Category Archives: News

One key word causing worry in Procurement risk: Adjudication

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

Is it unreasonable for a Board of Directors to believe that a professional procurement operation will have a positive relationship with in-house legal services? This crucial relationship should be such that contractual detail is thoroughly understood and negotiated prior to contract signature. We hold the view that Procurement should be the custodian of contractual risk […]

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How to Write a Procurement Risk Management Policy

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

A procurement risk management policy serves two main purposes: to identify, reduce and prevent undesirable incidents or outcomes (by suppliers – and buyers!) and to review past incidents and implement changes to prevent or reduce future incidents (by suppliers – and buyers!). For example, a Head of Category Management may utilise their procurement risk management […]

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When will the new Procurement Directives be applied in the UK?

Monday, August 4th, 2014

There isn’t (yet) a firm date.  I can hear you groaning, but at least you know that as of 4 August 2014. ;) However, the new Directives are now part of EU law and so it can already be applied in the UK. In applying it, no-one could be accused of breaching EU law. However, the […]

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A glossary of commercial terms for the switched on buyer

Friday, August 1st, 2014

Here we go, alphabetical order: Acquisition The process of requirement setting, procure, support management and disposal, implying a whole-life approach to acquiring defence capability. (Also see Cost of Ownership.) Agreement in Principle This is another qualifying comment. It means that it is not formally accepted, thus leaving the door open to the seller to withdraw […]

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And what was breakfast like for you?

Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

It’s all over and I’m more energised than tired.  Yesterday was the first event in our International Festival programme.  It was a breakfast event focussed on 60 Minute Business Boost: Energise, Fortify and Flourish 2 July @theHub  We’re quietly pleased at the positive response. It was a real kick meeting so many clients and contacts, and having the […]

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What else is there outside the trinity of KPIs?

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are a positive means of illustrating that the value of your procurement operations is beyond “just” cost reduction and administration of orders. I will take it for granted that the trinity of delivery, quality and cost will already be included. Right?  RIGHT!? :) Measurement of parameters in a vacuum can be […]

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Using a force majeure clause

Tuesday, July 1st, 2014

This area is a minefield and, if you get it wrong, you will undermine your contract. If worded badly, a “force majeure” clause can provide a huge loophole to legally excuse contract performance. The parties in a contract must know the precise definition, scope of its usage and limitation of the clause. A brief definition […]

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