Blogs

High-performing procurement functions have helped businesses build resiliency, gain a competitive edge and boost performance during periods of change, instability, and transformation. Coming to the fore of business operations, senior procurement officers and managers are challenged with maintaining high levels of productivity in their teams as procurement takes on a more str...

It has never been more important to address the global talent shortage in procurement as many companies are increasingly faced with doing more with less. A recent survey revealed 52% of procurement leaders have seen their headcount decrease significantly over the last two years, yet 70% face considerably higher expectations to deliver results on sustainability, diversity or ...

As procurement plays a more strategic role in business, many professionals in the field are having to adapt their skillset to keep pace with the function’s evolution. Although this is an exciting time, many procurement leaders are under increased pressure to reinvent traditional operations, whilst taking on more responsibility for end-to-end customer experience and other gro...

Many businesses are looking to speed up the digitalisation of procurement to help improve business operations and satisfy customer expectations. CPOs must ensure their teams have the right skills to use new technologies effectively, though identifying and acquiring the digital skills their organisation needs is no easy task. For many, talent deficits threaten to slow progres...

Going into 2020, it’s undeniable that the role of the modern CPO is changing. As a company deeply embedded in the procurement and supply chain sector, we’ve gone to great lengths in our blogs to reflect the views of our peers, in considering what skills CPOs will need to continue to be successful and relevant in the next decade. In a recent write-up of a company roundtable, ...

The debate on whether procurement should have a seat at board level has been an active topic of discussion for a while now, as more and more professionals make the transition to senior positions. However, compared to other departments the number is still negligible, and for many in the industry the procurement function is still severely undervalued. While this argument rages...

Telecommunication procurement can be a lengthy process at the best of times, but with the current pressures facing the industry, it’s proving more difficult than ever. At a time when successful procurement functions are needed for the roll-out of 5G and other large-scale projects, uncertainty over Brexit and tensions with China could cause havoc in the industry. So, what are...

Procurement, despite a wealth of evidence to the contrary, is still often viewed as simply a purchasing function. However, a successful procurement function isn’t just about saving money, and progressive CPOs are always on the lookout for new ways to deliver value. In fact, we would argue that this specialism is actually uniquely positioned to identify and pursue opportuniti...

Handling Counter Offers in Procurement So, you’ve been through the arduous process of applications, interviews, salary negotiations, and finally been offered a job at another company. However, once you decide to hand in your notice, your current employer, in an effort to make you stay, makes a counter offer, with a higher salary and perhaps even an attractive benefits packag...

As a system which enables the transfer of a huge variety of goods and services around the world, modern supply chains are vast ecosystems, with products often moving through multiple parties and regions. Naturally, this can lead to a number of inefficiencies. However, there are plenty of emerging technologies with the potential to disrupt this. Blockchain, the Internet of Th...