- 30
- JUN
- 2011
Look to the Colonel for your China strategy
Author: Jordan Early - Categories: Supplier Relationship Management
I think it's fair to say that Chinese tastes differ from US tastes. While a US businessman is likely devouring a bowl of cereal or a donut over his morning coffee, his Chinese counterpart is sipping Oolong tea and tucking into a bowl of congee to start his day. more
- 28
- JUN
- 2011
Procurement GPS: Supply Management - making value flow
Author: Ian George - Categories: Supplier Relationship Management, Risk, Procurement Strategy
Is supply management an art or a science? Yes, we can use complex algorithms to predict and plan for requirements, but my experience is that unless you operate within a reasonably stable environment, predictions are either wrong or lucky. more
- 23
- JUN
- 2011
Should procurement be "salesy"?
Author: Maggie Slowik - Categories: Procurement Intelligence
"Is this the end of procurement as we know it, or is there a Procurement 2.0?" was one of the questions posed at a recent procurement workshop in London attended by CPOs at multinational companies. more
- 20
- JUN
- 2011
Procurement GPS: Demand Management - 'customer is king', long live the king
Author: Ian George - Categories: Procurement Strategy
I have read and often heard the quote "the customer is always right". I wonder how much these two statements have cost both industry and society over the years? Reframing these quotes from their more usual and blasé interpretation might just be worth a minute of our time. more
- 15
- JUN
- 2011
Will Africa’s long-term growth be driven by emerging consumer demand for services?
Author: Victoria Barnato - Categories: Economy & Current Affairs
The service sector has played an important role in Africa’s recent economic improvement. The continent’s long term economic growth potential lies in expanding this sector. more
- 14
- JUN
- 2011
End of the 'China price' - beginning of the era of the strong supplier
Author: Jonathan Webb - Categories: Supplier Relationship Management, Economy & Current Affairs
Have buyers become accustomed to low prices and easy deals? If so, the arrival of high prices will hit unprepared procurement departments hard. more
- 13
- JUN
- 2011
Procurement GPS: Supply Related Projects - who takes the lead?
Author: Ian George - Categories: Supplier Relationship Management, Procurement Strategy
Who in your organisation leads the introduction of new supply projects? Who project manages them? Who ensures the relevant stakeholders are engaged and coordinated as the project progresses? more
- 09
- JUN
- 2011
How will Wal-Mart takeover impact on South African suppliers?
Author: Jordan Early - Categories: CSR & Green, Supplier Relationship Management, Economy & Current Affairs
What's best for the country? Promoting foreign investment and giving citizens access to cheap groceries and retail goods or ensuring that local jobs don't get sent overseas? This is the question that South African politicians, industry heads and employment unions have been debating fervently over the past few weeks. more
