Use Peer Pressure to Drive Down Costs

Driving down costs by ‘coaxing’ voluntary behavior change. Anyone who survived the social pressure cooker of high school knows about the power of peer pressure.

For purchasing professionals trying to drive down cost, the good news is that peer pressure can have the same impact in corporate corridors as it did in the blackboard jungle.

from The Power of Peer Pressure in Propurchaser’s Negotiating Nuggets.

Negotiate knowing what you SHOULD be paying

In a Perfect World

Imagine the negotiating edge you would have if you knew—and could demonstrate—what you SHOULD be paying for the products you buy, especially when suppliers come to you with sad tales about price increases they just can’t hold off any longer because of global commodity price rises.

This is not wishful thinking.

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Benchmark Your Organization’s Purchasing Effectiveness

Dear Colleague

Back in 2003, we created a simple, on-line survey to help Purchasing Professionals gauge their organization’s overall purchasing effectiveness.

The goals were to first measure attitudes and practices, and then offer concrete suggestions for making improvements. The initiative was successful: almost 3,000 people participated.

One of our readers had a great idea – why not re-do the survey? We could compare new results to the original numbers and see if there’s been a shift in attitudes and practices, over the past 7 years.

These 7 areas are covered and answers range between strongly agree and strongly disagree.

Read the rest of Benchmark Your Organization’s Purchasing Effectiveness » » »

When Warehousing Goes Green

When considering the greening of any supply chain it is easy to ignore the impact of warehousing and distribution centres.
Transport miles are often shown to potential consumers, but what about the environmental cost of storage?

Understandably, the main focus in distribution centres is often the streamlining of the distribution process. This video of the Ocado distribution centre makes this optimisation geek very excited. But it is not difficult, and not necessarily expensive, to improve the green credentials of your warehousing. Read the rest of When Warehousing Goes Green » » »

Don’t Sweat the Details – It’s the Direction that Counts

Years ago, while working for Green Giant, I phoned our steel can sales rep to ask for a 4% reduction. We had information suggesting steel prices had fallen 8%.
He certainly wasn’t very happy and, as expected, argued against any decrease.

“Are you saying you’re still purchasing steel at the same price as before?” I asked. “That would be surprising.”

“Um… no, of course not”, he said, “but look – let me get back to you.”

To learn more, follow the Negotiating Nugget on Propurchaser.

Plant Tours Worth every Minute

The struggle to find “good fit” suppliers never ends. And finding the right suppliers has never been more important than right now. The global recession has put many companies’ very survival at stake.
How do you make sure – really sure – that your supplier is capable of going the distance providing you with the price, quality and service that your company and your customers demand?

Well, you could take the sales rep’s word for it. But we strongly suggest you see for yourself.

Simple as it sounds, an actual tour is the best way to gather reliable information about your supplier‘s all-important cost drivers, quality commitment and service culture.

It may seem like an inconvenience or a time-waster. But that plant tour will reveal so much about that supplier that it’s almost a crime not to go see. You really can’t do it from your office or even on the Internet. What is required is an old fashion, non-virtual plant tour…… You still gotta go look!

What follows is some lengthy, but worthwhile, advice on taking plant tours so that you get the insight and information you need to judge your suppliers’ capabilities and competitiveness.
Read the rest of Plant Tours Worth every Minute » » »

7 key factors for US reshoring

After making the case for reshoring in a previous article, PwC identified 7 key factors influencing potential US manufacturing resurgence. Obviously, labor cost is one of those factors but not the only one.

“Industrial manufacturers may increasingly rethink their U.S. strategies, including the merits of continuing to separate production and R&D and producing abroad and importing back to U.S. buyers. Depending on the industry, there may be considerable benefits to establishing regionalized supply chains and R&D facilities in the U.S.,” said Bob McCutcheon, PwC’s U.S. Industrial Products leader.

Read the rest of 7 key factors for US reshoring » » »

Sustainable supply-chain at risk: the US drought example

Weekly drought figures released  by the US Drought Monitor show the situation continues to be a problem with approximately 50% of continental US now suffering from a moderate drought or worse.

Despite recent precipitation bringing welcome relief and downgrading of the drought status in some parts of the country, the long term picture shows challenges remain.

Changing weather patterns and increasing likelihood of extreme weather events are pushing sustainable supply chain management up the agenda for many companies. The US drought is just one of many examples of how changing weather patterns can create clear and present supply chain risks.

Read the rest of Sustainable supply-chain at risk: the US drought example » » »

Rack Up Savings

Stan Hankowski, a seasoned Buyer with a major American retailer tells an intriguing story that shows how Purchasers can help themselves by helping their suppliers.

He went to market last year to buy steel racking. He expected higher prices because he’d been tracking steel costs and knew they had gone up sharply.

via Negotiating Nugget on Propurchaser.

Purchasers’ turn to shine

It’s still quite scary out there: recession clouds are still lurking. Sales volumes are struggling to rise; unfortunately, costs are struggling less, as suppliers pile on price increases, citing higher raw material costs as the reason.

Call to action

What can Purchasers do?……plenty, by taking a leadership role in pushing back costs. Makes sense when you think about it. Your role is critical, since purchases typically represent the largest single source of cost savings for most organizations. Try this 3-step approach.

via Purchasers’ Turn to Shine on Propurchaser.