British Airways suppliers scrutinised for risk status

British Airways (BA) is the latest company to introduce a "supplier watch" scheme in what appears to be a trend for firms to increase their scrutiny of key vendors in the downturn. BT took similar action late last year.

News, 25 June 2009

What your CFO thinks of you

Cost-cutting has moved up the agenda in the downturn, but CPOs still have a long way to go to win respect from CFOs.

News focus, 25 June 2008

Canada fears US protectionism

Buy American provisions could "lengthen and deepen" the recession, according to Perrin Beatty, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) chief executive.

International news, 25 June 2009

Chinese tax rebates

Buyers must pressure Chinese suppliers to drop their prices after the country raised export tax rebates this month, experts have advised.

News, 25 June 2009

How to get them on board

More than half of buyers have experienced problems introducing suppliers to e-procurement systems, according to the latest SM100 poll.

News, 25 June 2009

Norway giant saves £80m

Norwegian conglomerate Orkla saved NOK 850 million (£80.5 million) in four years after implementing spend analysis software.

News, 25 June 2009

Council loses appeal

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Brent Council's request to overturn a ruling that stopped it from setting up and participating in an insurance buying mutual.

News, 25 June 2009

How to attract future procurement talent

Raising procurement's profile will help attract the next generation of buyers, attendees at the CIPS central London branch (CLB) event on the 'Future of Procurement 2020', heard this month.

News, 25 June 2009

Public spend data 'dodgy'

Public sector spend data has "major problems" and baselines used to calculate the additional £5 billion of savings in the Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) were "dodgy at best", a central government commercial director says.

News, 25 June 2009

Buyers get 'kick in the face'

Just 17 per cent of chief financial officers believe procurement heads deserve a place on their company's board, according to a new study.

News, 25 June 2009

Council loses appeal

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Brent Council's request to overturn a ruling that stopped it from setting up and participating in an insurance buying mutual.

News, 25 June 2009

Scottish SMEs air bid complaints

Small firms say they are being "disadvantaged" by the Scottish government's "arduous" tendering procedures, according to its supplier feedback service.

News, 25 June 2009

Home Office says 'go for a beer'

Socialising with suppliers can give buyers new insight into their financial health, according to Home Office commercial director John Collington.

News, 25 June 2009

British Airways suppliers scrutinised for risk status

British Airways (BA) is the latest company to introduce a "supplier watch" scheme in what appears to be a trend for firms to increase their scrutiny of key vendors in the downturn. BT took similar action late last year.

News, 25 June 2009

Hire to purchase

With more companies moving away from buying licences, Duncan Jones examines the pros and cons of renting software

Features, 25 June 2009

Better bidding

E-auctions have been around for a while, but are they being used to their full potential? Rebecca Ellinor asks buyers and providers how purchasers can achieve the best results

Feature, 25 June 2009

E-sourcing made easy

Introducing e-purchasing into tricky areas of spend can result in savings if approached correctly, writes Paul Snell

Features, 25 June 2009

Make IT click

Make the most of your investment in technology and it will pay dividends. Rebecca Ellinor speaks to experts and buyers who have done it

Cover feature, 25 June 2009

Remodel yourself

Buyers need to step out of traditional roles to prepare for the future, Paul Snell discovers at ProcureCon Indirect in Amsterdam

Features, 11 June 2009

Spend IT wisely

The NHS spending, in particular on IT programmes, has become a political football in the past few weeks. Shadow Health minister Stephen O'Brien is the latest to launch a long punt into the opposition half.

Soapbox, 25 June 2009

Bitten by the Twitter bug

First person, 25 June 2009

The route into technology

I'm interested in getting into IT procurement but I don't have a strong background in this field. What kind of categories are there and what knowledge and experience do I need to be successful? Purchasing executive, Cheshire

Adviser, 25 June 2009

Excellence in Supplier Management

Stuart Emmett and Barry Crocker, Cambridge Academic, £16.95

Reviews, 25 June 2009

IT Outsourcing Part I: Contracting the Partner

Gerard Wijers and Denis Verhoef, Van Haren Publishing, £22

Reviews, 25 June 2009

Reach for the skies

The new generation of internet-based 'cloud computing' offers flexibility for users. Bill Jones explains what purchasers should look for when drawing up contracts with providers

Law update, 25 June 2009

[ JB Leadbitter & Co Limited v Devon County Council ]

If a supplier submits its tender late because of its own mistake, is a buyer allowed to reject it?

Court report, 25 June 2009

Swap till you drop

Most people's experience of swapping is probably limited to exchanging football stickers in the playground or, for the lucky few, a TV appearance alongside Noel Edmonds and Keith Chegwin on Saturday morning kids' favourite Swap Shop.

Hometruths, 25 June 2009

Strengthen the links

Advances in technology and globalisation have increased the need for integrated supply chains. Phillip Carter outlines the areas purchasers should be focusing on

Knowledge Zone, 25 June 2009

Code breaker

The Chinese have a reputation for being hard negotiators. Jenny Radcliffe explains how cultural differences shape their style and offers tips to make dealing with them easier

Knowledge Zone, 11 June 2009