Summer breaks, like the one SM is on at the moment, are quite common in the publishing industry, as most people head off on holiday. But is this the same in procurement? You might think that for airlines, hotels and travel operators, the summer would represent the busiest time of year for their procurement teams. [...]
Five years ago we reported that a job buying chocolate at Fortnum and Mason had attracted 2,000 applications in a fortnight, having advertised itself as "the best job in the world". I can see why this role would be so attractive, but is this really the best procurement job available? What other products would make [...]
We often report how various governments face accusations of wasting or mismanaging money through procurement and the cost of that to the taxpayer. But it got me thinking – just what is the difference between waste and mismanagement? Fraud is a little more obvious, but it seems to be a little blurry between the other [...]
A question posed by a reader: “My purchasing department has been asked to measure the performance of solicitors. They are currently chosen from a designated panel and it is expected that this information will be used in the decision on who will be on the list and also to improve supplier performance. Are there any [...]
Karl Alomar, senior partner at China Export Finance, warns buyers that suppliers in China are struggling with globalisation as much as them. “It is important to remember the logistical difficulties are not all one way. Chinese manufacturers can have as hard a time trading with overseas buyers as purchasers do with them. It’s easy to [...]
Leadership is a prominent feature of this issue’s magazine (July 19). We see a demonstration of it in the way Detlef Schultz, global supply chain manager at Vodafone is overhauling procurement; we have an article describing how to become an effective leader; and the editorial urges purchasers to avoid complaining about a credit deficiency and [...]
According to this BBC story, suppliers have got the go-ahead to begin production of parts for the so-called “$100 laptop”. The “one laptop per child” programme is designed to give children in the developing world access to computers. According to the BBC, the company needed at least 3 million orders to make the scheme viable. [...]
Part of business is working together like well oiled unit, perfectly represented by the orchestra that comes together to perform a symphony. But if procurement was part of an orchestra how would it be best represented? Would it the percussion section, making all the noise and drowning out those around it? Perhaps it would be [...]
This week SM’s adviser panel was asked for help from a reader about one of his staff… A buyer in my team is extremely protective of one of his suppliers to the point that questions are being asked about “dodgy dealings”. There is no evidence of corruption and he is always very professional. How should [...]
In the next issue of Supply Management, out tomorrow – Featured Articles Engaging Change – Detlef Schultz, global supply chain management director at Vodafone, tells how the company has transformed procurement. Let’s work together – Public and private sector buyers who have teamed up with each other for the greater good. Boom on hold – [...]
