- 16
- AUG
- 2011
Recessionary procurement - what will happen this time round?
Author: Jordan Early - Categories: Risk, Cost Management, Economy & Current Affairs
The phrase 'double-dip recession' has been bandied around ever since the global economy began its steady (yet painfully slow) recovery from the financial turmoil of 2008. While market pessimists have forecast a return to negative economic growth for the past few years, the events of recent weeks suggest that the slippery slope back into recession may be closer than we thought. more
- 31
- MAY
- 2011
Procurement GPS: Sourcing Decisions - cash or competency?
Author: Ian George - Categories: Procurement Strategy, Cost Management
First companies outsourced to save money. If the supplier could do it more cheaply then they could have the business. Being the cynic that I am, it does beg the question of how these organisations were able to cost internal and external alternatives accurately... more
- 26
- APR
- 2011
Procurement GPS: Strategic Cost Management - bandits or businessmen?
Author: Ian George - Categories: Procurement Strategy, Cost Management
Ruskin was right when he said you get what you pay for, but sometimes it's worse than that and you get what you deserve. Expecting to make your business grow through a strategy of reduction gets you only so far and it is often the preserve of the one-trick pony. more
- 21
- APR
- 2011
When wheat makes weathermen of buyers: cost modelling unexpected events
Author: Jonathan Webb - Categories: Cost Management
Droughts in North America and Europe are drying up wheat supplies. How prepared should category managers be for such unexpected events? more
- 23
- SEP
- 2010
How to avoid sky-high travel costs
Author: Jonathan Webb - Categories: Indirect Spend, Cost Management
The global recovery has seen a rapid rise in business travel over the last year and increased demand has placed an additional need for companies to develop travel procurement practices that don't fall victim to the market. more
- 22
- MAR
- 2010
What makes you think your supply chain is secure?
Author: Maggie Slowik - Categories: Cost Management, Risk
There is something that no supply chain, regardless of industry, size or location, is untroubled by - the risk of counterfeiting. In recent weeks in the press I've come across quite a few examples of companies that have become victims to this procurement nightmare. more
- 02
- MAR
- 2010
PIU research featured in Procurement Leaders magazine
Author: Amy Huntley - Categories: Cost Management
Rather than manage cost, manage demand - it's a simple theory, but there are few organisations doing it well. Here, Michelle Perkins, head of research at the Procurement Intelligence Unit, takes us through some of the steps that CPOs can take to introduce a corporate-wide demand management process. The article, featured in Procurement Leaders, is based on an in-depth research project carried out by the PIU, the findings of which point to a long, difficult road, but one with a huge pot of gold at its end. more
- 29
- SEP
- 2009
Cost modelling to the fore as firms take intelligent approach to sustainable future
Author: Mark Perera - Categories: Cost Management
By common consent there are two kinds of suppliers relationship management – one involves the fist and the table, the other, the outstretched hand and the voice of reason. And while procurement currently finds itself very much in a buyer’s market, the suppliers that have seen more of the former than the latter are likely to have long memories when the economy finally gets back on its feet. more
