Supply Management back issues from June 2008:
That takes the biscuit
Jun 05, 2008; ... "Cut the easy stuff like biscuits and consultants", was the conclusion of one MD when faced with the need to reduce costs. An interesting pairing, that each is a dispensable luxury. The results of our latest SM100 poll draw a different conclusion. Despite the prospect of (or is it now ...
Purchasers endorse consultants
Jun 05, 2008; ... [SM 100] More than half of buyers have not been deterred from hiring management consultants, despite the economic downturn and concerns among consultants themselves of an "uncertain 2008". According to the latest SM100, 54 per cent of purchasers have not been put off ...
Chrysler blasts media
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Automotive] Chrysler's chief procurement officer, John Campi, has responded angrily to reports he plans to slash supplier prices over the next three years. The purchasing head said his savings initiative had been misinterpreted in automotive press reports, which suggested he ...
Ron Jarman joins buyingTeam
Jun 05, 2008; ... [People] Ron Jarman, CIPS president, is to take up a new role leading Universal Music's purchasing efforts across Europe. He will join consultancy buyingTeam when he leaves his role as global head of sourcing at Reuters in the summer. The consultancy previously handled purchasing ...
KPMG supplier code 'first' for accountants
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Sustainability] KPMG is claiming to be the first accountancy firm in the UK to launch a code of conduct for its suppliers. The code contains 10 points including promises to act with integrity and uphold ethical standards, never use child or bonded labour, minimise environmental ...
Supply chain head for United Utilities
Jun 05, 2008; ... United Utilities aims to improve its purchasing function with the appointment of E.ON UK supply chain head Colin Davis. As the firm's new head of supply chain, Davis will take charge of "major capital programmes", including reservoirs and water treatment. He left E.ON UK as director of ...
Insurance buying experts sought to manage brokers
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Strategy] Companies are turning to a new breed of "insurance procurement experts" to buy cover and manage their relationships with brokers. And their primary motivation is to regain control of the process and save money. Paul O'Connor, partner at legal firm O'Connors, which ...
NEWS BRIEFS
Jun 05, 2008; ... * EMERGING MARKETS THROW UP CONCERNS Increased sourcing from emerging markets is creating concerns over product safety, quality and environmental standards, according to a new study. Deloitte's latest Innovation in Emerging Markets report revealed for two-thirds of respondents ...
Audits crucial to supplier wellbeing
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Ethics] Buyers should look after their suppliers in developing countries if they want to increase productivity, according to a CSR expert. David Ford, head of corporate social responsibility at industrial equipment supplier Alfa Laval, said helping vendors in low-cost countries ...
Bribery remains rife worldwide
Jun 05, 2008; ... Demands for bribes in return for contracts are still common, according to a survey. Nearly a quarter of those who responded to Ernst & Young's tenth global fraud survey knew someone in their firm that had been asked to pay a bribe to win or retain business. Also, 18 per cent ...
L'Oréal purchasers take on new roles
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Cosmetics] L'Oréal has changed the roles of some of its buyers in its UK procurement team as part of a restructuring programme. The purchasing function at the cosmetics firm was set up in January 2007 and it is now recruiting junior buyers to focus on "day-to-day" tactical ...
TECH BRIEFS
Jun 05, 2008; ... * NHSTRUSTCONSORTIUM TURNS TO Å-PURCHASING The County Durham and Tees NHS Trusts consortium is to deploy a new e-procurement system to help manage its £350 million spend. The group, which includes 10 trusts, will use the system for electronic tendering, e-auctions, contract ...
Engage in the right dialogue
Jun 05, 2008; ... The full potential of competitive dialogue to produce innovative and efficient public sector projects is yet to be realised. A briefing on the subject, published by the CBI, revealed concerns over ill-prepared documents, inadequate specifications, lack of commercial negotiation skills, ...
Suppliers warned to follow Westpac code
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Sustainability] Australian bank Westpac has told its vendors they will be removed from its supply chain if they don't comply with a new code of practice. Westpac's Sustainable Supply Chain Management Code of Conduct will establish strict environmental, social and ethical ...
WORLD BRIEFS
Jun 05, 2008; ... * BULGARIA More than half of Bulgaria's public sector tenders last year violated procurement procedures, according to Bulgarian newspaper The Sofia Echo. The country's Public Financial Inspection Agency found irregularities in 776 public procurement tenders. It is thought the ...
What are your Billy Bunters?
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Performance] Buyers should identify the "Billy Bunter" elements of their procurement department in order to boost performance. David Long, director at South African supply chain consultancy Volition, said buyers need to get to grips with problems that hold up their function ...
South Africa's £26bn boost
Jun 05, 2008; ... [IPSA conference] Buyers at the 2008 IPSA and CIPS Pan-African conference heard about how South Africa is developing its suppliers. Paul Snell reports from Johannesburg At last year's Institute of Purchasing and Supply South Africa (IPSA) and CIPS panAfrican conference, minister ...
Time for a change
Jun 05, 2008; ... [PFI] Richard Auton examines the latest guidance on drafting changes to PFI contracts, and what these will mean for purchasers working within the public sector The issue of dealing with changes in Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts has always been an important one. They ...
COURT REPORT
Jun 05, 2008; ... [ Emm G Lianakis and others v Dimos Alexandroupolis and others ] THE CASE A Greek town council invited tenders for a town planning project. In the contract notice, it gave the award criteria as (in order of priority) experience, staffing levels and equipment, and the ability to ...
Let's work together
Jun 05, 2008; ... SOAPBOX Professional services firms tend to give short shrift to procurement teams. Unfortunately too often seen as gatekeepers rather than dooropeners, the procurement manager is typically characterised as a petty bureaucrat, brought in at the last moment to negotiate the ...
While the mouse is away...
Jun 05, 2008; ... FIRSTPERSON You are never alone with a BlackBerry. The thrilling little beep and rumble of that magical machine tells you that you matter, that you have friends - or colleagues, anyway - and that you are plugged in and wired for sound (and vision too, of course). This, at least, ...
LAW BRIEFS
Jun 05, 2008; ... Centre to fight corruption International construction lawyers Neill and Catherine Stansbury have set up the Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC). It offers free access to information and tools to help users understand, prevent and identify corruption. The resource centre ...
LETTERS
Jun 05, 2008; ... Curtis Fitch iSource(TM), market leading intuitive software, supported by the most flexible consultancy. Call 01242 530 900 or visit www.curtisfitch.com YOUR VIEW Don't blame the buyers Martin Rees says buyers "must negotiate costs in a very narrow manner - on price ...
Relationships matter
Jun 05, 2008; ... Cash flow is tight in the current economic conditions. How can we get through the tough times without damaging supplier relationships? General manager, procurement, London STEVEN PINK Well-founded relationships between customers and suppliers come into their own when ...
The route to recovery
Jun 05, 2008; ... Network Rail has recently been beleaguered with high-profile project overruns. Andy Allen speaks to the man who s helping to get it back on track Ian Ballentine, Network Rail's head of contracts and procurement, is reflecting on the organisation's recent travails. "If a big building ...
A sense of relief
Jun 05, 2008; ... UN buyers work in war-torn countries and often live in the most basic conditions. Anusha Bradley looks at life in the field When cyclone Nargis hit Burma last month, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving hundreds of thousands without food or shelter, United Nations procurement ...
Can you afford to go slow?
Jun 05, 2008; ... Paul Cinnamond looks at how buyers can avoid the bad publicity and extra costs caused by late-running projects YOU don't have to look very far to find projects in different sectors that have suffered from major delays. Recent examples include Wembley Stadium, the NHS National Programme ...
Watch out, scammers about
Jun 05, 2008; ... Rebecca Ellinor investigates some common business swindles and what can be done to avoid them "Morning love, we've got your paper order here at the warehouse, where shall we drop it off?" "All our deliveries come to the front entrance." "Okay no problem, can I just take ...
TRICKS OF THE TRADE HOW TO AVOID SOME COMMON CONS
Jun 05, 2008; ... Telephone calls, faxes and e-mails Do not agree to place an advert by phone, fax or e-mail unless you know the publisher and the publication. Ask for written details and a copy of the full terms and conditions before placing an order. Make sure all relevant staff are aware of these ...
Reach for the top
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS fellowship is the institute's highest grade of membership. Chris Gallagher explains who is eligible, the benefits it brings and how to apply If you see FCIPS printed on a business card, or on a job applicant's CV, or notice someone wearing the FCIPS lapel pin, what does that ...
The 25 Best Time Management Tools and Techniques
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Books] The 25 Best Time Management Tools and Techniques Pamela Dodd and Doug Sundheim, Peak Performance Press, £12.99 ***** The authors understand that the kind of person who needs this sort of book doesn't have time to trawl through something long and ...
The Project Manager's Guide to Purchasing: Contracting for Goods and Services
Jun 05, 2008; ... [Books] The Project Manager's Guide to Purchasing: Contracting for Goods and Services Garth Ward, Gower, £55 *** This publication tackles one of the trickiest topics in this field. As a result, this isn't best read cover to cover, but used as a reference point if needed ...
HAVE YOU SEEN?
Jun 05, 2008; ... Improve your P2P processes European Purchase to Pay Week 2008 will explore how organisations can ensure their finance processes are efficient and streamlined. The event will be held at two venues - Brussels from 16 to 18 June and London from 18 to 20 June. Call 020 7368 9300, e-mail ...
Courses must address key skills, urges Taylor
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS EVENT Balancing academic knowledge and practice and attracting the right people are among current challenges for providers of CIPS accredited degrees, according to the institute's past president Ian Taylor. Taylor, commercial director of the Department for Children, Schools ...
Supplier diversity: how it can benefit you
Jun 05, 2008; ... BRANCH EVENT The next Manchester and Construction North West branch event will give members a clearer understanding of equality and diversity. In today's economic climate, the purchasing profession needs its suppliers to constantly improve performance and members will learn why ...
ROUNDUP
Jun 05, 2008; ... New CIPS fellow: Sarah Cotgreave and Patrick Inskip Fellowship has been awarded to Sarah Cotgreave, managing director at Novos, a company specialising in procurement, outsourcing, shared services, process improvement and anti-corruption training and advice. From 2004 to 2007, ...
Massey wows branch chairs
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS EVENT "Forming, storming, norming and performing" with leadership trainer and motivational speaker Duncan Massey was one of the items on a packed programme at last month's UK branch chairs convention in Peterborough. The event set a new record with 49 branch representatives ...
Thought leadership role for PPT
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS EVENT In addition to its work on policy and influencing, the CIPS professional practice team plays an increasingly significant role in "thought-leadership". Roy Ayliffe, director of professional practice at CIPS, told delegates at last month's branch chairs convention: "CIPS ...
How personal development can boost your career outlook
Jun 05, 2008; ... BRANCH EVENT Personal development is "a natural process through which you realise your personal potential", according to Angus Watson, human resources development specialist with consultancy McCourts. He was speaking at a North Yorkshire/South Durham (NYSD) branch event, ...
What the future holds
Jun 05, 2008; ... "The future of procurement" is the theme of a career and education event organised by Northumbria branch. Guest speakers will explain how members can enhance their skills and build their career. They will also look ahead to what might happen in the profession. John Allen, founder ...
Derbyshire branch powers up
Jun 05, 2008; ... BRANCH EVENT "Changing energy in the E.ON supply chain" is the next event organised by Derbyshire branch. First, delegates will have a tour of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, a 2,000MW coal-fired site that can produce enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately two ...
Zimbabwe branch plans ahead
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS Zimbabwe branch chair Luke Davies says the committee is determined to continue to provide members with networking opportunities and events, despite the nationwide "liquidity crunch" resulting from the country's hyper-inflationary environment. The branch's annual business luncheon ...
Over 23,000 exam entries received
Jun 05, 2008; ... CIPS EXAMS Entries for the May series of CIPS examinations have set a new record. Carole Bain, head of membership operations at CIPS, reported that 23,021 entries had been received, over 1,000 more than the previous target: "We are well on course to achieve 50,000 exam entries in ...
Web of knowledge
Jun 05, 2008; ... Members attending the next Harrow branch event will learn web-searching skills appropriate for purchasers. The workshop will be led by guest speaker Arthur Weiss, founder and managing partner of market research consultancy AWARE, who has much experience in the online information ...
How to count your carbs
Jun 05, 2008; ... BRANCH EVENT Central London branch's practitioner event in March explored "Carbon measurement of suppliers and supply chains." "Sustainable procurement highlights the need to improve environmental performance alongside other social and economic considerations," said branch chair ...
Cruise along to a better career
Jun 05, 2008; ... The next Thames Valley branch event combines career guidance with pleasure. During an evening cruise along the River Thames members will gain an insight into the current employment market and how to make the best of themselves. Guest speaker Mair Barron, client relationship director at ...
Singapore members: update your details
Jun 05, 2008; ... Members in Singapore should ensure that CIPS has their correct contact details, particularly e-mail addresses. This is particularly important as Jacob Cheung, chair of the newly formed CIPS Singapore member group, says plans are under way to raise awareness of the group's activities ...
Going green on paper
Jun 05, 2008; ... Members of East Anglia branch learnt more about the history of print and the operation of the printing industry in the 21st century at the recent event, "Print buying - a new shade of green". Branch secretary Michael Baldwin looked back over his 40 years' experience in the print industry ...
TUPE seminar: book now
Jun 05, 2008; ... Due to the popularity of CIPS seminars on "TUPE and its impact on procurement", the institute has scheduled an additional seminar for July in London. The new one-day TUPE seminar is aimed at managers engaged in procurement involving the transfer of staff. It will be led by Ian Longdin, ...
diary
Jun 05, 2008; ... Please send your branch events to membership services at CIPS, by fax on 01780 751610, or by e-mail to branchevents@cips.org Details must be received by 11 June for the issue published on 3 July CIPS SEMINARS 17 June Procurement and the internal agenda Edinburgh. This seminar ...
The way to the top
Jun 05, 2008; ... Tony Newjem says buyers should be passionate ambassadors for the purchasing profession The director of purchasing and supply services at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh says his introduction to procurement was a matter of chance. Tony Newjem's purchasing career began after ...
Q&A
Jun 05, 2008; ... What does your job involve? Helping ING Direct UK manage its spend and suppliers effectively. How did you get into purchasing? I began as an energy consultant and then took up a post at NHS Rasa's energy team, which led to a gradual migration towards more general ...
ON THE MOVE
Jun 05, 2008; ... Changing jobs? Contact Jake Kanter on 020 7324 2743, jalte.kanter@supply management.com * Paul Burns has joined BAE Systems as head of supply chain for the F-35 fighter jet programme. He was previously a commodity manager at Airbus UK. * David Rowell has ...
Two-tier system
Jun 05, 2008; ... Here's a tale of SRM, 1970s-style. On a tour of a supplier's factory 30 years ago, consultant Will Parsons tells HT he came across two big bins marked "Reject A" and "Reject B". When he asked what the difference between the two was, he was told that those products in the "A" bin had ...
Sticky fingers
Jun 05, 2008; ... This may give a whole new meaning to the term "sweetener". When police in Romania found a huge stash of cash euro1.7 million to be precise - in the back of a politician's car, fears of corruption were ignited. Those concerns were in no way assuaged when the vehicle owner said the loot ...
Running on empty
Jun 05, 2008; ... Lorries and truckers brought gridlock to London roads last week with their protest at the rising cost of fuel. But unfortunately they were without their comrades from Derbyshire, who, ironically, couldn't ...
Cheap shots
Jun 05, 2008; ... With the rising cost of petrol starting to pinch, you would think car buyers in Missouri, US, would be pleased with the freebie of a £125 gas card when buying a new auto. But the card has proved significantly less popular than the alternative giveaway - a gun. The ...
If at first you don't succeed
Jun 19, 2008; ... Congratulations to those organisations and individuals shortlisted in this year's CIPS Supply Management Awards. As you'll see from page 11, there is a huge range of companies and public sector bodies in contention for the team awards and the overall accolade at the 4 September ...
O2 to double buyer numbers
Jun 19, 2008; ... [EXCLUSIVE] Telecoms firm O2 is to reorganise its procurement function to boost its position in the Telefonica group, drive efficiency and improve collective benefits. The changes mean numbers in the procurement team will double, there will be more control over spend, and ...
Most firms fail to address risk
Jun 19, 2008; ... [Strategy] Plans to mitigate supply chain risk are not being translated into practical action, a study has warned. A survey by supply chain consultancy State of Flux and risk management firm Aon found only 29 per cent of firms regularly tested their business continuity plans ...
Scandinavian Airlines wants 10% cut
Jun 19, 2008; ... [Aviation] Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has asked its suppliers to reduce their prices by 10 per cent in an effort to cut costs. Vendors were asked to play their part in helping to turn around the company's finances after it suffered a fall in earnings at the start of the year, ...
Police to step up collaboration
Jun 19, 2008; ... The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) wants police forces to take a more collaborative approach to procurement. Setting out its new purchasing strategy for the £2 billion forces collectively spend each year, the association has identified six targets for forces to meet. These ...
Buyers welcome vendor feedback
Jun 19, 2008; ... [SM 100] Nearly all buyers act on feedback they receive from suppliers. In the latest SM100 poll, 94 per cent of purchasers said they had taken action after receiving formal or informal vendor comments. The remaining 6 per cent had either never acted on a supplier's suggestions ...
Lack of trust hampers IT buying
Jun 19, 2008; ... A lack of trust between purchasers and large technology suppliers is creating difficulties when buying IT. According to a survey of 200 buyers by Microsoft, 63 per cent said software procurement was an area where dealing with suppliers had become increasingly difficult. In addition, 65 ...
Buyers have social 'duty'
Jun 19, 2008; ... [CSR] Public sector buyers have been urged to play a key role in tackling social problems. In a guide published by the OGC last week, purchasers were asked to address social considerations early in the procurement process so they can identify areas of society in need of ...