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Procurement decisions don’t fail inside procurement. They fail when real-world conditions hit them. That’s what we assess.
A Quick Thought: Has the Top 30 Under 30 Gone MIA?
January 13, 2016
I was, like many in our industry, delighted when ThomasNet and ISM teamed up to launch the Annual Top 30 Under 30 program. I even did a radio segment on it shortly after the campaign was launched in early 2014. By focusing on a group of 30 “rising”supply chain stars who, as the name suggests, […]
Posted in: Commentary
Musings For A New Year: Do vendors have to make it in the U.S. to be successful?
January 12, 2016
Editor’s Note: The following are musings from a mind with too much caffeine, a computer, and observational inclinations. As such, beyond what is plainly written, there is an underlying message. Do you know what it is? If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere . . . – Lyrics from the song New York, New […]
Posted in: Commentary
Is Ford’s AutoXchange the “Real Deal?” (8 Years Later)
December 8, 2015
Originally posted on Procurement Insights:
In an excerpt from my March 18, 2008 post titled Optimization Modeling and the Modern Supply Chain I made the following statement: “The key starting point is to recognize that the term supply chain is a misnomer in that it implies a sequential order of events (in the spirit of your…
Posted in: Uncategorized
For the majority of procurement professionals, does technology really matter?
November 25, 2015
Or to put it in a less eloquent and more direct fashion . . . just shut up and deliver, and in the process enable me to do a better job without my having to hear and think about you.
Posted in: Commentary
Would 50% of all procurement professionals really choose a different career?
November 23, 2015
At a conference at which I was speaking, I posed the question how many of you in the audience chose procurement as a profession? Specifically, did you consciously say I want to be in purchasing or, did you just sort of fall into it? Not surprisingly, the vast majority indicated that they just sort of […]
Posted in: Conferences
Company culture and the Glassdoor effect by Jon Hansen
November 11, 2015
In yesterday’s post, I had made reference to a Forbes article by Josh Bersin titled Culture: Why It’s The Hottest Topic In Business Today, in which he made the statement that “We have arrived in a world of “haves” and “have-nots” when it comes to attracting and engaging top talent.” Bersin then went on to say that “Fortune’ Best Companies happen […]
Posted in: Commentary
If Coupa goes public, will it ruin the company? by Jon Hansen
November 11, 2015
YES! I just wanted to remove the mystery or any possible doubt surrounding what my answer would be to the question “if Coupa goes public, will it ruin the company?” By the way, what prompted the question (and this post), was a very recent Bloomberg interview with Coupa CEO Rob Bernshteyn. By the way – and I […]
Posted in: Commentary, News & Updates
Despite early challenges, Bravo appears on track to make Ontario initiative a success by Jon Hansen
November 10, 2015
For those of you who followed my coverage of BravoSolution this past summer, you will know that information sources provided a detailed (and graphic) picture of an initiative that looked to be in trouble. Specifically, Bravo’s challenges in terms of its platform gaining traction within the Ontario Government. To their credit, rather than ducking the tough […]
Posted in: News & Updates
Radio Debate . . . Oregon v. Oracle: A Question Of Executive Liability
November 4, 2015
According to an October 8th, 2015 article in the Portland Business Journal, The Oregon Supreme Court “sided with the state and denied Oracle America’s attempt to dismiss its top brass as defendants in the state’s lawsuit.” In today’s Blog Talk Radio segment, I am joined by Buyers Meeting Point’s Kelly Barner to talk about the consequences of this seminal […]
Posted in: Commentary, News & Updates
Procurement Insights 
But You Can’t Say That, or Why Do I Write What I Write?
January 15, 2016
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Someone recently asked me why I write what I write? My initial response was to say something reminiscent of the sentiments expressed by George Leigh Mallory regarding why he climbed Mount Everest . . . because it is there. In short, I write because I love to write. However – and this is just my viewpoint, […]