Monthly Archives: September 2013

‘Like’ our ethos and what we believe in.

Thursday, September 26th, 2013

This morning I received an email update stating that a comment had been provided on one of my posts on Linkedin.  The comment read: “I might read some of your post if you stop liking what you’ve posted, I consider the practice to be offensive.” Now, seeing that – and being English- I immediately felt […]

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CCG Contracts: Friend or Enema!

Thursday, September 19th, 2013

CCG’s should ensure they have written Contracts with all Providers. These contracts will create obligations for the CCG and the Provider. CCG Contracts: Friend or Enema! It is an undoubted fact that, in the past, PCT’s have not always had written Contracts in place. Some arrangements were verbal, completely undocumented with custom and practice being […]

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Tiger teams, audit reports and £36m worth of risk

Friday, September 13th, 2013

There is an increasing debate on the “Right of Audit” but less focus on the buying organisation requiring a contractor to disclose records and documents. A watershed case in 2012 “Transport for Greater Manchester (TGM) v Thales Transport & Security Ltd [2012] EWHC 3717 (TCC)” has, dramatically, clarified matters. Tiger teams, audit reports and £36m […]

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Interested in being a supplier to M&S?

Thursday, September 12th, 2013

Interested in being a supplier to M&S? “Screw the Supplier” This expression has been around buying and selling since time immemorial. It has raised its head again with Marks & Spencer sending a letter this week to its clothes vendors informing them that it would be delaying payments to them from 60 days after receipt […]

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We can work from home if necessary!

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

Managing procurement risk is our business.  It is essential that when advising clients sourcing suppliers/vendors and contractors that we identify if and how suppliers/vendors and contractors manage business continuity. Having asked the bidder for this information their reply amounted to: “We can work from home if necessary” This is a wholly inadequate and unprofessional response. ISO […]

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Fraudulent Lifestyle

Friday, September 6th, 2013

The Fraudulent Lifestyle Our recent commentary on “who is checking the buyer’s lifestyle” has, it seems touched some raw nerves. One of our respondents has asked “how do you check a lifestyle?” it is a very perceptive question. Of course, there are a whole variety of investigative techniques and we do not believe it is […]

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Taxi Fraud

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Crown Prosecution Service – Taxi Fraud It was widely reported in last week’s press that two Crown Prosecution Service workers were each jailed for six years, for swindling £1million from the taxpayers in fake taxi receipts. It was reported that the fraud was uncovered after an annual audit, and, that two previous audits had not uncovered the […]

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