Category: Processes
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Short-Term Tariff Strategies to Keep Procurement Costs in Check
I try to stay off of bandwagons. But (you knew that “but” was coming, didn’t you?) I was at a client’s site this week reviewing category strategies, and of course the subject of trade tariffs came up. Then on a call with a different client this week, someone brought up their use of “tariff forms”… Read more
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Supply Chain Pitfalls that are Holding Your Business Back
I haven’t been in supply chain management as long as some, but I’ve been around long enough to have some observations on common errors supply chain practitioners make. Some are things many professionals can do better (such as continually learning) and some are very supply chain specific (such as managing by category). Here are my… Read more
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Why Every Business Needs a Supplier Manual (And How to Create One)
Does your business have a supplier manual? If not, do you feel like you struggle to communicate with your suppliers and hold them accountable? A Supplier Manual is one of those things every company should have, but many don’t. One of my first ever tasks for a client was to build them a supplier manual,… Read more
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Tail Spend: What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Procurement Strategy
In a deep dive training into Sourcing with a client recently, I mentioned the phrase “tail spend” and was met with a few blank looks. Tail spend is one of those procurement terms that we don’t realize is jargon, and this was a group of people new to the profession. So today’s article we’ll cover… Read more
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Move from Chaos to Clarity: Define Your Supply Chain’s Top Metrics
Since it’s still January, we’re right in the thick of Metrics Season. Traditionally this is the season where we measure everything, take a look at our upcoming year, and then decide to measure everything we measured last year and also add a few more. While today we’re talking about supply chain metrics, I’m also telling… Read more
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The Art of Good Bureaucracy: Insights from Pop Culture and Supply Chain Management
There is an episode of the TV show “Archer” that always crosses my mind when I think of bureaucracy. In this scene (season 12 episode 7), the character Cyril Figgis is trying to infiltrate an enemy spy agency. He tells his partner he will get them past the guard, and the following conversation ensues: Cyril:… Read more
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From Des Moines to Dubai: Highlights and Insights from Passwall Solutions in 2024
Allow me a moment of self-indulgence, as I review this past year. This post may also be a bit more personal than most and is a chance for reflection. 2024 was a good year for Passwall Solutions, and I’m proud of the work I have done. I am still a solopreneur, not yet having hired… Read more
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How a Supply Chain Geek Sources a Live Christmas Tree
Because this week is Christmas and this post will publish on Christmas Eve, let’s talk about sourcing a live Christmas tree as a supply chain professional. Now, true to form, this post is coming too late to do anything about it this year, which is appropriate for the topic. We’re always getting requests to purchase… Read more
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The Hidden Costs of Change Orders—and How Supply Chain Can Mitigate Them
Ah, change orders. While it is often necessary to change a project (and therefore change pricing) while that project is ongoing, change orders are frustrating for everyone involved. Large change orders can cause a blame game where everyone in a company blames everyone else for cost overruns. So how can a supply chain professional help… Read more
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Perfect Timing: Mastering RFP Open, Close, and Bid Durations
In running a Request for Proposal (RFP), timing matters. This includes when it opens, how long it lasts, and when it closes. Today we’ll talk about RFP timing, including opening, running, and closing for the best bid results. We’ll also cover sealed vs. unsealed bids and communicating timelines. Opening the RFP When considering when to… Read more