• 22
  • JUL
What skills does a successful category manager need?

The procurement function has dramatically changed from its previous role of purchasing and transactional compliance. Procurement departments are now strategic agents that seek to align best practice within the business. Analysts, buyers and category managers also need to grow to meet these new needs. more

Views: 135 - Comments: 0
  • 14
  • JUL
Procurement's insurance dilemma

Risk has been a watchword over the past two years as firms have grappled with the some of the most turbulent economic conditions in a generation. This focus has led to an increased focus on insurance – but are companies armed with the information they need to secure the right deal at the right price? more

Views: 194 - Comments: 0
  • 06
  • JUL
Organisational alignment: Who is tricking whom?

Next week, the PIU will launch its newest piece of executive research, this time exploring organisational alignment. more

Views: 314 - Comments: 0
  • 30
  • JUN

Clock ticking, but not for Swatch

Clock ticking, but not for Swatch

In the current economic climate, positive news for luxury goods companies is gold-dust – and thanks to market intelligence it looks as though one Swiss watch-maker is bucking the downward trend. more

Views: 208 - Comments: 0
  • 21
  • JUN
Intelligence-led approach gains General approval

As a former colleague once memorably informed me, 'General Hindsight never lost a war'. He was a salesman, and used the phrase – which he had no doubt gleaned from another wise man – to explain how he had let a deal slip through his fingers because the right people weren't engaged at the right time. more

Views: 239 - Comments: 0
  • 17
  • JUN
Is there a global logistics recovery?

The fate of the wider economy is closely linked to the prosperity of the logistics market. The sector has produced many reports and figures, and yet it is difficult to disentangle these to determine global economic significance. more

Views: 221 - Comments: 1
  • 07
  • JUN
What about China?

In late May I was fortunate enough to attend the Procurement Leaders London Forum, which looks to bring the brightest minds in procurement together to network and discuss the unique challenges that our function faces. more

Views: 283 - Comments: 1
  • 02
  • JUN
Red alert: Is your intelligence falling into the wrong hands?

A quick question – do you know where your intelligence is as you read this? As the scope of market intelligence gathered by procurement organisations grows, then so does the amount of information provided to them. How many, though, are ensuring that their precious data doesn't fall into the wrong hands – and how many are working hard to make sure that their intelligence doesn't walk out of the building when a member of staff swaps one place of work for another? more

Views: 216 - Comments: 0