When purchasing materials the same routines are used on each occasion, even if each and every one of these purchases is unique. So why do we need supply chain policies or procedures? asks Muddassir Ahmed, Divisional Supply Chain Manager at Eaton.
10 things you should consider before writing any supply chain policy Read More »
Is the financial year-end getting the better of you? Are suppliers unco-operative? Are you late with their payments? Are you over budget and struggling to balance the books? If any of the above scenarios apply to you, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. Balancing inconsistent supply chain management practices with increasing costs
Expense reconciliation: tips to improve your process Read More »
“Procurement fraud happens within the entire value chain of organisations. Because decisions are made on every level, some procurement officials get a chance to manipulate the system, and accept bribes,” says Lebogang Letsoalo, Director at Sincpoint Pty Ltd.
Procurement fraud – why does it continue to thrive? Read More »
In this month’s SmartProcurement, Crest Advisory Africa’s Nico Snyman outlines a case-study on supply chain risk assessment. Crest Advisory Africa (CAA) recently performed an Online Supply Chain Risk Assessment (OSCRA) on a site within the Gauteng area for a leader in the construction environment who works with a number of value chains and supply chain
Case study: Supply chain risk assessment Read More »
The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose by a further 1.6 points to 52.5 index points in February, after a 4.2-point rise in January. The second consecutive improvement in the PMI and the broad-based nature of the uptick across the key subcomponents is a positive sign that the manufacturing sector started the
PMI continues gains in February Read More »
In the indirect category one of the tricky negotiations is consultants. In many cases, they are brought in at high levels of the organization for their specific expertise. Often they have already been awarded the contract and are ready to start the assignment with the contract being the clean-up details. Has this ever happened to
Negotiating with consultants – the insider perspective Read More »
Challenges of Global Procurement Rob Handfield, Co-Director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative at North Carolina State University (SCRC), recently spoke to John Zapko, Vice President of global procurement for technology company Lenovo, about what’s going on in the world of global procurement. Zapko has procurement authority over all software, Latin America, and emerging markets.
Q&A with Lenovo’s VP of Global Procurement Read More »
As consumers, we’re wary of so-called “free” products and services as there’s always a hidden cost. Why, then, are procurement teams willing to accept free help with supplier selection? Asks Procurious’ Bruce Macfarlane, founder of Kansoly. Businesses often seek help with their buying decisions, especially in complicated categories such as telco or energy. Preparing an
Why “free help” with buying decisions costs more Read More »
This strapline is the inspiration for many resolutions in January, designed to make you fitter, healthier or to become a better person. Returning to work after the festive break, to an inbox bursting with adverts and stories promising a leaner and better you in 2017, Chris Webber, Practice Head for The Gap Partnership, was inspired
3 new-year negotiation resolutions Read More »
At early stages of my career and even now I have tried to utilise every chance I get to interact with senior managers, learn from their experiences. And get hands-on support from them where possible and use them as my supply chain coach. No matter whether your supply chain career is at beginners level, a
5 reasons why you should engage with a supply chain coach Read More »
