How to improve procurement capability when soft issues are hampering ability

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The global economic downturn of 2008 compelled organisations of all sorts to focus on costs and seek ways to optimise their procurement capability, yet a lack of understanding of the softer issues of business are holding many organisations back, according to new book ‘Procurement Mojo’.
 

For most companies, the single largest or second largest area of costs is procurement from suppliers.

Even in boom times, savvy enterprises are constantly looking for ways to optimise procurement spend to boost profitability. Averting fraud and other business risks, such as the recent horsemeat scandal, is another reason smart executives strive to enhance their procurement capability.

However, only a minority are able to achieve this. Many procurement practitioners are beset by challenges – ‘soft’ issues – and struggle to incorporate effectiveness to their functional activities, claims procurement expert Sigi Osagie.

In his new book Procurement Mojo: Strengthening the Function and Raising Its Profile, Sigi focuses on these all important ‘soft’ issues and provides practical techniques to navigate organisational dynamics and achieve effective procurement in the modern-day business. Osagie teaches readers how to apply personal and organizational effectiveness to the procurement job.

“It is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People applied to the activity of procurement” explains Sigi, who is a successful interim executive, consultant and coach. He specialises in transformational improvements in procurement; supply chain management, and leadership and organizational effectiveness.

Osagie continues: “Many procurement practitioners yearn for practical solutions that will enable them to navigate organisational dynamics and be more effective and successful on the job. Procurement Mojo is targeted primarily at these professionals, as well as business leaders and senior executives responsible for procurement spend who are kept awake at night by challenges of ‘cost control’ and how to improve their procurement capability.
 
Procurement Mojo launched on 18th September and is available from Amazon and all good bookstores.