community. Rising through the ranks of the fast-paced procurement world can be a hectic and sometimes even lonely pursuit. To counteract this, a growing numbers of industry professionals are actively seeking out online communities…

Can Procurement See Past The End Of Its Nose?

Mon, 15 May 2017 13:47:04 +0000

Procurement must learn to think the unthinkable, predict the world weather forecast and look further than the end of it’s own nose when it comes to technology in order to remain relevant! The Procurious London Roundtable was sponsored by Basware. Procurement 4.0, Cognitive Procurement and Thinking the Unthinkable were among the hot topics canvassed at…

Apple To Finally Get Into Bed With Amazon

Mon, 15 May 2017 01:18:41 +0000

Will Apple and Amazon put aside their differences and unite in time for the launch of Apple TV? The professional relationship between tech giants Apple and Amazon has been rocky to say the very least. Firstly, In 2014 Amazon removed in-app payments from the iOS versions of several of its services in response to Apple demanding a…

Find Your Tribe On Procurious

Sun, 14 May 2017 01:26:38 +0000

Looking for your tribe on Procurious? Whether you want to connect with colleagues by country, category or campaign, we’ve got you covered… At Procurious, we like to think we’re very accommodating, which is why we want to help you find your tribe. No matter where you are in the world and whatever your interests, there’s a…

Cyber Criminals Could Hold Your Data Hostage

Sat, 13 May 2017 21:42:33 +0000

Password theft, identity theft, ransomware – in an age where hacking has become the career of choice for tech-savvy criminals, data protection must be a top priority for CPOs. “Cyber criminals don’t need to even leave their house to do damage,” says Craig Hancock, cybersecurity expert and Executive Director of Telstra Service Operations. “One breach of…

Best of the Blog: Win The Web – Spin A Personal Brand That Will Get You Noticed

Sat, 13 May 2017 01:01:36 +0000

Think you don’t need to worry about how your personal brand appears online? Think again! Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best Procurious blogs. If you missed any of the golden oldies, look no further! This week,…

Don’t Argue With Footballer Daisy Pearce

Fri, 12 May 2017 09:01:16 +0000

The “Don’t Argue” is a classic move in the often-brutal game of Australian Rules Football. While we wouldn’t recommend shoving your colleagues in the office, there are plenty of lessons to be drawn from the world of elite sport. It’s always interesting interviewing sportspeople for a business-related publication. Before the interview, I usually have my doubts…

Don’t Bore The Board

Fri, 12 May 2017 02:17:04 +0000

Struggling to get business leaders interested in procurement? You’re doing it wrong! The dashboard that Lara Nichols built in her first weeks as SVP of Procurement at NFP was, she thought, a masterpiece. It had everything a procurement professional could wish for – sourcing strategies, savings programs, vendor and risk management targets, governance plans – but it simply…

How To Survive a Social Media Storm

Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:10 +0000

Media personality, author and columnist Bernard Salt weathered a social media storm last year after his provocative article about the spending habits of millennials went viral. Today, he shares his top tips for businesses under attack on social media. Six months ago, Bernard Salt wrote a tongue-in-cheek article about what he called the “evils of hipster cafes”….

Are You Considering Chasing A Procurement Career…?

Thu, 11 May 2017 01:08:20 +0000

…according to most of the ThomasNet and ISM 30 Under 30 Rising Stars, going after a procurement career is a cracking idea! Last month, THOMASNET and ISM announced the 2016-2017 winners of the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars award, presenting the profession with an inspirational batch of role models who are sure to…

How To Increase ROI With Clear Communication To Business Stakeholders

Wed, 10 May 2017 13:48:45 +0000

The Hackett Group’s, Nic Walden, explains how to improve your ROI through engaging and clear communication. Most stakeholders say that consistent delivery of core services is the principal requirement to consider procurement as a trusted advisor. Although many organisations are capable of filling this role, most are still viewed by internal customers as sourcing experts…

Why We Need To #BanBusy

Wed, 10 May 2017 01:23:28 +0000

Reckon you’re one of the busiest bees in procurement? Michelle Redfern might just convince you to join the #banbusy movement! I made a sidebar statement at a couple of speaking gigs I did recently. I said, ‘I want to be the founder of the #BanBusy movement!’ I implored the women listening to me, ‘If someone…

Do CEOs Dream Of Robotic Sheep?

Tue, 09 May 2017 00:51:55 +0000

…Or are they kept awake at night worrying about how to adapt their business to a robotic-centred future? KPMG Australia Chairman Peter Nash reveals two concerns playing havoc with the sleep patterns of business leaders. How can I adapt my business to a robotic future? The thing about technological disruption – and machine intelligence in…

Procurement Pay Gap Shock

Mon, 08 May 2017 00:31:13 +0000

The gender pay gap in procurement and supply management has INCREASED, according to US and UK survey results released this week. Have you sponsored your own internal gender salary gap analysis? Ever considered how procurement salaries measure up with the rest of the working world? Are you suspicious that your procurement colleagues might be getting a…

Transparency: Is Your Supply-Chain Crystal Clear?

Sun, 07 May 2017 01:46:04 +0000

Organisations are under increasing pressure to improve on supply-chain transparency but meeting these demands is easier said than done… Improving supply chain transparency is a high priority for companies, especially in industries such as foodservice where consumers and regulators are pushing for more publicly available information on how products are made and delivered. Increasing product complexity—growing…

Best of the Blog: Overcoming Gender Bias In Procurement

Sat, 06 May 2017 01:30:11 +0000

Jackie Aggett, Regional Commercial Manager at Laing O’Rourke, discusses the gender bias she has come up against in procurement, and how she has overcome it to get to where she is today. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and…

Rising Stars: I Fell Into Procurement (With Style!)

Fri, 05 May 2017 13:58:30 +0000

Did the ISM and ThomasNet 30 Under 30 Rising Stars always have a burning desire to embark on a procurement career or were they late converts? Procurious investigates…. Last month, THOMASNET and ISM announced the 2016-2017 winners of the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars award, presenting the profession with an inspirational batch of role models…

Time Management: Sorry, You’re Just Not A Priority For Me

Fri, 05 May 2017 01:02:51 +0000

A colleague once told me there’s “a special place in hell” for people who don’t return emails. Yes, it’s frustrating, particularly when projects are held up. It’s easy to see these people as blockers, but it may well be they are actually managing their time much more effectively than you…… Modern wisdom would have us…

Executive Recruiter: 4 Must-Have Attributes For Aspiring CPOs

Thu, 04 May 2017 01:04:07 +0000

Procurious caught up with Naseem Malik, Managing Partner at the Chicago-based supply management executive search firm MRA Global Sourcing, to find out what attributes recruiters are looking for in the next generation of top CPOs. Naseem Malik has gone from sourcing goods to sourcing talent. After gaining 15 years’ experience as a procurement practitioner, Naseem…

How To Turn Your Procurement Team Into A Cracking Intelligence-Gathering Organisation

Wed, 03 May 2017 11:51:32 +0000

According to Justin Crump, CEO, Sibylline, procurement professionals would be foolish to underestimate the value in becoming more active intelligence-gatherers. Justin Crump spoke at the Procurious CPO Forum in London, Big Ideas In Action, sponsored by Basware. In his book, Corporate Security Intelligence and Strategic Decision Making, Justin Crump, CEO Sibylline, addresses the current void of awareness about and…

Four Ways Business Can Step Up To Industry 4.0

Wed, 03 May 2017 01:38:18 +0000

The challenges of Industry 4.0 are also its opportunities, writes John Pollaers, Chair of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council. The ideas behind the Internet of Things (or “Cyber-Physical Systems”, “Machine-to-Machine Interoperability”, “Industry 4.0”, or several other names), are not particularly new. What is new is the convergence of existing technologies and corporate strategies. The term…

Talk About A Revolution: The Smart Factories of The Future

Tue, 02 May 2017 01:29:09 +0000

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know, all procurement pros want to change the world… Perhaps that starts with the smart factories of the future, which will need to embody innovation. Revolution is in the air. Smart factories of the future will need to be innovative, nimble and smart; constantly changing and improving…

Desperation: Somali Piracy Back On The Rise

Mon, 01 May 2017 02:48:27 +0000

After a relative hiatus over the past five years, international supply chains are once again threatened by a resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia. At the height of the Somali pirate crisis in 2011, 151 vessels were attacked in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Thousands of hostages were taken and billions…

Best Of The Blog – 5 Point Checklist For A Rockstar Procurement Boss

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 01:49:29 +0000

Is your CPO a real procurement rockstar and do they keep you up to date with all the goss’? Tania Seary offers a five-point checklist for vetting your prospective boss. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best…

Navigating The Changing Rules Of The Game In A World of Uncertainty

Sat, 29 Apr 2017 01:29:36 +0000

Change, change, more change and a hefty helping of uncertainty pretty much sums up the current regulatory landscape. Seal Software explore why winning the game has become more of a battle in an ever changing world. Nothing sums up the current state of regulatory affairs quite like the acronym, VUCA. V – Volatility U – Uncertainty C –…

Navigating The Changing Rules Of The Game In A World of Uncertainty

Sat, 29 Apr 2017 01:29:36 +0000

Own It: Taking Control Of Your Own Procurement Destiny

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 13:52:24 +0000

No-one else is responsible for your career, which means you’ve got to take the controller and drive your own successes. Pauline Rolfe, speaker at this year’s Quest Women in Procurement event, shares her experiences of taking control and escaping the passenger seat. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being asked to deliver a speech…

One Skill To Rule Them All

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 01:03:41 +0000

Want to know what it takes to really make it in the procurement world? Cognitive tech expertise? A firm background in supply management? Nope – 72% of the ISM and ThomasNet 30 Under 30 Stars agree there’s another, essential ingredient to success… Last month, THOMASNET and ISM announced the 2016-2017 winners of the 30 Under 30 Rising…

Don’t Be Suffocated By Blanket Orders: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 01:20:32 +0000

When it comes to blanket purchase orders, how clued-up are you? Could you articulately define a blanket order and do you know the advantages and limitations? Bogdan Tomassini-Buechner tells you everything you could possibly need to know! Business purchases must be researched and documented, making the process somewhat drawn out by necessity. While there are…

Duty of Care Law: You Got The Green Light In France!

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:34:58 +0000

France’s new legislation, The Duty Of Care Law will prevent serious human rights risks and threats to fundamental freedoms. Will other countries follow suit? It would be wise for procurement professionals to pay close attention to France’s new sustainable procurement legislation. The Duty of Care law, which affects organisations with over 5,000 employees, is likely…

IBM CPO: You’re Finished If You Think You’ve Finished!

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 01:58:50 +0000

Even in a world where data is king, IBM CPO Bob Murphy believes there is nothing so important as professional development and human relationships. The numbers are eye-watering. IBM CPO Bob Murphy looks after a $70 billion spend – $25 billion internally and $45 billion 3rd-party. The company has around 150,000 contracts across 17,000 suppliers,…

Save The Planet With Garbage-Powered Trucks And Edible Water Bottles

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:25:01 +0000

Earth Day is about more than switching off the overhead lights – it’s about making purchasing decisions that will minimise our impact on the environment. From eerily-silent zero-emission trucks to seaweed-membrane edible water bottles, these are just some of the products that should be on the radar of every innovation scout. Modernise your fleet…

Best of The Blog- Should You Ever Rehire An Ex-Employee?

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 01:33:28 +0000

When you rehire an ex-employee, especially one that was a star, it looks like you are getting a great deal. What you see is what you get. They understand your business and its own unique culture, are immediately productive and bring industry knowledge and new ideas. Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why…

The Next Step In Your Mission To Achieve Procurement Stardom

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 01:21:20 +0000

If you’re determined to reach for the procurement stars, Procurious’ new eBook might just give you the boost you need to get there. Download 15 Ways to Become a Procurement Superstar for FREE here – it will get you well on your way to procurement stardom. With training budgets slashed and a terrifying to-do list, getting the training…

This Little Procurement Pro Went To Market…

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 01:17:01 +0000

How do you know when you should go to market? ThomasNet discuss strategies for three common sourcing scenarios. Strategic sourcing is all about generating a return on investment for every sourcing initiative. However, different sourcing scenarios require different levels of investment – in terms of time, effort and resources. Therefore, it’s important to approach each…

Procurement Is Everywhere But It Wears Hundreds Of Disguises

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 01:39:40 +0000

When procurement wears a mask, layers of stage make-up or one of its other many disguises, you might find it tricky to identify. But, as Daniel Ball explains, procurement is everywhere and in all of our organisations- it might just be presenting itself in a different way… It’s fair to say that, as a concept, procurement tends…

Order Up! 5 Supply Management Capabilities You Can’t Leave Off The Menu

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 01:24:46 +0000

When it comes to supply management, are you managing your customer orders effectively? Dave Food discusses Order Management and five more capabilities you just can’t go without. Last week, Dave Food talked us through five of the key supply chain capabilities that everyone needs. This week, he’s come up with five more! From order management to…

Raising Procurement’s Image – One Person At A Time

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 01:12:16 +0000

Who’s willing to stand up to bear the flag of procurement pride and improve our image? Elaine Porteous wants reinforcements to help raise the function’s status up to where it belongs. We’re still hearing comments like “we only involve procurement because it’s the policy” and “procurement slows down the sourcing process”. There are some lonely…

Gender Diversity: Would You Leave $12 Trillion On The Table?

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:00:48 +0000

Anne Tesch is one of those professionals who has facts and figures at her fingertips to back up every point she makes. As she tells Procurious, it’s vital that supply managers have the facts in their possession when pursuing a goal as important as increasing gender diversity. Why should gender diversity be high on every…

Best Of The Blog: The Top 5 Ways To Stand Out In Procurement

Sun, 16 Apr 2017 01:13:39 +0000

There are millions of procurement professionals in the world. How do you make sure you stand out from the crowd? Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best Procurious blogs. If you missed any of the golden oldies,…

Fancy Sharing The Procurement Workload With AI?

Sat, 15 Apr 2017 01:28:57 +0000

Technology will help procurement pros to do their jobs faster and more efficiently, lessening their workload. What are the key AI trends we can expect to see in the coming months? Nearly every day we encounter stories and predictions about how artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change a variety of industries. The challenge is explaining what…

Forget the Bus, I’ll Travel To My Meeting By Drone!

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 01:16:10 +0000

What will business travel look like in 2017? We’re not going to see people riding around in personal drones (yet) but it’s starting to look more like The Jetsons all the time. Technology is having a big impact both on the way employees travel and how managers help them move around the world with ease….

Women in Leadership: Don’t Make The Mistake Of Behaving Like A Man

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 01:20:25 +0000

Women in leadership: Have you ever had to “behave like a man” to get ahead in the workplace? As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious will be hearing from a number of high-profile procurement leaders on the topics of diversity, equality and women in procurement. This week, Procurious caught up with M.L. Peck, Chief Content & Engagement Officer…

Contingent Workforce: Why Procurement Still Hasn’t Found What It’s Looking For

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 01:59:58 +0000

In some ways the procurement profession is in a stronger position than ever before. But in others, in the words of great philosopher Bono, we “still haven’t found what we’re looking for” when it comes to the contingent workforce. Different Categories, Different Organisations, Different Value Is our role really about cost reduction when it comes down to it?…

Want That Job? 7 Pitfalls To Avoid On Your CV

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 01:30:24 +0000

This seasoned recruiter skim-reads CVs for an average of two to three seconds before deciding whether to read them in their entirety. How can you make sure your CV doesn’t end up in the bin? Even with the digital revolution changing the world, CVs are still the Number 1 way to showcase your skills and achievements…

You Could Be In For A Nasty Shock This Easter

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 01:41:29 +0000

What’s “shrinkflation”? It’s the practice of selling a smaller product at the same price, and it’s increasingly common in the chocolate industry. Procurious looks at three big stories about Chocolate supply management that have hit the news in the past week. Regulation impacts complexity, complexity impacts costs, and costs impact the size of your chocolate bar….

Best Of The Blog: Can We Agree To Stop Calling Them Soft Skills?

Sun, 09 Apr 2017 01:40:29 +0000

How did soft skills come to be known as this? And does calling them this underplay their importance in the modern procurement world? Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best Procurious blogs. If you missed any of the…

A Futurist, An Economist, A Professor, A Psychologist and a CFO Walk Into A Bar…

Sat, 08 Apr 2017 01:13:54 +0000

A Futurist, An Economist, A Professor, A Psychologist and a CFO Walk Into A Bar…It may sound like the start of a terrible joke, but in fact, this is the stellar line-up of experts featuring in Even Bigger Ideas. And alright, they didn’t actually walk into a bar, it was more of a podcast series… Whether…

Procurement Rising Stars: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 01:17:04 +0000

Karen Morley realised very early on in her career that her workplace experience would be somewhat different from her male counterparts. Drawing on her wealth of knowledge she offers three key pieces of advice to procurement rising stars. Join our Women in Procurement group, Bravo, here. Quite early in my career, it became clear that my overarching purpose was to help leaders realise…

Procurement Needs People: How To Nurture Your Top Talent

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 01:27:49 +0000

As the global marketplace changes exponentially, the need for both personal and professional development becomes ever more crucial for procurement pros. Jim Baehr explains why organisations need to invest in their people. Category Management. Risk Management. Contract Management. Supplier Relationship Management. All are part of the Supply Management vernacular in 2017. They represent best practices. Those who have…

5 Core Supply Chain Capabilities Everyone Needs

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 01:20:33 +0000

What are the supply chain capabilities that everyone needs? Dave Food gets to the core of the issue… What are some of the key capabilities for supply chain professionals? When it comes to acing decision-making, cost effectiveness, forecasting, and productivity you can’t go wrong if you’ve nailed these five things. 1. Capacity Planning CP is essential…

Recruitment Insider: Demand For Temporary Workers Fast Outstripping Supply

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 01:20:32 +0000

Demand for workers is accelerating so fast that it’s outstripping supply. How can organisations find the employees they need without racking up a whole load of extra cost? Jon Milton explains the elephant in the recruitment room. A cursory look at REC jobs market figures show that turnover in the recruitment industry for 2014/2015 was £31.5bn, the…

Tender Of The Year? Bidding Opens For US-Mexican Border Wall

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 01:41:12 +0000

Tuesday 4th April marks the deadline for companies to submit papers detailing their proposals to build the Trump Administration’s “big, beautiful, powerful” Mexican border wall. But will the massive construction project ever win the funding it needs? US Customs and Border Protection has issued two 130-page RFPs, offering a glimpse into the Trump Administration’s vision for…

Best of the Blog: Beware The Scary Old Word CPO

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:21:22 +0000

Is your career in the grips of a scary, old-world CPO? How do you recognise if your boss is one, and what can you do about it? Everyone loves a good throwback article, which is why we’re hopping in our time machine to bring you back some of the biggest and best Procurious blogs. If…

20400 Reasons The World Needs An International Standard For Sustainable Procurement

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 01:14:59 +0000

ISO20400, otherwise known as the International Standard for Sustainable Procurement, is due to be published this month. Procurious recently interviewed Jean-Louis Haie, sustainable procurement expert, head of the Australian delegation for ISO20400, and guest speaker at the upcoming Women in Procurement 2017 conference in Melbourne. “We are at a tipping point in terms of the…

What’s The Catch-22 In Procurement Technology?

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 01:36:27 +0000

From here to eternity: what does the future of procurement technology look like? Download Wax Digital’s Procurement 2020 report here Procurement technology has undergone a long road of change that has consequently altered procurement functions, processes and the very nature of the business itself. But while we spend much of the time understanding how technology is governing what…

The Cabinet of Procurement Curiosities

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 01:28:01 +0000

What’s the weirdest, wackiest item you’ve ever had to source? JAGGAER takes a spooky look into its cabinet of procurement curiosities. People buy odd things for curious reasons. The same holds true when buying for an organisation – with great purchasing power comes access to some really weird objects. Procurement Curiosities We explored our purchasing catalogue to see…

5 Ways to Avoid Spreading Fake News in Procurement

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 01:03:45 +0000

Have you ever been guilty of presenting fake news or “alternative facts” to your CFO? Integrity is a cornerstone of the procurement profession, but benefits realisation is one area where supply managers sometimes play fast and loose with the facts. It seems everyone is talking about fake news at the moment. The term came to…

9 Tips For Negotiating A Pay Increase

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 01:18:14 +0000

The end of the financial year is approaching, which means many companies are preparing for performance reviews. Is this a good time to ask for a pay rise? If you’ve been thinking about asking management for a pay rise, you’re probably not alone. The end of the financial year provides the ideal forum to talk…

WikiLeaks Reveals CIA Interference in iPhone Supply Chain

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 01:07:58 +0000

WikiLeaks has released new information on CIA programs aimed at monitoring Apple device owners. Has the CIA redirected iPhone shipments to its own facilities to infect them with spyware? For many readers of the latest data dump from the controversial website WikiLeaks, two surprising facts stood out: The CIA has been hacking iPhones, Macbooks and…

Real Relationships Really Matter

Sun, 26 Mar 2017 02:28:45 +0000

It doesn’t matter what technology your organisation adopts, or what digital transformation you endure; procurement relationships will always be essential for success. At the Big Ideas Summit 2017, we once again challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. Chris Cliffe discussed why relationships really matter. The world around…

Four Ways To Ensure You Still Have A Job In 2020

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 01:17:01 +0000

Futurist Anders Sorman-Nilsson warns that unless we act now, there’s a good chance we’ll find ourselves unemployed as early as 2020. Sorman-Nilsson spoke with Philip Ideson as part of Procurious’ Even Bigger Ideas, a 5-part podcast series sponsored by State of Flux. You can access the series exclusively on Procurious. Futurist Anders Sorman-Nilsson wants procurement professionals to ask…

Everything You Need To Know About Bitcoin In One Super Infographic

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 01:39:01 +0000

The precise workings of Bitcoin are still a mystery to many but here’s everything you need to know about the rise of the digital currency. Bitcoin is a digital currency which uses peer-to-peer technology. It doesn’t require a bank for making online transactions worldwide and is also known as the first cryptocurrency that does not use central…

Negotiation, Trump-Style – The Winner Takes It All

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 01:09:33 +0000

Negotiation with suppliers can be done using hardball tactics, so long as there is no genuine need for an ongoing relationship. In the New Yorker last year, Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter for Donald J Trump’s The Art of the Deal said: ‘He lied strategically’. ‘I put lipstick on a pig’. Rather than inviting more in-fighting than a Taiwanese parliament,…

No More Guessing Games! Time To Use Innovative Data Leveraging

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 01:07:06 +0000

There’s no longer a need for guessing games when it comes to driving value! Innovative data leveraging is possible in any environment and can help to lead organisations towards an analytics enabled procurement. Join BravoSolution’s webinar, Innovative Data Leveraging for Procurement Analysis, which takes place on 28th March. Many purchasing executives are looking to drive procurement transformation but…

8 Tips for Raw Material Suppliers

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 01:21:24 +0000

How to stand out among your business competitors and get onto your client’s list of qualified sources for raw materials. As a procurement professional, I get approached by many raw material sales professionals from around the world who wish to become a qualified source for our company. I’d like to share some tips to leverage…

Game-changer: Elon Musk intervenes in Australian energy crisis

Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:56:28 +0000

Energy politics has reached fever pitch in South Australia, where an increasingly fraught situation has been disrupted by a single tweet from Elon Musk. Take a moment to feel sorry for your procurement colleagues working in the Australian energy sector. Since former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s now-famous “axe the tax” campaign against a national carbon…

Intrapreneurs: How Do You Know When Your Idea’s Got Legs

Sun, 19 Mar 2017 01:06:35 +0000

Creating an encouraging environment for intrapreneurs in the biggest organisations can be tough. Rio Tinto CFO, Chris Lynch, offers advice on fostering innovation and some top tips on how to assess when an idea has legs! Chris Lynch spoke with Philip Ideson as part of Procurious’ Even Bigger Ideas, a 5-part podcast series sponsored by State of Flux….

Big Ideas Summit 2017: Be Bold But Nice

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 01:20:20 +0000

The role of procurement is changing and evolving. Professionals have more influence than ever before and Deb Stanton wants them to use their position to be bold but nice! At the Big Ideas Summit 2017, we once again challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. Our attendees spoke…

How To Play The Hand You’re Dealt In The Age Of Uncertainty

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 01:58:56 +0000

Poker: It’s a game filled with excitement and risk. But just how far does it correlate with the uncertainty of our everyday lives? Last month, Procurious attended eWorld Procurement and Supply where we were lucky enough to experience a thought provoking talk from Caspar Berry on risk-taking and decision-making in the age of uncertainty. Whatever our…

SpaceX, Red Cross Millennials Amongst 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 04:46:41 +0000

Procurement and supply leaders as young as 24 are impacting major companies including SpaceX, A.T. Kearney, Cisco Systems and the American Red Cross. ISM and THOMASNET.com today announced the 2016-17 winners of the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars award, presenting the profession with an inspirational batch of role-models who are sure to attract…

Working Parents: Stop Hiding Your Children at Work

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 01:52:58 +0000

Supercharging my career and nurturing my family at the same time has always been a struggle for me….until I brought my children out of the closet and into the workplace. Join our Women in Procurement group, Bravo, here. Last week, Professor Robert E Kelly and his two mischievous children starred in one of the funniest viral videos…

Data, You’re The One That I Want – I’m Just Not Sure Why!

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 01:05:12 +0000

When it comes to managing data, we all know we need it. But it’s important to note that the quality of your output is entirely dependent on the quality of the planning. Register for free webinar, Innovative Data Leveraging for Procurement Analysis, on the 28th March. In the information age, data is everything. With our ability to…

Digitalisation – Making Procurement 4.0 a Reality

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 01:18:35 +0000

Procurement is dead, long live Procurement 4.0! Digitalisation represents a fundamental, but inevitable shift for the profession. Download your copy of ‘Procurement 4.0 – The Digitalisation of Procurement’ on the Fraunhofer IML website. Throughout this series of articles, we have discussed the evolution of Procurement to Procurement 4.0. From trying to establish a single definition,…

NEC to build world-first information platform for Global Pandemic Supply Chain

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:20:51 +0000

When a disease outbreak hits, even the slightest inefficiency in supply chains can lead to a catastrophic loss of human life. A joint initiative of The United Nations World Food Programme and NEC Corporation will greatly improve the supply chain response to the next pandemic. The 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak began in countries of…

NEC to build world-first information platform for Global Pandemic Supply Chain

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 01:20:51 +0000

Big Ideas Summit 2017: Pay Your Bills

Sun, 12 Mar 2017 01:35:38 +0000

It’s not about the money, money, money… except that it kinda is. Barclays Chairman, John McFarlane, reminds us that we need to pay our supplier bills on time! At the Big Ideas Summit 2017, we once again challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. Our attendees spoke about…

Are You Ready For The Gig Economy? Some Of Us Have Already Taken The Leap

Sat, 11 Mar 2017 01:08:53 +0000

Kishwar Rahman, guest speaker at the upcoming Women in Procurement conference in Melbourne, Australia, shares her thoughts on the upcoming shift to a gig economy, the need for digital transformation, and the importance of networks for women in procurement. Thriving in the gig economy Rahman, a digital transformation lawyer, has recently completed a project as…

World Trade and Procurement in the Trump Era

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 01:51:45 +0000

Trump’s trade policies will greatly affect our global supply chains. How will increased protectionism and bilateral deals impact the procurement function? Frantically attempting to understand the new modern world, commentators and experts are struggling to digest the political earthquakes of 2016. It remains wholly unclear what binds together the widespread nationalism, populism and division in countries around…

Not just about Trump’s Tower: Procurement in Azerbaijan, the Land of Fire

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 21:46:04 +0000

Azerbaijan has hit the headlines today with allegations that a Trump Tower hotel project in Baku involved a deal between the Trump family and a “notoriously corrupt” Azerbaijani oligarch with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Trump, towers, and corruption aside, Procurious recently interviewed one of our own community members, Fidan Amirbekova, about working in procurement in Azerbaijan – a…

Be Bold For Change On International Women’s Day 2017

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 04:19:38 +0000

Did you know that 80% of presenters at Procurement conferences are male? How can this possibly help promote female leadership in the profession? If you’re looking for a rallying place to #BeBoldForChange on International Women’s Day, Procurious has launched Bravo! to celebrate and motivate women working within procurement. Join the Bravo! group and take part in…

How To Stop Writing ‘Like A Girl’ In The Workplace

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 04:00:58 +0000

Are women inclined to be more apologetic and less definitive in the workplace than men? Is a woman’s language and writing style more likely to be unassuming, uncertain – and possibly even self-deprecating? As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious will be hearing from a number of high profile procurement leaders on the topics of diversity, equality and…

The Unpalatable Update On Thinking The Unthinkable

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 01:19:32 +0000

It’s all too easy to avoid thinking the unthinkable when the unthinkables concerned are so unpalatable. Nik Gowing, BBC Broadcaster and Visiting Professor at King’s College spoke with Philip Ideson as part of Procurious’ Even Bigger Ideas, a 5-part podcast series sponsored by State of Flux. You can access the series exclusively on Procurious. Nik Gowing introduced Procurious to…

“I’m Just Not Very Creative!” Three Ways To Unleash Creative Potential

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 13:12:05 +0000

According to Creative Change Agent James Bannerman, there’s no such thing as a lost cause when it comes to unharnessing creativity. Bannerman spoke with Philip Ideson as part of Procurious Even Bigger Ideas, a 5-part podcast series sponsored by State of Flux. You can access the series exclusively on Procurious. The stifling of creativity is…

The Flaw At The Heart Of Trump’s America First policy

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 04:00:29 +0000

5.6 million U.S. manufacturing jobs didn’t move to China and Mexico – they simply disappeared with the march of technology. And that’s the flaw in America First! Trump’s stunning election win has been linked to his successful portrayal as both a friend of Corporate America and a champion of the working class. His business-friendly policies include…

Big Ideas Summit 2017: Understand Your World

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 01:45:01 +0000

Every procurement pro needs somebody to tell them the world weather forecast so they can figure out when they’re going to need an umbrella! At the Big Ideas Summit 2017, we once again challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. Our attendees spoke about everything from creativity to…

The Art of Self-Mastery In Indirect Procurement

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:22:38 +0000

Self-mastery is a critical skill in indirect procurement but you might have to endure a few steep learning curves before you nail it. Join The Big Ideas Summit 2017 group to access all of last week’s discussions and exclusive video content. Indirect procurement is a function with high requirements for stakeholder management. Cultivating excellent stakeholder management skills means…

A Noble Cause: CIPS CEO David Noble’s Enduring Legacy

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 01:34:22 +0000

From his fight against modern slavery to his campaign to licence the procurement profession, Procurious highlights the enduring legacy of the late CIPS CEO, David Noble. David Noble’s professional accomplishments were many and varied, both within his role as CIPS Group CEO and during his stellar career beforehand. After his sudden and untimely passing late…

No More Excuses: Procurement Needs To Take Ownership Of CSR

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 13:30:38 +0000

Supply chain is one of the most critical areas of CSR. So why aren’t more procurement teams taking greater ownership when it comes to establishing policy? CSR, ethics and sustainability – three topics that it’s hard to get away from in procurement. The greater focus enabled by the Internet and social media means there’s no hiding…

Why Fit In When You Were Born To Stand Out? : The Case for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 01:31:16 +0000

There’s no question that diversity and inclusion is good for business. But, Tom Verghese explains why a new approach is needed. As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious will be hearing from a number of high profile procurement leaders on the topics of diversity, equality and women in procurement. Diversity in our workplaces is important. It’s widely acknowledged…

Transparency is the Key to Overcoming Hurdles to Industry 4.0

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:29:54 +0000

Procurement’s journey to Industry 4.0 will be far from smooth, with numerous hurdles to leap. But transparency could hold the key to making this jump. Download your copy of ‘Procurement 4.0 – The Digitalisation of Procurement’ on the Fraunhofer IML website. In our previous article, we touched upon the challenges procurement will face in its…

Authentic Leadership Is As Easy As ABC

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 01:26:33 +0000

Most procurement pros are in agreement that authentic leadership is a great thing. But what actually constitutes an authentic leader? It’s as easy as ABC… Join The Big Ideas Summit 2017 group to access all of last week’s discussions and exclusive video content. Have you ever wondered about that term Authentic Leadership? We’ve seen it so often in blog…

Tributes Continue To Pour In As Global Procurement Community Mourns David Noble

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 13:01:26 +0000

As procurement leaders from around the world send in their personal tributes to mark the sudden and untimely passing of CIPS CEO David Noble, the common theme is one of sadness and shock. Through these moving tributes, a picture is beginning to emerge of the significant legacy that Mr. Noble has left behind for the…

Hiring And Retention In The Digital Workplace

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 01:04:03 +0000

Hiring top talent in the age of the digital workplace is going to be a little different. How can procurement prepare for workplace 4.0? Join The Big Ideas Summit 2017 group to access all of last week’s discussions and exclusive video content. Workplace 4.0, or the new digital workplace, is not all about data-driven processes, smart devices and…

Global Procurement Profession Mourns Passing of CIPS CEO: David Noble

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:29:33 +0000

Tributes are pouring in from procurement professionals around the globe in response to today’s news that David Noble FCIPS, Group Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) and one of the profession’s strongest advocates, passed away late last week. CIPS have announced that David Noble has unexpectedly passed away on Friday after…

Drones To Deliver Medicine, Not Missiles, To People In Disaster Areas

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:34:10 +0000

Autonomous flying drones will soon be drafted into disaster relief efforts to greatly improve the effectiveness of the world’s most challenging supply chains. Establishing a supply chain in an area hit by disaster holds its own completely unique set of challenges. The speed at which the supply chain needs to be established, the unplanned nature…

Hope For the Best And Plan For The Worst: Dr Linda Yueh Talks Trump and Trade

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:13:28 +0000

Dr Linda Yueh, a renowned economist, broadcaster and Adjunct Professor of Economics for London Business School, discusses how supply managers can react to the major shifts in globalisation, trade and protectionism under Trump. Yueh spoke with Philip Ideson as part of Procurious Even Bigger Ideas, a 5-part podcast series sponsored by State of Flux. You…

How To Convince Hostile Stakeholders To Adopt New Technology

Sun, 26 Feb 2017 01:14:43 +0000

Simona Pop’s Big Idea provides a recipe for convincing even the most unwilling departmental heads to embrace new technology. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Deciding to adopt a new technology has historically been a pain in the ass. An expensive, dull, prolonged pain nobody wants to deal with….

7 Warehouse Management Tips to Improve Inventory Control

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 01:53:58 +0000

In every business, there is one silent player that can absolutely make or break your operation — the warehouse. Warehouses form the nucleus of numerous businesses and it is imperative that they are managed efficiently. However, its size and structure can become overwhelming if not managed properly. You can manage it efficiently by implementing a warehouse…

The Big Ideas Summit 2017: The After-Party

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 15:11:03 +0000

No one likes to reach the end of a great procurement party. Luckily there’s still a whole lot more Big Ideas Summit content to come… Join The Big Ideas Summit 2017 group to access all of yesterday’s discussions and exclusive video content. Yesterday Procurious gathered 50 of procurement’s top thought leaders in London for the Big Ideas…

Indirect Procurement: Leading By Taking Responsibiity

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 01:08:18 +0000

Authentic leadership is especially important in indirect procurement. Pauline King discusses why taking responsibility is a key aspect of this. Join The Big Ideas Summit 2017 group to access all of yesterday’s discussions and exclusive video content. I was recently at a lunch with a former member of our indirect transformation program. I wanted her view…

You Appointed WHO As The New CPO?

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 17:30:52 +0000

Increasingly, companies are appointing CPOs from outside of the supply management profession. What does this tell us about C-level expectations of procurement, and why are supply management professionals missing out? Want to follow all of the action today? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. This is the moment you’ve…

Neurodiversity – Your Secret HR Weapon

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 15:06:06 +0000

People with Neurodiverse profiles have historically endured stigmatisation and struggled in the workplace. John Floyd explains why, and how, this is changing and what we can do to accommodate and embrace differences. Want to follow all of the action today? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. We know the best performing teams…

Big Ideas Summit 2017: Access All Areas

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 10:55:13 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit 2017 is happening in London today. To give you a look at all the goings on throughout the day, we’ll be going live on Facebook with behind the scenes footage from all areas of the event. Check back here regularly for new footage! Procurious Founder, Tania Seary introduces The Big Ideas…

The Big Ideas Summit 2017: Welcome to the Party

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 08:56:34 +0000

They say there ain’t no party like a Procurious party. Thank goodness you’re all invited to The Big Ideas Summit! Want to follow all of the action today? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. It’s not every day you invite more than 50,000 people to join you online for…

The Big Ideas Summit 2017: We Have Lift Off

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 01:21:06 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit will take flight in just a few hours time. Want to know what’s in store? Look no further… Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. The big day is finally here! Procurious is all-set to spark vigorous discussions, light up social media across the globe and crowd-source…

If I Could Turn Back Time: Advice To My Younger Procurement Self

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:40:12 +0000

Imagine if you could go back in time to when you started your first job. Wouldn’t you love to reassure yourself it was all going to be ok or offer some advice on how to navigate the next few years of your career? Procurious recently launched Bravo, a new group seeking to address gender disparity in the workplace, and celebrate…

Procurement And Its Role in the Gig Economy

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 01:11:59 +0000

Predictions suggest that gig workers will represent a third of the workforce by 2020. What does the gig economy mean for procurement? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. The Gig Economy – an overused buzz phrase, refers to the growing number of people who work on a contingent basis. These…

Don’t Judge A Procurement Job By Its Cover

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:29:26 +0000

Ever been attracted to a new job because of the flashy brand? Graham Lucas warns that you should be looking at the people on the inside. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Graham Lucas is Managing Director – Procurement & Supply Chain and Logistics at Michael Page. He’ll be speaking at…

It’s Not Your Father’s Procurement Organisation

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 01:13:48 +0000

Procurement organisations of today differs greatly from previous generations. The Hackett Group’s Chris Sawchuk discusses changes he has witnessed in his seventeen years at the company. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Procurious are delighted to welcome back Chris Sawchuk, Principal and Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader at The Hackett Group, to the…

Industry 4.0 Will Change the Very Nature of Procurement

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:18:12 +0000

Automation and digital technology will change supply chains. But, Industry 4.0 looks set to change the very nature of procurement. Download your copy of ‘Procurement 4.0 – The Digitalisation of Procurement’ on the Fraunhofer IML website. So far in this series we have looked at the concepts behind Industry and Procurement 4.0, and the start…

Standard, Express, or Flying? Why supply managers need to be ready for delivery drones

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 01:24:49 +0000

Flying delivery drones will soon take over the last mile of your supply chain. Have you started planning ahead for a drone-filled future? “Alexa, re-order Doritos from Prime Air.” Blink, and you’d miss it. Amazon purchased 10 seconds of the year’s most expensive advertising space last week to introduce the U.S. Super Bowl audience to…

Back to School: Continuing Education Is Your Path to Success

Sun, 19 Feb 2017 12:35:40 +0000

Tired of being passed up for promotion? Want to further your career? Maybe it’s time for you to go back to school and continue your education. So you spent your four years in university, got that business diploma, and got a job. Now what? Of course you can stay at the job you have and…

The Big ideas Summit 2017: Join The Ride

Sat, 18 Feb 2017 01:14:59 +0000

If you’re bursting with questions for our Big Ideas 2017 speakers, now’s your chance to put them to the test and have your voice heard. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. There’s less than a week to go until the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 but, there’s still time…

Procurement Leaders: Be Bold, But Nice!

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:36:58 +0000

According to Deb Stanton, procurement leaders should be bold enough to challenge but amicable enough that people will still want to work with them… Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Deb Stanton is Executive Managing Director at CAPS Research and a keynote speaker at Big Ideas Summit 2017. She’ll be speaking…

Food, Glorious Factory Food! – Challenging the Tech Status Quo

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 01:24:23 +0000

If procurement continues to accept the technological status quo as some kind of given, we’ll continue to be fed the same poor diet. Paul Blake explains why it’s time to challenge the hard-and-fast rules we’ve adopted for so long without question. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Have you…

How To Hold On Tight To Prospective Procurement Talent

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:19:27 +0000

The recruitment process can be brutal. You’ve work hard to identify and attract the best procurement talent. But, at the last minute, the candidate pulls out leaving you back at square one. Michael Page’s Graham Lucas has some top tips for achieving a successful recruitment process. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas…

Are You A Procurement Starter Or A Finisher?

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 01:20:59 +0000

Are you a starter or a finisher? According to IBM’s Barry Ward, you’d better be both! Barry discusses the key skills most critical to procurement in the coming years. Barry Ward, Procurement Brand Manager, Global Business Services at IBM is a keynote speaker at Big Ideas Summit 2017. He’ll be explaining the big ideas behind Watson…

The Glass Ceiling For Women In Procurement and Supply Chain – Myth or reality?

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 13:38:57 +0000

If the glass ceiling is a figment of our imaginations, why do so few women make it to the top? Procurious’ new group, Bravo, celebrates women in procurement- Join the conversation here. This article was originally published on Jennifer Swain’s LinkedIn profile There’s a lot of talk about the glass ceiling for women. Do they…

3 Ways to Build a Match Fit Procurement Team

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 01:22:47 +0000

You never know what’s on the horizon, so you need to be prepared for anything. For procurement that means staying agile and always being match fit. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Given the pace of change in the external environment, being agile means constantly changing, never standing still. It’s…

Cognitive Technology Is A Bicycle Built For Two

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 13:29:21 +0000

By 2020, every important decision will be made with the assistance of cognitive technology but that doesn’t mean the procurement function will be replaced altogether. instead, Man and Machine will work in tandem. Watch our free webinar, “Man and Machine: Redefining Procurement’s Role in the Digital Age”, here. When someone like Ginni Rometty, the current CEO at IBM, says…

How To Inspire Creativity With The Three Fs!

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 01:35:28 +0000

To achieve creative cultures within our organisations and inspire creativity in individuals, we need to Fund, Foster and Fill! Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. James Bannerman, a creative change agent and author of Non-Fiction best-seller Genius! firmly believes that everyone has the capacity to be creative and innovative. He’ll be speaking at the Big…

Just When You Thought Our Ideas Couldn’t Get Any Bigger…

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 13:12:09 +0000

Spend 15 Minutes with five procurement power-players in our podcast series, Even Bigger Ideas, presented by State of Flux. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. As a Big Ideas Summit 2017 digital delegate, you’ll gain access to insightful discussions, connect with our procurement influencers, access video content from the event and…

The Samsung Smartphone Debacle: Suppliers Pushed Too Far, Too Fast?

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:52:28 +0000

Samsung has apportioned some of the blame for its exploding Note 7 phones to two of its battery suppliers. But who is ultimately responsible? Is the pressure to innovate at all costs leading to unsafe development and testing time-frames? What Went Wrong? Samsung has begun the long task of rebuilding consumer trust in its smartphones….

The Procurement Love Triangle

Sun, 12 Feb 2017 01:44:20 +0000

Love the idea of software solving all your procurement problems? You’d better make sure it’s working in harmony with your people and your processes. Paul Blake, Senior Manager, Technology Product Marketing at GEP Worldwide is a keynote speaker at Big Ideas Summit 2017. He’ll be talking about digital procurement transformation and why it’s so important for procurement to adopt…

6 Top Tips For Starting A Law Firm Performance Management Process

Sat, 11 Feb 2017 01:12:04 +0000

Law firm performance is not managed very effectively in most organisations as shown here. Stacey Coote offers 6 top tips for starting a law firm performance management process. I have seen millions of pounds in benefits delivered from good law firm supplier relationship management (SRM) processes despite the fact that they are not always managed very…

Do You Belong to a Procurement Dream Team?

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 13:14:54 +0000

The age of workforce 4.0 is fast-approaching. Have you ensured you’ve got a dream team in place to help you navigate your way through the rapid changes ? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. So. Here’s the scenario. After years of effort, elevating the role of procurement and complaining that…

Cognitive Technology – One Giant Leap for Procurement?

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 01:18:51 +0000

Technology has helped to define the human race, from the invention of the car to the moon landings. Cognitive technology is one small step on the journey into the future. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy said, “We chose to go to…

Stand By Your Women (…in Procurement)

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:20:08 +0000

You might not have to look far to find women who inspire, support and influence you throughout your procurement career. Procurious recently launched Bravo, a new group seeking to address gender disparity in the workplace, and celebrate and empower women working within procurement. As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious will be interviewing a number of high profile procurement leaders…

Three Economic Indices You Can’t Ignore In Procurement

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 01:23:41 +0000

Procurement professionals need the ability to understand – and react to – changes in inflation, employment and optimism. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. The interesting thing about procurement’s typical line of sight is that it very closely aligns with the terms of the sourcing projects we run and…

Procurement Leaders: Don’t Be A Creativity Killer

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:17:31 +0000

Everyone is born with a lot of creative potential. So what’s been holding us back all this time from releasing our inner creative genius? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Last week, we introduced James Bannerman as one of our Big Ideas speakers. A creative change agent and author of Non-Fiction…

Should Procurement Pros Be Concerned About Global Trade?

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 01:20:11 +0000

Renowned economist and Big Ideas Speaker Dr Linda Yueh explains why CPOs needn’t panic about the President Trump administration but there are causes of concern. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Donald Trump made good on a campaign promise on the first day of his presidency by signing an…

In Business Relationships, It’s All About H2H (Human to Human)

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:36:19 +0000

Simona Pop shares her Big Idea on why procurement technology needs to promote – not obstruct – trust, transparency and common goals. Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. We know that many organisations are still mired in decades-old procurement processes. Besides the inherent inefficiency of paper-based workflows, spreadsheets and…

Resistance Is Futile, Disruption Is Coming!

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 01:10:04 +0000

Massive changes are coming to procurement pros, whether they like it or not! Is it high time we started embracing, instead of resisting, them? Mark Stevenson is one man who understands the key trends heading our way. An expert on global trends and innovation, he will be setting the scene with our opening keynote at the Big Ideas Summit 2017 in…

Why Procurement Needs Clearer Insight into Industry 4.0

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 13:30:57 +0000

The impact of Industry 4.0 is already being felt. But procurement needs greater understanding in order to thrive in the digital era. Download your copy of ‘Procurement 4.0 – The Digitalisation of Procurement’ on the Fraunhofer IML website. In our previous article we introduced the concept of Procurement 4.0 – the profession as it might…

Work-life, work-death and the right to disconnect

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 22:40:59 +0000

It’s a tale of two cities when it comes to work-life balance. Tokyo continues to struggle with a dangerous culture of self-sacrifice through “overwork”, while in Paris, lawmakers have recently enshrined French workers’ “right to disconnect”. It’s 10.00pm. The kids are asleep, you’ve tidied the kitchen and you’re considering whether to fire up Netflix or…

Leading Procurement into the Future – Big Ideas Summit 2017

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 01:30:57 +0000

2017 is a pivotal year for the procurement profession. The Big Ideas Summit 2017 will help lay the ground work for the changes ahead. We firmly believe that 2017 will be the year that everything changes for procurement. No longer a transactional function, procurement is driving value for organisations across the world. But the journey…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #33 – Sharing Knowledge Openly

Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:24:53 +0000

Collaborative working and knowledge sharing benefits everyone in procurement. It’s time to learn from one another. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to ones that got…

Claim Your 60 Seconds of Fame: What’s Your Big Idea In 2017?

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:17:06 +0000

Looking for a way to build your personal brand and market yourself as a global procurement superstar? Here’s your chance to share your Big Idea with over 19,000 colleagues on Procurious! Get ready to launch your reputation as an influencer and help shape the global conversation for 2017. The Big Ideas Summit 2017 in…

Grab A Cheeky Donut! 5 Procurement Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 01:04:59 +0000

It’s that time of year again. January has come and gone and you’ve realised that, despite the best of intentions, you’re not actually going to deliver on your personal New Year’s resolutions. Rather than despairing about all those unrealistic “get fit” goals, how about refocusing your energies on some professional resolutions that will truly benefit…

A Whole New World: The Cognitive Computing Era

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 13:37:10 +0000

The age of cognitive tech is coming, whether procurement likes it or not! How can we be ready for the changes coming our way? Register your attendance for our free webinar, Man & Machine, which takes place on 8th February 2017. A New Era Of Computing We’ve entered into a new era of computing: “the cognitive…

Learning the Fine Art of Creativity

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 01:18:09 +0000

We live in an ideas economy where creativity is the new currency. So is it possible for those with less artistic flair to learn how to get their creative juices flowing? Register as an online delegate for the London Big Ideas Summit 2017 here. Everyone’s A Little Bit Creative Many of us enjoyed a childhood…

Procurement 4.0 – The Future of Digitalisation

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:23:20 +0000

Procurement 4.0 is real. But opinions differ as to whether it is a key opportunity for the profession, or a supporting tool. Download your copy of ‘Procurement 4.0 – The Digitalisation of Procurement’ on the Fraunhofer IML website. The fourth industrial revolution is a reality. Over the past year we have heard experts discuss Industry…

Fortune Favours the Bravest Procurement Professionals

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:48:34 +0000

Don’t let a lack of confidence hold your career back- Sometimes it pays to throw yourself into the riskiest of situations. Procurious recently launched Bravo, a new group seeking to address gender disparity in the workplace, and celebrate and empower women working within procurement. As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious will be interviewing a number of high profile leaders…

What’s It All About? The Big Ideas Summit 2017 FAQs

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:17:49 +0000

From Mumbai to Melbourne; and Paris to Poughkeepsie, you can take part in the world’s largest procurement event – free. Register as an online delegate for The Big Ideas Summit in London here. Last week, we announced that the Big Ideas Summit 2017 is going global with events in London, Sydney, Chicago, Dubai and Singapore. If…

The Coming Backlash Against Artificial Intelligence and How to Handle It

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 01:07:52 +0000

How can organisations use AI’s potential to augment, not abolish jobs? This article first appeared on Manoj Saxena’s LinkedIn profile. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving from a mesmeric technology to a powerful teammate and a foundation for enterprise and consumer decision making. However, AI is a young field full of amazing potential. It’s mystery and lack…

Keen on the Internet of Things? Beware of IoT Botnet Zombie Attacks!

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 01:17:48 +0000

Everyone’s talking about the Internet of Things and all of the exciting things it can do for us! But just how much have we considered the possible security risks? What’s All the IoT Fuss About? CPOs are becoming ever keener on enhancing hyper-connectivity within their organisations using the Internet of Things. This is unsurprising given…

Why “Free Help” With Buying Decisions Costs More

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 01:44:05 +0000

As consumers, we’re wary of so-called “free” products and services as there’s always a hidden cost. Why, then, are procurement teams willing to accept free help with supplier selection? Businesses often seek help with their buying decisions, especially in complicated categories such as telco or energy. Preparing an RFP requires a willingness to trudge through…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #32 – Agility and Flexibility

Sat, 28 Jan 2017 12:22:08 +0000

It’s time for procurement to stretch their muscles and build greater agility. And procurement’s business model can help with that. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement…

Attention Roosters: Don’t Cock Things Up In 2017

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:23:00 +0000

HELP! 2017 is going to be an unlucky year for me – the Chinese Zodiac says I’m going to cock things up. As a rooster, I’m in deep trouble for 2017. It’s taken me almost 36 years to grasp the fact that in popular Chinese belief your birth sign year is considered unlucky, rather than…

Five Reasons Supplier Diversity Matters

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 13:20:36 +0000

We’re often told that supplier diversity is important for any business. But are you able to articulate exactly why this is? Here’s a cheat-sheet to help you next time a business stakeholder asks why your organisation needs a supplier diversity programme. 1. Supply managers created a lack of diversity, so it’s up to us to…

Why Agile Business Models Help in a Changing Ecosystem

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 01:14:56 +0000

Whether global giant or SME, the supply chain ecosystem provides opportunities for all organisations. Particularly those agile enough to adapt to the changing environment. In our previous article, we looked at how the future of logistics may look from a technological perspective. Today, we’ll look at the potential changes in business models that will define…

The Road To Procurement Success Is Paved With Cups of Coffee

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:23:22 +0000

Never underestimate the power of networking, or meeting new people over a cup of coffee. You never know how it’s going to positively impact your career. Procurious recently launched Bravo, a new group seeking to address gender disparity in the workplace, and celebrate and empower women working within procurement. As part of the Bravo campaign, Procurious…

Be Brave or Be Dead – A Futurist View of Supply Chains

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:21:51 +0000

There are two types of company left – brave or dead. Considering what’s coming in the next 15 years, now is definitely the time to be brave. Increasingly, there are only two kinds of companies: brave and dead. When world renowned speaker and author, Seth Godin, talks about the future of businesses, people listen. And when Godin…

Technology Is The Answer. But What’s The Question?

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:27:09 +0000

Companies everywhere are super-keen to invest in technology and an eye-watering $3.49 trillion will be made available in 2017 for this purpose – but how can CPOs and IT buyers ensure they make the right decisions? If you ask any CPO what their main priorities are for the next five years, you’re almost guaranteed to receive…

Fasten Your Seatbelts: You’re Going Global!

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 01:19:55 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit, powered by Procurious, is embarking on a world tour. And you’re all invited! Register as an online delegate for The Big Ideas Summit in London here. Fasten your seatbelt, fold away your tray table and return your seat to the upright position – we’re taking you and your procurement career on an…

Meet The New General Secretary of Globalisation

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 01:16:35 +0000

Chinese President Xi Jinping claims world leadership for globalisation while the U.S. moves towards protectionism. Chinese President Xi Jinping used his address at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last week to defend globalisation and criticise the rise of protectionism in Western economies. The speech is the latest in a series of appearances on the…

What Procurement Pros Should Know About UK Energy Market Competition

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 01:46:04 +0000

Buying energy mightn’t always a top priority for procurement pros but there’s certain things you need to know! The task of buying energy can often be pushed down the list of priorities especially within smaller businesses where time is precious. However, with proposed changes in how energy suppliers can market to businesses in the UK and the…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #31 – Successful Supportive Relationships

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 12:56:37 +0000

Is procurement too focused on risk in contracts? And is this view point harming its ability to build good relationships? At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement…

6 Top Tips for Collecting Legal Spend Data from Law Firms

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 01:16:09 +0000

Do you have the data you need to understand your spend on legal services? It’s not about the volume of data, it’s about the quality of the reporting. Very few organisations have the granularity of legal spend data they need – they often think they are capturing this information or can get it from their…

Supply Chain Risk Management: Not a Procurement Priority

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 13:11:20 +0000

This article was first published on My Purchasing Center. Procurement teams struggle with supply chain risk management. They are aware of the consequences of not managing it, but often they don’t have the resources to focus on it as much as they’d like. Even when they do, managing supplier risk poses a challenge: Most often…

5 Skills To Drive Supply Chain Success This Year

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 01:15:33 +0000

The skills required to drive supply chain success are forever changing. However, there are some skills that will serve you well over time. Far from abating, the pace of change in the supply management procession continues to accelerate. It’s critical for supply managers and for the survival of the profession itself that practitioners continually update…

Nobody Said Procurement Was Easy

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:26:02 +0000

Are you ever tempted to give up on your career aspirations at the first hurdle? Tania Seary explains why you’ll thank yourself in the long run for sticking it out! What is the hardest job in the world? This newspaper job advert has, in fact, awarded the title to motherhood! We recently launched Bravo – a Procurious…

Perception vs Reality – What Your Suppliers Really Think of You

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:09:03 +0000

Have you ever wondered what your suppliers really think about you? How big a gulf exists between the perception (what you think) and the reality (what they think)? You may believe you have effective processes, but do they agree? Do your suppliers really feel like a “valued business partner”, or is that just empty rhetoric? The…

Colin Powell To Complete Stellar Keynote Line-Up At ISM2017

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 01:47:06 +0000

The fact that the Institute for Supply Management can attract keynote speakers of this calibre offers proof that the profession truly has come of age. ISM has announced that the former U.S. Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, will join former UK Prime Minister David Cameron to deliver a keynote at the year’s biggest…

What Would You Do If The President-Elect Criticised Your Supply Chain?

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 01:18:26 +0000

Major US organisations are starting to rethink their manufacturing strategies for fear of being labelled “un-American” by the President-Elect. Every US-based supply manager with outsourced supply chains should follow Donald Trump on Twitter. Why? Because for major companies with overseas manufacturing operations, there’s every chance that the President-Elect will label your organisation “un-American”. Since November…

Top Reasons to Advance Your Career With an MBA

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 12:39:43 +0000

Competition for the top procurement jobs is fierce. Have you considered that an MBA might be one way to get ahead of the pack? Procurement can be a very competitive industry. Both procurement managers and officers are continually looking for ways to advance their career and beat out other job candidates for the best roles. If you’ve…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #30 – Buy Social Challenge

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 12:05:24 +0000

Supply chains need to be transparent, and also more socially and environmentally sustainable. That’s why we’re challenging professionals to ‘Buy Social’. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the…

5 Hot Topics on Social Media for Procurement Professionals

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 01:31:24 +0000

Social media makes it even easier to keep you finger on the pulse. But what topics are global procurement professionals discussing right now? Procurement colleagues around the world are increasingly embracing social media to share their views, concerns, and (most importantly) their success stories. This sharing has the positive effect of broadcasting the value our function…

Throwback Thursday – #suckit – The Art of Speechmaking

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:14:17 +0000

There’s an art to great speechmaking, and we can all take note how to improve. But could it also be the key to finding great talent? I’ve just woken up in Los Angeles and am still in awe of Cate Blanchett’s amazing acceptance speech at last night’s Oscars. No – I wasn’t in the audience…

Faster, Cheaper, Better – The Future of Logistics

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 01:32:10 +0000

As technology drives change in logistics, companies must meet increasing consumer demand. But what does it mean for traditional labour roles? Logistics has never felt more fluid and subject to change. In this article, we’re going to look at the key factors driving all this change and then consider how technology will develop in the…

What is the Future of Knowledge Management in Procurement?

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:17:34 +0000

Knowledge management is becoming critical for organisations as the current generation retires. So how can procurement leverage technology to ensure knowledge isn’t lost? Introducing Watson Supply Chain from IBM. Get to know Watson here. “Knowledge is power,” proclaimed Francis Bacon, the English philosopher whose advocacy of the scientific method fuelled the scientific revolution. Centuries later, Dale Carnegie, the…

6 Top Tips for Running a Successful Law Firm Panel Process

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:17:47 +0000

Running a panel tender for law firm services can be challenging and time-consuming. So what can procurement do to ensure they tick the right boxes? A panel tender process can be long and arduous for all parties involved. A recent survey said 42 per cent of law firm respondents spend over 15 hours on each tender, with…

How to Hit a Target 10 Years Away – An Olympic Effort

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 01:39:34 +0000

How do you sustain your focus on a goal that’s 10 years away? One Olympic legend shares her story – how will you apply it to your career? Australian Olympic legend Chloe Esposito trained 45 weeks a year for an incredible 10 years before the day she won gold in the Modern Pentathlon in Brazil. Chloe…

Top Tips For Using Procurious

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 01:39:34 +0000

Looking to make more of an impact on the Procurious network? Eyes down for a handy set of tips to help you make the most out of our community. So if you’ve ever caught yourself asking “How do I…?” Read on for our top Procurious tips. How to join using Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn We’ve now…

Flying Warehouses & Fashion Buyouts – Amazon Dominates Headlines

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 01:39:04 +0000

No sooner had 2017 started than Amazon appeared in the news in a big way. From flying warehouses, to buyouts of fashion chains, no-one dominates the headlines quite like the online giant. Disruption. It was a buzzword of 2016, and even if the word is falling out of favour, the activity looks set to continue this…

Financial Troubles Spell Tough Times for Small Businesses

Sun, 08 Jan 2017 12:30:52 +0000

The start of 2017 looks set to be a tough period for small businesses. With increasing number of businesses being wound up, it appears the high street’s suffering is far from over. The past twelve months have been hard for small businesses, and it doesn’t look as though 2017 will offer much respite. Changing consumer…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #29 – Hug a Maverick

Sat, 07 Jan 2017 12:57:15 +0000

Need a different solution to help stop maverick spend in your procurement organisation? Why not hug a maverick? At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

Trade War Against China? A Supply Chain Perspective

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 13:20:58 +0000

Comments made by President-elect Trump last year sparked talk of a trade war with China. But what impact will this have on supply chains? This article was originally published on My Purchasing Center. The Chinese government recently raised a “tit for tat” challenge to new U.S. President-Elect Donald J. Trump over a potential trade war…

What Does Your Ideal Company Look Like?

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 01:06:45 +0000

Many graduates embarking on the world of work think their ideal company is a large, corporate company, with great offices. But is this the best route to fast track success? Many of us have experienced working for large organisations and been given the opportunity to change positions multiple times within that same business. Larger organisations tend…

Following the eISM Yellow Brick Road – A Guide to Guided Learning

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 13:18:40 +0000

We’re at the beginning of the yellow brick road, folks. This course is the foundation of all ISM’s educational offerings. Time zones can make things difficult. When I first signed up for ISM’s Fundamentals of Purchasing Guided Learning, I was resigned to the fact that I’d probably need to get up in the middle of…

Throwback Thursday – Who Gives a Tweet? Social Media for Procurement Executives

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:19:54 +0000

Still not sure about giving a tweet? Procurement professionals and executives need to be on the social media front line – and here’s why. This article was first published on taniaseary.com. Will I ever get on top of social media? Slack is the latest team collaboration tool that my 25-year-old whiz kids are pushing me…

Looking Back: 3 Top Supply Chain Tech Trends In 2016

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 13:22:40 +0000

To look forward, we first need to look back and learn. What are the key supply chain trends from 2016 procurement needs to take account of in 2017? As we look ahead to the New Year, this is also an opportune time to take a look back at the trends and innovations that began reshaping…

How to Leverage Procurious to Boost Your Career in 2017

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:30:35 +0000

2017 is already a few days old – how are your resolutions coming along? Make Procurious one of yours this year, and boost your career! Halfway through the first week of 2017, and already the Procurious team are struggling with resolutions. But perseverance is the key, as is creating new habits to stay on track. We’re…

10 Must-Read Articles to Kick-Start Your New Year

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 01:25:29 +0000

Happy New Year! Looking for a way to ease yourself into 2017? Then check out our 10 must-read articles to help kick-start your brain. The bells are barely over, and the new year party is still fresh in your mind. But it’s time to get back to work, and we want to help you start…

2016 Rewind – Top Discussions – You Asked, You Answered!

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 08:36:14 +0000

The Discussions page is one of the most popular on the site. We take a look back at the questions that got you sharing in 2016. We’re continuously blown away by the generous nature of our community. Not only do you all connect so well, but you also are willing to share all your expertise. And…

2016 Rewind – Best of eLearning – The True Cost of Supply Chains

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 09:31:27 +0000

For our final 2016 rewind, we’re looking at the year’s top eLearning modules. How can sustainability help limit the true cost of supply chains? Fast fashion is the embodiment of unsustainable supply chains and consumerism. Why then does it still have such a following? And what can we as consumers do to change this. Well,…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #28 – Outcome Focused Engagements

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:11:30 +0000

Procurement needs to focus on the outcome, the why, of every conversation it has with suppliers and stakeholders. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

2016 Rewind – Procurement KPIs – Measuring the Unmeasurable

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 08:40:29 +0000

Our final rewind article for 2016 is on one of the hot topics of the year – procurement KPIs. More specifically, how do you go about measuring the unmeasurable? Is it time to develop new procurement KPIs? As the profession delivers more value, we need to consider measuring the ‘unmeasurable’. How on earth do you…

2016 Rewind – Best of eLearning – Disrupting the Status Quo

Thu, 29 Dec 2016 08:40:29 +0000

We’re counting down to the new year by looking back at some great eLearning content from 2016. Here, we learn how technology can help procurement disrupt the status quo. “If you’re not disrupting, them you’re being disrupted.” This was one of the key learning points we heard regarding procurement technology this year. And when it…

2016 Rewind – Only 24 Hours in a Day – Manage Your Time Wisely

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 08:38:51 +0000

Our second rewind article for 2016 might be one you can put to use early in January. We all could manage our day better, and here are some top tips for you. Time. The one thing we could all do with more of, but relentlessly slips past. Are you spending your day wisely? Tick, tock, tick,…

2016 Rewind – Best of eLearning – Incubate Your Big Ideas

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 08:38:45 +0000

As part of our 2016 rewind, we’re taking a look at the top eLearning modules added this year. Our first looks at how to incubate your big ideas for success. So you’ve got a big idea for your organisation. But how are you going to get support to help make it a reality? And how…

2016 Rewind – Should We Stop Using the Term ‘Strategic’ in Procurement?

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 12:21:54 +0000

Our first rewind article comes courtesy of a great panel discussion at ISM2016. The debate is likely to rage on all next year too – should procurement stop referring to itself as strategic? No other profession puts the word ‘strategic’ on their business cards. Why do we do so in procurement? A high-powered panel…

Procurious HQ Wishes You A Very Merry Christmas!

Sun, 25 Dec 2016 11:36:37 +0000

All the team at Procurious HQ would like to wish our members a very Merry Christmas! Christmas Day is a day for celebration (and over-indulgence!). But before we get started on the turkey, we have a message for our community. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our community for their great support this…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #27 – Mastering Digital Information

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 13:03:58 +0000

The wealth of digital information available to procurement is a game changer. But only if it can make sense of it in the first place. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the…

Beating the Procurement Drum – What’s Coming in 2017?

Fri, 23 Dec 2016 01:15:58 +0000

Procurious will continue to beat the drum for procurement in 2017. And here’s what we have planned for you all in the coming 12 months! The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the…

Throwback Thursday – Who Gives a Tweet?

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:48:57 +0000

Why should you ‘give a tweet’? When it comes to getting your message across, there are a billion reasons to. This article was first published on taniaseary.com. All facts and figures are correct as of the original publication date. If you’re anything like my husband, you’ve done your very best to avoid being “poked”, “tweeted”…

Would You Have Managed the Piper Ethically?

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 01:34:26 +0000

No one involved behaved particularly ethically in the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. How can consumers and organisations ensure that all practices are above board? The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas…

No More Supply Chains? Another Procurement Term Bites the Dust

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 13:15:56 +0000

With the advent of the supply ecosystem, the concept of the linear chains is outdated and misleading. Perhaps it’s time to let this term disappear. Introducing Watson Supply Chain from IBM. Get to know Watson here. The thing about chains is that they’re linear. No matter how complex they might be, supply chains are sequential by…

Leaping into the Future – Better Have the Right Skills

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 01:06:38 +0000

Plan for the future. Look before leaping in head first, and understand what you need to know to handle constant change. It’s time for procurement to upskill. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas…

President Trump and Procurement – The Impact

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:22:08 +0000

As the weeks unfold, we begin to get a better understanding of what impact a Trump Presidency will have on procurement. There is, of course, no need to introduce the events of Tuesday 8th of November 2016 to readers. On that day, Donald Trump won enough Electoral College votes to be elected as the next…

Going Dancing? Deal With This Supply Chain Crisis First!

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 01:36:14 +0000

Planning on going dancing with the nine ladies at the Christmas party? First, there’s a crisis to solve. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run up to the big day. Catch…

Negotiations Milking you Dry? Why Not Unleash the Power of the Herd!

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:11:34 +0000

On Day 8, the true love bestowed that famously lusted after gift of eight milking maids… The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run up to the big day. Catch up with the…

Gender Balanced Leadership – Token Representation to Critical Mass

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:00:50 +0000

For gender balanced leadership, moving from 10 per cent to 30 per cent representation doesn’t happen ‘naturally’. In a couple of recent posts on LinkedIn, I’ve explored the areas of women’s representation in politics and on boards, and have been pondering why achieving a critical mass of women seems so challenging. Here’s a summary of the…

Gender Balanced Leadership – Affirmative Action

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:00:49 +0000

Affirmative Action, and the use of quotas and targets in business, creates stigma and erodes merit. Fact or fiction? Read the first part of my update here. Affirmative action measures such as quotas and targets are seen to be problematic for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest concern is that women will be selected for roles based…

Yahoo Breaks Record – For The Biggest Hack in History

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 01:08:20 +0000

The biggest hack in history – it’s certainly not an award to be envious about. But Yahoo broke the record after announcing a major breach from 2013. It’s been a bad week for embattled internet giant, Yahoo, as the company announced details of a huge cyber security breach from 2013. The hack impacted over one…

An Expert’s View on the Future of the UK Economy

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 13:21:00 +0000

The media have painted a gloomy future for the UK economy thanks to the events of 2016. But one is breaking ranks – and it’s not all bad news. A few weeks ago, Procurement Heads enjoyed an insightful business breakfast hosted by the Chilworth Partnership & Venture Recruitment Partners at the Chilworth Manor Hotel. While…

Supplier Diversity in 2017 – Here’s Why It Matters

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:39:24 +0000

2017 will be the year when Diversity in Procurement takes the spotlight. And here’s why. In March 2017, the Institute for Supply Management is holding a major summit on Diversity in procurement and supply management. Diversity advocate Shelley Stewart Jr (VP and CPO of DuPont), has seen first-hand the positive impact that a strong, diverse organisation can…

3 Key Qualities That Help Create an Agile Team

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 13:12:47 +0000

Plenty organisations talk about creating an agile procurement team. However, few actually put the qualities in place to increase their agility. I recently attended The Hackett Group’s 2016 ‘European Best Practices Conference’ in London, where Nic Walden, Senior Procurement Advisor, led a Procurement workshop on creating agility. Speaking to the 40 or so procurement leaders…

How Sustainability Can Help Procurement Avoid Black Swans

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 01:19:13 +0000

Swans, procurement and sustainability – what’s the link? It’s all to do with procurement taking account for its impact on the wider world. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run up to…

Women in Procurement – An International Survey

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:11:24 +0000

Gender imbalance in business is clear to see. But, in procurement, how do professional associations stack up in terms of percentage of women members? Procurious recently launched Bravo: Celebrating Women in Procurement. Join the discussion here. It’s well documented that females represent less than 5 per cent of CEO positions in S&P-500 companies, but organisation with greater…

Procurement’s Future – Growing Not Killing the Golden Geese

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 01:17:56 +0000

Rumours of procurement’s imminent demise persist. But would organisations be killing their golden geese by getting rid of the function? The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run up to the big…

Buying Tech – Your Fast-Track Ticket to the Top!

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:16:04 +0000

I’d like to make a correction. Tech buyers aren’t just our next CPOs, they’re our next Board members. No, I haven’t misspelt “BioTech” in the headline here – I genuinely mean buying technology. I wrote last week on Procurious that IT procurement professionals are best-positioned to become the next generation of CPOs (Chief Procurement Officers)…

Measuring Value – All That Glitters Isn’t Necessarily Gold

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 01:02:57 +0000

The Five Gold Rings might be the most expensive of the gifts listed in the carol, but does that mean they’re the most valuable? Not necessarily. It depends on how you measure value. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you…

Hello, Procurement Career? It’s Social Media Calling

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:15:58 +0000

Have you found your calling in life? Do you worry that your procurement career is getting away from you? Then you need to heed the siren call of social media. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days…

Who Run the World? Women in Procurement!

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 01:40:11 +0000

The talent pipeline is bursting with superstar women at entry – mid level. Why then, is that same pipeline so overwhelmingly stocked with men at the leadership level? In the words of Beyonce – Who run the world? Girls! Bravo! Celebrating and Connecting Women in Procurement – get involved here. If you work for a…

Speaking the Language of The Three French Hens

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 13:15:32 +0000

Feel like you speak a different language to the business? Then imagine how the French hens felt with the other birds in the song. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run…

Are We Witnessing the End of the Fairtrade Movement?

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 08:54:21 +0000

Mondelēz International have chosen to pull the Fairtrade label from all Cadbury branded products. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for the movement? In 1997, the formation of FLO International brought ‘Fair Trade’ labelling to shops for the first time. Later rebranded as Fairtrade International, it was recognised as the global leader in…

Unlikely Alliances on the Rise in Disrupted Markets

Sun, 11 Dec 2016 12:21:17 +0000

Amazon’s disruption of the grocery, food delivery and home-care industry could spark unlikely alliances. And these alliances could help take the fight to disruptors. With Amazon’s expansion of its grocery deal with Morrisons, its launch of Amazon Restaurants, and a rumoured housekeeping service, incumbents could see unusual partnerships as a means to fend off the…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #26 – Changing Talent Management

Sat, 10 Dec 2016 12:48:51 +0000

Procurement needs to change its approach to talent management or risk losing out with the Millennial Generation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to ones…

Is Trust The Key to Successful Alliance Management?

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 13:21:27 +0000

Pharmaceutical procurement teams need to change their approach to alliance management. Is trust the key to success? A few years ago I had the opportunity to be part of a ground-breaking initiative with our suppliers. We sent a team to the boards of some of our major suppliers and asked a simple question: “Why is…

Be Like Two Turtle Doves – Spread the Love

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:49:46 +0000

On Day 2, the true love gifted two turtle doves. This festive season, be like the doves, and spread the love with suppliers and customers. The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the…

No Seat at the Table? Time to Build Your Own Chair

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:23:13 +0000

The solution is simple, surely. If procurement can’t get a seat at the table, it’s time to build our own chair. How many times have you heard your peers or even yourself say the inevitable term, “seat at the table”? I am not sure where this proverbial leadership table came from, but we are constantly…

Can You Write a Specification For a Partridge in a Pear Tree?

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 01:25:38 +0000

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…a partridge in a pear tree!” The traditional 12 days of Christmas might not start until the 26th of December. But this festive season, we’ll be bringing you the 12 days of procurement Christmas in the run up to the big day. No-one is…

Escaping Groundhog Day with Corporate Knowledge Capture

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:15:01 +0000

Can cognitive technology revolutionise the way we capture corporate knowledge? Introducing Watson Supply Chain from IBM. Get to know Watson here. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in the nightmare of a supply chain groundhog day? One minute you’re gaining some solid ground in your organisation and the next… You’re back at square one, looking…

Why Procurement Should Be All About the Cloud

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 01:58:44 +0000

The Cloud is the future for procurement. If that’s the case, why do we still have so many questions about it? Procurious are at ProcureCon IT in Amsterdam this week. Stay up to date with the latest highlights on the Blog, and follow live on Twitter. We sat in a very interesting, interactive panel discussion…

Look After Your Data – Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 11:50:46 +0000

Concerned about data protection? How can IT procurement ensure data security and reduce cyber risk for your organisation? Procurious is at ProcureCon IT in Amsterdam this week. Stay up to date with what’s happening on Procurious, and by following us on Twitter. Day Two of ProcureCon IT is well underway and we’ve been privy to…

We Need You – To Vote Procurious in UK Blog Awards 2017

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:07:05 +0000

Here’s your chance to get the result you want in at least one vote this year. Vote Procurious in the UK Blog Awards 2017! Vote for Procurious here! It’s been a year of surprise results in global elections. For many, the votes just haven’t gone the way they had expected, planned, or, for many, hoped….

How To Win The Web – Spin a Kick-Ass Personal Brand That Will Get You Noticed

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:35:10 +0000

Think you don’t need to worry about how your personal brand appears online? Think again! There’s no escaping your online personal brand. Whether you like it or not, all your social media accounts are a direct reflection of you – and your organisation. The content you share, or lack thereof, will be under scrutiny from…

Carving Out a Niche in the Supply Market

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:35:10 +0000

Large organisations are no longer a closed shop for small, niche suppliers. In fact, they are now being actively sought out for their skills. Procurious is at ProcureCon IT in Amsterdam this week. Stay up to date with what’s happening on Procurious, and by following us on Twitter. The procurement profession has started to come…

Here’s Why IT Procurement Leaders Are CPOs of the Future

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 10:08:23 +0000

The fourth industrial revolution is here. Change-resistant CPOs who see it as a threat will inevitably see themselves consigned to the scrap-heap. The CPO of the Future, on the other hand, will seize every opportunity Industry 4.0 presents. And the profession is looking to IT procurement experts for leadership. The procurement function is at a…

Peak Oil – From Global Catastrophe to Global Opportunity

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 01:24:51 +0000

Modern economics is a matter of supply and demand. And when it comes to ‘peak oil’, it’s the difference between catastrophe and opportunity. Since the early 20th Century, scientists, experts, and economists have been predicting the manifestation of ‘peak oil’. For years, many people viewed ‘peak oil’ as a herald of global catastrophe, and the end of major…

Could Direct Bookings Help Drive Value for Procurement?

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 12:32:17 +0000

Travel procurement tends to get people hot under the collar. But should procurement be more open to direct bookings to drive greater value? This article is based on a study conducted by Software Advice, available to read here. In the hotel room booking wars, online travel agencies (OTAs) seem to be giving up a little…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #25 – Collaboration is King

Sat, 03 Dec 2016 13:25:28 +0000

Collaboration is king, particularly when it comes to procurement. And it can also help drive huge benefits across the board. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession,…

Tania Seary Named ‘Influencer of the Year’ 2016

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 13:29:19 +0000

Procurement’s influence is driven by its leaders. And having a great influencer at the top can make a world of difference. This week the procurement community made a dint in the universe when Procurious’ Founder, Tania Seary, was named Influencer of the Year by Supply Chain Dive, a leading industry news publisher. Congratulations to our 18,000 Procurious…

What Tech Start-Ups Need to Know About M&A Deals

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 01:30:23 +0000

While M&A deals have decreased in 2016, broken deals are on the rise. So what do tech start-ups need to know before getting involved? Christina Wojcik, vice president of legal services at Seal Software, breaks down the steps to consider throughout the M&A process. With over $5 trillion in deals signed in 2015, it was…

How to Change the Game with Sole Suppliers

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:17:03 +0000

Sole suppliers – you might think you’re stuck with them in procurement. But once you know the why, you can plan a change for the better. This article was first published on Future Proofitable. In the first part of this series, I discussed how sole supplier situations can occur. From monopolies, to high exit barriers…

Is Your Technology Serving Up Greater Procurement Performance?

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 02:03:26 +0000

To what extent is your organisation using technology to improve the performance of procurement? Procurement’s adoption of technology has been surging in recent years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. But what is the best way to transform the processes and performance of your Procurement organisation, while facing up to the need to…

Getting Ahead of the Cognitive Technology Wave

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 01:34:14 +0000

There’s a paradox in artificial intelligence and cognitive technology. They can help us stay ahead, but also be the cause of major disruption. Introducing Watson Supply Chain from IBM. Get to know Watson here. “The future always comes too fast.” Those are the words of Alvin Toffler, the best-selling author and futurist known for his works…

Supplier Engagement – The Advent Calendar Challenge

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:16:25 +0000

This Christmas, why not turn your advent calendar into a supplier engagement challenge? Sorry, there’s no chocolate involved… An idea came to me during a recent commute. With the shopping days to Christmas rapidly counting down and as we start to look forward to the season’s festivities, I thought about my son’s advent calendar and…

Top 10 Trends for Spend Control & Procurement Automation

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 01:49:16 +0000

With the final months of 2016 fast approaching, it can only mean one thing – planning for 2017 is fiercely underway. In this article, we look into next year and share insights into how Spend Control and eProcurement Automation will evolve. These are not the macroeconomic trends you’ll hear from the large consulting companies. Nor…

Are Supply Chains Already Feeling the Trump Effect?

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 01:27:53 +0000

President-elect Trump doesn’t take office until January 20th 2017, but his impact is already being felt in global supply chains. Yes, it’s been a little over two weeks since Donald Trump won the US Presidential election. And it’s still nearly two months until he officially takes office. Yet, it’s hard to get away from media reports on…

China’s ‘Global Giants’ Defy Worldwide Economic Slowdown

Sun, 27 Nov 2016 13:50:32 +0000

‘Global Giants’ in China are bucking the global growth trend. Against a backdrop of economic slowdown, these companies are striding forwards. China’s emerging global businesses are bucking the trend of domestic and international economic slowdown. According to a new report from global accountancy body ACCA and Lancaster University, growth rates are currently sitting between 12 and…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #24 – Sharing Procurement Expertise

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 12:36:42 +0000

Procurement professionals have a great opportunity to develop themselves, and helps others, by sharing expertise in the charity sector. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession,…

So You Want to Be a Content Writer, Do You?

Fri, 25 Nov 2016 14:19:21 +0000

We’re always encouraging our community members to get involved. Here’s your chance to become one of our content writers. At Procurious HQ, we pride ourselves on the quality of content we produce. Over the past two and a half years, we have carefully crafted a selection of high-quality content for you to peruse, digest and enjoy….

Is Black Friday Still Important for Retailers?

Fri, 25 Nov 2016 01:46:25 +0000

Millions of consumers will be after a Black Friday bargain today. But, as a single day, is it still as important for retailers? It’s that time of year again. The Thanksgiving turkey is digested, attention turns to Christmas, and Black Friday has arrived. Traditionally an American shopping day, Black Friday has expanded to hundreds of…

Procurement Isn’t Done Innovating

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:21:57 +0000

Changing the close-minded nature of a stakeholder to the value of procurement is a big challenge. But procurement isn’t beaten yet. Have you just started following this series of posts? Don’t miss the first two! I’ve been sharing my perspective on procurement productivity and efficiency from over four decades worth of experience in the field….

Crowdsourcing is the New Black – Use it to Your Advantage

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 01:09:20 +0000

The revolution in business financing is opening up a new world for small businesses. Here’s how to turn crowdsourcing to your advantage. Crowdsourcing is the new black. Over the past few years, this approach has enabled organisations to not only raise working capital, but also to build brand advocates, as a marketing tool, and a…

Women and Indirect Procurement – A Perfect Fit!

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 01:37:56 +0000

Indirect procurement is a perfect fit for women. And women in indirect procurement are a perfect fit for a company. At a recent fantastic CIPS CH event on ‘Women in Procurement’, it got me thinking about why indirect procurement is a great function for women. My path to leadership in procurement happened by accident. In…

How To Solve The Extended Payment Term Problem

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:17:56 +0000

Extended payment terms can be a huge burden for buyers and suppliers. Not to mention the negative press. But there is a solution at hand. In response to the financial recession of 2008, many supply chain and procurement departments began pushing their suppliers for extended payment terms as a means to improve cash flow and…

Why Procurement Needs to Open the Door to Supplier Diversity

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 01:31:35 +0000

Procurement is under pressure to engage more in supplier diversity. But help is at hand from organisations who can help make connections. In May 2015, the Australian Government set out Indigenous company contract targets for federal departments and agencies. Starting from 0.5 per cent, the targets were set to rise to 3 per cent by 2019-20….

Does Insurance Against Failure Really Keep You Covered?

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 13:20:18 +0000

Is it really worth taking out insurance against system failure? Is the true value in a system that works first time, all the time? Download ‘Parting the Clouds‘, Smart by GEP’s latest whitepaper, to understand the difference between Cloud Solutions and SaaS Software. There was a debate in the office that ran for a while…

The Power of the Hackathon: Putting Theory into Practice

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 01:10:31 +0000

The concept of a hackathon is nothing new. But more and more organisations are realising the benefits found in these events. Many people associate the concept of a hackathon with the emergence of the digital age. However, it may come as a surprise to you, but the term ‘hackathon‘ was first coined in 1999. They started out…

Could Brexit Cloud have a Silver Lining?

Sun, 20 Nov 2016 12:23:36 +0000

The Brexit result upset the apple cart. It also left many people searching for a silver lining to the clouds on the horizon. This article was written by Daniel Ball, Director, Wax Digital. Marmite – you either love it or hate it as they say. Well, Tesco for one was probably agreeing with the second…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #23 – Engaging Social Innovation

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 12:11:42 +0000

Are enough procurement professionals taking account of social impact in their work? Are they risking missing out on innovation? At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession,…

What Can Procurement Learn From 2016?

Fri, 18 Nov 2016 13:17:48 +0000

From politics to procurement – 2016 has changed our outlooks. But what can the profession learn as we head towards the new year? I’m not a political person, never have been, but maybe 2016 has put paid to that. It could be my advancing years or the direct relevance the events of 2016 have created,…

How 9 Technologies Will Drive Global Supply Chain Disruption

Fri, 18 Nov 2016 01:38:05 +0000

Cloud corporations, supertrends, and potentially procurement without lawyers and auditors. Are you keeping up with technologies driving global disruption? Last week, Procurious attended the ProcureCon Europe conference in Berlin. You can read about our experiences, keynote highlights, and more on our Blog. One keynote caught our attention enough that we felt it needed delved into in…

My 5 Killer Job Interview Questions

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 13:12:56 +0000

How do you separate the diamonds from the rough in your next recruitment process? Do you have the killer questions to help? When I started all my businesses (The Faculty, The Source, and Procurious) I declared that I was building a culture, not a company. Culture can’t be forced, but it also doesn’t happen organically. It…

Do Labels Matter? The Debate That Just Won’t Go Away

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 01:16:36 +0000

Purchasing? Procurement? Strategic Sourcing? Supply Management? As the profession continues to evolve, old labels tend to come unstuck and peel away. Getting Out of the Back Room It started in the 1990s. Like drab caterpillars transforming into magnificent butterflies, purchasing professionals left their brown cardigans draped over the backs of their uncomfortable chairs in dimly-lit…

Can Procurement Lead the Fight Against Protectionism?

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:38:16 +0000

Protectionism will never produce a win-win situation. And it can be a huge wall for procurement to work around. Few procurement professionals view their role through the lenses of either protectionism or free trade. But the protectionism-free trade dimension is a crucial topic for procurement, so it is certainly worth thinking about the impacts on procurement…

Roll Out the Red Carpet – David Cameron to Deliver ISM2017 Keynote

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 19:20:37 +0000

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) announces its most impressive keynote to date as registrations for ISM2017 open. Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron will deliver the opening keynote at ISM2017, it has been announced today. Cameron will speak about the geopolitical impact of policy and current events on global business. Over 2,500 assembled procurement…

Disrupting or Disrupted? Why The Status Quo Won’t Do Anymore

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 15:04:39 +0000

If you’re not disrupting, then you are being disrupted. If procurement doesn’t get to grips with the right technology, then the profession’s future path is uncertain. Watch our free webinar, ‘200,000,000 to 1: Using Technology to Find Your Perfect (Supply) Partner’, here. The current pace of change around the world is unprecedented. Procurement and the…

How Can Procurement Break the Chains of Sole Sourcing?

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 01:38:57 +0000

Whether its design specifications, or traditional attitudes, sometimes procurement gets painted into a sole sourcing corner. This article was first published on Future Proofitable. I am jealous of those who have never had to deal with true sole suppliers. I think IT buyers will understand me best. It’s just not that much fun. Let’s take…

Why Procurement Can’t Have Its Head in the Cloud Anymore

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 13:22:33 +0000

Cloud computing is set to dominate every aspect of our personal and professional lives. So why do we still understand so little about it? Download ‘Parting the Clouds‘, Smart by GEP’s latest whitepaper, to understand the difference between Cloud Solutions and SaaS Software. The world’s biggest search engine provides a great window into human psychology,…

Could President Trump Make Procurement Great Again?

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 01:37:57 +0000

Not that we’re saying that procurement isn’t already pretty great. But could a new man at the top mean major changes for the profession? If you missed the result of the US Election last week, then you must have been on Mars. Or living under a rock/hiding behind your sofa. In an unexpected turn of…

Ask Not What You Can Do for Your Organisation

Sun, 13 Nov 2016 13:08:42 +0000

But what your organisation can do for you. And these tips should point you in the direction of a great employer. For a decade or more, the economy has very much been a hiring manager’s market. A number of economic events culminating in the GFC made it increasingly difficult for even the most qualified candidates to…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #22 – Revolutionising Financial Services

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 12:59:12 +0000

Crowdsourcing and mobile technology will change the face of Financial Services and how new businesses source funding. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to ones that got…

Getting Millennials on Board the Collaborative Procurement Bandwagon

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 13:19:34 +0000

Could the secret to e-procurement adoption success be Millennial engagement? Could more collaborative approaches be the key? This article was first published on My Purchasing Center. No matter how good your e-procurement solution is, its success depends on user adoption. Getting employees to purchase through an e-procurement system is a hurdle that needs to be…

How Executives Can Avoid a Social Media Headache

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 01:11:12 +0000

Navigating the increasingly complex world of social media is the norm for executives. Here’s what you need to know. Social media can be a hugely important tool for executives in this day and age. When used appropriately, it can help you land your next job, help you communicate what you’re working on in your role,…

The Efficiency Value of a Marketplace Approach

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:16:47 +0000

Procurement talks a good game when it comes to efficiency. However, few are walking the walking when it comes to taking real action. This is the second in a three-part series of posts. If you missed my first, ‘Instant Access to Supplier Information a Step Change for Procurement Productivity’, click here to read it. In…

Procurement Translation? Now You’re Speaking My Language

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:23:57 +0000

Sometimes in procurement it feels like you’re speaking a different language to the rest of the business. Procurious is at ProcureCon Europe this week. Stay up to date with what’s happening on Procurious, and by following us on Twitter. If we’re perfectly honest, procurement wasn’t the first thing on everyone’s minds this morning. With both media and…

Why Some Supplier Relationships Are More Equal Than Others

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 01:49:40 +0000

All suppliers are equal, it’s just that some supplier relationships are more equal than others. It’s just one of the challenges facing procurement. Procurement in the public sector can provide its own set of unique challenges. Learning from the experts is one of the best ways that professionals can aim to overcome them. Marea Getsios…

Take the Disney Approach to Procurement

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 11:33:52 +0000

Take some advice from Disney – storytelling lies at the heart of every successful change programme. Here’s a little-known fact – I used to work for the Walt Disney Company. Over twenty-five years ago I was a Marketing Co-ordinator in Disney’s International TV Department based in Soho Square, London. The rest of the team (not…

Will Procurement Have a Fight to Stay Relevant in the Future?

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 09:32:36 +0000

Is procurement facing an uphill struggle to stay relevant? Could strategy and technology hold the key to both destruction and survival? Procurious is at ProcureCon Europe this week. Stay up to date with what’s happening on Procurious, and by following us on Twitter. It’s the end of Day 1 at ProcureCon Europe, and the Procurious…

Don’t Discount the Outliers – Steal Knowledge From Them!

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 01:45:16 +0000

Outliers are frequently discounted in statistics. But in procurement, it’s worth being more open minded – they may have great knowledge to share. The Faculty is excited to share its “Outliers” Best-Practice Case Studies paper here on Procurious. Stealing from your peers may sound ethically questionable at best. However, in today’s fast-paced and increasingly frenetic business environment,…

Business Backwards – Putting the Customer at the Heart of Procurement

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 15:10:20 +0000

Everyone knows that the customer is always right. And it’s time for procurement to put them at the heart of their work. Procurious is at ProcureCon Europe this week. Stay up to date with what’s happening on Procurious. They say every day is a school day. And today is no different for the 250 procurement…

Getting the Smartest Guys in the Room

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:18:14 +0000

Is it just me, or does it feel like procurement is forever running in circles? We’re spending a lot of time worrying about whether we are ‘at the table’, when the real question might be, “Are we on the menu?” Last year I had a one of those rare “A-ha!” moments. I was chatting to…

Raising the Curtain on the Future of IT Procurement

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 01:09:41 +0000

Few categories receive the same attention as IT procurement. So how can professionals demonstrate the value they deliver to organisations? IT procurement is the most important spend category for most large businesses today. As a result, the category is under pressure to demonstrate its ability deliver cost savings against a backdrop of financial pressure and restricted…

Why The Future of Logistics is Dynamic – And Huge!

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 01:28:23 +0000

The market value of the logistics industry is on the rise. But in order to maximise this value, organisations need more dynamic strategies. Logistics has not been immune to the global changes and shake-ups during 2016. However, in spite of this volatility, the importance, and size, of the Logistics industry has continued to grow. In…

Procurement Innovation Personas Revealed: Which Are You?

Sun, 06 Nov 2016 13:01:54 +0000

Are you an ‘innovation visionary’? Or one of the other innovation ‘personas’ in procurement? Well now you can find out! By Daniel Ball, Director, Wax Digital. Recent research Wax Digital has conducted has revealed that 80 per cent of procurement professionals are seeking to challenge the status quo. However, for many their use of innovation is evolving….

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #21 – Creating Global Practices

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 13:21:36 +0000

Social media has opened up a global audience to procurement. Now the profession needs to leverage this to expand its role further. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of…

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Then I’ll Begin…

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:21:48 +0000

Treat your next interview like you’re telling a story. Make it engaging. Make it clear. But most of all, make it memorable. Once upon a time in an office block not too far away, our hero/heroine walked into the most exciting and biggest interview of their career… For me, a successful interview is like reading an…

2016 – The Year of Procurement Transformation

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 01:14:21 +0000

Transformation – the word on procurement’s lips. But when will real strategic change be realised for the profession? If you were to pick one word to describe 2016, you could probably settle on volatile. There has been major change afoot in global markets and politics, which has lead to unprecedented volatility and upheaval. In the past…

3 Ways the IoT Can Benefit the Supply Chain

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 13:15:54 +0000

We’ve heard about the IoT disrupting our personal and home lives. But where will these technologies really stand up in the supply chain? We’ve come to know the Internet of Things as a technological phenomenon that is revolutionising many ways of life. The idea is that devices and computer systems can communicate and work with…

Have Commodity Prices Finally Bottomed Out?

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 01:18:45 +0000

Rising commodity prices have the experts talking about a bull market. But what do buyers need to keep an eye on in the coming 12 months? You can find and download the ‘MetalMiner’s Annual Metals Outlook Report – 2017‘ here. MetalMiner has called it – commodity prices in the U.S. have finally bottomed after five years…

The Business of Procurement’s Cultural Evolution

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 02:07:11 +0000

The business could benefit from seeing procurement’s value in a new light. The challenge is getting people to accept the change. In my previous article, I discussed the struggles procurement faces with the perception of its value. One of procurement’s key issues is that, in most cases, the cultural focus is on cost savings. This…

Stop Ignoring Twitter As A Supply Chain Tool

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:18:06 +0000

Using social media as a supply chain tool? Don’t dismiss Twitter – it can add real value for your organisation. Many procurement teams and companies have realised the crucial role that social media plays in their marketing efforts. However, while Facebook and LinkedIn are often used effectively, Twitter is frequently relegated to an afterthought –…

Unpicking The Kraljic Matrix for Procurement

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 02:08:52 +0000

In 1983, the world was introduced to The Kraljic Matrix. But is it still as relevant to procurement today? September 1983: Peter Kraljic publishes an article that will deeply change both the working methodology and concept of many Procurement departments. The article, published in the Harvard Business Review was titled “Purchasing must become Supply Management”. It introduced…

Scan, Print, Wear – Does The Future of Fashion Lie in 3D?

Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:38:16 +0000

3D Printing is disrupting yet another industry – fashion. But this time, the big companies are ahead of the game. From parts for fighter jets, to prosthetic arms and legs, and concept cars, 3D Printing is being used to manufacture a huge variety of items. And with its use on the rise, it’s putting pressure…

Samsung Eats Horsemeat on the Titanic with Captain Kirk

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 13:03:08 +0000

Highlighting potential procurement lessons from the latest supply chain crisis for Samsung – the Galaxy Note 7. This article was written by Daniel Ball, Director at Wax Digital. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 spent just two and a half months on the market before it was recalled amidst a crisis badly affecting its share price,…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #20 – Transforming Sustainability Collaboration

Sat, 29 Oct 2016 13:19:49 +0000

Sustainability is the new frontier for businesses. And procurement will play a key role in the collaborative management of resources. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement…

Making the Final Ascent from CPO to CEO

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 02:20:29 +0000

Taking the final step from CPO to CEO appears to elude many procurement leaders. So, why does Procurement so often lose out to Finance? At the eWorld procurement conference last month Tania Seary interviewed me about leadership as part of Procurious’ Career Boot Camp series. After we finished she said, “there’s one question we ran…

How Big Data Insights are Revolutionising Global Procurement Strategy

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 13:21:15 +0000

More companies than ever are using Big Data insights to drive their decision making. But what key benefits are they realising by doing so? This article was originally published on My Purchasing Center. Advances in technology are making it possible to generate more data than ever before. We can quantify, measure and track every interaction, transaction…

How to Strike Gold When Seeking a Mentor

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 02:19:02 +0000

Finding a mentor is no longer limited to new starts. Now senior leaders are seeking the benefits of a two-way mentoring relationship. This article first appeared in Women’s Agenda. I am 45 years old and own three businesses. Yet I’ve had three mentors in the past three months. A chairman, who is helping me navigate the…

5 Common Failures in Technology Implementation

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 13:21:00 +0000

Technology should provide huge benefits in procurement. So why do so many projects fail at the implementation phase? Join our webinar on the 7th of November and find out how to drive successful technology implementation. If you’ve been a procurement professional for any length of time, this is probably a familiar situation. Your company…

Setting KPIs for Beginners: Measuring Success

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 08:57:06 +0000

Now we have our KPIs agreed, how do we measure our data in order to ensure success in supplier relationships? Catch up with part one and part two of this three-part introductory overview of the role and relevance of KPIs to support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). So, we’ve established the why, the what, and the how…

Why Instant Supplier Information Access Can Fire Productivity

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:16:26 +0000

Procurement needs to maximise its productivity if its going to meet business needs. Having access to real-time supplier information is a step in the right direction. When I started my career in procurement over 40 years ago, we used notebooks to store all of our supplier information. Go ahead – be shocked or have a little…

5 Biggest Challenges Facing Public Sector Procurement

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 02:24:04 +0000

Public sector procurement managers face a different set of challenges to their private sector peers. But which are the biggest challenges? The procurement profession is increasingly becoming a core component of an organisation’s innovation and process-driven strategies to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and make advancements. As a result, procurement managers are feeling the pressure to remain agile…

Rising Oil Price Shows Green Shoots of Commodity Recovery

Mon, 24 Oct 2016 01:53:34 +0000

As oil prices hit their highest level for 15 months, there is hope that this signals a recovery for other commodity prices too. On Wednesday last week, global oil prices reached their highest levels for 15 months. The US Energy Information Administration reported that domestic crude oil supplies had dropped by 5.2 million barrels in the…

European Business Abandoning Manual P2P Processing

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 12:32:27 +0000

New research has revealed a move by European business towards a completely digital P2P environment. Canon, world leader in imaging solutions, recently announced that just 3 per cent of Western European businesses believe that manual P2P processing will continue into the future. The finding originates from The Future of Purchase to Pay (P2P) 2016, a Canon…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #19 – Challenging Traditional Recruitment

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:51:49 +0000

One procurement recruiter says the onus is on them to change traditional recruitment practice to uncover new talent. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

How Procurement Can Support SMEs in Tendering

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 13:18:50 +0000

SMEs can provide formidable USPs to procurement. But procurement first needs to take steps to support them in the tender process. 99 per cent of all businesses within the UK are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – those companies which are made up of 250 employees or less. At the end of 2015, the total number…

Treading the Fine Line Between Assertive and Aggressive

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 02:18:59 +0000

What is the difference between assertive and aggressive, and why does it matter in job interviews? Assertiveness is saying what you mean without being impolite, asking for what you want without making demands. Assertive behaviour helps you to avoid being manipulated or put off easily. This style is far more likely to create a positive…

The Evolution of Procurement Culture

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 13:21:24 +0000

Procurement often struggles with the perception of its value. But could the issue be traced back to the culture expected by its stakeholders? What is Procurement’s business value? Is it doing a great job and does the business agree? If the perception of procurement is less than we desire, it is possible to change it?…

Setting KPIs for Beginners: Types of KPI

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:02:10 +0000

We know the why in the role of KPIs in Supplier Relationship Management. But we also need to be able to identify which type of KPI will bring the best results. Catch up with the first part of this introductory overview of the role and relevance of KPIs to support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). So now…

What to do When You Feel Like Quitting

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 02:37:10 +0000

Feel like quitting? It’s important to ask yourself some key questions before you hand in your letter of resignation. Moving jobs is consistently rated by psychologists as one of the most stressful events in a person’s life (more stressful, for example, than the birth of a child or planning your wedding). So it’s vital for…

What the Numbers Say – Behind the Scenes at Career Boot Camp

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:16:00 +0000

Numbers don’t lie! Over 6,500 procurement professionals took our Career Boot Camp challenge. Were you one of them? As the dust settles on one of Procurious’ biggest events this year, we’re taking a look at what the numbers say about what our Boot Campers were most interested in. Which topics were the most popular over the course…

Do What You Love – Chase Your Dream Procurement Job

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 02:17:42 +0000

You can’t just wait for your dream job to come along. If you want to do something you love, you’re going to have to chase your dreams. Imagine working in a role that you love. Being completely satisfied with your work through pursuing whatever you’re most passionate about can make the difference between feeling discontented…

Defining & Defeating Maverick Spend

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 13:16:21 +0000

Is maverick spend an issue for the UK public sector? Is local government adhering to procurement practices when spending taxpayers’ money? It’s not uncommon for businesses to suffer from high levels of uncontrolled procurement, often known as maverick spend. These levels can often reach 80 per cent of total spend, a figure likely to send…

Love It or Hate It – The Importance of Supply Chain Stability

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 01:18:05 +0000

A disagreement relating to rising supply chain costs has highlighted the importance of supply chain stability. Early on Thursday morning, the top news headlines weren’t about conflict or celebrity scandal, but the future of a famous British staple. Maligned and loved in equal measure, Marmite was the topic on everyone’s lips. The sudden interest in the salty, yeast-based spread came…

5 Imperatives for Creating Greater Procurement Agility

Sun, 16 Oct 2016 12:52:50 +0000

Is your procurement organisation world-class? Improving agility is a key step in this journey, according to new research. New benchmarking insights from The Hackett Group have revealed that world-class procurement organisations now have 18 per cent lower operating costs than typical companies. They also operate with 28 per cent fewer staff, and generate more than twice…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #18 – Integrated Procurement Operations

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 13:03:14 +0000

Could integrated procurement operations help break down silos and instil good practices? Isn’t it time to find out? At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to ones…

Why the Traditional Procurement Skill-Set Won’t Make a CPO

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 13:22:56 +0000

Perfecting a traditional procurement skill-set traditionally is a sure-fire way to stop your career progression in its tracks. A large part of my professional career has been devoted to leading global procurement organisations around the world. My business partner, Sammy, and I have collectively spent the better part of five decades doing this. It’s true…

Communication Queen – Not Your Typical Procurement Pro

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 02:18:22 +0000

There’s a step change coming in the procurement technology and software industry. And communication and relationships will be the central pillars of it, says this Millennial. There is step-change coming in procurement, and the change is going to be keenly felt in the procurement technology and software industry. But for this change to take effect,…

Some Procurement Lessons Just Can’t Be Taught

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 13:24:14 +0000

Not everything in life can be taught. Why is attitude more important than aptitude…(and almost everything else). David Hearn is the Chief Advisor at CPO Advisement Services, specialising in effective change management and the successful implementation of eProcurement tools. With 20+ years leading direct and indirect sourcing and procurement groups under his belt, David has some…

Setting KPIs for Beginners: Why Bother?

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 04:38:50 +0000

An introductory overview of the role and relevance of KPIs to support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). In this three-part article, we discuss some of the different KPIs that are used specifically for SRM. This list is by no means exhaustive; it can’t be, as performance indicators must be relevant to your own organisation, customers, and…

How to Stay Ahead of the Curve with Process Automation

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:18:25 +0000

Traditional supplier relationships are under scrutiny as organisations assess capabilities for the future. Could process automation help procurement teams stay ahead of the curve? ProcureCon Europe 2016 is rapidly approaching! The ProcureCon team has been investigating some of the fast-moving issues which are affecting CPOs across Europe today. Perhaps more than any other factor in the…

6 Ways to Attract and Retain Procurement Talent

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 04:48:48 +0000

Procurement job openings are on the rise and, as organisations squabble over the best talent, it’s important to make sure you’re doing the right things to attract the crowd you want! Recent studies reveal that the number of advertised procurement and supply chain roles increase by 22 per cent each year, demonstrating a huge demand for…

3 Reasons Why Supply Chain Professionals Are Excited About Industry 4.0

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:16:21 +0000

The Industry 4.0 revolution is firmly under way. And it’s something for supply chain professionals to be excited about. Over 200 years ago, the first industrial revolution was ushered in by the roar of the steam engine. Now, thanks to advances in automation and computerisation, a new revolution is underway – Industry 4.0. Also known…

3 Reasons Why Supply Chain Professionals Are Excited About Industry 4.0

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:16:20 +0000

5 Reasons Why Your Organisation Needs to Offer Sabbaticals

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 02:36:50 +0000

Sabbaticals were once confined to a few professions such as academia and the clergy, but are increasingly working their way into the HR policies of businesses across every sector. You’ve just lost one of the most valuable members of your team because your organisation’s inflexible HR policies meant she couldn’t take six months off to…

The Accidental Procurement Engineer

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 13:17:15 +0000

What makes the exciting world of procurement the perfect place for a curious engineer? Some people begin their procurement careers with a big bang. Others start theirs with lots of sweat and toil. I started mine with a freak event. I was an Accidental Procurement Engineer. Since this freak event, I have never looked back….

Not Worth The Money – Will Entrepreneurs Avoid Business in Britain?

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:51:43 +0000

The Great British Pound is in trouble again this week and it’s making budding entrepreneurs think twice about their business plans. Talk of a Hard-Brexit Sparks Global Concern The pound plummeted to a 31-year low last week sparking global concern. The crash followed Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement on Sunday 2nd October, which revealed a…

Time Poor at Work? There’s An App For That!

Sun, 09 Oct 2016 12:33:22 +0000

We’re all aware of the concept of ‘time poor’. At least in a work setting, there’s an app or two to help you out. Do you frequently feel like you’re short of time at work? Most people start the day with great intentions of how much they’re going to get done. But throw unexpected meetings, phone…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #17 – Harness the Crowd

Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:23:17 +0000

Stuck for innovation ideas? Need help with your next project? Maybe it’s time for you to harness the power of the crowd. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of…

Working From Home – The Great Productivity Debate

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:49:16 +0000

Does working from home increase productivity at the expense of innovation? And does it suit you and your company? Join the debate! Ten years ago, remote working or working from home would have been unthinkable for organisations. Advances in technology and connectivity have played a major part. But just as important has been changing attitudes…

There’s More to Public Sector Procurement Than Red Tape

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 12:33:13 +0000

Public sector procurement frequently evokes the image of red tape, governance, and over-the-top bureaucracy. The truth is something else entirely. This article was written by Kate Brown, Head of Procurement for the Eastern Shire Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) It’s that time of year again when the new students are heading off to University. And as usual,…

Network Your Face Off

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 14:48:50 +0000

Don’t underestimate the importance of your network to your career. It could make the difference in landing your dream job. The importance of networking in procurement, be it face-to-face or on social media, can’t be overstated. Apart from getting your name and personal brand out there, there is also a wealth of information waiting for you…

Myth or Reality? Minding the Talent Gap

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 12:33:47 +0000

Is the procurement talent gap a real concern? Or is it a false perception thanks to a talent shortage instead? David Lyon, Head of Procurement at Cancer Research is quick to dismiss the idea of a procurement talent gap. He explains why the real problem is a lack of depth, and what we should be doing…

Perfect Your Elevator Pitch: 60 Seconds For Success

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:32:39 +0000

You’ve got 60 seconds to sell your personal brand – go! Not ready? Then you need to perfect your Elevator Pitch. Apple, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nike. These are some of the most valuable and recognisable brands of 2016 – and they get that value from how they are perceived by their customers. Just as a well-defined…

Don’t Lose Career Direction – Get a Career Coach

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 14:48:19 +0000

Do you want a clarity and vision in your career? Do you have a life plan and a coach? Maybe it’s time to start looking for one. Without a clear vision and a plan to back it up, where are you going? After coaching executives for the past 15 years, speaking nationally at conferences and…

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Career

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 12:31:11 +0000

We are obsessed by the prospect of achieving a healthy balance between work and life. But is balance what we should aim for? The concept of ‘work-life balance’ frequently pops up in discussion at conferences, articles (here’s another one), and in the workplace. Our insatiable curiosity on how to feel balanced is nothing new. The…

Forget Money – Health is Wealth

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 09:32:22 +0000

Don’t get hung up on material wealth, and don’t allow your working life to take over. Your health is the best investment you can make. There is so much pressure on us all to be able to juggle so many things in our lives and sail through it all, without batting an eyelid. The complexities…

Hitting The 30-Something Ceiling

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:47:53 +0000

Do you feel like a Ferrari trapped in a retirement village? You might be experiencing the 30-Something Ceiling. Are you having restless nights punctuated with vivid dreams where you’re yelling at your boss? Have you started updating your CV? Or created endless spreadsheets mapping out cash-flows for your start-up? Have you been brainstorming company names…

Great Mentors – You’ve Got a Procurement Friend in Me

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:31:24 +0000

Needing a confidence boost? Finding great mentors who support you and bolster your self-belief is the shortcut to success. Jean-Yves Rotté-Geoffroy, Global SVP Procurement and Chief Procurement Officer at GlaxoSmithKline, praises the supportive mentors he’s had throughout his career. Jean-Yves divulges what he looks for in his new hires, which key skills are critical for the procurement…

Are You Your Stakeholders’ MVP? Be a Procurement Star

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:31:03 +0000

Our sports team in the big final. Our procurement team in the big negotiation. We all dream of being the MVP for our team in the big moments. To be the MVP of our team. Oh, how we dream of this reality. An aspiration many of us have had and hold onto throughout our lives…and…

5 Skills CPOs Want in Modern Procurement Professionals

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:31:27 +0000

You might have all the technical skills you need to progress in procurement. But technical skills alone aren’t enough to succeed anymore. Technical skills are no longer the priority for recruiters searching for procurement talent. During my recent conversations with some of the region’s leading CPOs and their teams, I’ve noticed that organisations are not placing…

The Mindset Shift That Will Help You Change The Game

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:31:13 +0000

You’ve got a great idea. You’ve built it and grown it. But have you got the understanding of what’s required to make a game changing impact? You’re ambitious, you’ve got several years experience working in procurement, you’ve got some great ideas, and you want to make your mark by changing the game in your team or…

Global Trade Growth Slowdown a Wake-up Call for Nations

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 01:37:40 +0000

Global trade growth has slipped to its slowest rate since the 2009 financial crisis, sparking concerns for jobs and economic growth. The World Trade Organisation has released figures showing that global growth has fallen to 1.7 per cent in 2016. This is well below the forecast 2.8 per cent growth in GDP outlined by the WTO…

Only 24 Hours in a Day – Manage Your Time Wisely

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 13:22:10 +0000

Time. The one thing we could all do with more of, but relentlessly slips past. Are you spending your day wisely? Tick, tock, tick, tock. The seconds tick past, even while you’re reading this article on using your day efficiently. Have you allowed for some personal development in your day? Or are there more important…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #16 – Everyone Can Contribute

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 12:25:33 +0000

You might not be a “Game Changer”, but you, and everyone else, can contribute to the success of an organisation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement…

7 Quotes to Inspire Procurement Teamwork Success

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 14:51:17 +0000

You can have individual stars, but to get the most of your procurement team, you need to inspire a team mentality. It’s Career Boot Camp time at Procurious! Expanding your knowledge and testing your abilities can be draining, and you will get tired. But don’t get discouraged. Here are seven tips for building top-notch procurement…

Boost Your Procurement Career – Volunteer!

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 12:32:46 +0000

Want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Why not exercise your procurement skills by helping out a local charity? The charity sector is on the look-out for volunteers. Donating your skills and time is a great way to boost your career prospects, whether you intend to remain in the private sector or take…

Unlock Success By Unleashing Your Procurement Mojo

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 09:31:27 +0000

Don’t be defined by other people’s perceptions of you. Tap into your personal mojo to hit the heights in your career. It’s sad, but true, that many people leave their career growth at the mercy of their employers or bosses. People who take ownership of their career destiny are much more likely to attain success….

Mind over Matter – The Quantum Leap to Success

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:46:10 +0000

Making the quantum leap from your current state to a successful future is just a case of mind over matter. We all want to set ourselves up for happiness and success in our lives, careers and relationships. But how do we harness the power of the mind to create a new reality? Well, to change…

Be a Procurement Polygon – Learning From All Sides

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 12:30:35 +0000

Procurement pros get to experience all sides of their organisation – and that’s the key to learning! Megan Sunderland, Vice President Global Procurement / CPO of Beam Suntory, considers the opportunities enjoyed by procurement professionals, who have access to diverse elements of business to help boost learning, both inside and outside their organisations. Megan also identifies some of her…

When Worlds Collide: Becoming More Valuable Online

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:32:09 +0000

Have you got a split personality online? One for personal life, and one for professional life? Then you’re doing it wrong! You’ve been invited to a huge, can’t-miss networking event, and everyone is going to be there – your friends, your colleagues, your clients, and even people from that awesome company you want to work…

7 Habits of Highly Effective Networkers

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:46:01 +0000

Your network is one of the most important things to cultivate during your career. But what habits do the best networkers have? And how can you develop them yourself? Networking with career advancement in mind requires some planning and focus. The key to successful networking is to market yourself using resources available to you and…

The Five Hour Rule – Learning One Hour At A Time

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 12:36:31 +0000

Ditch the workload for the ‘Five Hour Rule’ and instead find innovative, alternate ways to enrich your mind and learn something new in just one hour per day. Are you frantically working to the last minute of every day? Do you measure your daily achievements on how much of your work-load you get through? As…

The Big Squeeze – 5 lessons From My #first7jobs

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:32:12 +0000

Having to squeeze into a tight uniform for one of my first jobs taught me an important life-long business lesson. We live in an age where people want to get to the top as quickly as possible, so they can share their career successes on their Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course if you’re in procurement,…

It’s The Final Countdown: Introducing Week 3’s Career Coaches

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:32:31 +0000

We’re into the final week, the home stretch. But there are still five top coaches waiting for you in Week 3. We’ve sprinted, sweated, shouted and stretched our way through two weeks of Career Boot Camp. Our limbs may be aching, our cheeks might be red, but it’s all been worth it, as we start…

Teamwork is Procurement Dreamwork

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:30:28 +0000

Divide the task and multiply the success – why teamwork is just as critical for procurement success as individual brilliance. Sue Steele, Senior Vice President Global Supply Management for Jacobs, asserts the value of collaboration and teamwork for procurement success. Sue also reveals what skills she looks for when hiring at Jacobs, discusses the critical…

Winning Popularity Contests Doesn’t Make a Great Manager

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 09:32:55 +0000

A great manager isn’t out to win any popularity contests. They want to win your trust and respect – and this is how they do it. Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip satirising office life, has observed that people frequently tell him how their manager is exactly like the incompetent Pointy Haired Boss….

Innovate & Create Your Way To A Better Procurement Future

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 13:16:48 +0000

Why should the ability to create novel solutions for issues be second nature to procurement teams in the coming years? Donna Trowbridge is an accomplished Sourcing Manager with more than seventeen years of international experience. She has been the Group Head of Procurement at DBS bank for the past three years. In our sixty-second-interview she explains why…

Don’t Just Have Great Ideas – Incubate Them to Succeed

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:31:15 +0000

Your career doesn’t hinge on just having big ideas. If you take a good idea and incubate it right, you could have the recipe for real success. How can you incubate your big idea on the job? Forget about the size of the idea and focus on execution. An idea is nothing without execution. There are a…

Is the Age of the Tech Unicorn at an End?

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 01:04:53 +0000

Once, every tech start-up wanted to be a unicorn? But could the age of the unicorn be at an end? And what will replace them? For the past few years, much of the talk for new technology start-ups has been about achieving the moniker of a ‘unicorn’. Many have tried, plenty have failed, but there…

Cloud, Not Laughter, The Best Procurement Medicine

Sun, 25 Sep 2016 12:52:08 +0000

A spoonful of Cloud makes the medicine go down. Healthcare patients in England could benefit from a move to Cloud eSourcing. This article was written by Daniel Ball, Director at Wax Digital. Healthcare organisations are under constant scrutiny to deliver high quality care to patients. In England, it’s The Care Quality Commission which regulates all…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #15 – Thinking the Unthinkable

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 13:18:12 +0000

Modern leaders, in the C-suite and in Government, aren’t equipped to deal with unthinkable events due to a lack of skills, or sense of denial. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature…

Don’t Just Negotiate Your Salary, Negotiate Your Career

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:31:40 +0000

If you wait until salary discussions to negotiate, then you’re wasting your time. There’s more in your career you can negotiate well for. When I was consulting, two of my colleagues were staffed on a project that never really happened. Willhelm and Rob spent three weeks on a project in which the only work produced…

Fools Rush In – Take the Time To Be Cautious

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 12:35:33 +0000

Being cautious doesn’t mean you’re not ambitious. It’s not always a good idea to throw caution to the procurement wind. Miguel Caulliez, Chief Procurement Officer at Nokia, explains why it doesn’t always pay to make spur-of-the-moment, opportunistic decisions as far as your career is concerned. We should be cautious and take the time to assess what…

3 Career Questions to ask your boss . . . NOW!

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:38:26 +0000

Has your career lived up to your expectations? If not, It’s not too late to make a change. You just need to be asking the right questions. Last year Kelly Barner and I spoke at a public sector conference regarding the key findings from our book ‘Procurement At A Crossroads: Career-Impacting Insights Into A Rapidly…

3 Career Questions to ask your boss . . . NOW!

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 09:38:26 +0000

The Top 5 Ways to Stand Out In Procurement

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 14:46:01 +0000

There are millions of procurement professionals in the world. So what skills are going to make you stand out from the crowd? There are millions of procurement professionals around the world. And every single one is different. Which is fortunate, given the range of activity which Procurement has to undertake, and the different characteristics which are…

Is Generation X The Forgotten Generation?

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:31:14 +0000

Is Generation X the equivalent of the middle child? Is it the forgotten generation? Unsurprisingly there’s more to the generation than that. “In general, middle children tend to possess the following characteristics: people-pleasers, somewhat rebellious, thrives on friendships, has large social circle, peacemaker.” (Parent Magazine) Generation X includes adults in their mid thirties up through…

Are You Taking Your Social Conscience to Work?

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 09:31:43 +0000

Nothing is more embedded in how a business behaves than procurement. But are we, as professionals, taking our social conscience with us to work? A senior procurement figure at a major Fortune 500 company told me a story a few weeks ago of a conversation he’d had with a former boss. At the time, they…

All Hard Work and No Networking Equals Incomplete Career

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 14:48:31 +0000

All the hard work in the world won’t compensate for a lack of networking skills. It’s your network that’s going to take you to the top. Johanne Rossi, CPO at Caltex, and The Faculty’s ‘CPO of the Year’ for 2016, asserts the importance of procurement professionals honing their networking skills as a career-boosting priority. She also discusses…

Feel the Burn! Introducing Week 2’s Career Coaches

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:30:49 +0000

Repeat after me: I Can Do This. You don’t fail Career Boot Camp, until you quit. And these career coaches won’t let you. Career Boot Camp got off to a flying start last week. Our 17,000 Procurious athletes were pumping iron every day thanks to some top tips from our week one career coaches. It’s…

The Struggle Was Real For Social Media – Let’s Not Swipe Left

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 12:30:49 +0000

As social media has evolved, it has permeated all aspects of day to day life. However, during this evolution, a number of fears have arisen around the use of these platforms. Computers in the early 20th century were the size of a room and the Internet was just a set of protocols for internet working. Fast…

Dealing with Diversity – The Importance of Cultural Intelligence

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 09:31:40 +0000

Do you have the cultural savvy it takes to be considered a global player? The one characteristic that global procurement professionals need is cultural intelligence. When we are procuring domestically, we don’t think about our own culture. It isn’t until we are procuring and dealing with people of different cultures around the world that we…

How to Land Your Dream Job? You Gotta Work For It

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:46:24 +0000

Let’s face it – your dream job isn’t just going to fall into your lap. If you want to land it, you’re going to have to work for it. Landing your dream job doesn’t just happen. Moving your career forward to achieve your ultimate objectives takes planning, effort and time, and the planning needs to…

Knowledge is Power – And The Path To Success

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:33:03 +0000

Knowledge is power and the path to proactive procurement. If you don’t have the facts and knowledge, you can’t make the right decisions. Laura Faulkner, Head of Supply Chain Services at RBS, explains how understanding stakeholder needs can help procurement be much more proactive. Having the knowledge of all stakeholders and the strategies of your organisation with…

Master Your Craft – How to Step Into The Shoes of a CPO

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:31:26 +0000

Want to climb the procurement career ladder to the very top? If you want to be a successful CPO, you need to learn from the best. ISM is focused on helping you reach your career goals. As the CEO of Institute for Supply Management, I am in daily communication with CPOs who work in a…

Career Espresso – 5 Minutes a Day Fast-Track to Success

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:30:34 +0000

There is nobody on this planet who cares more about your career success and advancement than you. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s true. Of course you’ll have some super-supportive bosses, well-meaning peers, family and friends along the way. But nobody other than you will be investing anywhere near the same amount of time…

Supply Chain Review Pressure Following Chicken Scare

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 01:23:27 +0000

Public confidence in supermarkets and their supply chains has taken another hit, following a scare about contaminated chicken. A recent report has found that one in four chicken samples bought from major supermarket chains contain antibiotic-resistant E.coli. The findings are again putting pressure on supermarkets to tighten their supply chain quality assurance processes. While supermarkets have…

Are Employees the Weak Link in Company Cyber Security?

Sun, 18 Sep 2016 12:47:20 +0000

Are your employees leaving the door open for cyber attacks? Here’s how to help them reduce the cyber security threat. Employees are a significant risk to their employer’s cyber security according to research by specialist global executive search and interim management company Norrie Johnston Recruitment (NJR). The research forms part of NJR’s cyber security report, ‘How real…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #14 – Procurement Must Evolve

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:13:43 +0000

Procurement must evolve if it’s going to survive. It needs to leave its comfort zone and showcase real value for the organisation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of…

Young, Female & Stuck in a 1950s Procurement Department

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 13:16:40 +0000

It’s the 21st century, so why, as a female, do so many procurement departments feel like they’re stuck in the 1950s? It’s a news story that never gets old: women are still paid less on average than men. Procurement is a profession that continues to perform poorly compared to other industries. CIPS research has found…

How Women Can Accelerate Their Procurement Leadership Careers

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 02:09:39 +0000

The ‘think manager, think male’ perception is interfering with women’s procurement leadership progression. But change is in the air… No doubt by now you’re familiar with the following. Women tend to wait to apply for promotional roles until they are 100 per cent ready, whereas men jump in when they are just 60 per cent…

Irresistible Procurement Candidate? Have A Finger In Every Pie

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:15:10 +0000

Why cross-divisional experience will make you an irresistible procurement candidate. Rhonda McSweeney, Group Manager of Procurement and Contract Management at CS Energy, tells us why cross-divisional experience and team diversity are so important in the procurement function by drawing on her twenty years of corporate experience. Considering her background in medical science, Rhonda explains how she has…

Does Your CV Pack a Punch for a Real Live Human?

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 02:01:03 +0000

It’s all very well being able to get your CV past a computer algorithm. But how can you make sure it packs a punch when it lands in front of a human? In my previous article, I discussed the power of using the right keywords to make sure your CV gets past the recruitment gates….

Do You Know a Rising Supply Chain Star?

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:15:50 +0000

Judges are looking for your nominations for a rising supply chain star for ’30 Under 30′ 2016. A multi-talented, young professional who is an influencer and trailblazer in their organisation. ISM and THOMASNET.com’s ‘30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars‘ recognition programme returns for its third year, with nominations opening this week. The programme was first launched to address a worrying…

Reporting For Duty! Meet the Career Coaches Getting You In Shape

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 02:03:18 +0000

Reporting for Boot Camp, Sir! Meet the Career Coaches who will be putting you through your paces in Week One. We’ve managed to secure procurement experts of the highest calibre to ensure you’re learning valuable insights from the most experienced professionals. Our coaches include a Global Broadcaster with an audience of two million listeners; a…

Born Ready or An Old Hand? Balancing Attitude and Aptitude

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:16:30 +0000

Skills can be learned, but attitude is something you’re born with. But when it comes to creating your rockstar procurement team, should one really be prioritised over the other? This article was written by Dee Clarke, Davidson Projects & Operations. “Please find me procurement professionals who have an equal balance of personality and drive and skills…

Get in the Best Career Shape of Your Life – Here’s How

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:20:22 +0000

Are you stuck in a career rut? Need to give your procurement skills a boost to grab your dream job? Then pay attention! The research is in, and the procurement leaders and CPOs have spoken. Nearly 80 per cent of supply chain executives believe it is critical for new hires to have leadership and professional competencies. But…

Stimulating Competitive Bidding With Traffic Light Feedback

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:12:39 +0000

What does a traffic light have to do with the sourcing process? When you’re considering sharing information, it might be a good way to retain a balance. RFX processes can be frustratingly opaque for suppliers, particularly in the private sector. Submitting a bid can be like trying to play a game of darts in the dark. After…

Time to Panic? Climate Change Driving Coffee and Chocolate ‘Extinction’

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 01:53:27 +0000

Like to start your day with a latte? Make the most of it while it lasts, as climate change threatens extinction of the coffee bean. No, it’s not scare-mongering. And yes, there are more important things in the world than a daily espresso. However, the possible extinction of the coffee bean could have a wider-ranging,…

Reliance on Outdated Tools Hamstrings International Growth

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 12:21:17 +0000

An over-reliance on outdated tools and processes in the supply chain is harming growth, and cutting competitive advantage. Today’s international business environment is more complex than ever. As this complexity, and volatility, continue to grow, companies need to ensure that processes and tools are up to date. Without doing this, they risk cutting their growth…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #13 – Maximise Social Impact

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 13:14:27 +0000

Procurement is no longer just about cost. Professionals should be looking put their organisation’s social impact at the heart of purchasing decisions. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the…

Have You Got The X-Factor To Be A World-Class CPO?

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 01:36:21 +0000

Are you part of the herd, or are you leading the pack? Have you got the X-Factor to be a world-class CPO of the future? Getting to the top of the procurement profession is not about just about doing your job really well. It’s also about having a very specific set of competencies that set you…

From Drowning in Paper Contracts to CMS Utopia

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:17:43 +0000

Lack of visibility, time-consuming manual processes – it’s an all too familiar story in procurement contract management. One university shares their journey from contract chaos, to CMS utopia. There are few procurement professionals in the world who haven’t dealt with paper contracts at some point. And very few, if any, who would look at this…

It’s Not About The Money, It’s About the Meaning

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 01:11:24 +0000

Fancy titles, and a big pay cheque isn’t where the action is. You’re going to have to offer something with more meaning if you want to get Millennial superstars on your team. Kenny Cheung, Chief of Procurement at The World Bank Group, talks about his early career, the importance of setting boundaries, and the skills procurement…

In Search of Your Perfect (Supply) Partner

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 13:18:36 +0000

With an estimated 200 million suppliers operating around the world, how can you be sure you have the perfect partner? Fortunately, here’s where technology can lend a hand. Recent estimates put the total number of suppliers operating around the world at a staggering 200 million. To put this in context, that’s like having every person…

Give Your Career a Cardio Boost With Procurious’ Boot Camp

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 01:57:49 +0000

Do you want to add more value to your organisation? Do you dream of being a CPO? Then Procurious’ Career Boot Camp is for you! Calling all procurement and supply chain professionals! Are you impatient to add more value to your organisation? Do you dream of becoming a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in the future? With globalisation…

10 Ideas to Encourage Suppliers to Go the Extra Mile

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:18:25 +0000

Are your suppliers willing to go the extra mile for you? What can you offer them to drive the extra effort? Buyers rely on suppliers to perform numerous requests from the very beginning of their relationship. From the first RFx, to the laundry list of requests on tight timelines, suppliers play an integral role in the sourcing…

How to Realise and Unlock the Benefits of Supplier Diversity

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 02:50:27 +0000

New research has revealed the benefits organisations can realise by having a top-performing supplier diversity programme. Full Benefits of Supplier Diversity Not Yet Achieved Historically, supplier diversity programs have focused on a narrow combination of meeting government spend requirements, and participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives with under-represented communities. For example, survey respondents in The Hackett…

Bankruptcy Spells Supply Chain Trouble on the High Seas

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 01:48:44 +0000

Global supply chains are sailing into troubled waters again this week following the bankruptcy of a major shipping firm. A storm is brewing on the high seas for global supply chains thanks to the latest issue for the global shipping industry. One of the world’s largest shipping firms has filed for bankruptcy, having lost support from…

How Our Consumption is Driving Global Warming

Sun, 04 Sep 2016 12:13:18 +0000

Global warming isn’t just about the cars we drive, or the industries we run. Our consumption is a much bigger driving factor that we might know. This article was originally published on Farm Machinery Locator. When we think about global warming many of us immediately think about cars and industry ruining the planet, but does…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #12 – Millennial Talent Response

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 12:43:17 +0000

The Millennial generation has greater expectations in relation to job roles. Only by changing the way they engage Millennials can organisations meet these expectations. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very…

Changing Times for Low-Value Procurement Processes

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:56:46 +0000

Old practices die hard, particularly in low-value procurement. However, an Australian start-up aims to change this. The dubious, but common, practice of ‘get three quotes but still use the same suppliers’ is firmly under the spotlight. And, thanks to public scrutiny and increasing procurement governance, it might soon be gone for good. A growing number…

Throwback Thursday – Procurement’s Greatest Ambassador?

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:17:22 +0000

If we’re to change the image of procurement, we need a figurehead to point to. Could Apple CEO, Tim Cook, be the ambassador the profession needs? One of the key goals of Procurious is to improve the image of our profession. We are the brown cardigan brigade no longer (unless it’s a snazzy, modern cardigan!). The…

Would You Couchsurf to Make Business Travel Savings?

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 01:56:22 +0000

Splitting travel savings with employees may be the best way to encourage travellers to treat every dollar of company money as their own. A New-York based consultant, Geoff, has to visit a client in Seattle. He logs onto his organisation’s travel management system to book his flight and hotels. The app recommends a flight that’s…

The Benefits Procurement Can Realise from RPA Adoption

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 02:20:08 +0000

Understanding the benefits of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can help sell adoption to the rest of the business. In our first instalment, we described the fundamentals of robotic process automation (RPA), how it is typically used, and some pricing trends. Here, we discuss some of the benefits of RPA, as well as what to think about…

The Human Side of Procurement Decision Making

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 13:19:29 +0000

No matter the sources available, procurement professionals trust above all else peers when it comes to information and supplier intelligence. Earlier this year, I participated in research that explored current trends in supplier intelligence. More specifically, tealbook wanted to know what sources of information are the most trusted when finding new suppliers. Here is what they…

Taxi! Have Google & Uber Been Pipped to Self-Driving Cabs?

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:53:26 +0000

A number of major companies are developing self-driving taxis. But have they been pipped to the post by a Singaporean start-up? Over the past few years, a number of organisations have been in a race to develop, and launch, self-driving vehicles. Google and Ford have both entered the market for self-driving cars, while Uber has…

The Truth? Businesses Still Struggle with Indirect Procurement

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 02:30:19 +0000

The procurement industry is evolving at a rapid rate. But it still has broad issues with indirect procurement and how to determine value for money. No matter where you are in the world, indirect spend is a notoriously difficult area for CPOs to control. Because of this, it presents huge potential for savings for companies. Direct Procurement refers…

Procurement Goes Cloud-Based To Mitigate Risk

Sun, 28 Aug 2016 12:57:14 +0000

Many procurement professionals aren’t taking all available routes to mitigate risk in overseas transactions. Cloud-based solutions can change this. A high percentage of procurement professionals aren’t doing everything in their power to mitigate risk when trading with overseas countries, according to an Australian fintech startup. Trade with international countries can be fraught with issues, warns Hugh…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #11 – Making Agility Core

Sat, 27 Aug 2016 13:44:33 +0000

Chris Sawchuk states that procurement needs to make agility core to all of its activities in order to survive. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession,…

How Does it Feel to Be a Supplier to You?

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 03:00:15 +0000

Being a customer of choice in procurement is important. Ensuring your supplier feels part of the team is also important. As procurement professionals we care about the quality, delivery, cost, innovation and sustainability performance of our suppliers. These are usually wrapped up in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), a key tool within the procurement community. Now that…

Maximising Scientists’ Most Precious Resource – Time

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 13:17:25 +0000

Latest Enterprise Reagent Manager (ERM) system streamlines procurement processes and user interface, freeing up scientists’ valuable time. In the pharmaceuticals and life sciences business, time is the most precious resource. The more time available to be spent on research, the more ability scientists have to innovate. To support this, procurement processes need to be accurate,…

How The Space Elevator Could Open Up Interplanetary Supply Chains

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 01:51:40 +0000

The prohibitive cost of lifting payloads out of the Earth’s atmosphere is hamstringing humanity’s conquest of the solar system. The space elevator may soon make chemical rockets a thing of the past. At the Coupa Inspire conference in May this year, keynote speaker Richard Branson announced plans to have Virgin Hotels orbiting the planet within…

The Big (and Alarming) Procurement Disconnect

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:15:26 +0000

Chris Sawchuk reveals an alarming disconnect between the most pressing issues for Procurement, and our ability to address them. The number one priority for Procurement leaders this year? “Reducing Costs,” says Chris Sawchuk, Principal and Global Procurement Advisory Practice Director of The Hackett Group. Before you stifle a yawn and declare this a no-brainer, it’s actually…

eCatalogues are Just Spreadsheets, What’s the Big Deal?!

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 02:48:05 +0000

How many times have you heard someone compare eCatalogues to spreadsheets? It’s time to clear up the differences! This article was originally published on Suppliers Matter. That’s what the owner of a small office supply company asked me back in 1999. I was an independent supplier enablement consultant, and it was taking me longer than he…

Uber: The Great, Untold Procurement Story

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:17:53 +0000

Addressing 800+ delegates at SciQuest Next Level 2016, Stephen Wiehe’s enthusiasm for design, disruption and innovation is infectious. Stephen Wiehe, CEO at SciQuest, is clearly a man who likes to ‘make stuff’. A tinkerer, a designer, an ideas-man, maybe a little bit of a tech-head. Opening Next Level 2016 with a take on ‘Procurement’s Future…

Has Procurement Dehumanised The Sourcing Process?

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 02:59:45 +0000

It’s only a matter of time before the procurement profession realises that it’s dehumanised the sourcing process, a move that will negatively impact the industry. Procurement needs a new measure of success that reflects its impact, not its output. This is according to a Melbourne-based procurement coach, and self-proclaimed procurement disrupter, Matt Perfect. Procurement with Purpose…

Construction Supply Chain Skills Shortage at Breaking Point

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 01:51:34 +0000

An acute skills shortage in the construction supply chain is impacting both budgets and the quality of projects. A new survey from the Scape Group has highlighted the impact of the skills shortage in the UK construction industry. The ‘Sustainability in the Supply Chain’ report surveyed over 150 contractors, subcontractors and senior managers at public sector organisations. It…

Indirect & Direct Procurement: Right Tool for the Right Job!

Sun, 21 Aug 2016 12:34:08 +0000

Too often organisations use the same tools for direct procurement as they do for indirect. It’s time to start using the right tool for the right job. This post was first published on POOL4TOOL. Let me start by saying what this post is not about. It is not about Direct vs. Indirect. It is also not…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #10 – Procurement as a Change Catalyst

Sat, 20 Aug 2016 12:32:25 +0000

Dirk Van De Putte argues that procurement should embrace its role as a change catalyst in organisations, helping to break down organisational silos. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature…

Your Must-See Agenda Picks at Next Level 2016

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 13:18:29 +0000

In a packed conference, you need a cheat sheet, a list of must-see keynotes and sessions. Here is the pick of the pops at Next Level 2016. Before attending a conference, I like to put together a “cheat sheet” so I can stay on track and use my time efficiently to fully maximise my conference experience….

What Procurement Needs to Know About Robotic Process Automation

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:41:56 +0000

Just what is Robotic Process Automation? And what should procurement know about it before putting anything in place? Robotic Process Automation (RPA) vendors emphasise their product’s capacity to replace human operators, using phrases like “digital workforce.” In simple terms, RPA is a software application that runs on an end user’s computer, laptop or other device,…

Throwback Thursday – Eat the Frog…and 6 More Tips for Boosting Personal Effectiveness

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:16:06 +0000

How have you found your personal effectiveness in 2016? Why eating the frog might be able to help revolutionise your daily routine. We all struggle sometime with our personal effectiveness. We start the week with grand plans for our time, but by Monday lunchtime, the plans are in disarray. If you’re still struggling with your personal effectiveness…

Can We Agree to Stop Calling Them “Soft Skills”?

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 02:57:42 +0000

How did soft skills become to be known as this? And does calling them this underplay their importance in the modern procurement world? The English language is full of misnomers. Just ask the killer whale (actually a dolphin), or the horny toad (actually a lizard). Once a word or phrase has entered common usage, it’s near-impossible…

How Procurement Will Get Its Mojo Back At Next Level

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 02:33:03 +0000

Today’s procurement space is rapidly changing, yet something is amiss. Join us as Next Level keynote speaker Sigi Osagie describes how Procurement will get its mojo back. Procurement is rapidly evolving from what was once a manual laden process, to one where technology is enabling practitioners to deliver enhanced value contribution to overall business success….

Social Enterprise Creating Oases in Food Deserts

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 13:26:41 +0000

The concept of food deserts is nothing new. However, it’s presenting ongoing opportunities for social enterprises to make a real difference. Food deserts are not a modern phenomenon – the concept has existed for the better part of 20 years. However, efforts to eradicate these deserts have stalled somewhat, and there are now calls for more work…

Brexit Presents Export Opportunities for UK Business

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 03:01:41 +0000

Could an increase in export opportunities be a silver lining among the Brexit clouds for UK businesses? Much of the reporting in the business world on the Brexit has focused on the potential negative impacts. However, there could be benefits for British businesses, including SMEs, in an increase in exports opportunities. The weakening of the…

US Intelligence to Aid Supply Chains Against Cyber Attacks

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:48:34 +0000

A new US Intelligence campaign is set to help supply chains defend themselves against cyber attacks. As businesses and supply chains grow increasingly more global, inevitably risk increases at the same rate. One of the most high profile risks for supply chains currently is are cyber attacks and hacking. With each passing year, the cyber…

Procurement Turns to Supplier Relationships for Innovation

Sun, 14 Aug 2016 12:44:16 +0000

As procurement seeks to increased its involvement in innovation, it’s turning to its supplier relationships to drive change. This article was written by Daniel Ball, Director at Wax Digital. Wax Digital’s Procurement Innovation Pathway research is based on 100 interviews with the UK’s senior procurement professionals, to canvass their opinions of the key topics in the profession….

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #9 – Help Inspire Millennials

Sat, 13 Aug 2016 13:22:29 +0000

Lucy Harding has called on procurement leaders to help inspire Millennials by inviting them to thought leadership events. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

7 Key Objectives for Procurement Success

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:47:54 +0000

Global procurement professionals are attempting to find new ways to create cost savings, as well as create value. Help is at hand with these 7 key objectives for success. ProcureCon Europe is back for it’s 17th consecutive year, answering your challenges in procurement and the future direction of the industry. As businesses emerge from the…

Throwback Thursday – How to Avoid Procurement Corruption and Fraud: The Fraud Triangle

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:11:03 +0000

Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When preventing procurement fraud, the Fraud Triangle is an organisation’s key tool. The Petrobras scandal in Brazil has shown the potential for corruption and fraud in procurement. In light of this, our Thursday throwback takes us back to Hillary Ohlmann‘s article on preventing procurement…

Loud and Proud: Displaying Accreditations on Social Media

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 02:09:13 +0000

Displaying your accreditations on social media? It’s a tribal thing. I’ve noticed recently that more people are displaying professional accreditation after their names on social media. At first, I was confused by those jumbles of letters that mean so much to people in the procurement world, but so little to anyone else. On Procurious alone we…

Procurement Professionals Going Mobile with Procurious App

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 13:47:28 +0000

Procurement isn’t 9-5 any more. Stay connected with all the major issues on the go with the new Procurious App. In today’s modern, and highly connected, world, big issues like Brexit and supply chain disasters don’t neatly end at 5pm with the working day. Whether at their desks or on the road, procurement and supply…

Talented New Mothers – Please Don’t Quit!

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 02:37:14 +0000

Are you a new mum? Thinking about starting your own business? Tania Seary lays out the benefits for new mothers of staying employed in the corporate world when children arrive. The wait leading up to our launch of Procurious was killing me. It was like re-living those last few weeks waiting for a baby to be born….

Is Hybrid Best? The Centralised vs Decentralised Debate

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 13:13:56 +0000

Centralised, decentralised and hybrid models – is there actually a ‘best’ way to organise procurement departments. The debate rages on. Recent studies, and accepted wisdom, have continued to confirm the trend towards a centre-led procurement model. Both fully centralised or decentralised procurement operating models have their downsides, and that a middle (or hybrid) road is preferable….

What Can Procurement Professionals Learn From Young Professionals?

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 02:51:18 +0000

Generational stereotypes are frequently unfair and unkind. From traditionalists to young professionals, there is much to learn from each other. This article was written by Dee Clarke, Davidson Projects & Operations. With people living and working longer, the days of two to three generations making up a workforce will soon be a thing of the past. For…

Corruption & Slavery Threaten to Overshadow Olympics

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 02:44:56 +0000

As the 2016 Olympics kick off in Rio, ongoing corruption and slavery scandals threaten to overshadow the event. The 2016 Rio Olympics opened on Friday evening with a lavish opening ceremony, watched by a global audience of billions. Over the next two and a half weeks, 10,500 athletes from 207 countries will compete for medals in 28…

Management of a Global Supply Chain in Emerging Markets

Sun, 07 Aug 2016 13:43:43 +0000

Managing a global supply chain is complex, and fraught with risk. So what tactics can you use to minimise this risk? This article was written by Rob Barnes, Founder at PrimeRevenue. In many ways, sourcing goods and services internationally is easier than ever, with the internet making it possible to research, source and communicate with global…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #8 – Manufacturing’s Next Generation

Sat, 06 Aug 2016 12:23:10 +0000

Paul Markillie believes a change of image is necessary for manufacturing in order to attract the next generation of talent. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

Emotional Intelligence in the Supply Chain

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 09:14:00 +0000

Emotional Intelligence can be a powerful tool for procurement in dealing with both internal customers and external suppliers. There has been a lot of talk recently about the concept of emotional intelligence. According to Wikipedia, it is defined as “the capacity of individuals to recognise their own, and other people’s emotions, to discriminate between different…

The Pareto Principle Has An Expiry Date

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:18:10 +0000

Has the Pareto Principle finally reached its expiration date after 110 years? Why the tail wagging the dog heralds the end of the 80-20 rule in procurement. This article was first published on EBN Online. When Vilfredo Pareto observed in 1906 that 80 per cent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 per…

Throwback Thursday – Why Are CPOs Scared of Social Media?

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 02:17:09 +0000

Face your fears! Although procurement is getting the social media message, there is still plenty scope for CPOs to be doing more. It’s Thursday, so it’s time for a trip down the Procurious content memory lane! Procurious has been going for over 2 years, and we feel like we’re making headway with social media in…

What Price Inequality? What Should We Make of Opposition to Equality?

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 02:19:24 +0000

Not all bias is unconscious. Recent derogatory comments by high-profile public figures has drawn attention back to the equality debate. How should we understand the spate of recent derogatory comments by high profile figures such as Steve Price and Eddie Maguire about women? And by Sonia Kruger and Pauline Hansen with their anti-Muslim comments? How do…

How to Get Your CV in Front of a Real Person & Past an Algorithm

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 13:28:09 +0000

As recruiters change the way they filter and select candidates, you’ll need to revolutionise your CV to make sure it lands on their desk. The Corporate World has changed more in the last 20 years than at any time in history, procurement probably more than most. The Procurement function wasn’t even represented on Boards and certainly…

Adapt and Thrive – Success in Cross-Cultural Negotiations

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:38:24 +0000

Adapt and survive is often a key strategy in business. It turns out that it’s just as important in cross-cultural negotiations too. In our previous articles on cross-cultural negotiations, we had heard what our experts had to say about preparing for cross-cultural negotiations, and the importance of building relationships before negotiations even start. In the…

Investor Confidence & Debt – A Study in Trans-Atlantic Contrasts

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 02:59:24 +0000

It’s a time of contrasting fortunes for trans-Atlantic businesses, as high investor confidence is matched by high debt. Trans-atlantic businesses are always going to see some contrasting fortunes, given the diverse nature of the market environments. However, two new reports published this week suggest that these contrasting fortunes may have more impact than usual. Despite a…

Why Elon Musk Thinks Supply Chain is “Tricky”

Sun, 31 Jul 2016 12:41:25 +0000

If Elon Musk describes something as tricky, then you know that it’s something organisations should be paying close attention to. When someone who: has plans to colonize Mars, is the founder of the second largest provider of solar power systems in the United States, heads the most credible manufacturer of electrical cars, was instrumental in the…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #7 – Disrupting Linear Thinking

Sat, 30 Jul 2016 13:03:24 +0000

Alex Kleiner says that procurement organisations need to throw off their linear thinking to increase flexibility and collaboration. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

Read All About It! Procurious Pioneering Conversations in the News

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:23:02 +0000

Wherever you look, procurement is in the news. And Procurious is helping to drive this by pioneering conversations in the media. So come, read all about it! Here at Procurious, our goal is always to help our community advance. We do this by sharing effective strategies and fresh insights on the latest hot button news,…

How to Make Your Professional Development Budget Friendly

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:58:58 +0000

In a cost-conscious organisation, ensuring that your professional development opportunities are budget friendly is key. The time has come around again, at least in my organisation, to set development plans for the year ahead. I’ve come across objectives from becoming more knowledgeable about a topic to completing a formal qualification. Budget Friendly Development Whatever you…

Throwback Thursday – Is Your Personal Brand Picture Perfect?

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 13:24:53 +0000

Why do you need to keep your personal brand on social media up to scratch? Well, if you don’t your dream job might just pass you by. We’re looking back at some of Procurious’ most popular content from the past 12 months. Prompted by some discussions around Procurious HQ on social media profiles, we felt…

Plants (Nuclear) and Treehouses – Growing Procurement at UPMG2016

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 03:50:15 +0000

With an eclectic agenda ranging from a keynote on nuclear energy, to a discourse on treehouses, UPMG2016 is shaping up to be a highly informative conference. The 85th Annual Utility Purchasing Management Group (ISM UPMG) is just on the horizon. The conference has grown significantly in the past decade, and has come to be recognised as one of…

Power Dynamics: Emotional Conflict in Indirect Procurement

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:35:14 +0000

Indirect procurement implementations are tricky. Take into account power dynamics, and there’s an emotional conflict that needs to be overcome too. At a recent CIPS event in Zurich, the topic was disruption in indirect procurement. There were some excellent presentations and lively discussions afterwards on working with business functions. But when I raised the fact…

Beware the Scary Old-World CPO

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 13:16:43 +0000

Is your career in the grips of a scary, old-world CPO? How do you recognise if your boss is one, and what can you do about it? Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! – Lewis Carroll, 1871 You’ll know a scary, old-world CPO when you see one. I…

Beyond Stereotypes – Building Cross-Cultural Relationships

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 03:10:20 +0000

Don’t assume everyone in the same culture has the same norms. Getting beyond cultural stereotypes, and seeing the individual, is key to good cross-cultural negotiation preparation. In our previous article, we kicked off our recap of, and insight into, the intricacies of cross-cultural negotiations. In the second part of the series, our negotiation experts discuss…

Welcome to the Uncanny Valley

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 13:10:44 +0000

Why are we happy to watch movies with AI and robots, but feel disturbed by near-identical humanoid robots in real-life? Welcome to the Uncanny Valley. Considering the robot theme of my last two posts, I was somewhat pleased last week to have picked up a radio show from the BBC in their series ‘The Why…

Celebrating Supply Chain – The Organisation’s Unsung Hero

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 04:13:23 +0000

It exists in the background. When it works seamlessly, you wouldn’t know it was there at all. But the supply chain really is the unsung hero of the organisation. Alice Catherine Evans. Dr. Megan Coffee. Gunner the Dog. Rick Rescorla. Heard of any of these individuals? They are just some of the unsung heroes from the…

Cloudy Future for ERP Based Procurement

Sun, 24 Jul 2016 13:31:30 +0000

Traditional ERP systems just don’t do the job for procurement. However, an integrated, Cloud-based approach could be the answer the profession is looking for. This article was written by Daniel Ball, director at eProcurement specialist, Wax Digital. The benefits offered by best-of-breed eProcurement technology are well documented. Procurement professionals don’t need much convincing of the…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #6 – Strategic Brand Value

Sat, 23 Jul 2016 13:02:43 +0000

Tom Derry believes procurement needs to move away from a traditional cost focus, and create a more strategic brand value for the profession. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature…

5 Key Trends Driving Supplier Management and Due Diligence

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:16:20 +0000

Can you afford to take the risk? We assess the key drivers behind increasing supplier management and due diligence activities in supply chains. This article was first published on Greenstone. First, we would like to take the opportunity to thank the Procurious members who took part in this survey. Your input is very much appreciated. In the…

Why Wait? Come to Training in Your Pyjamas

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 01:38:59 +0000

Have you ever had that nightmare where you’re wearing your pyjamas in class? With new training from ISM, your nightmare can be a reality (in a good way!). I’m in training. I’ve got my laptop open on the table in front of me, a nice warm drink, and I’m waiting for the trainer to appear….

Taking the Global Pulse of Procurement

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 08:41:46 +0000

How do you take the global pulse of procurement and understand key current trends? Here’s a survey that helps do just that. Zycus recently published their 2016 ‘Pulse of Procurement’ report, an annual survey and report that highlights key procurement trends around the world. The report draws on the thoughts and inputs of 650 procurement…

Australia’s Love of Credit Set to Continue

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 04:41:11 +0000

Australia’s love of credit isn’t likely to fade anytime soon, a conference in Sydney was told last week. But that’s no bad thing. The Banking and Financial Stability Conference, hosted by the University of Sydney Business School, brought together senior representatives of the US Federal Reserve Bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian Prudential Regulation…

Is Indirect Procurement Really So Complex?

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:23:21 +0000

You could be forgiven for thinking the management of indirect procurement is akin to rocket science. Is it really so complex? Sourcing and contracting indirect goods and services in categories like I.T., consulting, HR and travel is important to keep the business running. You could be forgiven for thinking that the procurement of such services…

The Art of Cross-Cultural Negotiation

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 04:43:22 +0000

Negotiations can be tricky. A cross-cultural negotiation presents an entirely different challenge, one with countless pitfalls and potential faux-pas. Negotiations in a business setting can be difficult at the best of times. Throw cross-cultural diversity into the mix, and the difficulty level rises again. The way you speak, behave, control your body language, and operate…

Gotta Catch Them All! But Is Pokémon Go a Cyber Crime Target?

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 04:24:47 +0000

Pokémon Go is the new craze sweeping the world. It’s just a game, but how does it relate to real-life laws? And could it really be a target for cyber criminals? Last week, Nintendo launched its new ‘augmented reality’ game, Pokémon Go, across the world. Nintendo spread the launch dates out, with the USA, Australia…

5 Things To Know When Looking for a Job Abroad

Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:53:19 +0000

Moving and finding a job abroad is something that many people do during their lives. But what do you need to know before you start looking? Leaving your home, friends and family behind and moving to another country, where everything that surrounds you is completely different from that to which you are used to, is…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #5 – Eliminating Supplier Enablement

Sat, 16 Jul 2016 12:50:56 +0000

Gabe Perez believes that procurement needs to move towards real-time services, and eliminate traditional supplier enablement processes. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to ones…

5 Price Analysis Methodologies to Apply to Negotiated Costs

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 04:31:24 +0000

How can you find out if you’ve got a good deal from your negotiation? Here are some price analysis tools that could help you out. One of the key performance measures that invariably arises at the end of a negotiation is if the final price achieved is a good one or not. If we, as buyers,…

Throwback Thursday – 3 Easy Steps to Become a Procurement Networking Guru

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:21:02 +0000

Are you a procurement networking guru? If you need some tips to help up your networking game, this is the place for you. We’re looking back at some of Procurious’ most popular content from the past 12 months. This week, we revisit an article that speaks to the fundamental core of Procurious – effective networking….

Facts not Fear: The Impact of Brexit on US Business

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 05:00:35 +0000

Institute for Supply Management (ISM) CEO Tom Derry tells Procurious that people need facts, not speculation and fear, when it comes to understanding the impact of Brexit on US business. ISM took the unusual step this month of releasing a supplementary Report on Business, focusing specifically on the impact of the UK’s Referendum on EU membership…

How to Ensure High Performance Procurement Contracts

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 02:38:21 +0000

If you want your business to thrive, sticking with the status quo isn’t enough. Ensuring high performance in procurement is the only way to stay ahead of the competition. With a volatile economy, the need for superior supply management and increased organisational efficiency is vital. Organisations feel the pressure to contain costs while maximising results….

Is it Worth Fighting for Sustainable Procurement?

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 13:18:05 +0000

Why procurement professionals must drive supplier innovation in order to keep up the fight for a sustainable planet. As a procurement professional it can sometimes be a little bit challenging to keep up the motivation to pursue a more sustainable planet. News headlines and science reports reflect a world which is developing in the wrong…

Debate Over Renewed Focus on Career Guidance

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:23:16 +0000

Inadequate career guidance and advice from schools is exacerbating the UK’s skills gap, says a report published in the last week. A new report published at the end of last week by the Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee, has stated that the skills gap in the UK is being worsened by poor career guidance…

Australia Next Victim of Political Uncertainty

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 01:28:51 +0000

The political environment in Australia is tense, even as the Liberal Coalition claims victory by the slimmest of margins. How the corporate landscape will be impacted by the outcome is merely a guessing game. It’s been something of a topsy-turvy year, and couple of months in particular, for political uncertainty around the world. The on-going US…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #4 – Effective Technology Utilisation

Sat, 09 Jul 2016 13:22:08 +0000

Justin Sadler-Smith believes that procurement must improve its technology utilisation, or risk being left behind by the organisation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature of the procurement profession, to…

Has Procurement Got Its KPIs Right?

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 13:22:18 +0000

As the Procurement function evolves, its KPIs remain old-fashioned. Bertrand Maltaverne explores the surprising results of a Procurement KPI survey. In a rather interesting coincidence, just as ProcureCon Europe was releasing a benchmarking paper called Procurement Challenges, we released a white paper that also focuses on one of the most fascinating challenges in the industry: The Direct Material…

British Businesses Need to Respond to Brexit Now

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 04:59:00 +0000

British businesses can’t afford to wait before they take action and respond to the post-Brexit situation in the UK. With uncertainty still abounding, and business implications not yet fully understood, two separate reports have confirmed that British businesses need to be taking action to prepare themselves for the Brexit. Slowing UK Economy The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’…

Throwback Thursday – 4 Challenges Procurement Faces & How to Overcome Them

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 13:22:35 +0000

Ask the question, “What are the challenges procurement faces?” and you’ll get the same responses time and again. So how do we overcome the key challenges and move on? We’re looking back at some of Procurious’ most popular content from the past 12 months. First up, we revisit an article on the 4 challenges procurement faces,…

Use Every Sales Trick in the Book: Procurement’s Guide to Business Partnering

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 04:59:03 +0000

Procurement professionals know just about every sales trick in the book. How can we turn these tricks to our advantage in business partnering? As a procurement pro, you’ve seen it all – the pitches, the gaffes, the strategies, the crash and burns. You also have your long list of personal success stories – the sales…

The Surprising Truth – Apps Are Not Enough for Enterprise Mobility

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:22:49 +0000

Apps are all the rage, and businesses realise the benefits of having one. But many don’t realise that they need to go beyond an app for true enterprise mobility. This article was first published on the Coupa Blog. Apps have been closely associated with mobility since they exploded onto the scene with the launch of…

Strategic Similarities of Football and Procurement

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 05:00:05 +0000

Understand your position and adapt to how the other player is performing – true of both football and procurement, says 30 Under 30 star, Logan Ferguson. Logan Ferguson was one of the young professionals named in ISM and THOMASNET.com‘s ‘30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars‘ this year. Procurious caught up with Logan to talk to him…

Why Indirect Procurement Fails to Deliver Savings to the Bottom Line: Fear

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:22:42 +0000

Fear of numbers, and using the language of finance is holding back indirect procurement teams from delivering real value and bottom line savings. This article was first published on LinkedIn. One thing you hear at every procurement event is how hard it is to really achieve indirect savings and bring them to the bottom line….

Why Supplier Segmentation Can Aid Risk Mitigation

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 04:58:14 +0000

Supplier segmentation could prove a useful tool for procurement in aiding risk mitigation in the supply chain. Sandeep Singh of Genpact explains. In the first part of this series, we looked at the role of procurement plays in risk mitigation. In this article, Sandeep Singh, Vice President – Procurement and Supply Chain Services at Genpact, offers further…

Dubai Securing Its Future Through Innovation

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 04:43:50 +0000

Traditionally a prime hub for trade, logistics and communications, Dubai, the UAE, are looking to secure the future as a hub of business innovation. On the 27th of November 2013, Dubai was voted as the host city for Expo 2020, an event that aims to bring together a global audience to discuss issues pertinent to every person…

How to Draft the Perfect CV

Sun, 03 Jul 2016 12:44:45 +0000

A good CV is critical to getting your foot in the door in the recruitment process. A perfect CV can help you get the job of your dreams. When it comes to finding a job, besides having the will and disposition to do it, it is essential to know how to present yourself! That is…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #3 – Harnessing Cognitive Technology

Sat, 02 Jul 2016 12:11:49 +0000

Barry Ward says that the procurement technology landscape is fundamentally changing and moving towards the use of cognitive technology, impacting the skills required in procurement in the future. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential…

Why Supplier Discovery Must Become a More Agile Process

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:14:12 +0000

In order for procurement to remain strategic, manually intensive processes, such as supplier discovery, need to become more agile and intuitive. Doesn’t it seem like procurement reaches a new strategic milestone every day? These are amazing times to work in this field. We’ve been pushing towards this point for so long! Now that we’re here,…

Peer-to-Peer Learning – The Evolution of Professional Development

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 04:58:19 +0000

Learning is no longer confined to a classroom. Peer-to-peer learning is fast becoming the primary avenue for professional development. The labour market is tightening, which means the need to engage, retain and up-skill your existing resources is growing. However, individuals and organisations are moving away from traditional approaches to learning and development, such as classroom-based…

Leadership & Chicken – Reflections on SAPICS 2016

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:22:36 +0000

Visibility, leadership and SRM in chicken sourcing – highlights from the 38th SAPICS Conference in South Africa. Earlier this month, I attend the 38th Annual SAPICS Conference, held in Sun City, South Africa. With the theme this year of “A Concert of Coordination”, the conference focused on bringing supply chain professionals together to network, and…

The Internet of Things Driving Procurement Change

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 04:55:44 +0000

In the business world, organisations are waking up to the possibilities afforded to them by the Internet of Things, connectivity and Big Data. The 2015 Gartner CEO and senior business executive survey found that technology-related change was viewed as the primary tool to achieve growth in 2015 and 2016. 37 per cent of respondents to…

Brexit: Reflections of a Procurement Professional

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 13:15:35 +0000

In the cold light of day, and after a weekend’s reflection, a procurement professional reflects on the implications of the Brexit. Following my pre-referendum thoughts on supply chain trade and the EU, I was looking forward to the event itself. A severe weather occurrence, disrupted travel during a six hour journey from Guildford to Norwich,…

Are You One of Procurement’s Game Changers?

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 04:52:25 +0000

As disruption is increasingly recognised as a strategic business skill, being one of the game changers is a highly coveted role. In a world increasingly recognising ‘disruption’ as a strategic business skill, where an army of highly talented and ambitious professionals are fighting their way to the front line in the war for talent, the…

Navigating Rule Based Cultures

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:17:03 +0000

When dealing with different or rule based cultures, it’s important to remain mindful of differences, so as to avoid misunderstandings. Last month I had an assignment in Japan. On our first night in town, five colleagues and myself met in the bar of a major hotel where we had planned to have a pre-dinner drink…

Turning Point in SE Asia Supply Chain Challenges

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 04:30:33 +0000

A turning point has been reached in the challenges facing the South East Asia supply chain, say global consultancy Crimson & Co. In the light of economic growth, rising affluence and booming consumer demand, many international businesses are seeking to capitalise on the growth in South East Asia’s developing markets. The challenges in the South…

The Three Laws of Robotics Aren’t. So What Now?

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:23:55 +0000

The Three Laws of Robotics, as created by Asimov, don’t exist. But, as we move to a more automated world, should robots and AI fall under greater oversight? Download the latest GEP white paper on the drive to an automated world here. In my previous post on the subject of the coming era of robotic…

How the Leave Vote Will Impact Procurement and Supply Chain

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:01:33 +0000

It was an unlikely event just a week ago, but the Brexit has come to pass. Procurious looks to unpack initial thoughts on how the ‘Leave’ vote will impact both procurement and organisations as a whole. Last week, Procurious’ weekly news article reported on the potential impact of the UK Referendum on UK and European supply chains. Now, with a…

The Fear of Technology in Hospitality

Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:30:51 +0000

Legacy systems and poor past user experiences are creating a fear around technology in the hospitality industry. “I think it’s difficult for technology to get to the top of the list of things to do next” said Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, in our recent roundtable on the topic of technology in hospitality. And with…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #2 – Procurement Owns Talent

Sat, 25 Jun 2016 13:02:19 +0000

Mark Roberts, Global Procurement Capabilities Director at AB InBev, believes that procurement should be the gateway for new talent coming into the organisation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to change the very nature…

16 Harsh Realities To Get Used To

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:23:27 +0000

There are some harsh realities in life and work that we just have to deal with. Here are some of the major ones. For decades, our senior team and consultants at Boxchange have been studying the mechanics of business improvement – and how it can be best used in organisations to create significant and sustainable performance breakthroughs….

A Seat at the Table, or Procurement to Go?

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 05:00:12 +0000

‘Procurement to Go’ is about building a fast, reliable and flexible function that’s always one step ahead of changing business needs. In her recent article, PASA’s Jeni Christensen shared her concern about the region’s “shocking” lack of Professional Procurement. The target, Christensen writes, is to have a CPO at every boardroom table, and she shares…

Why Requisitioning Must Be Part of ERP Conversations

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:18:26 +0000

Requisitioning (or asking for what you need) is a key part of the procurement process. So why is it frequently sidelined in ERP discussions? This article was first published on the Coupa Blog. Having either implemented or worked with some of the major ERP systems on the market, I think I’m on safe ground when…

National Women in Engineering Day – Raising Profiles

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 04:34:13 +0000

National Women in Engineering Day 2016 is all about raising profiles and showcasing why engineering is a great career for women. Thursday the 23rd of June isn’t just about the UK’s EU Referendum. In fact, there’s something happening on Thursday that it would be remiss of us to overlook, or let be completely overshadowed by…

5 Career Lessons From a 75-Year-Old London Cabbie

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:20:42 +0000

Inspiration can often come from an unusual source. And you should never be too closed off to learn career lessons from a wide variety of people! On my way to the Productivity in Pharma meeting in London yesterday, as is often the case, my cab got stuck in traffic. As we edged our way across…

Are Traditional Views Limiting Procurement Innovation?

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 04:59:11 +0000

Is a lack of competitiveness and a risk averse nature holding back the progress of procurement innovation? New research seems to suggest so. New research shows that procurement is innovating and wants to do so even more in the future. However, the function’s risk averse nature, non-competitive attitude, and the prioritisation of collaboration over leadership,…

12 Ethical Questions to Ask in Supplier Pre-Approval

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:22:12 +0000

In procurement, ethical practice is the key to a positive organisational image. Knowing the right ethical questions to ask can make a real difference. Increasingly the corporate world is focusing on social issues in supply chains such as slavery, forced labour and human trafficking, typically referred to as “modern slavery”. Procurement professionals have an important…

The Key Role of Procurement in Risk Mitigation

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 04:59:46 +0000

As average spend with suppliers increases, procurement must be more active with the management of risk mitigation in the supply chain. Increasingly companies have a higher percentage of their cost base with suppliers, frequently as much as 50-70 per cent. Typically half of this is indirect spend on functions such as Marketing and Human Resources….

Resistance is Futile…Or is it?

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:24:37 +0000

Is resistance to automation of procurement processes futile? Or are we missing the benefits that automation will ultimately bring to the profession? You can download the latest GEP white paper on the drive to an automated world, and why resistance is unnecessary, here. The cannon of science fiction is full of tales of the battle…

The EU Referendum – Supply Chain Trade at Stake?

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 09:01:50 +0000

No matter where you are in the world, you’ll have heard about Thursday’s referendum in the UK about its EU membership. Have both sides overlooked a critical point in the debate? This article was written for Procurious by Chris Cliffe. Procurious is a global platform, but wherever you are, you’ll have heard about this week’s…

Best and Worst Sectors for Online Customer Service

Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:21:27 +0000

Utility companies and local authority services are among some of the worst ranking sectors in the UK for online customer service, according to new research. The new report from social media experts, myclever™ Agency, found that consumers put utility companies (water, gas, electricity, phone and broadband) as the most frustrating sector for online customer service,…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Big Idea #1 – Share, Share, Share

Sat, 18 Jun 2016 12:51:32 +0000

Tania Seary, founder of Procurious, believes that procurement needs to share – share learnings, stories, experiences, and questions – in order to change the face of the profession. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, we challenged our thought leaders to share their Big Ideas for the future of procurement. From ideas that have the potential to…

Big Data Success Stories in Procurement?

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:22:18 +0000

At the end of our last Big Data article, we indicated that we were going to track down some Big Data success stories from the procurement function. What we found, or rather what we didn’t find, was a cause for concern. A criticism of Big Data has always been that it is nothing more than the…

Mastering the True Art of Saving

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 04:57:13 +0000

Why addressing demand management, and bringing down your demand can realise more of a procurement saving than simply cutting costs. This article was written by Jon Milton, Director at Comensura. Most of us know too well the need to tighten the purse strings occasionally in our daily lives. When doing so it’s a natural response…

I Can’t Get No (Job) Satisfaction

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:28:15 +0000

A third of workers are in struggle town to get job satisfaction and almost one in ten say choosing the wrong career is their biggest regret in life. A study commissioned by Start Profile has indicated that job satisfaction in the UK is low, with many workers wishing they were doing something entirely different with…

Businesses Alarmed by Digital Skills Shortage

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 05:03:59 +0000

A major training effort is needed to improve digital skills, and make sure people are not left behind in the digital age, say the Institute of Directors. The Institute of Directors (IoD) have stated that a major effort is required in the UK in order to ensure that workers have the digital skills required to keep up…

Working from Home: Heaven or Hell?

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:25:31 +0000

Working from home has become the latest trend and we are talking globally here. Every day, more and more companies are allowing their employees to work from home at least once or twice a week. And even more companies are looking to outsource, looking for employees who can work from home and, sometimes, from a…

Meet the Procurement Young Gun Making Her Mark Globally

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:39:46 +0000

It’s a big deal to be charged with the task of managing a significant spend portfolio that covers the Asia-Pacific region. But this BP strategic sourcing manager takes it all in her stride. Meet Joanna Graham, winner of the 2016 Future Leader in Procurement Award. Graham looks after procurement for the retail networks of one of the…

How Automation Could Shift the Negotiation Landscape

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 13:22:09 +0000

Ever wanted to know exactly what the other party in a negotiation is thinking? The growth of automation could potentially provide this and change the negotiation landscape for good. I read a very interesting scare story in the press recently. The claim was that the Uber smartphone app was monitoring the status of the phone’s…

Don’t Risk It – Why Your Organisation Needs Supplier Pre-Qualification

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 04:57:48 +0000

Workplace accidents have other costs apart from the tragic loss of human life. They can damage your brand, cost your company millions and, if you’ve failed to mitigate a known risk, could put you behind bars. It’s difficult to write about the business consequences of a workplace fatality. It can be hard to see beyond…

How one tweet from Elon Musk wiped $580 million from Samsung SDI

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 06:00:03 +0000

More than half a billion dollars was wiped from Samsung SDI’s market capitalisation this week in response to a single tweet from Elon Musk about Tesla’s supply chain. Rumours were swirling earlier this week about Tesla’s supply chain for its lithium-ion battery packs. Investors believed that the official supplier, Panasonic, may not be able to…

How Blockchain Technology Can Revolutionise Procurement & Supply Chain

Sun, 12 Jun 2016 12:32:25 +0000

Blockchain technology could prove to be a valuable tool for procurement and supply chains in their quest for transparency. In today’s world, the process of procurement, and even supply chain management, is facing more scrutiny than ever before. Due to several different advances in technology (many of which relate more to our personal lives than business…

When Logistics Tracking Apps Become Cyber Stalkers

Sat, 11 Jun 2016 12:53:32 +0000

Where should we be drawing the line between a logistics tracking app and cyber stalking? Turns out, the difference might be hard to pinpoint. To watch the video version of this article, click here. Here’s what a Logistics Manager needs to be aware of, and the boundary lines that he/she really shouldn’t be crossing. Logistics…

Are Procurement Professionals Stuck in the Stone Age? – Part IV

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 13:22:48 +0000

As B2B technology companies are beginning to realise the benefits of being easy to use, what changes do we think will happen? How do we envisage the B2B tech space evolving within the next 5-10 years? Market Dojo put an article together examining what it would look like in 10 years time, and how it will have…

Have you met the Chief Procurement Officer of the Year?

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 02:38:33 +0000

It’s taken less than two years for Johanne Rossi to implement and lead a major transformation at fuel and oil giant Caltex Australia. Her goal is to transform the company to become the customer of choice for suppliers. What this means is Caltex gets higher quality, a lower total cost of doing business, priority supplier support…

ISM’s Jim Barnes: three major L&D challenges for procurement

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:58:38 +0000

Are you clear about the capabilities your role requires? Do you regard yourself as financially acute? Does your organisation have processes in place to capture vital knowledge from departing professionals as they retire? Jim Barnes is a busy man. He’s the managing director for ISM Services, the Institute for Supply Management’s team learning and development arm,…

Silo Busting: Using savings management to drive collaboration

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 04:59:09 +0000

In a perfect world, savings management should follow a clear pattern: set targets, identify then prioritise initiatives, track initiatives and, finally, review the targets. However, managers know that in reality, these five steps are beset with difficulty. They have to deal with unknown targets and goals, manual inputting, approval difficulties, siloed projects, sporadic monitoring and,…

How South Africa is Building Engagement with Small Business

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:22:55 +0000

A thriving small business community is a sign of a prosperous economy. In South Africa, a new network has been launched to help build engagement with these enterprises. Procurement on-line portals that efficiently link prospective buyers with qualified small enterprises are the next big thing. Technology is now available that allows us to quickly and…

Smashing through the bamboo ceiling

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 04:59:55 +0000

You’ve heard of the glass ceiling – the male privilege which has historically prevented women from rising to the top of their organisations. Less well-known, however, is the concept of the “bamboo ceiling”. It refers to the processes and barriers that serve to exclude Asians or people of Asian descent from executive positions in Western-run…

The Circular Economy Demands Procurement Collaboration

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 13:18:32 +0000

Faced with the dual challenge of sustainability and growth, businesses are looking to procurement collaboration to help. Since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, most established firms have reduced costs, focused their resources, and become more lean and efficient. Now, however, they face the challenge of how to grow. This will require the development and implementation…

Four tips for working with SMBs from the experts

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 04:58:40 +0000

Procurious caught up with Ed Edwards, Audience Outreach Manager at THOMASNET.com, to discuss his organisation’s recommendations on connecting with small and medium-sized businesses. THOMASNET.com knows that it’s tough to connect with SMBs. The product sourcing and supplier discovery platform has been in the business of connecting buyers and suppliers for no less than 118 years….

Editor’s Choice: 5 Big Ideas to energise your day

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:33:06 +0000

On April 21st, 50 of the world’s most influential procurement minds joined forces with over 14,000 digital delegates to crowdsource Big Ideas for the future of procurement. By popular demand, we’ve brought together five thought-provoking Big Ideas from some of the biggest names in procurement. Big Idea – Millennial Talent Response Nic Walden, Director – Procurement P2P…

Buying a better future – Procurement’s sustainability leaders recognised

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:05:26 +0000

Once seen as a ‘niche’ part of the profession, sustainable purchasing is fast moving into the mainstream. The misbelief that sustainable solutions cost more is quickly giving way as businesses recognise that competitive advantage lies in developing innovative, sustainable supply chains. Evidence of this came this week with the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) recognising…

7 Ways to Effectively Utilise Big Data in Organisations

Sun, 05 Jun 2016 12:31:42 +0000

The popularity of Big Data is growing as organisations begin to understand how to effectively utilise the volume of information available to them. The buzz around Big Data is undeniable. Regardless of the size of the organisation, managers can use this information, to help drive better, more effective organisational decision making, as a result of accurate…

What Happens When Best Practice Is Ignored?

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 12:51:01 +0000

Most organisations know that they should be aiming towards best practice processes – but what does it really mean – and can something as diverse as accounts payable ever be constrained to a simple set of rules across all organisations? This article was originally published on PPN. If we’re talking about specifics, the answer is…

Are Charities & Non-Profit Organisations Getting the Most from Procurement?

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:22:32 +0000

We’ve all donated to charities at some point, but do we know where our donation is being spent? How effectively are third sector organisations able to leverage their procurement? This article was originally written for, and published on, Novo-K. A bucket in the street. A bake sale or coffee morning. A fun run. A phone…

Best Procurement Books – Explaining Procurement with Apple Pie

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 04:58:07 +0000

The Faculty’s Hugo Britt shares one of the best procurement books he has found. Did we mention it happens to be for pre-schoolers?! “But mum/dad, what is procurement?” How many times have your kids asked you this question, and how often have you struggled to explain your complex role in simple language understandable by a child?…

Connecting the Dots: 5 Key Learnings from Interviewing Procurement Thought Leaders

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 04:56:19 +0000

How can we elevate the role of procurement? What are the key lessons we need to be learning from the profession’s thought leaders? I love working in procurement! From my first day as a Junior Buyer I got the bug and never looked back! However, our profession is now at the crossroads of profound change….

Coupa R15 – delivering agility and measurable value

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 04:56:19 +0000

David Hearn, former CPO Indirect Procurement at Kaiser Permanente, Sun Microsystems and Juniper Networks, talks to Procurious about how Coupa’s latest product releases (Coupa R15) deliver more value to businesses. One of the benefits of being a leader in cloud-based spend management solutions is that you can push innovative enhancements to customers rapidly and efficiently….

Procurement KPIs – Measuring the Unmeasurable

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:23:51 +0000

Is it time to develop new procurement KPIs? As the profession delivers more value, we need to consider measuring the ‘unmeasurable’. How on earth do you put a KPI against innovation in procurement? How about risk management? Or talent? It’s time for the profession to come together and quantify the value we deliver beyond cost…

“The grass is greener where you water it” – Millennial wisdom at ISM2016

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 07:01:10 +0000

ISM and THOMASNET’s 30 Under 30 Supply Chain stars share their views on talent retention, the future of learning, and the importance of mentorship. ISM CEO Tom Derry is always at his most passionate when talking about millennials in procurement. He’s a huge advocate for young people coming into the profession, and is delighted that…

Smarter relationship management with ClientLoyalty

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:59:53 +0000

Procurious caught up with Kent Barnett, Chairman and CEO of ClientLoyalty at ISM2016, Indianapolis USA. CPOs worldwide recognise the need to keep track of supplier relationships to reduce costs, minimise risk, and uncover opportunities to grow their businesses. Voice of the supplier surveys are common, yet the technology employed is often archaic. Typically, stand-alone web-based…

Modern Slavery Act 2015: Supply Chain Transparency Requirements

Tue, 31 May 2016 13:22:58 +0000

In October 2015, the UK government issued statutory guidance relating to supply chain transparency and reporting obligations of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This article was first published on Greenstone. The document confirms who is required to comply and when they need to comply by, as well as including essential details on the all-important annual statement….

Alan Mulally – The Secret to Success in One Slide

Tue, 31 May 2016 04:59:02 +0000

“This is everything I know, folks” – Former President and CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally, shares the sum of his knowledge in one slide at ISM2016. ISM’s keynote speaker Alan Mulally has one of those CVs that’s exhausting just to listen to. Alongside his nine-year stint as President and CEO of Ford, he served as Executive…

The Double Edged Sword for Fast Fashion Brands

Mon, 30 May 2016 04:55:37 +0000

The impact of fast fashion can be seen on the high street and in the newspapers. But the trend may be about to take down one of the world’s most recognisable brands. There are few people in the world who wouldn’t recognise Gap’s brands on the high street, in shopping malls, or on the Internet….

How Middle Managers Can Make or Break Supply Chains

Sun, 29 May 2016 12:50:43 +0000

Can middle managers or supervisors make or break your supply chain company? Are organisations selecting the wrong people for these roles? To watch the video of this article, click here. Over the years working and consulting in a wide variety of business, health, and education settings, I have noticed a common and obvious trend. The selection of…

Supply Chain Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage

Sat, 28 May 2016 12:51:47 +0000

Industry leaders understand that supply chain sustainability can be a competitive advantage. Utilised effectively, it brings a wealth of opportunities. Read the first part of this article here. Global brewing giant SABMiller embraces the idea that water is strategic. It cut its water consumption by 28 per cent, now only using 3.3 litres to make 1 litre…

Fast Fashion – But at What Price?

Fri, 27 May 2016 13:21:40 +0000

Is the concept of ethical fast fashion an oxymoron? Do we as consumers have a good enough grasp of the ethical considerations? Today’s typical fashionista has high expectations. She, or maybe he, wants to buy cheap and affordable trendy clothes in the latest styles straight off the catwalk. Never mind that an item is unlikely…

The Carrot and Stick Approach to Open Booking

Fri, 27 May 2016 04:55:41 +0000

Open booking is a massive problem for organisations globally, and one of the largest compliance challenges facing procurement. In the US, over 50 per cent of hotel bookings, and 24 per cent of airline bookings occur outside the parameters of corporate travel programmes. The issue costs organisations $36 billion per year, and is one of…

Are Procurement Professionals Stuck in the Stone Age? – Part III

Thu, 26 May 2016 13:15:12 +0000

If procurement technology is stuck in the stone age, what do we need to do to modernise? We take a look at some B2C examples for inspiration. So far in this series, Market Dojo and Odesma have discussed whether procurement technology is stuck in the stone age, and why B2B software isn’t keeping up with…

eISM – Introducing the Future of Learning

Thu, 26 May 2016 05:01:41 +0000

People don’t want a one-size-fits-all solution for their professional development. eISM aims to provide a set of flexible options to take e-learning forward. Whether skills are learned through small chunks, longer competency-based training, or direct job experiences, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to gaining career knowledge and experience. ISM’s Senior VP of Programs…

In Search of Influence – The Traits of Influential People

Wed, 25 May 2016 13:23:33 +0000

With an understanding of what influence is, and how procurement can leverage it, we can now look at what the common traits of influential people are, and how to develop them. In my previous article, I reviewed some of the available literature on influence and influencing skills, in this article we look at what the…

Selling While Shy: Introverts in Sales

Wed, 25 May 2016 04:59:48 +0000

While it sounds counter-intuitive to declare introverts make the best salespeople, their characteristics may truly make them a perfect fit for a sales job. Last month, Procurious looked at the work of Susan Cain, and assessed whether introverts could thrive in procurement. Now, on the other side of the coin, with help from College Match Up,…

Technology Will Expose Supply Chain Deficiencies in Near Future

Tue, 24 May 2016 23:37:45 +0000

In the not-too-distant future, technology will reveal everything about products, and expose all the supply chain deficiencies that exist. Smartphones, embedded with the technology that enables consumers to scan items in the supermarket and see the entire supply chain process, will happen sooner rather than later, according to Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand CEO, Molly Harriss…

Reap the Benefits of a Structured Approach to Responsible Procurement

Tue, 24 May 2016 13:32:46 +0000

You are about to set out on the journey to make Responsible Procurement more integrated into your procurement processes. To reap the benefits – and win recognition – you will have to be well prepared, implement the right tools and processes, and communicate every achievement. But where to start? In this article, I share some things you should…

Coupa Inspire: Rethinking the Possible with Rob Bernshteyn

Tue, 24 May 2016 04:54:26 +0000

Lights, music, action! Hugo Britt recounts his experience of the spectacular opening keynote at this year’s Coupa Inspire conference. The Faculty’s Hugo Britt recently attended Coupa Inspire ’16, a dynamic conference bringing the Coupa community together in San Francisco, California. Doof, doof, doof, doof. I’m sitting in the Grand Ballroom of San Francisco’s stunning Westin…

Unlocking the Hearts and Minds of Millennials

Mon, 23 May 2016 23:07:19 +0000

A Millennial warned a room full of procurement leaders that they need to rethink their mindset if they’re ever going to win the hearts and minds of Millennials. Too many Australian leaders overlook the fact that 50 per cent of the world’s population is aged under 30, and have no idea how to effectively communicate with them….

Automation & Giant Aircraft – Revolutionising Logistics

Mon, 23 May 2016 09:01:06 +0000

As new technologies take hold across the supply chain, we take a look at the main disruptors revolutionising the logistics industry around the world. There seems to be two approaches to the next steps for organisations and disruptors revolutionising logistics – go automated, or go huge! From new technology for driverless trucks, to the soon-to-be-largest…

Using Community Collaboration to Create a Change Narrative

Sun, 22 May 2016 23:33:17 +0000

Finding a way to create a narrative for change can be the difference between an organisation being able to successfully adapt, or not. One speaker at the 9th Asia-Pacific CPO Forum opened the collective eyes of the audience to the possibility of change, and what that might look like. Michael Williams, CEO of The Wheeler…

Dynamic Discounting to Ease Payment Woes

Sun, 22 May 2016 12:42:26 +0000

A new report has highlighted that three quarters of UK businesses plan to use Dynamic Discounting to reduce supplier late payment woes. Changing legislation, public and governmental pressure, and the threat of financial and reputational penalties are leading many businesses to use innovative new methods to ensure suppliers get paid more quickly/on time. As many…

Why Is a Project Procurement Strategy Absolutely Necessary?

Sat, 21 May 2016 12:51:10 +0000

An effective project procurement strategy is based upon a shared understanding of the role and purpose for the procurement process. Frequently, there are different perceptions of this at senior management, project management, end-user, and supplier levels. A shared focus needs to be built upon an alignment of perceptions and understanding around what the project requires…

Should We Stop Using the Term ‘Strategic’ in Procurement?

Fri, 20 May 2016 13:08:36 +0000

No other profession puts the word ‘strategic’ on their business cards. Why do we do so in procurement? A high-powered panel at ISM2016 drove a spirited debate about the use of the term ‘strategic’ in the profession. Chaired by Joe Sandor (Professor of Purchasing and Supply Management, Michigan State University), the panel included: Hans Melotte…

Risk Mitigation – Hope Like Hell It Doesn’t Happen to You

Fri, 20 May 2016 04:40:52 +0000

Organisations can plan and strategise for risk mitigation in their supply chain, but ultimately a lot of it comes down to luck. In the words of one member of The Faculty’s Melbourne Roundtable, “There’s a lot of risk out there – you can mitigate all you like but in the end, you just hope like…

Digital Economy, Disruption and the Future of the Payments Industry

Fri, 20 May 2016 02:07:08 +0000

Faster payments and customer demand is disrupting the payments industry, but PayPal say that the future is bright. It may have been a boring space 20 years ago, but now the payments industry is undergoing major disruption and innovation, Libby Roy, Managing Director of PayPal, told the 9th Asia-Pacific CPO Forum in Melbourne. The payments…

Why the Entire Procurement Profession Needs to Get Social

Thu, 19 May 2016 23:00:31 +0000

Tania Seary tells delegates at the Asia-Pacific CPO Forum that procurement needs to get social to drive the profession forward. Procurement professionals need to claim their rightful place on the Internet, and get social, by actively participating in social media and blogs for the benefit of the broader industry, the founder of Procurious told a…

How Top Procurement Professionals Conduct Reverse Auctions

Thu, 19 May 2016 13:18:42 +0000

Using reverse auctions opens up a wealth of benefits for procurement professionals. But it’s important to fully understand when and how to use them. Reverse auctions have been around since the late 1990s, and have been regularly used as a tool by procurement professionals to obtain better pricing and lower supply costs. The use of…

Dynamic Solutions to Dynamic Problems

Thu, 19 May 2016 04:58:05 +0000

‘Pop up Warehousing’ and ‘Dynamic Warehousing Networks’ are new terms hoping to provide dynamic solutions to solve an old problem – large fluctuations in stock. Whether predictable or unexpected, most businesses have had to deal with stock maxing out their facilities from time to time. Moreover, as managing average or normal stock levels has become…

Leading Australian Political Journalist Unravels Political Landscape

Wed, 18 May 2016 23:03:19 +0000

Australia’s political landscape is a complex beast. We ask senior Fairfax political editor Laura Tingle to unravel these complexities for procurement professionals. No matter which political party you back, there’s no doubt that the political landscape can have major ramifications on the procurement function within your business. So, we asked Fairfax Media‘s Political Editor, Laura…

In Search of Influence – What the Literature Says

Wed, 18 May 2016 13:21:20 +0000

Searching for the true meaning of influence, and how procurement professionals can, and need to, become better doing it. I have recently completed my masters, and my dissertation looked at influencing within procurement and how to develop these skills. This article looks at the published literature around influencing. The next article will review the opinions…

5 Keys to Unlocking Successful Integrated Business Planning

Wed, 18 May 2016 05:07:32 +0000

Many companies still struggle with executing a strategic integrated business planning (IBP) process that effectively integrates demand planning, supply planning, and financial planning. Most simply put, the process should drive decisions on how to best meet demand (customer/consumer sales for existing and new products) within supply constraints in order to optimise financial return. Yet answers to…

Less is More – The Power of a Good KPI

Tue, 17 May 2016 13:22:10 +0000

It is not every day that procurement can learn from a fashion icon, but in my (and Coco Chanel’s) view – “less is definitely more” when it comes to a good KPI for procurement. Think about your role in procurement. Think about the huge number of outcomes you work hard to deliver every day, from the…

How Walmart, Hanesbrands and Mattel Reduced Supply Chain Risk

Tue, 17 May 2016 04:57:09 +0000

It’s the million dollar question. How can corporates minimise supply chain risk, without significant disruption to their core business? Global retail giants, headquartered in the US, have had to address their supply chain risk in a bid to forge ahead in the new world of corporate social responsibility. It hasn’t been an easy exercise, that’s…

Raise Your Glasses to the Cloud

Mon, 16 May 2016 13:12:29 +0000

Does being stuck in our ways, and doing things “the way they’ve always been done”, mean procurement misses out on the benefits of the Cloud? You can download the latest GEP white paper on the impact of cyber security, and the benefits of a cloud-based procurement technology solution here. You can buy flip-flops that have…

Is Any Profession Safe From AI Disruption?

Mon, 16 May 2016 09:29:38 +0000

Would you trust an “artificially intelligent colleague” to solve your legal disputes? It may be closer than you think as AI and cognitive technology advances prove no industry is safe from disruption. At the end of last week, it was announced that a major US law firm, Baker & Hostetler, had hired Ross to run its…

£30m Reasons Why UK Businesses Should Recycle Ink Cartridges

Sun, 15 May 2016 12:58:17 +0000

According to new research, British businesses stand to save up to £30 million per year if they recycle their used ink and toner cartridges. UK printing firm CartridgePeople.com surveyed 1,000 UK workers on their recycling policies and processes within their organisations. The research found that just 11 per cent of these organisations currently recycle ink and toner…

Supply Chain Sustainability: A Strategic Responsibility

Sat, 14 May 2016 12:10:17 +0000

Supply Chain Sustainability is in the spotlight, thanks to the influence of social media. Companies realise that they must lead the way in this area. The supply chain function has evolved significantly over the past decade, becoming a key strategic pillar of business. Going beyond its core role  of delivering goods on time, in full,…

Are Procurement Professionals Stuck in the Stone Age? – Part II

Fri, 13 May 2016 13:21:53 +0000

Is procurement losing ground by having antiquated, “stone-age” technology solutions? Why are B2B solutions struggling to keep up? This article was originally published on Market Dojo. In the second article in this series (you can read the first part here), Anya McKenna, of Market Dojo, and Ed Cross, of Odesma, ponder why B2B software remains…

Happy Birthday – Procurious Is Two!

Fri, 13 May 2016 04:38:16 +0000

It hardly seems like any time at all, but it’s been two years to the day (nearly!) since the launch of Procurious. While wishing the site a happy birthday, we look back at how far we’ve come. On May the 14th 2014, the Ebola epidemic was sweeping through East Africa, Ukraine was on the “brink…

Challenges Ahead for Buyers Making Late Payments

Thu, 12 May 2016 13:22:13 +0000

Few buyers are aware of changes to late payment regulations, as well as the potential penalties for making late payments to suppliers. In the modern procurement world, there are many hurdles to timely payment that exist on both sides of buyer-supplier relationship. Overcoming these, and ensuring that organisations are not making late payments, is a…

What is the Biggest Challenge Facing Procurement?

Thu, 12 May 2016 04:58:52 +0000

From talent management, to ethics and transparency, there are some major challenges facing procurement in the current environment. But which is the biggest challenge? When considering the potential issues and risks that procurement professionals need to be aware of in their day to day work, it’s difficult to single out one in particular requiring greater…

Creating Community Empowerment With Football

Wed, 11 May 2016 13:24:37 +0000

How taking an interest in football can help put community empowerment at the heart of public procurement. Lots of public bodies at national, regional and local level like to talk about community empowerment don’t they? That’s because promoting community empowerment is perhaps the holy grail of participatory democracy. Many politicians and policy makers believe that…

Supply Chain Transparency: Why We Need It More Than Ever

Wed, 11 May 2016 04:57:32 +0000

As scrutiny over supply chain practices increases, organisations need to ensure supply chain transparency, from Tier 1, all the way down. This article was first published on Greenstone. As non-financial reporting frameworks and requirements for organisations evolve, so does the need for transparency throughout supply chains. There is an ever increasing emphasis within current, and…

Cloud Computing – Don’t Get Stranded with Sharks

Tue, 10 May 2016 13:20:18 +0000

If you think that cloud computing is not for you, you may be left stranded…with sharks. You can download the latest GEP white paper on the impact of cyber security, and the benefits of a cloud-based procurement technology solution here. “If you think you’ve seen this movie before, you are right.” So said David Linthicum, author…

Crewless Drone Ships Look Set to Uberize the High Seas

Tue, 10 May 2016 09:25:01 +0000

From crewless drone ships, to matchmaking between procurement and marketing departments, there are game-changing strategies afoot! In the past week, SpaceX have successfully landed a rocket on a drone ship, and both Coca-Cola and Target are playing match maker between procurement and marketing departments. Uber-izing the High Seas It’s a hot topic in the news…

Small Businesses Suffering Brain Drain

Tue, 10 May 2016 04:57:00 +0000

A lack of employee benefits has been cited as one of the key reasons employees leave small businesses every year. Small businesses are suffering a staff brain drain, with nearly one in five workers quitting each year for new jobs blaming poor employee benefits, research from new online provider Pure Benefits shows. The study by Pure…

ANZAC Soldiers in WWI – What Supply Chain Leaders Can Learn

Sun, 08 May 2016 12:39:39 +0000

How did John Monash, a Jewish son of German immigrants, become one of the greatest leaders of ANZAC forces during the First World War? And what’s its relevance to Supply Chain leaders? Recently I finished listening to Roland Perry’s audio book on ‘Monash: The outsider who won a war’, and found it a fascinating insight into early Australian…

Inspirational Words from Women in Procurement 2016

Sat, 07 May 2016 13:01:34 +0000

The Faculty’s Hugo Britt shares some inspirational words and thought-provoking ideas from the 2nd Annual Women in Procurement conference. Back in March, I attended Quest Event’s 2nd Annual Women in Procurement conference in Melbourne, representing Procurious as the event’s media partner. Literally within minutes of the conference being opened by NBN Co’s Chief Procurement Officer…

Curbing Public Procurement Fraud in Africa

Fri, 06 May 2016 13:15:46 +0000

Are we making any progress curbing public procurement fraud in Africa? The consensus seems to be very little, although there are pockets of not quite excellence, but at least some promise. The Anti-corruption Agencies 10 years ago the World Bank reviewed the activities of anti-corruption agencies active in Africa and came to the conclusion that…

Rio Olympics Focus on Global Supply Chain Sustainability

Fri, 06 May 2016 04:59:02 +0000

A focus on supply chain sustainability gives the Rio Olympics the opportunity to revolutionise global sustainability, and create a lasting legacy in Brazil. The Rio Olympics’ commitment to supply chain sustainability (with 100 per cent recovery, disposal and use of goods and waste) has the capacity to revolutionise supply chain sustainability worldwide as well as creating…

The Future’s Bright, The Future’s Niche Social Networks

Thu, 05 May 2016 13:11:48 +0000

Social media has enabled global collaboration on an unprecedented scale. But as attitudes towards the major platforms change, it’s actually niche social networks where the future lies. In the interests of full disclosure, I do work for a niche social network. So yes, I am slightly biased. But stay with me, as you’ll see why the argument for…

Week In Tech: IoT Security Spending, Spiceworks & Drones

Thu, 05 May 2016 04:59:08 +0000

Does the future of IoT security lie in the Cloud? New research published suggested that security spending is set to take off. If the latest research from Gartner is to be believed, security spending on the Internet of Things (IoT) is set to accelerate in 2016. The figure could well top $348m in 2016, meaning an…

What Does Procurement Agility Mean in 2016?

Wed, 04 May 2016 13:19:30 +0000

Discussing the term ‘Procurement Agility’, and the ways in which procurement organisations can become more agile in their activities. In various reports and papers published over the last few years the phrase “procurement must be agile”, appears on a constant basis. Indeed, there is even a regular publication called ‘The Agility Agenda’. It’s an excellent…

How My Procurement Network Made 1 Million Dollars

Wed, 04 May 2016 04:58:28 +0000

Your procurement network could have massive benefits for you and your business. But only if you are growing and managing it effectively. Mention the “n” word and most people cringe and break into a cold sweat. The problem with networking is that it has a really bad reputation. The term evokes clichéd images of businessmen getting together for…

Burritos and Ice Cream – Supply Chain Failure and Success

Tue, 03 May 2016 13:21:41 +0000

Burritos and ice cream – the contrasting fortunes of two organisations and the difference between supply chain failure and success. Burritos and ice cream. Who doesn’t love them? Carne asada and guacamole. Chocolate and cherries. The combinations are endless, and so are the places that offer these tasty treats. So what can a burrito chain…

Australian Shines Spotlight on Unethical Supply Chains

Tue, 03 May 2016 04:57:29 +0000

Australian fashion brands are bearing the brunt of increasing unwanted attention for unethical supply chains. No-one wants to talk about it. But if you’re working in procurement for the fashion industry, you’re in the hot seat. Fuelled by consumers’ love affair for fast fashion, the fashion industry is finding ways to produce faster and cheaper apparel…

Good News-Bad News Week for Global Tech Giants

Mon, 02 May 2016 05:07:10 +0000

The good news is that one of your favourite social networks is booming, the bad news is that one of your favourite tech companies is not. It’s been something of a good news, bad news kind of week for a number of major global organisations this week. On one hand, alongside the success of the…

How can Procurement Work Smarter, Not Harder?

Sun, 01 May 2016 12:54:29 +0000

Time never seems to be on our side. It’s time for procurement spend its time more wisely, and work smarter, by leveraging new technology. Procurement, finance and operations have forever been working on ways to integrate simply and effectively. While it is reasonably simple to coordinate small teams in one office, hospitality is one industry…

Innovating the Last Mile of the Supply Chain

Sat, 30 Apr 2016 12:07:03 +0000

From Amazon delivering your groceries, to a host of companies delivering your dinner, the competition for the last mile of the supply chain is heating up. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016 last week, there were a whole host of discussions around the future of the supply chain. Paul Markillie discussed the future trends in…

For Spend Management Success, Don’t Say the P Words!

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 13:29:53 +0000

Thinking differently about procurement starts with talking differently. If growth companies want to succeed then they need to change their vocabulary, starting by introducing the term ‘Spend Management’. Read Tyler’s thoughts on when to buy your first ERP system here. When should a growing company start building its procurement infrastructure? When you reach about 100…

Procurement Recruitment – Find the Needle in the Haystack

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 04:56:25 +0000

According to the experts, procurement recruitment can sometimes be like finding a needle in a haystack. But what are the trends in this area in the coming years? One of the key topics at the Big Ideas Summit 2016 was people, and more specifically, how to attract and retain the best talent in procurement. Our…

Are Procurement Professionals Stuck in the Stone Age?

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:21:02 +0000

Ed Cross, co-founder at Odesma, and Anya McKenna (of Market Dojo) ponder the neanderthalic and stone age ways of B2B software… The peculiar thing about business technology is that generally it is not very easy to use. I might exclude here email, but the rest of it seems to need a training course and some…

Procurement Gives a Tweet – #BigIdeas2016 on Twitter

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 04:56:06 +0000

Likes, retweets and the #BigIdeas2016 hashtag being spread far and wide – taking a look at how the Twitter-verse reacted to Big Ideas 2016. Whether you chose to follow the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on Procurious, or via one of our other social media channels, we hope you got just as much out of the…

Can Introverts Really Thrive in Procurement?

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 13:14:41 +0000

While many aspects of modern business, including key skills, seem to favour extroverts, Susan Cain argues that introverts have as much to add and value to give. “There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” Don’t miss “Quiet Revolutionary”, Susan Cain’s keynote speech at ISM2016. There are almost certainly…

Procurement Needs More Positivity in an Online World

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 04:49:18 +0000

In our online world, where knowledge and information is at the touch of a button, it pays to share. And it’s time for procurement to share in order to demonstrate the value it brings to the organisation. Sometimes the biggest and best ideas are the simplest ones. Whether it’s a new way of looking at…

What Tinder Can Tell Us About Job Hunting – Part 4: She’s Just Not That Into You

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 13:22:48 +0000

There are more similarities between Tinder and the job hunting process than you might think. Here’s how to deal with rejection from both potential partners and dates. Read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 in this series. It all started so well. You went into it with high hopes, and it seemed like a…

Disruptors & Cul-de-Sacs: Recapping Big Ideas 2016

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 04:58:35 +0000

Did you fall asleep or oversleep? Get caught in a meeting? Or did you just forget it was on (we hope not!)? To help you catch up, we’re recapping Big Ideas 2016 – and what a day it was! The team at Procurious HQ would just like to say a quick thanks to everyone who…

Procurement Sets Courageous Agenda – Big Ideas Summit 2016

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 10:16:34 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit 2016 global brainstorm lit up social media, bringing together a global community to advance discussions on ‘uber-ization’, cognitive procurement and more, as well as setting a courageous agenda for the future. Expected to handle cataclysmic events and act with extreme agility, today’s procurement executives must be brave and bold. Indeed, Being courageous…

Are you a Grumpy Supply Chain Professional?

Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:00:33 +0000

Are you a grumpy supply chain professional? Do you regularly go home unhappy from your day job? Then you need an imaginary rubbish bin… Going home unhappy again? It all started this morning. Someone forgot to get bread yesterday, and the anticipated tasty tuna on nice crusty bread for lunch today, turned into tuna on stale…

How to Introduce a Sustainable Procurement Strategy

Sat, 23 Apr 2016 12:27:25 +0000

Although the theory is well regarded, the practical aspects of introducing a sustainable procurement strategy are often overlooked. This article is by Gerard Chick, Chief Knowledge Officer, Optimum Procurement Group. About 10 years ago the UK government started taking the pursuit of sustainable procurement seriously. They established a task force of industry experts to try to…

Why Procurement Agility is Key to Avoiding Obsolescence

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:12:55 +0000

Organisations that don’t increase their procurement agility and harness the power of new technologies face obsolescence in the next few years. Chris Sawchuk, fresh from Hackett’s own Best Practice Conference, took a look at what agility means, and why procurement needs to be more agile. The Hackett Group believes agility is the defining trait of the…

Productivity in Pharma – Growing Next Level Procurement Skills

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 09:00:04 +0000

What are the skills required to drive next level procurement? This is what the Productivity-in-Pharma Procurement Think Tank aims to uncover. This is the fourth year that the Beyond Group is holding its Productivity-in-Pharma Think Tank and it’s just a few days away. On April 26 in Basel, Switzerland, the first session of this year’s event will bring…

Collectively Addressing Procurement’s Blind Spots

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:16:42 +0000

Education, brand and taking calculated risks – our executive-led panel rounded the Big Ideas Summit off by discussing procurement’s blind spots. What a way to finish the day. The aim behind the Big Ideas Summit was to challenge our delegates, and create tangible outcomes for them to take back to their organisations. Our senior panel did…

Don’t Let Procurement Be a Career Cul-de-Sac

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:25:24 +0000

The message from our Big Ideas Summit people panel discussion? Please don’t let procurement be a career cul-de-sac! People remain one of the hottest, and toughest, topics for Procurement. Covering millennials, attraction and retention, employee value proposition, and Brand Procurement – this panel discussion had it all! Featuring Lee Gudgeon from Reed Global Tom Derry,…

Leveraging the Power of The Crowd

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:03:47 +0000

Fresh from my 15 minutes of fame in the Big Ideas film booth, here’s the gist of my Big Ideas video challenge (coming to Procurious soon!) about leveraging the power of the crowd. Delivering innovation is top of the CEO’s growth agenda. Developing a creative culture, one in which ideas can be offered without fear…

Leading with Value – The Uber-ization of Procurement

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:27:46 +0000

Disruption in industries, heading towards major disruption in procurement too. Gabe Perez talks about the uber-ization of procurement. We’re off to a flying start after lunch here at the Big Ideas Summit 2016. Sometimes a graveyard slot at conferences, Gabe Perez, Vice President, Strategy & Market Development at Coupa Software, got the audience energised discussing the…

Advancing the Social Value Cause

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:01:39 +0000

How can procurement help to advance the social value cause? Our thought leaders in the first Big Ideas panel tell us how. In the first panel of the day, our delegates grilled our social value and sustainable procurement experts on how procurement can advance the social value cause, and help to bust some myths around…

Harness the Power of Unstructured Data

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 09:50:11 +0000

Do we still need the smartest guys in the room if we have the smartest machine? IBM paint a vision for the future of procurement and the power of unstructured data. “Are you going to be relevant in 3-5 years’ time?” What a start to the day! Barry Ward, Senior Procurement Brand Manager at IBM…

The Big Ideas Summit 2016 Is Underway!

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 09:08:24 +0000

We’re off and running here in London but there are still ample opportunities to get involved in Big Ideas Summit as a Digital Delegate! It feels like revisiting an old friend – familiar faces in the room, influencers and keynote speakers, a fabulous location at the Soho Hotel, and a buzz of excitement for things to…

Showcasing Your Big Ideas – Volatility as an Opportunity

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 08:16:20 +0000

Kicking off the day of the Big Ideas Summit, we’re looking at another of your Big Ideas. Mike Robertson shares his thoughts on why volatility represents an opportunity to procurement. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016 today, we will be asking our speakers and attendees to record their ‘Big Ideas’ live on camera for the whole of our Procurious…

Why Procurement Should Invest In Social Enterprise?

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:02:54 +0000

Have you ever bought the Big Issue? Watched Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen? Shopped at a Co-op? These are social enterprises which are in our communities, on our high streets; and range from coffee shops and cinemas, pubs and leisure centres, to banks and bus companies. What is a social enterprise? The simple answer is an organisation that…

Big Ideas in Procurement in Asia-Pacific

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 04:59:34 +0000

With a huge geographical area and diversity of cultures and industries, procurement in Asia-Pacific is both highly complex and fascinating. Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked experts and influencers in our community to…

How Technological Megatrends Are Transforming Manufacturing

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:14:15 +0000

Technological megatrends are leading to major disruptions in manufacturing. And it’s affecting the way procurement and supply chain professionals plan for the future. It wasn’t that long ago that manufacturing was a noisy and dirty process that involved huge numbers of staff and required significant factory floor space. But that’s all changed. A number of…

Creating our Vision: Why Procurement Needs an Avenger

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 12:03:07 +0000

Procurement needs a vision to help it overcome the challenges facing it. And this is why Procurement needs to be an Avenger rather than an ageing Godfather to survive. Since being asked to attend the Big Ideas Summit 2016, I’ve been thinking about my own big ideas. I’ve drawn on my own experience, reviewed the…

ISM: One CEO, $1 Trillion in Procurement Power

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 04:59:13 +0000

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) represents 50,000 supply managers responsible for US$1 trillion in procurement power. Procurious talks to the man in charge, CEO Tom Derry. ISM has been the hand at the tiller of the US procurement and supply chain profession since 1915, setting the standards as the responsibilities and expectations of procurement professionals…

5 Big Reasons to Register for Big Ideas 2016

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:06:23 +0000

If you’ve not yet had a chance to register for Big Ideas 2016 on the 21st of April, don’t worry, you still have time! There are so many ways for you to get involved with the Big Ideas Summit as a digital delegate. We want your input so you can help to shape the agenda and amplify your Big…

Autism Works for Johnson & Johnson

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:11:39 +0000

Big Ideas can help provide greater benefits than cost savings. Timo Worrall tells Procurious how Johnson & Johnson are working with organisations like Autism Works to help a wider community find work. For people with autism, finding a job can be a near-impossible task, with recruitment processes stacked against them from the very beginning. However, Johnson & Johnson, one…

Don’t Get Left Out of the Global Digital Brainstorm

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:02:25 +0000

It’s just days away now! Join the global digital brainstorm at the Procurious Big Ideas Summit on April 21, and make your ideas heard. Attention, procurement and supply management innovators – stake your claim in the future of your profession! Time is running out to add your voice to the Procurious Big Ideas Summit, an unprecedented global…

Big Ideas in UK & Public Procurement

Sun, 17 Apr 2016 12:28:55 +0000

Social value and collaboration – just the tip of the iceberg for the professionals in UK and public procurement. Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 this Thursday, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked experts and influencers in our community to share their Big…

Big Ideas in Procurement in North America

Sat, 16 Apr 2016 12:30:38 +0000

The procurement profession in North America is thriving. But what are the Big Ideas coming from one of the profession’s biggest regions? Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked experts and influencers in our…

Bringing Big Ideas to Fruition Through SRM

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 13:52:19 +0000

Why procurement organisations hoping to bring big ideas to fruition need to focus on supplier relationship management (SRM). CPOs who want to supercharge supplier-enabled innovation need to be joined at hip with business stakeholders through common goals and KPIs. Together, we can drive down costs and find efficiencies using best-practice supplier relationship management. According to CSCMP’s 2013 research,…

Big Ideas in Procurement Technology

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:31:07 +0000

Procurement technology – you can’t get away from it! But what Big Ideas can we expect from this area in the coming years? Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked experts and influencers in…

Why Thinking the Unthinkable is a Wake Up Call for Leaders

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 04:45:40 +0000

The Great Wake Up – Nik Gowing, co-author of Thinking the Unthinkable, explains why these findings should keep us all awake at night. What if the very people we appoint – in business and government – to foresee, identify and handle the most unexpected, cataclysmic, and disruptive events, are shown to be perilously inadequate at the most…

Tea Farmers Text Their Way to Supply Chain Collaboration

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:01:59 +0000

From tea growing to real-time supply chain transparency, collaboration and online networks are creating tangible value and benefits for organisations. How do you get 50,000 tea farmers and distributors in regional India working together to build collaboration and supply chain transparency? Through a digital platform, of course. Collaboration for the “common good” is reaping real benefits….

Procurement and The Conversational Century

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 04:37:27 +0000

The social media revolution has allowed for traditional institutions to create personal digital conversations with their audience. We are in the era of ‘The Conversational Century’. When he was born in July 2013, Prince George of Cambridge became the first royal baby to have a hashtag. There were over 3.5 million Facebook mentions of the young…

Procurement’s Future: Upskilling in Supplier Relationship Management

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:52:05 +0000

Why upskilling in Supplier Relationship Management is key to the future success for the Procurement profession. The rapid development of artificial intelligence and cognitive technology is completely redefining the boundaries of what is possible for procurement. To fully take advantage of this new era and remain relevant, CPOs and their organisations will have to react…

Big Ideas in Procurement in Africa

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:50:58 +0000

Procurement in Africa receives a lot of press, not necessarily all of it positive. But as the profession develops, more ideas will be generated by its professionals. Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked…

Fast Fashion, The Supply Chain and The True Cost

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 04:56:43 +0000

Fast fashion helps sate deeply held desires among young consumers in the industrialised world for luxury fashion, even if it embodies unsustainability. Trends run their course at high speed, with today’s latest styles swiftly trumping yesterday’s, which have already been consigned to the waste bin. Fast fashion has allowed for the constant supply of fashion trends,…

Why Future CPOs Need to Walk the Talk

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 14:02:21 +0000

Procurement is changing and its leaders need to change to in order to succeed. Lucy Harding tells Procurious why it’s behaviours, more than technical skills, that will define future CPOs. Lucy Harding, Partner at global executive search firm, Odgers Berndtson, is considered to be the UK’s leading CPO headhunter. She believes that for future CPOs, behaviours and…

Showcasing Your Big Ideas – Tackling Maverick Spend

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:01:14 +0000

Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we’re on the hunt for your Big Ideas. Stuart Brocklehurst discusses how procurement can elevate its role by tackling maverick spend. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, which takes place on 21st April, we will be asking our speakers and attendees to record their ‘Big Ideas’…

Who Are Procurement’s Most Influential Thinkers?

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 04:58:20 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit 2016 brings together some of procurement’s most influential thinkers to discuss the future of the profession. The Big Ideas Summit 2016 will take place in London on the 21st of April. Procurious have invited around 50 the most influential thinkers from the world of procurement, supply chain, media and technology to…

3 Easy Steps to Become a Procurement Networking Guru

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:01:53 +0000

Take these three easy steps to become a procurement networking guru and realise the benefits of networking in a global community. The benefits of networking are many. However, many people still struggle with the concept and the motivation to get going. At Procurious, we want to create one huge, global network of procurement professionals, all…

Big Ideas Summit 2016 FAQs

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:04:07 +0000

Procurious want to arm you with all the information you need and want ahead of next week’s Big Ideas Summit. We’ve gathered together your Big Ideas FAQs and answered them here. What is it? The Big Ideas Summit is a unique online event uniting procurement and supply chain professionals from around the globe to drive…

How The ‘Brexit’ Could Change Public Procurement

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:09:11 +0000

Although the UK referendum isn’t until June, an increasing number of reports are now discussing the potential impact of the ‘Brexit’ on public procurement. On June the 23rd, UK voters will go to the polls in order to decide on the UK’s future as part of the EU. The referendum promises to polarise opinion, much…

Big Ideas for Procurement – Identifying Suppliers

Sun, 10 Apr 2016 12:50:33 +0000

Identifying suppliers and gathering good information on them is critical to successful procurement. What if there was a better way to do it? When I received an email from Procurious asking me to share my Big Idea, I was thrilled but wasn’t quite sure where to start. There are so many! Launching my own company,…

Big Ideas 2015 Flashback: Investing in People

Sat, 09 Apr 2016 13:22:03 +0000

We’re looking back at some of the most popular ideas from Big Ideas 2015. Dapo Ajayi talks about the benefits of investing in people’s capabilities. Dapo Ajayi, Chief Procurement Officer at AstraZeneca, a delegate in 2015, and returning again as a panel speaker in 2016, discusses her idea that procurement organisations need to invest in…

Why Predictive Analytics is Changing Procurement’s Future

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:20:24 +0000

The opportunity for predictive analytics and Big Data in procurement goes well beyond spend. Hackett’s 2016 Procurement Key Issues Study shows that increasing agility is a critical development area for organisations. It also shows that predictive analytics and forecasting tools are identified as having the greatest transformational impact on procurement in the future. A confluence of…

Showcasing Your Big Ideas – Addressing Supplier Compliance

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:47:28 +0000

Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we’re on the hunt for your Big Ideas. Market Dojo discuss why they think 2016 will see an increased focus on supplier compliance. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, which takes place on 21st April, we will be asking our speakers and attendees to record…

Big Ideas in Big Companies

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 05:56:54 +0000

Making significant changes in a business can be challenging and is often especially difficult in big companies where it’s hard to get your voice heard, and break through protocol and resistance at the top. Here at Procurious, we’ve been asking for you to submit your Big Ideas ahead of our Big Ideas Summit 2016. We…

The Next Big Idea: Eliminating Supplier Enablement

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:51:10 +0000

What’s the next big idea in procurement? Getting rid of the need for supplier enablement and moving to real time supplier activation instead. It may sound tactical, but really it’s the key to success with all the other big strategic ideas we’ve been talking about for a long time: Increasing supplier innovation, optimising total spend, and getting…

Calling for Your Questions at Big Ideas 2016

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:49:54 +0000

Procurious needs your questions to pose to our speakers at the Big Ideas Summit 2016 and put them to the test. It’s not long to go until 2016’s Big Ideas Summit on 21st April but there’s still enough time to have your voice heard. Procurious are calling for your questions now. The Big Ideas Summit is…

The True Cost…Of Everything

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 04:15:34 +0000

Do you know what the true cost of your supply chain is? In an age of ethics and transparency, ignorance and apathy are no longer acceptable, says Lucy Siegle. When it was first released, viewers of the True Cost movie, the award-winning feature length documentary, were shocked and appalled as they learned the true cost…

Procurement Will Be ‘Cognitive’

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:15:51 +0000

It’s time to redesign the function to be ‘Cognitive’. Procurement once again faces revolution, and this time it is beyond ‘only’ a transformation. The function we know today will cease to be. The first turning point saw the profession move to an industrialised model, including centralisation and strategic sourcing. Later on, transformation reached another key…

Showcasing Your Big Ideas – Supplier Enabled Innovation

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 05:48:39 +0000

Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we’re on the hunt for your Big Ideas. Keith Bird talks about how procurement can “crack the code” on supplier enabled innovation. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, which takes place on 21st April, we will be asking our speakers and attendees to record their ‘Big…

Big Ideas 2016 – Meet Our Speakers: Peter Holbrook

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:18:44 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit is just a couple of weeks away! We caught up with Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK, to discuss the rising prominence of the social enterprise agenda. Peter Holbrook is the Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, the UK’s national trade body for social enterprise. The organisation works with its members to raise…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: How to Be a Digital Delegate

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 05:55:55 +0000

You’ll have seen announcements for Big Ideas Summit 2016 on Procurious recently. Now, here’s how you get involved as a digital delegate. “Sounds great, but how does this concern me?” you may well ask. Well here’s how. Just like our event in 2015, we’re billing the Big Ideas Summit 2016 as a ‘digitally-led’ conference, which means…

Procurement Faces Balancing Act as Business Uncertainty Rises

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:08:22 +0000

According to new research from the Hackett Group, procurement faces a balancing act in 2016 thanks to rising business uncertainty. Key issues research shows budgets and staff expected to rise slightly in 2016 The Hackett Group recommends that to improve agility and reduce cost, procurement must harness the value of Big Data and control tail…

Modern Slavery Act Will Force SMEs to Step Up to the Plate

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 08:58:56 +0000

With new changes to the Modern Slavery Act coming into effect as of April 1st, we ask how much progress has been made since 2015? At Procurious, we know it’s crucial to continue focusing on the issue of modern-day slavery, both with regard to tackling existing cases, and to encourage and applaud organisations who are…

A Disney Tip for Dealing with Supply Chain Anger

Sun, 03 Apr 2016 13:51:04 +0000

Are you experiencing a lot of supply chain anger? Then the Mouse House might be able to help with this key tip. For the video version of this article, click here. Angry people – they’re everywhere. Most you can avoid, but some you just have to deal with. Especially if they’re your customers or suppliers (two of…

Big Ideas 2015 Flashback: The Disappearing Procurement Function

Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:00:51 +0000

We’re looking back at some of the most popular ideas from Big Ideas 2015. Peter Smith talks about the disappearing procurement function. Peter Smith, Owner and Managing Editor of Spend Matters UK/Europe, shared a more controversial view than other delegates for his Big Idea, that the procurement function would cease to exist in its own…

Your Number 1 Resolution – Learn Something New

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:44:03 +0000

This is the time of year when most of our resolutions (lose 10lbs, get back to the gym, drink less, do something useful for the community) have fallen by the wayside. There’s one thing you can still do to make a difference in your life – learn something new. If you are a millennial, you probably…

Big Ideas in Social and Sustainable Procurement

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 05:57:29 +0000

Considered by many to be the next key frontier for business, Social and Sustainable Procurement are finally getting the attention they deserve. Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we are taking a look at the key issues facing procurement in the coming years. We have asked experts and influencers in our…

Generating Big Ideas Through Hackathons

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 13:32:25 +0000

Generating tangible big ideas within organisations can be a difficult activity. More and more organisations are using ‘hackathons’ to facilitate big idea generation. It’s interesting how language evolves to turn a word with negative connotations into something positive. The word “hack”, for example, has traditionally put fear into the hearts of the staunchest CEO. Just ask…

Big Ideas 2016: Meet Our Speakers – Paul Markillie

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 04:16:01 +0000

The Big Ideas Summit is just a few weeks away! We caught up with Paul Markillie, Innovation Editor at the Economist, to talk about the megatrends transforming manufacturing. Paul Markillie is Innovation Editor at The Economist. He has covered the automotive and aerospace industries globally and was the magazine’s first Asian-based business correspondent, writing about the…

Planning Procurement’s Response To The Millennial Generation

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:19:57 +0000

Understanding how procurement can cope with, and ultimately benefit from, the disruption brought into talent management by the Millennial Generation. Hackett’s 2016 Procurement Key Issues Study shows that talent management remains one of the top 3 of objectives as a critical or major area of focus for virtually all procurement organisations. Looking deeper, organisations are…

Showcasing Your Big Ideas – Procurement-as-a-Service

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 05:56:47 +0000

Ahead of the Big Ideas Summit 2016 on April 21st, we’re on the hunt for your Big Ideas. Philip Ideson discusses his Big Idea of procurement-as-a-service models. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, which takes place on 21st April, we will be asking our speakers and attendees to record their ‘Big Ideas’ live on camera…

Overcoming Gender Bias in Procurement

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:39:04 +0000

Jackie Aggett, Regional Commercial Manager at Laing O’Rourke, discusses the gender bias she has come up against in procurement, and how she has overcome it to get to where she is today. Jackie Aggett hadn’t been in procurement long when she needed to spend weeks preparing a major annual report about the procurement of earth moving…

The Procurious Big Ideas Summit is Back!

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 05:57:01 +0000

The Procurious Big Ideas Summit is back and it’s bigger and better than ever before! We had a fantastic experience, and great fun, last year at the Big Ideas Summit, the world’s first digitally-led conference for the procurement profession. And it’s almost time to do it all over again at the Procurious Big Ideas Summit…

Procurement Software – Weighed Down by Unnecessary Ice?

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:48:38 +0000

Is the procurement software created to make jobs and lives easier actually doing the opposite? Is it all weighed down with a glut of unnecessary features? Paul Blake leads the technology product marketing team at GEP, a leading global provider of procurement technology solutions. Have you ever wondered how many power stations are needed to…

BBC micro:bit Launches to Generation of UK Students

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 05:57:27 +0000

In a landmark moment, the BBC are delivering up to one million micro:bit devices free to UK students to encourage more young people get creative with technology. Every Year 7 student in England and Wales, Year 8 student in Northern Ireland, and S1 student in Scotland will receive a micro:bit. The device, launched as part of the BBC…

Easter Supply Chain Set for Record Year

Sun, 27 Mar 2016 13:58:18 +0000

You may not realise the complicated Easter supply chain that exists in order to cope with increasing consumer demand. Whether your Easter delicacy of choice is the humble egg, sweets like jelly beans and marshmallows, or something more like a Spanish torrija, you are contributing to the enormous spend on confectionary and other Easter-related items. In…

Big Ideas 2015 Flashback: Building a Supply Chain Wiki

Sat, 26 Mar 2016 12:39:40 +0000

We’re looking back at some of the most popular ideas from Big Ideas 2015. Gordon Donovan examines the concept of a Supply Chain Wiki. Gordon Donovan, Procurement and Supply Chain Manager at Metro Trains in Melbourne, shared his Big Idea last year around the concept of creating a Procurement and Supply Chain Wiki. Gordon believes…

Contract Lifecycle Management: Stop Being Foxed by Your Suppliers

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 08:03:19 +0000

Daniel Ball, Director at Wax Digital, explains how organisations can minimise supply chain risk through effective contract lifecycle management. Today’s businesses are increasingly reliant on global, multi-tiered supply chains. While they can contain the essential ingredients for competitive advantage, cost efficiency and innovation, supply chain complexity also contributes to greater supply chain risk. Consequently, contract lifecycle…

The Evidence Behind Using DPS in Procurement

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 13:20:28 +0000

Increasing use of Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) could mean the end of frameworks in public procurement. But is there empirical evidence supporting the benefits of these systems? In the first part of this series, we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of Dynamic Purchasing Systems for public procurement. Some of the benefits discussed were: Increased Competition…

4 Ways Procurement Should Be Using Big Data

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 04:57:22 +0000

While it might be a difficult term to define, there are a number of practical applications for using Big Data. In our previous article, we looked at defining (or rather, not defining) the term ‘Big Data’. Now we are going to explore the potential big data analytics and computing may hold for the procurement function. There are…

Unifying Procure to Pay: A Leadership Challenge for the CPO

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 13:20:21 +0000

It might seem obvious, but removing silos in the procure to pay process can ensure spend optimisation. But it’s people, not technology, that hold the key. Imagine you were just elected mayor of your city, with a mandate from the voters based on an ambitious agenda that includes cutting costs. You’ve promised to streamline programs, increase…

Social Media Clinic – You Asked, We Answered

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 05:00:04 +0000

Our Social Media Clinic gathered some common issues from attendees about social media. We aim to set your minds at rest with these answers. Procurious were lucky enough to attend the eWorld Procurement and Supply Conference in London at the beginning of March, where we ran a social media clinic. Despite looking like we were just having…

My Advice for Finance Professionals (and Others)

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:19:14 +0000

My advice for up and coming finance professionals? Don’t get stuck in your silo – get out and collaborate. When someone asks you for your opinion or advice to pass on to young professionals, it’s often tricky to narrow down your thinking to two or three bullet points. When these professionals working in a different business function,…

Why Big Ideas 2016? There’s an Infographic for That

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 04:39:36 +0000

Not sure why you should register for Big Ideas 2016? We’ve pulled all the information you need into one easy to share infographic! Need more convincing? Check out the high calibre list of thought leaders and keynote speakers, including: Tom Derry, CEO, Institute for Supply Management Christopher Sawchuk, Principal & Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader, The Hackett…

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Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:21:46 +0000

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What Can National Apprenticeship Week Do for the UK Economy?

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:08:00 +0000

Last week was National Apprenticeship Week in the UK. The National Apprenticeship Service uses the week to raise awareness of the fantastic benefits apprenticeships can offer to business, employees and the wider economy. It’s great to see UK businesses embracing National Apprenticeship week. Despite the popularity of apprenticeships waning in recent years, the National Apprenticeship Service…

Dear Boss, I Quit! Why Good Leadership is Key

Sun, 20 Mar 2016 12:36:17 +0000

Looking for the real reasons your staff are leaving? Instead of focusing on the ‘business’, you may want to take a look at your leadership. This article was first published on Boxchange. I’m sure that you, like me, are saddened every time someone in your team has resigned, (apart from the one or two rare…

Creating a Strategic Procurement Function

Sat, 19 Mar 2016 13:19:11 +0000

Procurement’s Change Makers – The challenges of creating a strategic procurement function in a diverse investment company in the Middle East. This article is part of the Future Purchasing ‘Change Makers’ series. In the second in our series of articles profiling procurement’s ‘Change Makers’, we spoke to Cory Thwaites, Executive Director of Procurement for Tecom Group,…

The Smart Way to Buy Your First ERP System

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:14:40 +0000

You might not realise it, but you could be making a common mistake when buying your first ERP system. When should a growing company start thinking about a formal, automated spend management program? At the same time you get your first ERP system. The two go hand in hand, but most companies put an ERP…

World Sleep Day – Why Sleep is Important in Business

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 04:59:34 +0000

Today is World Sleep Day, a good excuse to grab some extra Zs. Research has found that poor sleep is impacting over 5 million UK businesses. The Average UK employee misses 8.5 days of work a year due to poor sleep 1 in 3 people in the UK currently suffering from sleep problems World Sleep…

5 Ways Slack Can Help Build a Better Procurement Function

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:22:52 +0000

Charting the stratospheric rise of Slack, and investigating how it can be used to increase collaboration and conversation in procurement. For those who don’t know, Slack is an online communication tool, built around both group and a one-to-one chat. But it’s much more than that. Unlike any other system, Slack can talk to pretty much any…

Innovation and the Shifting Technological Landscape

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 04:58:14 +0000

Innovation is more important than ever before. The technological landscape is currently undergoing a shift three times the size of the industrial revolution. This is according to Steve Sammartino, an expert on the digital revolution and disruptive technologies. Steve has worked in marketing for the world’s largest companies, founded and sold his own start-ups, is a business journalist,…

Does Your CPO Have Big Ideas?

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:12:55 +0000

Is your Boss a Perfect Fit for the Big Ideas Summit 2016? Nominate your CPO to attend this unique event. At Procurious we know people don’t leave companies, they leave bosses. So we want to reward great bosses – procurement leaders who are leading by example, keeping their teams energised, investing in individuals’ careers, and…

Successfully Procuring Social Value

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 04:57:01 +0000

If procurement is going to get serious about social value, then it needs to ensure that it is fully integrated into strategic plans. Public spending through procurement practices and contracts can be shaped in a way that benefits both the economy and society – but too often this is not the case. Since the implementation of the…

Samurai & Cowboys – Cultural Perspective on Management Styles

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 13:18:06 +0000

Whether you support or detest change, it is happening. But how much impact do management styles in different cultures have on change? Do you have a Smartphone? Do you use Google? Do you use global internet sites to get information on clothes, food, travel, music, research, work opportunities? These sites influence people and bring countries closer…

Transforming the Procurement Function from Within

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 04:27:32 +0000

It’s a tall order to come in and completely transform the procurement function within an iconic global company. But Kelly Irwin didn’t beat around the bush when she started as Head of Procurement at the Australian subsidiary of Swiss group at Holcim (which has since merged with the French group LaFarge) five years ago. The…

Crowdsourcing Big Ideas on the Future of Procurement

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 08:48:57 +0000

Through an unequalled think-tank event powered by social media, Procurious will enable the global procurement community to crowdsource their thinking on the future of procurement during the second annual Big Ideas Summit on April 21, 2016. As the leading free online business network for procurement and supply chain management professionals, Procurious will connect 50 top…

Shark Warning! UK Energy Markets Explained

Sun, 13 Mar 2016 12:38:53 +0000

There are two types of shark – the ones in the water, and the ones that reside in the murky waters of the UK energy markets. It’s time to bring some visibility into these waters. It is common knowledge that sharks are dangerous. But are they? I have scuba-dived with real sharks, and swum with the…

5 Crippling Beliefs Keeping Suppliers in the Poor House

Sat, 12 Mar 2016 13:19:03 +0000

Suppliers may feel they don’t get treated fairly in the procurement process. But are there actions they could take to attract procurement’s attention? This article was first published on LinkedIn. Before the jackpot of the internet, purchase research involved, for me, accessing supplier directories such as Kompass (who are still going strong), putting up with…

How Technology Can Drive Supplier Collaboration Goals

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:15:34 +0000

Supplier collaboration basically means that your goal is to communicate better, and work more closely, with suppliers for the best possible project execution. According to Deloitte’s 2016 Global CPO Survey, one of the main goals for CPOs is to increase supplier collaboration. What is interesting, and slightly uncomfortable, is that the study also found that 60…

What’s Your Big Idea? Tell Us in 60 Seconds or Less

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 04:57:48 +0000

Once again, we’re on the hunt for YOUR Big Idea – what are the things only you can say? We believe everyone has a unique vantage point in the industries, communities and businesses they work in. At the Big Ideas Summit 2016, which takes place on 21st April, we will be asking our speakers and…

Tackling Technology and Risk: The Blockchain

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:28:11 +0000

The rise of digital payment systems has brought the blockchain into the public consciousness. But can blockchain be used to aid supply chain transparency? Just shy of ten years ago, technological innovation and the supply chain might have been considered strange bedfellows. Now they go hand in hand. But as technology advances at an ever-increasing…

30 Under 30 – Recognising Supply Chain Rising Stars

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 04:56:26 +0000

ThomasNet and the Institute for Supply Management have announced their annual 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars for 2015. Delivering more than $10 million in cost savings, spearheading a new global distribution model, and driving a startup’s exponential growth are among the outstanding personal achievements of young professionals today named winners in the ThomasNet and…

Big Ideas Summit 2016: Innovation Without Boundaries

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:26:43 +0000

The global conversation begins now! Register for the Big Ideas Summit on April 21st on Procurious and join procurement leaders as they share their insights. From drones to social networking, what new technologies and trends will transform procurement/supply management, and how can today’s leaders harness them to drive innovation? Virtual Think-Tank On April 21st 2016, 50 of…

The Early Bird Catches the Procurement News Worm

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 04:57:16 +0000

In a fast-paced world, being first with the procurement news can mean the difference between being in the know and being left behind. Read Tania’s first article on the importance of networking and your personal brand here. Too many procurement professionals spend their careers in closed networks. They stay in the same profession, peer group,…

Is Your Company’s Product Responsible Enough to Buy?

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:21:22 +0000

Is your company’s procurement ‘responsible’ enough? Which pressures and stakeholders are the most powerful ones for your company? According to a 2012 study by Procurement Leaders, 61 per cent of organisations are driven by end-customers. Governments and regulations represent the second-most influential pressure that organisations face, followed by 48 per cent of organisations that embed CSR principles in order…

International Women’s Day 2016 – Pledging Parity

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 04:57:52 +0000

As the world gets ready to celebrate International Women’s Day, there is an ominous warning that progress towards gender parity has slowed. According to a report produced by the World Economic Forum at Davos earlier this year, gender parity is now unlikely to be achieved until 2133. This represents even slower progress for parity than had been predicted just 12…

Why Automation Can Help Procurement Achieve Its Goals

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 13:30:14 +0000

Automation is frequently talked about in manufacturing, but rarely in the field of procurement. Could it be the key to helping procurement achieve better outcomes? Download GEP’s white paper on achieving P2P Excellence through Procurement and Finance alignment here. Czech writer Karel Čapek was the first person to use the term “robot”. In his 1920 play…

Why We’re Embracing e-Procurement in 2016

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:15:26 +0000

While e-Procurement has been around for a number of years, it seems to have made significant strides in a number of areas recently. You might have seen that the Procurious team attended the eWorld Procurement & Supply Conference in London last week. This bi-annual event is the leader for procurement innovation and it was great to be a…

Is It All About The Money?

Sun, 06 Mar 2016 12:54:08 +0000

Money has been at the heart of business since the beginning. But as more start-up businesses take shape, we have to ask, “Is it all about the money?”. This article was originally published on LinkedIn. Being at JP Morgan, the annual conference where the worlds of biotech and investment collide, gave me the opportunity to catch…

The Best Companies to Work for 2016

Sat, 05 Mar 2016 12:49:04 +0000

The Sunday Times released its “100 Best Companies to Work for 2016” last week, and there was a new name at the top of the list. London-based online insurance retailer, Simply Business, beat the competition to top the main list this year. Not only has the business never been in the top spot before, it was…

ISM & Procurious: Leveraging Social Media in Procurement

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:18:50 +0000

Ahead of his keynote address at the Procurious Big Ideas Summit 2016, ISM CEO Tom Derry discusses ISM’s new partnership with Procurious, as well as the power of leveraging social media in procurement. ISM and Procurious recently announced a new partnership, as ISM became a Procurious Foundation Partner. This will increase Procurious members’ access to ISM’s highly…

Why It’s Critical to Keep Your Skills Up to Date

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:52:49 +0000

Technological change is disrupting every industry and profession around the world, and obliging professionals to ensure their skills are up to date. In recent weeks, Procurious has published a number of articles on personal development, training and up-skilling. The idea of keeping skills up to to date, and making time for learning and development, are…

Life Changing Technology to Save You Time

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:18:57 +0000

When time is money, making sure you’re spending it on what matters is a key metric to profitability. Do you know how much time you’re spending on certain tasks? Do you know how your teams are spending their work day? And more importantly, do you know how your finance teams are spending their time? Where…

Manufacturing in China? Here’s What You Need to Know

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 04:58:09 +0000

Manufacturing in China might be a cost-effective solution, but it can bring with it inherent risks to global brands. For procurement professionals, that means trying to understand the cultural nuances that dictate how to do business in China. Stories of issues have appeared in the media, including now-defunct Australian boot manufacturer Bennett’s Boots blamed a…

Is Your Personal Brand Picture Perfect?

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 13:20:33 +0000

Employers are increasingly using social media to hunt down their next employee. So what’s your personal brand saying about you? Today, a staggering 90 per cent of UK employers use social media to find employees. As we all know, a large proportion of roles are never formally advertised, with employers preferring to rely on references and people…

How to Avoid Procurement Corruption and Fraud: The Fraud Triangle Analysis

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 04:16:40 +0000

When Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he was referring to fire prevention, but even so, the saying holds just as true for procurement corruption and fraud prevention. This article was originally published on Delta Bid. Donald Cressey is credited with creating the “fraud triangle,” which outlines the theory…

South African Public Procurement – A Work in Progress

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:16:50 +0000

Despite some leaps forward in recent years, South African public procurement is still suffering from the same issues. “Despite the reform processes in public procurement and the employment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as a strategic tool, there are predicaments in South African public procurement practices”. This was one of the observations in a report…

The Fine Art of Negotiation

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:56:50 +0000

Your negotiation skills come into play practically every day in the procurement game. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Strong negotiators master verbal, written and non-verbal communications. They’re assertive, approachable and know what they want. And while procurement professionals are relying on their negotiation skills more than most, there’s always room for…

Social Media Fever Is The New Man Flu

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:20:51 +0000

Fret Not! Doctor Procurious is here to cure your social media fever! Social media has become a vital tool in both our personal and business lives. Conquering social media platforms can be difficult without the right knowledge and help. Procurious is running a social media clinic at the eWorld Procurement & Supply conference in London on 2…