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Dear Client,
In the final Bespoke Procurement Bulletin for 2016, we provide a review of the tumultuous and exciting year that was, and share our big news about the launch of Bespoke Namibia and the creation of the Bespoke Group of Companies. We explore two research reports, including Future Purchasing's category management report, and the 4th pitfall from IACCM's pitfalls series - namely protracted negotiations. Finally, we look at an unappreciated soft skill - taking meaningful time out for the sake of future productivity. The usual round-up of the past month's top procurement news and worthwhile upcoming events is included.
Enjoy the read!
Publishing Editor | Andrew C. Hillman | Bespoke
| In This Edition |
2016: A year of growth and change
Future Purchasing Report: Collaborating for category management success
Contracting pitfall no.4: Protracted negotiations
Bespoke enters Namibian market
Rest or work; don’t try to do both
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2016: A year of growth and change
2016, year in review, procurement, supply chain,events, Brexit, SONA, LGE
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| In the Chinese zodiac, 2016 is the year of the monkey. Now, as it is nearing its end and I reflect on the past 12 months, I can confidently report that it has been a truly successful and rewarding year for all of us at Bespoke, despite much mischief, volatility, and trouble experienced in the wider world. Our highlights include closing many deals and delivering successful projects in southern and east Africa in a broad range of industries, including construction, financial, ICT, mining, oil and gas, and the public sector. Read
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Future Purchasing Report: Collaborating for category management success
category management, research, leadership, performance
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| Future Purchasing’s 2016-17 category management report – entitled “Collaborating for category management success: Bridging the performance and value gap” – is about to be launched. Drawn from insight gleaned from over 300 participants in 14 industry sectors around the world, the survey clearly demonstrates a massive performance difference between category management leaders and followers. Read More.
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Contracting pitfall no.4: Protracted negotiations
Contract management, pitfalls, research, IACCM, protracted negotiations
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| The research undertaken by the International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) to determine the top-10 biggest pitfalls in contract management continues to reveal actionable insight into the traps and bottlenecks that curtail or constrain successful contract management. This article is our fourth in a series focusing on this research, and explores the findings on the fourth pitfall; namely, protracted negotiations. Read More.
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Bespoke enters Namibian market
Bespoke expansion, Namibia, Africa, Bespoke Group
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| Bespoke is pleased to announce our launch of operations in Windhoek, Namibia, to respond to the growing need for specialised procurement and supply chain management solutions in the country. The establishment of a Bespoke business in Namibia is the first step towards our ambitious expansion plans in the southern and east African region. Read More.
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Rest or work; don’t try to do both
Soft skills, taking time out, managing distraction, motivation
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| Ever had one of those days when you wake up and you can’t decide if you want to or are even able to work? It’s not that you’re sick; it’s just that you feel you can’t. It’s a terrible feeling. You can’t seem to focus. But no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that a day off, a ‘duvet day’, is completely justified, a terrible voice in your head keeps whispering “you should be working, my precious”. The guilt isn't helping you. Decide to rest or to work, but don't try do both at once. Read More.
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| 10 Supply Chain New Year's Resolutions for 2017
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| As 2017 approaches, the world looks to have unprecedented changes. A surprise Presidential election, continued uncertainty in the global economy, and the rise of several technological innovations which have the potential to disrupt supply chains. Read More.
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| Oil prices soar on global producer deal to cut crude output
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| Oil prices shot to their highest levels since mid-2015 on Monday after Opec and other producers reached their first deal since 2001 to jointly reduce output in order to rein in oversupply and prop up markets. Read More.
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| Who benefits from B-BBEE?
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| Since the inception of the broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) concept there has been an ongoing debate on who is actually benefiting, with people claiming that it benefits only a few politically connected individuals while the rest are left out. Read More.
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| The future of global trade: Where are we heading and should we be concerned?
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| The deceleration of international trade since 2011 has been widely discussed. The general consensus is that the relationship between trade and GDP growth is undergoing a fundamental shift.1 The reasons for this are still debated, however. Read More.
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| South Africa leaves key rate steady, warns of risks to inflation
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| South Africa's central bank kept its benchmark repo rate unchanged at 7% on Thursday in line with market consensus, but warned that risks to the inflationary outlook had increased. Read More.
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| Trade between South Africa, Russia should strengthen – DTI |
| Russian companies are urged to increase their investment in South Africa by taking advantage of the investment opportunities presented by the industrial reform of the South African economy. Read More.
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| National Treasury makes further strides in bringing down supplier costs
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| In an effort to bring down supplier costs, National Treasury’s Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) has successfully renegotiated an existing contract with Telkom-owned Business Connexion (BCX). Read More. |
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| South Africa wins global outsourcing award
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| South Africa has been named the Annual Outsourcing Destination of the Year for 2016 by the Global Sourcing Association, which presented the award at a ceremony, held in the UK. Read More.
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| Entrepreneurs need financial know-how to enter broader market
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| One of the biggest stumbling blocks that entrepreneurs come across when starting their business, is the lack of financial experience and financial intelligence, which is why greater education in this sector is needed. Read More.
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| Gold surges most since Brexit as Trump win fuels market turmoil |
| Gold soared by the most since Britain’s Brexit vote in June as Donald Trump won the US Presidency, prompting a rush to havens and a flight from risky assets. Read More.
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| Video of the Month |
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| Publisher |
Publishing Editor
Andrew C. Hillman
Contributing Editor
Kate Ferreira
Bespoke Sourcing Solutions (Pty) Ltd
PO Box 69042, Bryanston 2021, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
1st Floor, Block A, Cresta Junction, Cnr Judges Avenue & Beyers Naude Drive, Cresta, Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Telephone: +27(0)11 066 4400
Facsimile: +27(0)86 536 5133
E-mail: info@bespoke.co.za
Website: www.bespoke.co.za
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