Promoting Supplier Innovation (Part Two)

Authored by Sarah Clarke

Yesterday we highlighted a blog from Harvard Business Review’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter on Stifling Supplier Innovation. For each of the supplier innovation stiflers, Moss Kanter lists ‘Innovation Promoters’ which can have the opposite effects to the stiflers. Again, here’s my pick...

• Encourage ideas from suppliers as they often know your business better than some of your own team. 
• Promote your commitment to the supplier innovation programme and ask your suppliers to invest time into providing new ideas. Respect their time by giving them as much notice of changes to requirements and key members of staff, so they can spend the time on innovation.

Stifling Supplier Innovation (Part One)

Authored by Sarah Clarke 

A colleague recently directed me to a great blog post from Rosabeth Moss Kanter at the Havard Business Review, titled ‘Nine Rules to Stifling Innovation’. It’s a great list of how a company should NOT interact with their suppliers. I've picked a few of the ‘stiflers’ here that rang a chord.... 

1. Be suspicious of ideas that come from your suppliers - your strategy, innovation and R&D teams know your business better than anyone externally. 
2. In the name of excellence, encourage cut-throat competition. If a new idea comes in from a supplier, immediately put it out to the rest of your suppliers to see if they can provide it cheaper. Even better run a RFX and auction. 
3. Ensure quarterly reviews don’t happen. Make sure the procurement team are so busy that they don’t have the time to hold their quarterly meetings with top suppliers. Having a face to face meeting with suppliers on a regular basis may provide a sign that you care about the relationship. 

Action and Reaction: Supply Chain Moves Cut Apple’s Stock Price

Authored by Mickey North Rizza

To every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton surely wasn’t thinking of the supply chain when he created the laws of motion, but in today’s investor marketplace, the law often holds true.

As the darlings of the tech world, everything at Apple is closely monitored, analysed and measured, especially the supply chain. Recently, at least 5 core analysts lowered their price targets on Apple amidst reports that the company was cutting some iPhone parts orders in its Asia supply chain. The stock price quickly dropped roughly 9%.

Accessing Spend Analysis through Government Procurement Service

Authored by Mike Roberts

Successfully delivering better value and better outcomes from procurement activities requires managing many competing priorities. Whether delivering cash releasing savings, creating strategic social value or managing environmental sustainability, the need to anticipate, measure and communicate the economic and financial impact of our decisions is becoming more and more essential.

How can procurement encourage SME participation?

Authored by Claire Sexton 

Traditionally, category managers focus solely on finding lowest cost options and give little consideration to factors beyond the traditional procurement scope, such as increasing business with small-to-medium sized businesses (SME), local or diverse suppliers.
However, most procurement teams have the tools in place to enable SME participation and it only takes a slight shift in how they are used. Here are a few tips to incorporate this new approach:

Case Study: Procurement’s Impact on 2013 Airline Profits

Authored by Mickey North Rizza

Recently the International Air Transport Association (IATA) made a bold prediction for 2013: Airlines will earn global net profits of £5.17 billion despite volatile fuel prices and weakening demand.

Technology Cannot Be Procurement’s Safety Net

Authored by Richard Hogg

Procurement Leaders reporter Tim Burt wrote an interesting post last week based on the results of the latest Procurement Intentions Survey. The numbers outline a story that we hear often: our industry is hungry for new technology.

The Latest Supply Management Poll

Guest author: Guy Allen

The latest Supply Management Poll shows Stakeholder Relationships to be the number one priority for Procurement staff for 2013, with 45% of respondents identifying it as their major priority for the year. This was followed by 27% choosing Supplier Relationship Management, giving a total of 72% looking to improve relationships.

Lessons Learnt from the 2012 Real World Sourcing Series

Authored by Sarah Clarke

When I reflect on the 2012 Real World Sourcing Series,  I think about some of the takeaways from the sessions.  Here are a few of my highlights from the briefings:

Three Cost-Cutting Resolutions for Procurement

Authored by Mike Roberts

We are now well into January and perhaps we are a little late with some New Year resolutions, but if you're still thinking about making some, here are three easy and attainable procurement resolutions that will help your organisation control costs in the coming year.

Mickey’s Top 5 Procurement predictions for 2013

Authored By: Mickey North Rizza 

It seems everyone has a list of predictions these days, from the Mayans to the financial analyst. I figured I would throw my two pence in and then grade myself at year’s end. Here are my top 5 Procurement Predictions for 2013.

Questions to Ask When Looking at a Contract Management Tool

Authored by Claire Sexton 

According to the Aberdeen Group, ineffective control of Contract Management costs businesses £100 billion per year in missed savings opportunities.

Implementing a Contract Management tool into an organisation for the first time can be a daunting prospect. Most organisations I meet that are considering Contract Management share common traits and beliefs. 

Becoming a Successful CPO: A Three-Month Plan

Authored by Richard Hogg

Whether you’re just beginning your career at the executive level or joining a new company, the first 90 days as a CPO are critical for establishing long- term success, and your work starts before the first day on the job.

Before you start, ask:

• How willing are people in and outside procurement to change?
• What additional resources are available for new technology, training or consultants?
• Who are procurement’s best fans? Blockers?

Procurement Hot Topics for 2013 ... The return of the Real World Sourcing Series

Authored by Sarah Clarke

The arrival of the new year heralds the arrival of a new syllabus of Real World Sourcing Expert Briefings.

Working again in conjunction with Spend Matters and Guy Allen (previously CPO at Abbey, Santander and Fujitsu), and following great feedback from the 2012 series, we've put together a program that covers, what we believe, are some of the hottest topics in procurement. 

Social Influence: 10 Sourcing and Procurement Leaders to Follow on Twitter

Authored by Sarah Clarke

If you're looking for real-time procurement news and analysis, look no further. These 10 supply chain influencers will keep you up-to-date on everything you need and want to know via Twitter.