THINK GLOBAL AND ACT LOCAL, SA PROCURERS ADVISED
Procurement myopia can be a death sentence for an organisation, was the warning issued to procurement professionals attending Smart Procurement World’s 2022 Indaba at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand last month. This has never been more true than in today’s fragile, post-pandemic and disruption-fraught business environment, where economies are still reeling, and business resilience and innovation are more important than ever.
“Glocalisation” is a remedy for procurement myopia, according to Dr Jones Mathew, Professor at the Great Lakes Institute of Management in Gurgaon, India. He was one of the 100 renowned African and international experts who shared their experience and insights with the more than 500 delegates who attended the SPW Indaba. Now in its 16th year, this event is South Africa’s largest, longest-standing conference and expo for procurement and inbound supply chain professionals. SPW was partnered in this year’s event – themed “Glocalised Procurement – Think Global, Act Local” – by co-hosts, Absa, Dooka, Tradeshift and Transparent.
Mathew explained that “glocal” procurement entails protecting localisation while at the same time integrating into global businesses. While an organisation suffering from procurement myopia would focus only on cost cutting rather than business value creation in its procurement strategy, and may be dangerously dependent on select suppliers, a glocalised organisation would successfully combine global channels with local strengths, he said. “Risk assessment is an integral part of a glocalisation strategy, along with the identification and activation of alternate local resources.
“Given the current world supply chain scenario, there would be great benefits in shoring up one’s internal or domestic supply chain capabilities with local opportunities. At stake may be more than just millions of dollars in sales losses or gains. If a glocalisation thrust is not a part of procurement strategy, it could even undermine the very survival of the firm,” Mathew warned.
The 2022 Smart Procurement World Indaba offered the inbound supply chain and procurement profession a critical opportunity to meet in person to learn and network for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Delegates were impressed, commending SPW for the excellent programme and informative topics.
“Truly great connections were made at the Indaba,” reported Immersive Technology AR/VR Solutions Expert Tamara Al-Halaseh from Fuzzy Logic Studio. “What a great way to network, learn and meet buyers and suppliers.”
Andriane Naidoo, Senior Sourcing Manager at Visa, rated this year’s Indaba as “incredible”. “This was the first time that I have attended this event. I am highly impressed with the amount of knowledge sharing and learning from the amazing industry leaders, and the work and passion invested in SMMEs,” she commented.
Malebogo Pule, Procurement Manager at the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority, said that she looked forward to sharing what she had learnt at the Indaba with other professionals at home. “Indeed, procurement is universal. The issues raised through discussions and presentations are the same as those we experience in Botswana,” she told SPW.
The 11th annual Absa Enterprise and Supplier Development Event ran alongside the 2022 Smart Procurement World Indaba. South Africa’s largest gathering of buyers and suppliers, this event enabled buyers to engage with local suppliers, offering critical market linkage opportunities to small businesses.
In his opening address at the Indaba, Vusi Fele, Absa Group Chief Procurement Officer, stressed the importance of innovation and collaboration, which he said are crucial to successful and sustainable entrepreneurship development.
“Businesses that do not constantly innovate to respond to the changing needs of their customers are destined to lose customers and run out of business, entrepreneurship and innovation. The importance of sustainable entrepreneurship development, particularly in the current socio-economic environment that we find ourselves in, cannot be underestimated. Opening up opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access corporate supply and delivery chains is one of the most efficient and consistent ways in which established corporates can contribute to sustainable entrepreneurship development,” he said.
The annual APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) SA Conference also ran alongside the 2022 Smart Procurement World Indaba and focused on upskilling attendees on tender proposals and the bidding process. C-suite executives had the opportunity to share high level knowledge, lessons and insights at the CPO (Chief Procurement Officer) Leaders Forum Breakfast, which was sponsored by Dooka with the support of knowledge partner, Transparent.
“The 16th Annual SPW Indaba was not just special because we were able to meet up with so many in person after all this time, but also to see how they have resiliently come through one of the biggest challenges our industry has had to face,” said SPW’s COO, Debbie Tagg. “Not only come out of it, but use it as a launch pad to innovate, question and just be better. I saw our industry looking at things differently and being motivated to make it happen. We are privileged as Smart Procurement to be a part of something that is making a difference and we do not take this honour lightly.”
ABOUT SMART PROCUREMENT WORLD:
Smart Procurement World (SPW) is the largest professional development event for procurement and inbound supply chain, supported and endorsed by industry professional bodies. SPW also provides professional development for procurement and supply chain professionals while achieving economic development objectives in each region through enterprise, supplier development linking small businesses to supply chain. Contact info@smartprocurementworld.com for event inquiries.
