Inspired by The Economist’s annual “What If” essays, I thought that it might be fun to apply the same question to our procurement world.
For example, “What If” Rob Bernshteyn had been CEO of Perfect Commerce instead of Coupa?
“What If” IBM never purchased Emptoris?
Here’s one, “What If” Andrew Bartolini had continued to be an Associate Director at H.I.S. Shelter, an LA-based private, non-profit organization that transitioned homeless families into stable housing?
“What If” Mickey North Rizza had stayed at BravoSolution, or never left Gartner?
“What If” Covisint had actually worked?
“What If” women in procurement made more money than men in procurement?
“What If” there were no Spend Matters?
“What If” your knees bent the other way? What would chairs look like?
Anyway, these are just a few musings from an addled summer mind with all four kids home for the summer. Kelly Barner will know what I mean.
So here is my question to you; what is your procurement “What If” or “Ifs” if you are feeling ambitious?
30
Procurement Insights 
Lyle Kelley
July 14, 2017
What if manufacturing companies put as much value into quality, as they do profitability.
piblogger
July 14, 2017
Excellent “What If.”
Can you provide an example of where quality has been compromised in favor of profitability?
Dick Locke
July 14, 2017
Ford not adding shielding behind the gas tank on Pintos.
More recently, the GM ignition switch issue: A 57 cent fix was rejected as too expensive
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/01/victims-relatives-demand-answers-from-gm-over-death-trap-cars.html?pLid=460039
piblogger
July 14, 2017
Penny wise and pound foolish; great examples Dick.
bmaltaverne
July 14, 2017
What if…
… CFOs were reporting to CPOs (and not the other way around)?
… suppliers were not seen an a necessary evil (but as a partner as important as internal stakeholders?
… all (or most) Procurement professionals
* had made their way to Procurement by choice (and not by accident or worse as some kind of sanction)?
* were millennials?
* had read “Procurement at a crossroads”? 😉
* were women?
* had found out the true meaning of SRM? More on that here: https://medium.com/procurement-tidbits/the-massive-problem-at-the-heart-of-srm-51bddde4f351
… all Procurement organizations had a digital strategy?
… Procurement pros from the public and private sectors switched sector?
… Amazon had acquired Ariba (or Coupa or…)?
piblogger
July 14, 2017
My head is spinning from all of your possibilities Bertrand! Great “What Ifs”!!!
colincram
July 16, 2017
What if the Chinese economy overtakes that of the USA much earlier than expected, e.g. by 2025?
piblogger
July 16, 2017
A thought provoking “what if” Colin. What impact will it have on procurement globally?
Bill Culhane (@Contract_Hunter)
July 18, 2017
What if the U.S. gets the necessary public and private funding to invest on improving/repairing the infrastructure? In their most recent report, ASCE rated U.S. infrastructure a D+. D+ is not good.
piblogger
July 19, 2017
How did it get to this sorry state Bill, or would why be a better question?
Bill Culhane (@Contract_Hunter)
July 18, 2017
I could go on. What if we are able to achieve, not merely discuss, transparency and accountability in the procurement process. Recent example? http://www.techwire.net/news/2-state-agencies-to-tighten-oversight-of-contracts-bid-rules
Bill Culhane (@Contract_Hunter)
July 19, 2017
That’s a great question Jon. I believe the primary issues are, in no particular order, lacking and misappropriation of funds, people becoming comfortable with “that’s the way it is”, lack of understanding on the enormity of the problem. A couple of months ago, I visited with Greg DiLoreto, from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and his analysis of the problem was eye opening and troubling. I’ve traveled the world and can say that only the infrastructure in Papua New Guinea pales in comparison. The U.S.!
Alun@MarketDojo
September 27, 2017
What if Microsoft had enforced the need for an MSN messenger account for Windows back in the day? Would they own the VOIP community…would it have created their own FB…
Or a more procurement one…What if Richard Branson had a heavy procurement background?