Smart Sourcing Archives - Page 2 of 5

Why do some cross-functional teams fail? 5 critical success factors

Using a cross-functional team in a strategic sourcing exercise for a key commodity is the accepted and preferred way to go, many teams having delivered successful outcomes. However, it is no assurance of improved performance. But what causes a less than successful outcome? Elaine Porteous asks in this month’s SmartProcurement. Cross-functional teams (CFTs), made […]

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A checklist when commencing a new CPO Position

Leave a Comment / Change, Commentary, Procurement Strategy, Smart Sourcing, Top Stories / Editor

Jeremy Kirsten, a MCIPS Procurement and Supply professional, Project Manager, Consultant and Change Manager, shares a few fundamentals that a newly appointed senior procurement leader must endeavour to stick to, in this month’s SmartProcurement. Get to know your stakeholders – Having their buy in is critical because without that, trying to get projects or

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Current procurement methods do not support mini budget’s austere measures

Leave a Comment / Commentary, e-Procurement, Procurement Strategy, Smart Sourcing, Technology, Tools, Travel / Editor

Many of the key items subject to austere measures under Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s mini budget fall under the Travel and Expense (T&E) portfolio. While these cost-cutting measures are a step in the right direction to curb excessive spending, Tracey Shaw, of travel technology company TraveluXion, wonders how they will be implemented in practice

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Reducing Costs through Collaboration in Supply Chains – Martin Christopher

Leave a Comment / Global Sourcing, Procurement Strategy, Smart Sourcing, Sourcing Strategy, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Management SCM / Editor

The need to contain costs in all aspects of business is now more crucial than ever for most companies. Many challenges lie ahead in these uncertain economic times; input costs, particularly raw materials, are on the rise again, and the search for greater cost reduction in business is intensifying. But after years of significant

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Enough innovation in South African Supply Chains?

Leave a Comment / Procurement Strategy, Smart Sourcing, Sourcing Strategy, Supply Chain Management SCM, Sustainable Procurement, Technology / Editor

Today, a high-performance supply chain is a strategic asset, the complexity of which is increased by numerous factors, making constant innovation a necessity, Tech-Pro Personnel tells SmartProcurement. Historically, innovative companies that build strategic, high-performing supply chains quickly gain competitive and financial advantages. The PwC Global Supply Chain Survey 2013 found that companies with leading

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Transport’s contribution to logistics costs reaches 9-year high

Leave a Comment / Benchmarking, Logistics, MRO, Smart Sourcing / Editor

The vulnerability of South Africa’s transport costs to a volatile cost driver – the price of crude oil – and South Africa’s entrenched dependence on road transport does not bode well for the economy, according to the 9th State of Logistics survey for South Africa 2012. The contribution of transport costs to overall logistics costs

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Is the commodity price environment today different from the past?

Leave a Comment / Category Management, Smart Sourcing, SRM Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Management / Editor

In short, Yes. A new higher cost profile has been placed under many commodities, says John Mothersole of economic analysis and forecasting organisation IHS. “Volatility has increased significantly – and is likely a permanent feature of supply chains,” says Mothersole. This raises the need to not only track commodity prices, but also the corresponding factors

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SA risks losing role as world’s ‘supply chain gateway to Africa’

Leave a Comment / Commentary, Procurement Strategy, Smart Sourcing, Sourcing Strategy, Supply Chain Management SCM / Editor

South Africa risks losing its role as the world’s ‘gateway to Africa’ if it does not respond to rising competition from other African countries, indicates research released last week. In its 2012 publication of SupplyChainForesight, Barloworld Logistics said that Nigeria was seen as the most likely to overtake South Africa as the leading economy and

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Ethics ignorance is not bliss

Leave a Comment / Procurement Strategy, Risk Management, Smart Sourcing, Tools & Tips / Editor

In a world of immediacy, it is imperative for the procurement and compliance functions to work closely with suppliers to ensure that conduct throughout the supply chain does not overstep ethical boundaries. Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director tackles this tough topic for SmartProcurement. “The combination of supply chain globalisation and consumer activism presents

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Open road tolling – logistics costs to rise by up to 15%

Leave a Comment / Procurement Strategy, Service Outsourcing, Smart Sourcing, Sourcing Strategy / Editor

While there may be some uncertainty over the dates on which the tolling of Gauteng highways will begin under the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan (GFIP), the cost of refurbishing the roads makes it a certainty that the tolling will go ahead.

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