Supply Management back issues from September 2007:
A moment of clarity
Sep 20, 2007; ... Earlier this month we began a series of so-called "roundtable" discussions. The purpose is to gather a dozen or so senior buyers and thrash out one major issue affecting the profession. So far we have covered 'the future of procurement' and 'how to recruit, retain and develop tomorrow's ...
'Honeycomb' career launch
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Career development] Barclays' sourcing department has launched a system to improve the career prospects of purchasers at the bank. The web-based Global Sourcing Career Framework, developed by the procurement team, has attracted the interest of other functions in the company, ...
Tories call for green OGC reports
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Sustainability] The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) should report to Parliament annually on the government's progress on sustainable procurement, according to Conservative proposals put forward last week. The opposition party's Quality of Life study, drawn up by former ...
Training boost for BA
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Development] British Airways is to begin its first professional procurement training programme for almost a decade. Around 20 of the 100-strong procurement team will next month begin a three-year MCIPS study programme with the National School of Government. Another 60 will be ...
Profession 'must sell itself'
Sep 20, 2007; ... [SM Roundtable] Procurement must get better at marketing itself internally to progress as a profession and to avoid being outsourced. That was one of the findings at the first in a series of "thought leadership debates" hosted by SM. The future of procurement - how to capitalise ...
'Best' firms involve buyers in marketing
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Survey] Best-in-class organisations report "significantly more involvement" of their procurement functions in all marketing areas, according to new research. A report from the Aberdeen Group, which categorised best-in-class organisations on savings across marketing spend, also ...
Low forecast for winter gas prices
Sep 20, 2007; ... Spot prices for gas are expected to remain low this winter because of improvements to supply security. Gary Keane, senior manager GB markets at Ofgem, said the gas supply outlook is more positive than last year, with generation sufficient for severe weather. This is largely due ...
Mayor's office tackles energy efficiency bids
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Local government] A procurement director for the Mayor of London is leading a tender process to improve energy efficiency in buildings, making the capital the world's first city to address an international climate pledge. The aim is to increase energy efficiency in up to 100 ...
NEWS BRIEFS
Sep 20, 2007; ... * SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE SUSPENDS STAFF Scottish Enterprise has suspended two staff as a result of an investigation into potential procurement irregularities. A spokesman said the suspensions were standard to allow thorough examination of the allegations. * ALLIANZ PRINT ...
Suppliers 'deserve a share'
Sep 20, 2007; ... [SM 100] Almost 80 per cent of buyers believe suppliers should share in their organisation's success. In the latest SM poll of 100 buyers, 39 per cent of purchasers said supplier relationship management should include dishing out some financial rewards for effective vendors. A ...
Recycled paper increase planned
Sep 20, 2007; ... [CSR] Buyers are planning to boost their use of recycled paper over the next five years, according to new research. Over two-thirds (67 per cent) have targets or plans to increase the paper products using recycled content. From this number, 51 per cent plan to increase ...
Toy safety under scrutiny
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Sourcing] The European Commission is to begin a two-month review of toy safety controls, following another product recall of toys from China by Mattel. The EU consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current EU system that detects and ...
Bunzl 'in top vending spot'
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Catering] Distribution and outsourcing giant Bunzl claims its acquisition of Coffee Point has made it the largest supplier of vending machines in Britain. Bunzl, which last month posted a 13 per cent rise in operating profits for the past year, has also finalised its purchase - ...
TECH BRIEFS
Sep 20, 2007; ... * SAVINGS FOR THISTLE Thistle hotels has saved £150,000 by using a new e-procurement system. The hospitality firm said the Makella system had saved on licence fees and improved efficiency. It allows 200 people across 49 hotels to order products from an approved supplier ...
Co-op asks members for sustainability ideas
Sep 20, 2007; ... The Co-op is to ask its four million members in the UK what it should do about sustainability. The supermarket collective is consulting its members to develop an ethical food policy that will underpin the business's strategy on issues such as sustainable sourcing, food labelling and ...
Hochtief joins BSC for better Chinese deals
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Construction] German construction firm Hochtief is to set up a joint venture in China to source and buy materials. The new company, Hochtief Procurement Asia, is a collaboration between the German company and Chinese supply chain management firm BSC Industries. Each company has ...
WORLD BRIEFS
Sep 20, 2007; ... * POLAND The Polish government may award contracts to renovate and build stadia for Euro 2012 without tenders, according to a building firm. Marek Stefanski, chief executive of construction firm Pol-Aqua, said he expects the work for the tournament to be divided between five or ...
Head buyers take off for airlines
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Recruitment] Two international airlines have this month appointed new heads of procurement. US-based United Airlines has appointed Grace Puma as its new senior vice-president and chief procurement officer (CPO). Puma was previously the vice-president, global indirect materials ...
Still green, but no longer grey
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Sustainability] Gone are the days when recycled paper was fit only for egg cartons and cereal packaging. Antony Barton examines its development as a major business material Buyers who source large quantities of pristine white paper need no longer feel a pang of "green" guilt - ...
Compensation clarity
Sep 20, 2007; ... [COMMERCIAL AGENTS] A recent House of Lords ruling has provided much-needed pointers to the way commercial agents should be treated following termination of their agency, says Andrew Finfer Understatement still flourishes in the House of Lords. A European Council directive that ...
COURT REPORT
Sep 20, 2007; ... [R (on the application of the Law Society) v Legal Services Commission] THE CASE The Legal Services Commission (LSC) had on 1 April introduced a unified contract (UC) that envisaged provision of publicly funded legal aid work to be undertaken by solicitors' firms and ...
LAW BRIEFS
Sep 20, 2007; ... Europe revises rules on inland transport of dangerous goods New rules on the transport of dangerous goods are being debated. The proposed directive will simplify EU law by replacing and updating eight existing pieces of legislation, and will extend the legislation to inland waterways as ...
The colour of money
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Heidi-Lynn Mitehell] SOAPBOX When the words "green" and "business" are used in the same sentence, it is easy to be sceptical. For many organisations, an ecofriendly policy is still a "nice to have" rather than a "must have". For others, it is simply paying lip service to the board's ...
Generation Y needs wooing
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Stefan Stern] FIRSTPERSON It's embarrassing. Supply Management readers can procure almost anything these days, be it tangible goods or intangible professional services. Purchasing has never been more robust, more efficient, and more highly valued by senior management. But can you ...
LETTERS
Sep 20, 2007; ... YOUR VIEW Fair reward for frontline buyers There is no mention of the National Gallery in your cover story Culture club (6 September). We are also a member of the collaboration group. Procurement is still regarded as an administrative function by many within our ...
Obituary: CHRISTOPHER BOUVERIE-BRINE
Sep 20, 2007; ... 11 APRIL 1946 - 4 AUGUST 2007 For those who knew Christopher, I have to announce the sad news that he passed away on 4 August after a brave battle against cancer. Christopher had been dedicated to the purchasing profession for most of his life, having a varied career that ...
Buyography
Sep 20, 2007; ... Following the launch of our online blog, we pick the best comments so far. Visit www.supplymanagement.com/blog to join the debate WE POSTED: Is being a chocolate buyer "the best job in the world"? BLOGGERS SAID: "Not sure if the attraction is 'what' you buy or 'who' you ...
New bookings strategy
Sep 20, 2007; ... Buying venue space for offsite meetings and conferences is common in my company, but spend and bookings are not being tracked. I have now been asked to develop a central-bookings strategy and create a company policy. What steps should I take? ROBIK SMITH Many companies face this ...
SPIES LIKE US
Sep 20, 2007; ... As long as it's legally attained competitive intelligence can be a huge help for buyers, as Emma Clarke discovers Everyone knows companies take a keen interest in what their rivals are up to. Spying on competitors is surely a fact of life for business. But when stories appear about ...
DOUBLE STRENGTH
Sep 20, 2007; ... Is making local deals while sharing information globally the future for sourcing? Emma Clarke looks at a pharmaceutical firm's novel approach For those who still think the web is a place to get a supplier's phone number or, at best, order a CD, it's time for an upgrade. Today the ...
Deals on meals
Sep 20, 2007; ... Firms provide catering for many reasons, and the contract will include services and management as well as food. Siobhan Cameron looks at approaches to buying in this complex area The days of floppy sandwiches and fishy coffee at the office are now largely gone. Organisations realise that ...
CUT YOUR CALL COSTS
Sep 20, 2007; ... New communications technologies bring business opportunities but many firms are paying more than they need to. Nicola Lamb offers five top tips on how to make savings Six hundred and twenty million pounds a year - that's how much British businesses throw away through mismanaging ...
Works in progress
Sep 20, 2007; ... Recognising the role of knowledge in helping professionals to adapt to changing environments, CIPS has developed a suite of documents on Key topics, writes Emma Brooks There are two types of knowledge - explicit and tacit. Examples of explicit knowledge from purchasing and supply could ...
Dispatches: The Olympic Cash Machine
Sep 20, 2007; ... [TV] Dispatches: The Olympic Cash Machine Channel 4, 10 September *** In this hour-long investigation, Anthony Barnett examines the ever-increasing cost of the 2012 Olympics being held in London, and aims to find out who is benefiting. And just who ...
Human Resources Outsourcing
Sep 20, 2007; ... [Books] Human Resources Outsourcing by lan Hunter and Jane Saunders Orion, £75 ***** This book gives an excellent insight into the pros and cons of HR outsourcing as well as a practical guide on how to go about it. It will be a useful read for purchasing ...
HAVE YOU SEEN?
Sep 20, 2007; ... Brush up on business continuity BSI British Standards is holding a conference to launch the standard BS 25999-2, which specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, exercising, maintaining and improving a documented business continuity ...
Business commitment wins insurer Certification
Sep 20, 2007; ... MEMBER EVENT Achieving CIPS Certification has given the purchasing and supply management team at insurers Norwich Union, a benchmark of good practice that shows its commitment to serving the business and, ultimately, its customers. The award was granted to the team following an ...
Training seminar aims to cut down project failures
Sep 20, 2007; ... MEMBER EVENT A two-day training seminar to help buyers minimise project failures is to be introduced by CIPS. The number of UK projects that are 100 per cent successful is reported to be low. High-profile projects are completed late, come in over-budget or are even abandoned ...
ROUND UP
Sep 20, 2007; ... Foot and Mouth Outbreak prompts supply chain letter The importance of supply chain vulnerability to the food industry was emphasised when CIPS responded to an article in The Times on 9 August - "Outbreak spreads but curbs on livestock movements are eased". In his letter Gerard Chick, ...
Shared services under scrutiny
Sep 20, 2007; ... DEVELOPMENT Jenny Bushrod (right), chair of the Association of University Procurement Officers (AUPO), will be welcoming delegates to a two-day development event in November. Following the publication of the Cabinet Office document Transformational Government, (AUPO) has chosen shared ...
Fellowship for Freeman
Sep 20, 2007; ... CIPS AWARDS David Freeman, strategic sourcing manager with TelstraClear in New Zealand and an international CIPS council member, has been awarded Fellowship by the institute. Freeman represents members in the rest-of-theworld constituency outside Africa, and acts as branch chair ...
Beds and Herts gives tips on outsourcing
Sep 20, 2007; ... BRANCH EVENT The benefits of outsourcing are well known but could you name seven elements that are vital to its success? At the next event organised by Beds and Herts branch, Stephen Ashcroft, management consultant with Brian Farrington, a business procurement consultancy, will guide the ...
Partnership probe
Sep 20, 2007; ... West of England branch members are invited to attend the next seminar at the University of Bath School of Management's Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply (CRiSPS), where the theme of the evening will be the importance of supplier relationship management. The event ...
Benchmark your basket online
Sep 20, 2007; ... CIPS AND PI A website that helps professional buyers to make better decisions has been launched by CIPS and the Purchasing Index group. The site, www.buyerbriefings.com, gives access to market price information for goods and services including cleaning and laundry, computer ...
Focus on employing foreigners
Sep 20, 2007; ... Members of Humberside branch are invited to attend an event organised by the Chartered Management Institute on employing foreign nationals, a complex area in which companies frequently encounter difficulties. The event will provide the information needed to ensure compliance with the ...
Success for new study centre
Sep 20, 2007; ... CIPS AWARDS The newly approved study centre at the Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire has seen one of its exam entrants achieve five distinctions in CIPS level 3 exams. The venue is the only Chamber in the UK to be awarded "Approved study centre" status by CIPS. The ...
CSR slant to AGM
Sep 20, 2007; ... Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the supply chain will be explored as part of the annual general meeting this month of North Cumbria and South Scotland. Glenn Fletcher of Achilles will discuss CSR in the context of public procurement regulations to determine whether it is ...
Subsea 7 lands award
Sep 20, 2007; ... CIPS AWARD Winning CIPS Certification has helped Subsea 7, a subsea engineering and construction contractor, to ensure its commercial and procurement processes are robust and given it a foundation to further develop the purchasing function. Subsea 7 UK spends around £222 million ...
Merseyside looks at local impact
Sep 20, 2007; ... Using local supply chains can deliver many benefits, and these will be explained at this month's Merseyside branch event. Buyers concerned with the local procurement agenda, and interested in learning about the influence that their spending patterns have on the local social and economic fabric, ...
Cheshire and N Wales concentrates on careers
Sep 20, 2007; ... Cheshire and North Wales branch's October event will give members an insight into the local recruitment market for procurement professionals, as well as offering tips on career development. The evening will close with an introduction to the changing procurement landscape at AstraZeneca ...
Chance to brush up on sustainability thinking
Sep 20, 2007; ... Providing guidance on how to pursue a more sustainable future is a key aim not only for the UK government but also for CIPS. So next month's regional member event will take "Developing a sustainable future" as its theme. As part of the package of CIPS membership benefits, those attending ...
The way to the top
Sep 20, 2007; ... After 33 years with BT, and seven years as its chief procurement officer, Meryl Bushell has decided it is time to move on Meryl Bushell will leave BT at the end of September to launch procurement coaching and consultancy firm Meryl Bushell Ltd. She told SM that she was in need of ...
Q&A: JOHN MCCOY
Sep 20, 2007; ... What does your job involve? Responsibility for all spend on goods not for resale. Who is your boss? Martin McCubbin, head of corporate purchasing. How did you get into purchasing? I was looking for an office job when I left school. What surprised ...
ON THE MOVE
Sep 20, 2007; ... Changing jobs? Contact Antony Barton on 020 7324 2743, antony.barton@supply management.com Kimberly Rupert is the new senior vice-president of contracts and procurement at technology company QinetiQ North America. Akintunde Sawyerr ...
Hot shots go cold
Sep 20, 2007; ... When you think of US cops, the image is usually of a passive aggressive, or indeed just outright aggressive, officer in a crisp, sharply creased uniform. The other thing that stands out is the gun - US cops are always "packing heat". But there may be a chink in the armour, and ...
Direct action - Buddhist style
Sep 20, 2007; ... Now when it comes to rising fuel prices, we have all felt the pinch. But monks in Burma have taken the matter into their own hands and kidnapped a group of government officials. That's right. Monks. Not a group you often associate with bouts of civil ...
Anyone for zebu?
Sep 20, 2007; ... A TV programme last month caught the attention of Home Truths because its claims sounded completely made up. The programme, Undercover Mum, featured mother-of-two Nina Hobson going undercover to find out about the children's food industry. And what did she discover? That the ...
Seeing yourselves in a flattering light
Sep 20, 2007; ... How would you sum up the average procurement person? What are the characteristics that most closely link buyers across the world? According to one senior buyer speaking last week at an event in London, "anal and ...