Procurement function one of most important drivers of future business success
The procurement function has a significant role to play in an organisation’s future business success in the global market, far beyond its past role of simple order processing, said Gerd Kerkhoff, CEO of Kerkhoff Consulting, tells SmartProcurement.
Posted by Editor at 12:07 AM
EU economic crisis: SA to increase southern sourcing ties
South African organisations could soon be sourcing more goods from southern hemisphere countries, taking advantage of the south’s trade possibilities during Europe’s economic crisis.
Posted by Editor at 12:04 AM
Playing with giants - India
India’s influence in Africa is growing. Elaine Porteous, SmartProcurement Associate Editor and Procurement advisor discusses how to make the most of this partnership.
Posted by Editor at 7:30 AM
A recession in review: a 2008 scenario came-true
“Scenarios, by definition, deal with uncertainty and they scope the extent of possible future fall-outs or windfalls,” says renown scenario planner Clem Sunter.“Possible fall-outs and windfalls” was what he presented to delegates at SmartProcurement’s 2nd SmartSourcing Conference.. However, weeks after the conference his scenarios became all to true when the global economic slow-down was triggered.
Posted by Editor at 9:00 AM
What will your supply chains resemble in ten years' time? Part 2
If an organisation wants to be competitive in the next decade, let alone a significant market participant, then its supply chains had better evolve.
Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM
Overcoming business barriers with China and gaining savings
One of the key strategies in Strategic Cost Management is the option of sourcing your 'direct' or even 'indirect' commodities from Low Cost Countries (LCC’s). This would be done due to various factors, but primarily because LCC’s are sometimes in substantially more price competitive positions than organisations at home. Several countries are now classified as an LCC, but by far the most well-known and attractive, is China.
Posted by Editor at 8:20 AM
Report back on SmartSourcing Conference 2008
SmartProcurement hosted its 2nd annual SmartSourcing Conference on the 7th and 8th of October 2008 at the Irene Country Lodge in Centurion, Pretoria. This two-day event, sponsored by Purchasing Index, Tech-Pro Personnel, Commerce Edge Procurement Training, Volition, IPSA, BEESA Boxsmart and EES-Siyakha, attracted more than 100 local and international delegates from all corners of Procurement and Supply Chain Management (SCM) in both the private and public sectors.
Posted by Editor at 3:03 PM
'The China Game' and the Value of Scenario Planning In Turbulent Economic Times
SmartProcurement recently hosted its 2nd annual SmartSourcing Conference on the topic of ‘Strategic Cost Management in Turbulent Economic Times’ at the Irene Country Lodge in Centurion, Pretoria. The conference’s first day’s keynote address was presented by internationally acclaimed scenario planner and popular motivational speaker, Clem Sunter, on the topic of “The China Game”.
Posted by Editor at 10:52 AM
Pan African Procurement - A view from the Flight Tower
"Many large companies consider the continent of Africa (excluding South Africa) as an enigma. Historically, these organisations have resigned to the fact that operating in Africa will be relatively inefficient in terms of their procurement, and sometimes other activities." Greg Buckley of Volition tells Smart Procurement that "The justification for this has traditionally been the combination of small market share, challenging logistics, uncertain politics, inconsistent trade protocol, fragile currencies and unsophisticated administration."Posted by StaffWriter at 2:25 PM
Rising prices to drive Low Cost Country Sourcing
"As the following graph shows, prices for goods (and PPI) continue to increase... It illustrates rate of increase of a large basket of goods (including strategic and consumable items) compared to PPI and the movement in the Rand’s value against major Western currencies," Alan Low MD of Purchasing Index tells SmartProcurement. "The graph highlights not only the increase in many commodities including steel, chemicals, wood, etc, but also points towards the lack of competition in many areas of local supply."
Posted by StaffWriter at 7:35 AM
China: Ready For the Next Sourcing Wave?
Sourcing from China is expected to occur in three waves. 1. China for low cost, 2.China participating in innovation, 3. China as global center for procurement.In Businessweek.com, Boston Consulting's Jim Hemerling says China is emerging as a global Research and Development and innovation hub in its own right. Sourcing execs take note
Posted by Bernie at 6:06 PM