As I sit here on a June evening witnessing another England football match, my thoughts inevitably turn to Procurement! I am sure that you as readers of this are much the same.
Those that will have read a recent piece by me titled ‘Cost is not a Priority’ will have been thinking:

  • What value is this football match ?
  • What on earth are the objectives of my chosen team ?
  • Does everybody understand their part ?
  • How are they being lead and motivated?
  • What are the ‘costs’ of getting it wrong ?
  • Who might they potentially please and/or let down ?
  • Are your opponents running the game ?
  • How are they motivated and supported to best over-all effect ?

OK. The link is maybe tenuous! However it cannot be ignored that all team members throughout a structure must understand and appreciate their place and that of others, ‘on and off pitch’. If they don’t then benefits over the longer term may not be fully realised.

How often do we hear that if the efforts of Sales can be maximised then ‘we will be more profitable’ How often do we hear similar said of Procurement? Certainly more than we used to I’m sure but there is very likely still an imbalance. Is Procurement fully understood? Does Procurement fully understand itself?

Let’s think about Professional Procurement then as a major player in the team. A player who is sometimes overlooked its true, underfunded often, and/or inadequately trained and supported. However Procurement is the key to great long-term value via Suppliers. What can well managed and motivated suppliers deliver?

  • Innovation and capability
  • Resource
  • Time
  • Risk Management and positioning
  • Profit!

Procurement as a service or function then are a conduit to real long-term value. In an article appearing in Supply Management recently and entitled ‘Explaining the procurement challenge’ the author reminds us of the critical value of Procurement and Supplier Management. It’s worth reading.

These subject issues have been raised so many times by ERA before so I’m probably repeating myself. However, we still find ourselves discussing with clients the benefits of excellent ‘Supplier Management’ with excellent Procurement Management over the longer term.

Our objectives are to promote and support to our clients first class Professional Procurement and first class access to the best the supply market can offer.

Contact us for more information.