Editor, Author at Smart Procurement

Human talent, not technology, still the critical factor in procurement

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According to 1st Executive, the human element, rather than technology, is still the critical factor in the procurement process. The specialised procurement and supply chain consultancy argues that the human factor is increasingly overlooked in the procurement process, in favour of automation. 1st Executive has urged firms to review their existing e-systems, to ensure […]

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4 procurement vetting pitfalls to avoid

Leave a Comment / Legal / Contract, Risk Management, SRM Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Selection / Editor

Mistakes in business come with the territory, but those made in procurement ought to be considered among the most detrimental to the success of an operation. Common procurement related risks include supplier issues such as delivery delays, increases in demand, quality problems and fraud. These issues are often the result of mistakes made in

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Procurement models ineffective, say 51% of executives

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A survey conducted by the Ayming Consulting Group, found that more than half of the procurement executives (51%) interviewed do not think their current procurement model is effective. The survey involved a number of executives from different size businesses, across a range of sectors. The survey of 200 executives – including CEOs, CFOs and

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PMI indicator does not bode well for output growth

Leave a Comment / Change, Commentary, PMI / Editor

The seasonally adjusted Absa’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined from 51.5 index points in May 2017, to 46.6 index points in June 2017. The Bureau of Economic Research (BER) said that “the deterioration was broad-based, with four of the five main subcomponents moving lower, compared with May.” The BER added that “the recent volatility is

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Procurement’s value will be judged on its alignment with the organisation’s strategy

Leave a Comment / Change, Legal / Contract, Procurement Strategy, Professional Development, Sourcing Strategy, Supplier Management, Supply Chain Management SCM, Technology / Editor

Is your procurement division a purchasing or a procurement function? More importantly, into which category does your CEO and other key executives place your function? Shiraz Sarang, CPO at Nedbank discusses how procurement professionals can elevate the importance of the procurement function within an organisation, in this month’s SmartProcurement.

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Vetting suppliers: avoid introducing risk into your supply chains

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Many Japanese car makers have recalled whole fleets of models owing to faulty airbag modulesProfit is the ultimate objective of every business operation. However, there are several threats to revenue, including market competition, internal fraud, poor leadership, high expenditure, regulatory obligations and weak links in supply chains, particularly concerning suppliers. “Working with the wrong supplier

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Travel benchmarks point to behaviour massively driving costs in 2017

Leave a Comment / Benchmarking, Category Management, Travel / Editor

The domestic corporate travel market is set to undergo many subtle changes in 2017, says Alan Low of category benchmarking company Pi. With a forecast of stagnant economic growth, downgrades and political uncertainty, organisations will be looking for more savings and greater efficiency. The interplay between travellers, travel managers and service providers, such as

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Raising procurement’s image – one person at a time

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Who’s willing to stand up and bear the flag of procurement pride and improve our image? Elaine Porteous wants reinforcements to help raise the function’s status up to where it belongs.

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BEE: look beyond regulation to be effective in supply chain

Leave a Comment / BEE, Commentary, Enterprise Development, Legal / Contract, Supplier Management / Editor

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is one of the most highly regulated aspects of the South African business landscape today. The most recent changes to the regulations have both large corporate businesses and smaller businesses returning to the scorecard drawing board. Louis Coetzee – General Manager of the Ecsponent Development Fund (part of JSE-listed African

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Protect the procurement process from conflict of interest

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Procurement practitioners are responsible for ensuring a fair and transparent procurement process that is free from any conflicts of interest. Despite frameworks like the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act and the King IV Report on Corporate Governance, there have been numerous incidents in which procurement professionals were found guilty of allowing their

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