Review of UK Central Government Procurement Spend by Colin Cram

April 2, 2013

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Whilst the UK government seems to be re-doubling its efforts to improve procurement by central government, the impact of the changes so far have been limited according to one Parliamentary body. Whilst parliamentary debates between the government and opposition parties tend to hit the headlines, much of the hard work of ensuring good quality legislation […]

Posted in: Guest Posting

A Paradigm Shift in Contracting Sensibilities? by Jon Hansen

March 27, 2013

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Just this morning I received a notification of an upcoming seminar series presented under the heading “A seminar on Relational Outsourcing Management: Source Relationships, Not Deals or Transactions!”  I am of course quite familiar with both the phrase sourcing relationships not deals, as well as the organization behind the seminar; Strategic Relationships Solutions Inc.  You […]

Posted in: Commentary

Procurement Training Budgets vs. Sales Training Budgets by Charles Dominick, SPSM, SPSM2

March 26, 2013

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Editor’s Note:  Charles is founder, president and chief procurement officer of Next Level Purchasing, which offers the SPSM (Senior Professional in Supply Management) family of certifications. Be sure to check out Charles’ Purchasing Certification Blog. I recently came across a research paper by Best Practices, LLC.  The topic was training of sales people in the […]

Focus on building relationships that create sustainable value in Canada key to CF-18 Hornet replacement contract (Part 1) by Andy Akrouche

March 21, 2013

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Editor’s Note: The following article is from the Relational Contracting Intelligence blog by Andy Akrouche. Given the high profile debate surrounding Canada’s failed F-35 fighter jet acquisition, the timing of Akrouche’s article could not be better. “I am not pro or against the technology, I just want to build value in Canada. So let’s take […]

For procurement professionals’ success is as much about personal branding as it is doing a great job! by Roz Usheroff

March 21, 2013

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Editor’s Note: The following is a post that appeared in Roz Usheroff’s The Remarkable Leader Blog.  Besides being a great read, it demonstrates the growing reach of our profession in that discussions about procurement’s value to an organization are no longer confined to our specific industry. The other day I read an article by James […]

Procurement in Your App Store by Kelly Barner

March 20, 2013

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As procurement professionals make increasing use of social media and online collaboration, the associations we belong to are doing the same. Search for procurement in your Apple or Android App Store and you’ll come up with more results than you might expect. Some of the best uses of the app format are companions to the […]

Delivering Government Procurement Policies by Colin Cram

March 14, 2013

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In the 1980s, a TV comedy programme in the UK achieved very high audience ratings. Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister, was an avid fan. It was called ‘Yes, Minister!’ and viewers saw the hapless government minister pitched against the civil servants, led by ‘Sir Humphrey’, who did their best to undermine any ministerial policy […]

When it comes to public sector procurement, how often does the media erroneously waive the “corruption” banner? by Jon Hansen

March 13, 2013

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Right out of the gate I want to stress that I know that there is no Santa Claus or that the Easter Bunny will not be hopping his way into our home to leave sweet treats for the family later this spring. I say this as a means establishing the fact that I am not […]

Posted in: Commentary

Work Smarter, Not Harder…Actually, Work Harder At Working Smarter by Charles Dominick, SPSM, SPSM2

March 13, 2013

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Editor’s Note:  Charles is founder, president and chief procurement officer of Next Level Purchasing, which offers the SPSM (Senior Professional in Supply Management) family of certifications. Be sure to check out Charles’ Purchasing Certification Blog. Imagine these situations… Situation 1:  After rehearsing for three months, a choir performs their Spring concert.  Despite the facts that […]

Posted in: Guest Posting

New Forrester report suggests IBM finally got it right in buying Emptoris – I wonder if anyone remembers the IBM Ariba adventure? by Jon Hansen

March 7, 2013

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I recently found myself contemplating and writing about life as a parent when one passes the half century mark.  Just to be clear right out of the gate, and to avoid a restless night on the family couch, my partner Jennifer is nowhere near 50. This last point clarified, the age factor does come into […]

Posted in: Commentary