The business review for procurement leaders

Subscriber log-in

Not a subscriber? Click here for more information

Premium content

Our RSS feeds

The CPO Agenda blog

Staking a claim but not as mere 'orders placers'

by Stephen Hayers

Editor's choice

A quarter of large manufacturers' CPOs report directly to CEOSome 26 per cent of CPOs at global industrial manufacturing giants report directly to the CEO.
Hefty fines for companies that miss CRC deadlineEligible organisations that fail to register for the UK-wide CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme before 30 September could be fined as much as £45,000.

Become a subscriber
to CPO Agenda magazine

Executive debates

Coverage of our recent debates on key procurement issues

Events

Our guide to conferences around the world

Latest articles

Interview: Tim Richardson - At the controlsGrounded aircraft, a £531 million loss, strikes… the recent headlines at British Airways makes grim reading, but Tim Richardson, head of procurement, says the function has helped the airline to keep flying the flag.
Masters of the universeSponsoring procurement staff to do an MBA can cost employers more than $100,000. Yet what is their true rate of return?
Payment on accountSupply chain finance can help procurement to head off cash flow problems for suppliers. Research involving several multinational companies, including Philips, has highlighted key points to consider in practice
Equipping tomorrow's buyersCPOs should invest in development for their teams, but what exactly do they need? Research identifies the key skills required by purchasing teams now and tomorrow.

Latest news

Poor price visibility leads firms to overspendManufacturers, distributors and retailers will overspend by $415 billion this year on transportation, technology, telecoms and energy.
Slump in house building slows construction growthReduced growth in house building is weighing down the UK construction sector, which is experiencing a slowdown in expansion for the third consecutive month.
Automotive suppliers seek cost recovery on raw materialsSuppliers to automotive manufacturers are seeking contractual changes to take account of rising raw material costs.
SM blog highlights EU buying laws controversyA debate over the value of EU public procurement rules, and whether they should be scrapped, has been raging on the SM website.

Web exclusives

Indirectly accountableIndirect procurement may be shrugging off its 'paper clips and printer paper' reputation, but are organisations managing these spend categories to their full potential, ask Simon Rycraft and Jan-Fokke van den Bosch
Process matters tooOrganisations that have robust methodologies for sourcing and managing suppliers are neglecting transactional processes, with potentially serious consequences, reports Rima Evans
In the interim – and beyondIndirect procurement may be shrugging off its 'paper clips and printer paper' reputation, but are organisations managing these spend categories to their full potential, ask Simon Rycraft and Jan-Fokke van den Bosch

Any other business

Matters arising force majeureSuppliers affected by the closure of European airports in April and May, as a result of the ash cloud, may have relied on the force majeure clause in their contracts to exclude liability for goods supplied late or not at all. But what are these clauses and what rights does the buyer have?
Ethical audits aren't the final word on supplier standardsCSR Briefing by Meryl Bushell
Executive coach Dick Russill answers your questions
My best deal - Beth WallaceBeth Wallace, group sourcing and SRM director at insurance group RSA, talks about an outsourcing deal she made for Reuters back in 2004, where she travelled to and dealt with suppliers in India.
Pay and rationsAre you and your team getting the market rate? Find out with some salary comparison websites.
Business travel Five things to consider
How CFOs make cost-cutting stickCost-cutting is likely to remain a strategic priority, according to a report by McKinsey & Co. But how can successful cost-cutting be maintained in the longer term?
Books: ethics, education and leadershipA round-up of the latest books
Automotive supplier working relations indexThe Working Relations Index ranks US original equipment manufacturers' supplier working relations based on 17 variables across five categories.
What is leadership?Words & wisdom from some of history's great leaders.
Tips for doing business in ChinaTen top tips on doing business in China, including how to meet & greet and make contacts.
Working CapitalThe Working Relations Index ranks US original equipment manufacturers' supplier working relations based on 17 variables across five categories
Reducing riskManagers minimise exposure to volatility
Inside GreeceA buyer in the Greek financial sector discusses the impact of the country's economic crisis.