Today’s SSON Panel Discussion on Procurement Outsourcing Went Well Beyond the Same Old Industry Chatter

When I was approached by the Shared Services and Outsourcing Network “SSON” to host/moderate a special guest panel discussion with senior executives from Genpact, ICG Commerce and IBX  Group AB (which was recently acquired by Capgemini) regarding the emerging trends within the world of Procurement Outsourcing, I was both excited as well as a little hesitant.

Excited in that this is a very timely topic which seems to be gaining the kind of critical mass that is indicative of a Gladwell-type “tipping point” in terms of both public and private sector understanding as to when outsourcing an organization’s procurement function makes sense.

Hesitant, as I wanted to pose challenging questions that would ultimately provide unique perspectives that extended beyond the same old industry chatter that numbs more than engages a listening audience.  In essence I wanted to stimulate the kind of gut-level expert response that can only be gained through many, many years of experience.  Not having prior knowledge of the executives who would form the SSON panel, I was not sure how they would respond.

As it turns out, and as you will discover when you tune into the on-demand version of this morning’s PI Window on Business broadcast, the three executives were not only up to the challenge, they in many ways exceeded my expectations relative to their willingness to go where most industry executives have traditionally been reluctant to go.

I am of course talking about areas such as the potential for job loss as a result of a company’s decision to implement a procurement outsourcing strategy, as well as the changing core competencies of today’s procurement professionals and how veteran commodity managers are required to adapt to a new reality.  We were even able to discuss at length the responsibilities of the client from an internal communication/collaboration standpoint and how they play a significant role in their own success or failure.

We also covered the the issues associated with past initiative failures and the real potential of the procurement outsourcing market over the next 12 to 24 months.  In short, we were able to provide that elusive and unique lens through which both listener and reader can gain a new and I would imagine better perspective on the subject of procurement outsourcing that is often times not available through traditional information channels.

It was, to say the least, a satisfying experience from which I came away feeling both pleased and honored by the opportunity to be a participant in what was simply a great discussion.

Of course you do not have to take my word for it, as you can decide for yourself by accessing the discussion in its entirety on an on-demand basis through the following “SSON Smart Procurement Series: Procurement Outsourcing” segment link or, by clicking on the SSON logo below.

In the meantime, I am certainly going to follow the SSON Smart Procurement Series, even when my participation is that of listener.

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