Top Stories Archives - Page 5 of 8

‘Perfect storm’ brewing for South African supply chain talent?

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Recently, researchers Ruamsook and Craighead detailed what they believe is a perfect storm brewing in US supply chain management that will “contract the pool for supply chain talent”.¹ A similar set of circumstances exists in South Africa, Tech-Pro Personnel tells SmartProcurement. The American ‘Storm’ Ruamsook and Craighead’s research found key emerging trends that “individually […]

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SA’s economic empowerment history offered easier routes than entrepreneurship

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Three periods in South Africa’s history have applied policies making entrepreneurship a last resort for many would-be entrepreneurs. During these periods the country has offered selective groups less-risky alternatives to becoming entrepreneurs effectively disincentivising entrepreneurship in the country, says Allon Raiz, CEO of enterprise development organisation Raizcorp. “South Africa’s political history meant that pre-1948,

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How should SMMEs operate with mature procurement functions?

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Hope Factory business mentor Busi Raphekwane shares some crucial guidelines for SMMEs interacting with procurement, in this month’s SmartProcurement. This is pertinent information for procurement and supply chain functions to share with their SMME suppliers. As an SMME interacting with procurement departments, there are certain expectations that need to be met. The key is

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Driving procurement card adoption through policy

Leave a Comment / Procurement Cards, Technology, Top Stories / Editor

How can companies ensure that they get the best out of their procurement card programmes? “By having a good procurement card policy in place,” explains Anita Carolus, Nedbank Corporate Card National Sales Manager. The greater visibility and control that these programmes offer, as well as regular review and reconciliation of spend on a procurement

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Thinking time for SMMEs: a catalyst for implementation

Leave a Comment / Enterprise Development, Professional Development, Top Stories / Editor

While mobile devices have revolutionised how we engage with each other and the rest of the world, they have also arguably affected our ability to literally “switch off” and think. Because critical thinking and analysis are vital for business innovation and growth, entrepreneurs need to find a means of creating appropriate time and space

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ED incubator announces regional award winners

Leave a Comment / Enterprise Development, Top Stories / Editor

Entrepreneurs around the country have been honoured at the regional Shanduka Black Umbrellas (SBU) Enterprise Development (ED) Awards. These were held recently at its incubators in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Awards are made in three categories, namely Best SBU Ambassador, Jobs Created and Best Performing Company (based on profit generated and net

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SA’s PMI decline contrasts trading-partner PMI increase

Leave a Comment / PMI, Top Stories / Editor

The South African Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined by 2.9 index points to 47.4 in April, owing to a broad range of PMI subcomponents losing ground. The April reading, a level last seen in July 2011, suggests renewed pressure in the local factory sector, said Andre Coetzee, Managing Director of CIPS Africa. “The level

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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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The SCM development path of Eastern Cape dept of Health & Treasury

Leave a Comment / Professional Development, Public Sector Procurement, Top Stories / Editor

The Eastern Cape Department of Health & Treasury (ECDHT) has taken its first important steps towards professionalising supply chain management (SCM) within it ranks. In pursuit of supply chain excellence and improved service delivery ECDHT has engaged with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Africa, a professional body for procurement and supply

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Treat suppliers as if they are customers – be nice

Leave a Comment / SRM Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Management, Supplier Partnerships, Top Stories / Editor

The phrase “the customer is king” is well known, you don’t hear words like this when procurement people talk about suppliers. It is no coincidence that companies that really value their customers also treat their suppliers well. Influencing and persuasion skills are competencies that both procurement executives and their stakeholders need to develop to

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