Unethical behaviour begins with a choice. But, once begun it is a downhill slide on a slippery slope. Some professionals justify their behaviour by judging themselves against their intentions rather than against their actions. However, a decisive litmus test is whether you would feel comfortable if the press spoke to your suppliers about your […]
Tricky procurement ethics questions and related answers Read More »
The CSIR’s 10th Annual State of Logistics Survey for South Africa¹, released in May 2014, highlights progress made and areas for improvement in South African logistics. The survey’s results mirror Tech-Pro’s experiences in this increasingly specialised area of supply chain management, Tech-Pro tells SmartProcurement. Subtitled ‘Bold Steps Forward’, the survey emphasises the growing importance
2014 Trends in South African logistics Read More »
International organisations committed to continuing operation in South Africa have likely tasked their procurement departments with supporting SA’s drive to increase local production within the economy through increased local procurement. But, when operating on an international scale, how can an organisation’s global procurement system support local procurement while still giving visibility into aggregate spend
Moving Localised Procurement into a Global System Read More »
As the world embraces ‘green’ initiatives, products and services, South Africa is implementing renewable energy, green building practises and environmental regulation to lessen the impact on our environment and precious resources. This opens doors for suppliers to turn their operations “green” and provide services that comply with current standards and that enhance corporate responsibility,
Why ‘green building’ is vital to your supply chain Read More »
The seasonally adjusted Kagiso Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) fell to 45.9 index points in July from 46.6 in June. “The decline in July was expected given that the labour strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) lasted almost the full month and directly affected many manufacturing subsectors,” says Abdul Davids,
PMI continues to signal manufacturing sector’s subpar performance Read More »
Tech-Pro’s Salary Survey 2014 highlights how growing demand for skilled Supply Chain practitioners is improving career and earnings prospects for procurement, logistics, planning, supply chain and consulting staff, in this month’s SmartProcurement. Today, business success is heavily influenced by supply chain efficiency. Having the right product in the right place at the right time is
2014 SCM salary trends: Men earn 29% more than women! Read More »
Massmart and Absa have partnered to assist a black-owned milling company to expand its operations and create 40 permanent jobs. Lethabo Milling, a participant in the Massmart Supplier Development Programme, acquired a mill in Ventersburg, Free State, and will receive an order from Massmart to produce 10 000 tons of Massmart’s house brand Econo Super
Massmart and Absa join forces to support black entrepreneurs Read More »
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
Why do some cross-functional teams fail? 5 critical success factors Read More »
South African corporations’ ability to collaborate with their SME business partners on supply chain innovation was in the spotlight recently at the Procurement Leader Awards of the Second World Procurement Congress. Anglo American and Johannesburg-based Aurik Business Incubator were the only SA organisations named as finalists in the categories ‘External Collaboration Award’, ‘CSR Award’
World procurement congress lists SA supply chain collaboration as finalist Read More »
The days when procurement was merely another support function are long gone. Organisations are becoming more aware that procurement is vital to adding value for the company and its customers, and should, therefore, be part of the overall corporate strategy, explains Anita Carolus-Opperman, Nedbank Corporate Card National Sales Manager, in this month’s SmartProcurement. P-Cards
4 benefits of P-Cards that drive strategic procurement Read More »
