Buying and Procurement personnel comprise a significant chunk of annual international business commuters, which begs the question: are their respective organisations ensuring that they enjoy the same level of safety during their journeys as they do at the office? The legal principle that applies is that every employee is entitled to health, safety, security and […]
Do CPOs have a Duty of Care? Read More »
World class organisations have a formal bid management process that includes a Bid Qualification activity in which procurement risk is well documented, but what is the risk to a supplier going into business with you? These risks also have to be considered before it starts to prepare the Request for Proposal (RFP) or begins filling
To Bid or not to Bid to your Tender? Read More »
Over the last 15 years or so, the Government has tried various means to spread South Africa’s wealth more equitably among its people. Good progress appears to have been made, however, there is a growing move towards a complex political box-ticking ‘compliance’ approach to affirmative procurement and associated policies which may, in the long run,
“Box ticking” affirmative procurement does more harm than good Read More »
How informed is your organisation about supply chain risks? Why should Procurement professionals only implement cost-cutting measures once they fully understand the ‘big picture’ aspects associated with supply chain risks? This is the third article in SmartProcurement’s World-Class Procurement Practice series, penned by Ronald Mlalazi (MCIPS), Commerce Edge Academy’s Edu cation Manager. This month’s article
Cost-cutting measures at the expense of strategic goals Read More »
What does it feel like to be a bidder or tenderer responding to your Requests for Proposal (RFP) or Requests for Quote? Trained and experienced Procurement professionals labour under the common misapprehension that their RFPs or similar tender documents are perfectly constructed, fully understandable, complete and with no errors. Sadly, this is not always the
How well do suppliers receive your RFPs? Read More »
The chairperson of South Africa’s largest wholly owned black auditing firm has expressed concern over BEE codes which penalise black-owned firms who expand their skills base with white talent. “Gobodo Incorporated needs to further expand its skills base and attract top auditing minds for the large accounts for which it is responsible. Based on my
Black-owned firms penalised for using white talent Read More »
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a subcomponent of the maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) expenditure of any large organisation. MRO expenditure is typically about 8% of large organisations’ total procurement expenditure. PPE represents 1% of total procurement expenditure, and can have more detrimental effects on an organisation than some of the other MRO sub-categories, Isak
PPE procurement: understanding its full TCO Read More »
A new trend in sourcing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) offers savings in excess of 25%, Isak Marais, MD of specialist PPE consultancy, Bramhope, tells SmartProcurement. Through advanced use of technology, a dedicated PPE policy and vendor managed inventory, the procurement of PPE can be improved, says Marais. Marais holds an MBA from Henley Management College
New Trend in Sourcing PPE Leads to Savings in Excess of 25% Read More »
Technology can be developed and configured to accommodate ever-changing legislation, but is ineffective in isolation when not supported by services, Catherine Hills, Client Services Director for Quadrem Africa, tells SmartProcurement. Referring to Supplier Enablement (SE) technology services, which link buyers and suppliers, Hills says that without a comprehensive service provision, organisations will not be equipped
Leads and tenders bulletin next level in procurement links Read More »
An impasse or deadlock in negotiations is not uncommon. An issue or condition that neither side seems able to agree upon brings the entire negotiation to a grinding halt. SmartProcurement wonders what a negotiator can do when faced with a deadlocked negotiation. Are there techniques which can be used to break the deadlock? Andrew C.
Break the deadlock and move forward! Read More »
