Common Procurement Misconceptions

Communication in the business world is difficult. It is usually the root cause of most major issues.

For Procurement Professionals, it is our job to convene and communicate. In an imperfect world this is a perfect recipe for frustration.

I take the perspective of procurement customers in this video and try to address identify their frustrations and explain why sourcing departments act the way they do.

Heroes of Procurement – Kate Vitasek

Kate Vitasek is an influential figure in procurement and outsourcing who developed a better way to approach outsourcing. This method is commonly called Vested Outsourcing which focuses on outcomes instead of micro-managing vendors.

I am on a journey to learn more about the people who made procurement what it is today and Kate was at the top of my list. This video covers the “5 Vested Rules” and gives some history on Kate.

Kate’s Books:

Internships Are Critical for Finding Full Time Jobs

College students are heading back to campus for a new school year. They are thinking about dorms, classes, and their friends. They should also be thinking about securing an internship.

Approximately 70% of employers offer their interns full-time jobs upon graduation. Students who completed an internship are 15% less likely to be unemployed in the first years after college. Not having a strategy to get an internship could really impact a student’s life after school.

Now is the time to start prepping.

Internships give experience, create networking opportunities, and they help kids determine if they even like the job.

Why Is the RFP Important in Procurement?

The Request for Proposal (RFP) is one of, if not THE most important tool in a procurement professional’s toolbox.

In this high inflation period which is driving up costs, the RFP is the best way to test market pricing and understand price points.

This video discusses why it is so critical to leverage and the issues customers and suppliers have with organizing a proper RFP.