by Janice Marquardt | May 27, 2025 | Contracts, Processes
I frequently see companies early in their supply chain maturity journey using blanket purchase orders almost like a “light contract.” At first I found this somewhat odd, but for a company with a small supply chain, it makes sense. Blanket orders don’t require nearly...
by Janice Marquardt | May 20, 2025 | e-Auctions
Today is the day. Publishing day. My book, Transform Procurement: The Value of E-auctions, comes out today. I implemented my first e-auction program basically without guidance, and I’m hoping my book helps give people a quick roadmap so they don’t have to take two...
by Janice Marquardt | Apr 22, 2025 | e-Auctions, Processes
The what-about-ism in e-auctions runs strong, and nowhere does it run stronger than the question “What about if an e-auction becomes a race to the bottom?” In the early 2000s, e-auctions often did become a race to the bottom. There was no Request for Proposal (RFP)...
by Janice Marquardt | Mar 11, 2025 | Contracts, Creative Solutions
Contract exclusivity clauses are interesting. Suppliers almost always like them, but some companies use them and some don’t. Today let’s talk about what they are, when they are used, ways to structure them, how to negotiate using them, and enforceability. Note: This...
by Janice Marquardt | Feb 25, 2025 | Processes, Savings
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...
