Procurement Leaders research, in partnership with GEP, explores how CPOs are balancing risks and growth in a complex environment

Firms will always need to balance risk against cost and opportunity. Some will revisit sourcing strategies and employ a ‘country plus-one’ regardless of shore. Others will keep the status quo because the time and effort to source raw materials and production will take years or may jeopardize an important long-term strategic relationship. Finding the right balance is key. This Roadmap white paper, in partnership with GEP, provides insights that will help procurement chiefs and their teams to get that balance right.

If Just In Time (JIT) has leaned supply chains too far, the answer shouldn’t be to go back to the era of ‘just in case’, with its bloated inventory holdings and lengthy throughput times. JIT has done too much good for that, delivering significant improvements in inventory, labour costs, quality, response times and space requirements. This Procurement Leaders whitepaper, produced in partnership with GEP, uncovers ways that procurement can look beyond inventory buffers as a way of securing their supply chains during times of crisis.

Under-pressure businesses are recognising the need to source better — source smarter, more resiliently, and in more agile and strategic ways. Above all, perhaps, they must do so at a reduced cost. To the rescue: two familiar sourcing techniques, should-cost modelling and strategic sourcing, now being given a new lease of life thanks to the combination of fresh insights and technological advances.

The Covid-19 pandemic has unleashed a consumer e-commerce revolution with far-reaching implications for both existing B2C retailers and as B2B organisations entering the consumer space. For years, there had been airy talk of the rise of e-commerce, and the consequent withering of physical retailing. This talk suddenly became very real, however, as Covid-19 infection rates increased throughout Europe and North America. This Roadmap white paper, in partnership with GEP, provides insights that will help procurement chiefs and their teams adapt to the e-commerce revolution.

Companies that adopted strategic digital technologies and tools are finding that their increased capabilities, better visibility and control, and improved access to critical data helped them maintain stability.

This webinar will look at techniques and lessons learned in designing effective risk management programs.

This whitepaper focuses on why long-time tried-and-tested systems must be augmented by new technologies.

This edition of Procurement Perspectives combines a distillation of the best in digitalisation thought leadership to have appeared in Procurement Leaders’ publications, coupled with the latest cutting-edge viewpoints.

Enterprises face new threats to their supply chains every single day. But the ways to combat them haven’t kept up. Legacy risk management tools and strategies just aren’t effective any more. How can your supply chain team get ahead? A new report by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, in association with GEP discusses how you can mitigate these new and emerging threats effectively. Read now to understand how Bayer AG and Akamai managed to cope with supply chain disruption much better than their peers.

Between 70% and 90% of all mergers and acquisitions are abysmal failures, according to a Harvard Business Review report. After the slump in 2020, the chemical industry is now seeing a revival of M&A activities. And while there are just as many, and maybe even more, drivers for M&A in 2021, it’s more crucial than ever to invest wisely, and to get it right. In 2021 Global Chemicals M&A Outlook: 6 Essentials to Achieve Synergies and Create Value, GEP experts suggest how companies, with the help of their procurement teams, can make a success of M&A deals. It also analyzes key factors that are driving M&A activity in the chemical sector this year.

Why do some suppliers crumble at the first hint of disruption? If they’re still using spreadsheets and legacy systems, it makes it hard to collaborate. Your top suppliers might be able to share good data with you, but what about ones down the chain? You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Today, all parties must be able to easily share relevant and timely information. This paper, brought to you by IDG and GEP, outlines how enterprises can leverage today’s digital toolset with real-time visibility and intelligent automation to support more strategic, value-added interactions with all suppliers. Read it now.

Digital transformation has been a priority for many enterprises. The pandemic has only made it a pressing one. But it involves significant spend and delivery risks. And with cash flows under pressure, there’s no room to leave any value on the table. This is where your procurement team can shine. Find out how and why your procurement team should be playing a larger, more active role in enterprise wide digital transformation. Read Now

Nurturing your supplier relationships is tough but necessary work. Luckily, there’s a guide to help refresh your approach. In this white paper, GEP looks at the key reasons why many enterprise SRM initiatives fizzle. It provides a practical plan to overcome each challenge and succeed where so many others have faltered. Read it now.

If you’ve ever wanted to pick the brain of a CPO, read CPO Study 2021: Digital Transformation Takes Center Stage. You’ll learn that 80% of procurement leaders surveyed said up to half of their sourcing processes were automated, while 50% said indirect sourcing had slowed significantly. Download the report to see seven other key findings and even more CPO survey responses.

The GEP Spend Category Outlook 2021 report reveals global megatrends that will drive spend management and supply chain strategies this year and beyond. The report includes critical market intelligence and insights for key direct and indirect categories to help you make informed spend management and supply chain decisions.

It’s 2021 and many enterprises are still reeling from the unprecedented disruption of last year. For supply chain and procurement leaders, there’s a lot more to do. And more questions than answers. Get a big leg up with the GEP Outlook 2021 Report — featuring eight critical leadership themes that will help you navigate uncertainty and thrive in the new normal. Published annually, the GEP Outlook Report is a trusted strategic guide for thousands of supply chain and procurement leaders across the world. Read today to inform and shape your strategy for 2021 and beyond.

From the Asia Pacific Procurement Congress Virtual 2020, here from GEP as they showcase their platform and solution in a practical video demonstration.

Selecting a new Procurement Software — or an upgrade — for your team should be easy, right? Until you start your search. Don’t be disillusioned. Here’s a practical guide from IT Central Station and CIO.com to help you make the right choice.

Why do some procurement professionals find success on the fast track and others not so much? Check out a new GEP white paper that explores the five common mistakes that impede the success of procurement professionals within their own organizations. A must-read for success-minded sourcing and procurement professionals.

A new GEP paper explores how a technology-driven approach can help your procurement team get ahead of tail spend. The paper also discusses specific areas of tail-spend automation that you should focus on and prioritize for success.

In this white paper, GEP examines the pitfalls of using bolt-on tools and legacy ERP systems to manage direct spend.

This whitepaper will help you learn how to develop a custom-fit should-cost model for your organization to enable better negotiations and supplier selection.

This whitepaper will help you learn how to work towards real supply chain resilience and agility in this volatile, challenging environment.