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Does procurement have a credibility problem? And if so, why? Most procurement functions deliver significant, measurable impact. Thus, it’s not because it lacks value. The problem is communication. Too often, procurement speaks in operational language to an audience that thinks in strategic terms. It reports activity when executives want outcomes….
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The Problem with Procurement Models Here’s something that should make us pause: Walk into the most sophisticated procurement departments today, and you’ll encounter a curious contradiction. Teams are armed with the 5 P’s of Procurement, the 7 R’s of Procurement, and the 10 C’s of Supplier Evaluation, yet many still…
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Everyone wants data-driven procurement, but few realise how quickly a badly-built category tree can turn procurement spend analysis into guesswork. Before we dive into the 17 Ways Not to Categorise Spend, let’s level-set the language: Armed with these definitions, you’ll recognise why each misstep on the list hurts accuracy, inflates…
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In a room full of confident voices, the one with the facts leads. At a time when CFOs are scrutinising spend, CMOs are chasing agility, and CIOs are under pressure to deliver transformation at scale, procurement has a unique opportunity: to be the unifying force that drives clarity, action, and…
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Procurement leaders operate within an environment of constant tension, where competing priorities pull in different directions. The reality is that procurement has evolved far beyond its traditional focus on cost savings and contract negotiation. You need to be a strategic thinker, risk manager, digital innovator, sustainability champion, and relationship builder…
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In the first article, we looked at how “yes” can sometimes come at a high cost and why understanding power dynamics is crucial for effective Procurement. Now, let’s delve into the strategic power of “no”—a mindset shift that, when used wisely, turns resistance into a tool for deeper value creation….
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Negotiation is a core competency in strategic procurement, but it is also one that evolves with time, technology, and market dynamics. For Procurement, the evolution from traditional bargaining to a nuanced, value-driven approach marks the difference between routine cost savings and transformational impact. The mantra of “win-win” negotiations has dominated…
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Let’s talk about those unforeseen disruptions that keep procurement leaders awake at night. You know the ones: a single ship, like the Ever Given, runs aground and suddenly 12% of global trade is stuck in limbo; or a global chip shortage hits, spawned by demand spikes and pandemic-driven slowdowns that…
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As a Chief Procurement Officer, you grapple daily with complexities that defy conventional playbooks. Tariff policies shift unpredictably, trusted suppliers falter without warning, and emerging technologies disrupt well-established value chains. Have you noticed that static job roles struggle to keep pace? When a key supplier’s production grinds to a halt…
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Inflation isn’t just a macroeconomic term buried in the finance team’s jargon—it’s a real, daily challenge that shapes how you source materials, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships. It doesn’t simply raise prices; it steadily erodes what your budgeted funds can achieve. One year’s fixed contract can become next year’s…
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