December 17, 2010
Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, speaking at a meeting attended by 31 major government suppliers including BT, Hewlett Packard, IBM and CapGemini, claimed that large-scale bespoke IT systems – many of which have gone significantly over budget in the past – would henceforth be replaced by less expensive and “off the shelf” offerings. So opened […]
November 25, 2010
You gotta love the world of public sector procurement as the myriad of competing interests that mark the convergence of short-term elected official rhetoric and long-suffering bureaucratic sensibilities rarely if ever aligns into a cohesive purchasing strategy. Like the sentiment that is reflected in the statement when the United States sneezes, Canada catches a cold […]
June 10, 2010
As previously mentioned, the Government takes great interest in the health of SMEs and is making it a priority in wanting to “cut the red tape faced by the private and not-for-profit sectors when doing business with the government [and fixing procurement]” (2008 Speech from the Throne). The Government is proud that it has done […]
April 7, 2010
As announced here in my December 31st, 2009 post “Exciting New Vistas Await the PI Window on Business Show in 2010,” we have launched the new Business Thought Leaders Series in which we will be joined by industry experts to share their perspectives on the key areas of everyday business including Venture Capital investment, logistics […]
March 31, 2010
UK public sector spending amounts to some 1.5 per cent of global GDP. In 2009-10 it will amount to nearly 50 per cent of UK GDP, approximately £11,000 per man, woman and child in the UK. This is equivalent to a lifetime investment of £850,000 for a person with average life expectancy. The public therefore […]
March 15, 2010
In Part 3 of the 7-Part “Seven Steps to Success: Jump Start Government Contracts” Series with Washington-based expert author Judy Bradt a true moment of epiphany occurred about three quarters into the show. Specifically, it was the realization that outside of an instinctual approach by a handful of suppliers, the process for winning government contracts […]
March 8, 2010
The following is a post that appeared in today’s Essential Connections Blog, referencing my July 9th, 2007 article on how public sector procurement has to a certain degree experienced what I referred to as the WalMart Effect. It is an interesting new Blog focusing on public sector procurement, that features guest posts by industry thought […]
February 26, 2010
The following is today’s post from the Essential Connections Blog. Focusing on public sector procurement, EC (not to be confused with OC) is hoping to become the subject matter expert resource for both suppliers and buyers from the world of government purchasing. Remember to visit the Essential Connections through the following link, and provide your […]
February 16, 2010
The core “philosophy” behind the New Public Management or “NPM” concept (which has been part of the government lexicon since the 1980s), is the belief that a “market orientation in the public sector will lead to greater cost-efficiency for governments, without having negative side effects on other objectives and considerations.” While there may be merit […]
Ask a simple question about government procurement . . .
January 14, 2011
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Perhaps the natural radio host in me is the reason why I am interested in everything that goes on around me and thus like to ask a lot of questions. What is it my mother used to say . . . there is no such thing as a dumb question?! Great advice, and I have […]