Working with our Malaysian partner Kexxel, Cordie has recently delivered a suite of Strategic Procurement and Contract Optimisation training courses in Kuala Lumpur and Brunei. Here we share share some of our reflections from those events.
Procurement is Global
Procurement has ‘come of age’ on the global stage. It is now a critical strategic transformational business process that adds tangible value for most organisations around the world. Recent global events that have disrupted supply chains (including geo-political strife, climate change, economic trade tariffs, technological developments and the on-going challenges of political and financial corruption) are common place, whether in South East Asia or anywhere else in the world.
Strategic procurement is therefore well-placed to address these challenges as they affect our global supply chains. While there may be localised differences, in essence it is the same ‘connected’ challenges that affect all organisations around the world.
Procurement adds strategic value
The need for a strategic approach is increasing in every territory. Technology is seen as an enabler of raising the capability and strategic focus of the procurement profession, allowing routine and administrative tasks to become automated and therefore releasing resource to concentrate on strategic planning and added-value.
Managing Supply Chain Risk is a key driver
Alongside cost management, procurement adds value in multiple dimensions. The management and reduction of supply chain risk is now seen as an increasingly strategic aspect of procurement and supply. C-suites are now asking procurement “how can you protect the business from supply chain disruption?” more than “how much money can you save us?”.
As supply chain complexity increases with the march of globalisation and the disruptive impact of geo-political events, maintaining supply chain transparency, resilience and accountability becomes a critical success factor for all forward-thinking organisations.
Upskilling remains a critical need
One challenge from our training events in Malaysia and Brunei became increasingly clear as a constant theme: in order to lift procurement from a transactional to a strategic and transformational business function, it needs investment in resources and capability upskilling.
These strategic procurement events were incredibly well-received and contained a rich abundance of practical tools, insight and techniques to help unlock strategic value.
We look forward to the next series of strategic procurement, category management and supply chain cost optimisation training events across the region!
Once again, Cordie would like to express our appreciation and gratitude for the amazing work by our partners Kexxel for coordinating and hosting these events. We look forward to seeing our partnership grow over the coming years.