Deborah Cole

I just now responded to a thread in which the writer of a comment suggested that, if suppliers receive an email from Procurement, their best strategy is to reach out directly to the C-suite. I responded that going around Procurement is unlikely to be successful and will cast the supplier in a poor light. The writer then called Procurement "gate keepers" and referred to me as a controlling. It's a shame that the writer/supplier has this perspective about Procurement. I don't understand. Procurement execs should be respected. Disrespect us at your own peril. Seriously. Successful suppliers make Procurement their friend. Successful suppliers don't view Procurement as their enemy. Successful suppliers recognize that Procurement's role is to generate business results for their company. Successful suppliers make Procurement's job easier. Successful suppliers don't make assumptions about Procurement but ask questions to meet Procurement's needs. Successful suppliers understand procurement processes and follow them. If you are a supplier and want to rage against Procurement, you are approaching this wrong. Knock yourself out, but don't complain that you aren't getting any business. Is the Procurement profession set up only to be assholes to suppliers? Come on now. As my 81-year-old mom says, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." I challenge this writer and all suppliers to follow this. #procurement #suppliermanagement

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The new episode of Spend Sessions 🎙 is now live, featuring ❤️ Amanda Prochaska ❤️, senior sourcing exec turned procurement transformation consultant with Wonder Services. Listen below to her insight-packed conversation with host Seth Catalli to find out: 1️⃣ Why 70% of digital transformations in procurement still fail  2️⃣ The key elements of change companies should focus on to ensure they’re in the other 30%. 3️⃣ The most impactful use cases for AI/gen AI in procurement today and how to implement them. https://lnkd.in/dz6EH9q3 #procurement #sourcing #SpendManagement #AI

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Procurement departments today: 1. Greater access to diverse suppliers 2. Increased awareness of the benefits of diversity 3. More support and resources for program development I don’t care what anyone says—procurement is changing for the better. Email us at [email protected] #SupplierDiversity #Procurement #BusinessGrowth #NickBrown, #SmallBusinessCoach, #DiversityEquityInclusion

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The NIGP-CPP doesn't just test knowledge – it tests critical competencies required for procurement leaders. Earning NIGP-CPP certification signifies your achievement of essential competencies and can help you progress in your procurement career. www.nigp.org/nigp-cpp

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🤔Do you work in a procurement team that has all the knowledge to negotiate the best value for the services you need, or have you ever worked in one? If you answer YES to this, then please drop me a DM, as I would love to interview you and share the secret sauce you have 😉👌🏼 In all seriousness: ➡️Knowledge gaps exist ➡️We should not feel bad or insecure about that ➡️Don’t rely on search engines or ChatGPT to fill specialist knowledge ➡️Create or leverage a network of specialists to fill gaps and validate what will bring value I say all this as I recently had the pleasure of speaking with James Hammersley (MCIPS) & Mark Coulson (MCIPS), who have extensive experience in procurement and also created https://www.smartbuyer.co/ We covered a wide range of topics, but our focus was on “Human Intelligence: Why Procurement Knowledge is more valuable than AI.” 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 It’s worth 30-40 minutes of your time, links below: 📺on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eZzt2DKE 🎧on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eeRH_HtR 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 What are your thoughts? As always, please add your thoughts 👇🏼& feel free to recycle with your network♻️

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Procurement professionals use Services Procurement for cost-effective, flexible workforce solutions that turn risk and budget challenges into growth opportunities. Download your guide with an actionable checklist today! #ServicesProcurement #Procurement

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Procurement doesn’t say “sow” - they say “services”. it’s only HR-oriented people who say SoW workers. Contingent worker programmes (CWP) are going to be limited unless they think about talent AND services. If you’re in #procurement and / or #contingentworkforce programmes and want to digitise people decisions and documents like #statementsofwork send me an ✉️.

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Looking to map out your career in procurement? 🌍 Whether you're just starting or aiming for an executive role, there's a clear path to follow. From service champion to solution architect, this roadmap outlines the steps to climb the procurement ladder, with roles ranging from Junior Buyer up to Chief Procurement Officer. 📈 Every role in procurement plays a crucial part, and understanding how to navigate your career is key to success. Where do you see yourself on this map, and what's your next step? Want to receive this Procurement Career Map? Click on the ‘visit my website’ button next to, our founder, Marijn Overvest's name.

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QQ for procurement practitioners 🤔 When did you first know about procurement as a business service offered as a career path? It’s a question that most people I speak to answer with, “It came to me once I had been years into my career.” I had the most fantastic discussion with Colin McIntyre MBA, FCIPS, BA(hons) on the latest episode of ValueCast. We delved into some challenges around attracting and highlighting procurement as a career for today's youth. Colin raises some excellent points. 🤩The most telling was his view on the awareness that procurement careers are given. 🤩 🙋🏼‍♂️Do you think there is an issue with raising awareness of the value a procurement career can bring? 🙋🏼‍♀️Was it like this for you, or did you get the option to shape your career into procurement from a young age? Have a listen and share your comments below 👇🏼 To review the discussion, you can: 📺 on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eCD5TytJ 🎧 via Spotify: https://lnkd.in/evx5FEpx MASSIVE thanks to Colin for sharing his knowledge and thoughts.

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Do you know what's better than talking about procurement on LinkedIn? Talking procurement in person. Preferably with a decent drink in hand (what's your choice?) I'll be attending Procurement Leaders | A World 50 Group Community World Procurement Congress 2024 in London on 14-16 May with Gatekeeper I'll be talking about how you can make use of Vendor & Contract Lifecycle Management to: - Restore visibility around all of your vendors and their contracts - Take Control across your procurement and contract processes - Safeguard compliance with a particular focus on ESG, and driving that through your supply chain. I'd love to see as many of you as possible. Even if it's just to talk about life. Grab a coffee. Or talk about beard care (you wouldn't believe how often beards come up). I'll be at booth 23. Will I see you there?

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🌟 Curious about the next big thing in procurement? My recent interview with Spend Matters delves into how Zip, our advanced procurement orchestration software, is revolutionizing our workflows. Imagine having fewer headaches and more breakthrough moments as we streamline processes like never before. 🎉 Dive in to discover how we're simplifying the complex and transforming procurement at Rithum.

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Download our latest whitepaper detailing how the new UK Procurement Act will transform procurement processes, increase transparency, and stimulate economic growth. It offers vital insights and actionable advice to keep you ahead of the curve.

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In the dynamic world of procurement, where strategic sourcing and supplier management play pivotal roles, the RFP (Request for Proposal) process often stands as a critical milestone. Today, I want to explore a refreshing approach that has been gaining traction in modern procurement practices: introducing gaming elements to stimulate and optimize the RFP process. Why Gaming in RFP? Imagine transforming the traditionally meticulous and sometimes arduous RFP process into an engaging journey akin to a strategy game. By incorporating gamification principles, we can inject enthusiasm and innovation into every stage: ▶ Quests and Objectives: Set clear objectives and milestones within the RFP journey, transforming each stage—from initial vendor identification to final negotiation—into achievable quests. Each milestone conquered brings teams closer to achieving procurement excellence. ▶ Competition and Rewards: Promote healthy competition among suppliers by introducing scoreboards and leaderboards that highlight performance metrics. Recognize top performers with rewards such as preferred vendor status or extended contract terms, fostering a sense of achievement and motivation. ▶ Collaboration and Strategy: Encourage cross-functional collaboration by assigning roles similar to game characters—each with unique skills and responsibilities. Strategize collectively to navigate challenges, optimize procurement outcomes, and uncover hidden opportunities. ▶ Real-time Feedback and Iteration: Enable real-time feedback mechanisms that provide instant insights into supplier proposals and team contributions. Iteratively refine strategies based on data-driven analytics, enhancing agility and decision-making prowess. Benefits Beyond Fun: Beyond the thrill of gamification, integrating gaming elements into the RFP process yields tangible benefits: ⏩ Increased Engagement: Teams and suppliers become actively involved, driven by intrinsic motivation and the pursuit of success. ⏩ Enhanced Creativity: Encourages out-of-the-box thinking and innovation, as participants strive to differentiate their proposals and strategies. ⏩ Improved Efficiency: Streamlines decision-making processes and reduces turnaround times, ultimately optimizing resource allocation and procurement outcomes. Join the Game: As we navigate the evolving landscape of procurement, let’s embrace innovative approaches like gamification to revolutionize how we conduct RFPs. Together, we can redefine success, elevate collaboration, and unlock untapped potential in strategic sourcing. Let's discuss how gamification could transform your RFP process. Are you ready to level up? #ProcUrPalProcUrPal #Procurement #RFP #Gamification #StrategicSourcing #Innovation

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Accelerated Insight - Podcast Review - With James & Mary our AI Podcast team. Advanced Analytics and Interactive Category Dashboards. Gain complete transparency into your procurement data. Our advanced analytics and interactive dashboards provide a clear view of spending patterns, supplier relationships, and category insights. This helps bridge skill gaps and improves efficiency in your procurement process. Benefits 📈Increased Visibility - Identify cost-saving opportunities and spending trends. ✅Data QualityUtilize clean, enriched data for accurate analysis. 🎯Strategic Decision-MakingLeverage advanced analytics to guide procurement strategies. ⚠️Risk MitigationMonitor supplier performance to reduce risks. 🔍Proactive InsightsAnticipate category costs and service expenses. 🤝Supplier Management Ensure uninterrupted supply chains and mitigate risks. ⚙️Customizable ExplorationTailor dashboards to identify trends and make informed decisions.⏱️Real-Time VisibilityMonitor initiative effectiveness, supplier performance, and achieved savings.

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If you're in or lead procurement, you'll find tips in this article. A Succinct Guide to Strategic Sourcing https://lnkd.in/gYbj2JJP  Strategic Sourcing is a fundamental strategy for organizations seeking to maximize the value suppliers provide. Strategic sourcing aims to optimize costs, mitigate risks, and drive a sustainable competitive advantage. This article will define strategic sourcing, outline its processes, and lastly examine the impact procurement can make in the organization. #Procurement #strategicsourcing #operations 

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Five quality discussions with procurement experts in the last week, and they all had one core thing that has driven them to be successful in their careers. 🔥🔥🔥Motivation🔥🔥🔥 I believe it’s true that those who truly excel are the ones who harness their core motivations. It’s not just about refining skills or achieving goals—it’s about understanding what drives us as leaders. When we align our actions with our core motivations, we lead with greater purpose, passion, and authenticity. This propels us forward and inspires our teams to push beyond their limits and consistently deliver exceptional results. So, regardless of what platform you implement to enhance your procurement operations, we must all remember that the people behind it are the key to making and driving change, and they are motivated to do so. My core drivers focus on building, innovation, and accountability. Have you considered what drives you at your core? I’d love to hear how you align your success with your motivations.👇🏼

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Procurement has an extremely bright future. There are so many talented, forward-thinking, and inspirational leaders coming up within the profession. I was fortunate to speak with 15 of the best back in March, as part of The Procurement Conversation's "Young Leaders in Procurement" series. They are all working hard to increase the understanding, and improve the perception of Procurement in their organisations, and have a clear bias for action. There were common threads through the discussions: - Curiosity is the key - No two days are the same - Having great people skills is vital - Collaboration is where we add most value - Show Leadership in everything we do - We need to get the word out - No one wants to leave! If you want to be inspired, I would recommend listening to the following 7 episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube - and subscribe to hear more over the next 6 weeks. Link in the comments! Edward Gamble Jennifer Francis MCIPS Ann Dhondt Laurie Franquesa Isimeme Ughele, MCIPS (Chartered) Nils Brauckmann Lada Samarska

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✨ Technology is only as good as the people behind it—how prepared is your team? 🤔 Embracing digital tools is essential, but without the human element—leadership, skill development, and a culture open to change—technology alone cannot drive sustainable success. 🌐 🚀 This article focuses on the human aspect of digital evolution in procurement, highlighting the importance of organizational change and leadership for achieving excellence. 🚀 #ProcurementExcellence #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #TeamDevelopment. 🚀

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Disruption! Probably one of the most used words over the last few years and likely to continute through 2025 (and beyond). At World Procurement Congress, i asked Tim Snow his thoughts on it, and how it has impacted procurement.

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