Saad K. Abbas

Arguably the most important, and the hardest, transition we will need to make for the #procurementact is a cultural mindset shift. What are you thinking about for your #tpp journey? #procurement #publicsector

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"Bidding wars" shouldn't make the news when it comes to procurement. When you're sourcing from suppliers, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of beating down costs. But there's a more sustainable way - reverse auctions. Why reverse auctions rock: 1. Suppliers compete for your business 2. You incentivize continuous improvement 3. You can test your negotiation skills 4. You weed out low-quality goods Use it right and reverse auctions will up your procurement game. But remember - the ultimate goal is to build lasting partnerships and mutual trust with your suppliers. Get sourcing.

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Ethics in Procurement. Why is it important? Is it okay to hire a consultancy firm from your home town? Or go to meals with suppliers during tender? Is that all about bribery or ethics problem has been evolving for Procurement? Looking for answers with Karen Daniels Procurement professional and a specialist in Ethics & ESG and my amazing co-hosts Guilherme Loponte, Neil Welch and Selin Apikyan Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dPSxjemJ Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/d5BPgyBN #procurement #demystifyingprocurement #procurementleaders We look forward to your feedback, comments and questions at [email protected] Or here on LinkedIn

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Download our latest whitepaper detailing how the new UK Procurement Act will transform procurement processes, increase transparency, and stimulate economic growth. It offers vital insights and actionable advice to keep you ahead of the curve.

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Spend Analysis: How Real-Time Data Can Unlock Hidden Value in Procurement We all know that “what gets measured, gets managed”—but are we really maximising the power of our procurement spend? For sourcing professionals, having the ability to analyse spend in real time isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game changer. So why are so many still relying on outdated or incomplete data? Real-time spend analysis provides a clear view of where your money is going, helping you to identify cost-saving opportunities, reduce maverick spend, and optimise supplier relationships. It’s about taking control of procurement, not just reacting to the numbers after the fact. With immediate access to spend data, sourcing professionals can track spending patterns, detect inefficiencies, and make faster, more informed decisions that align with business objectives. But the truth is, this isn’t always easy. Many organisations still struggle with fragmented systems, manual processes, and limited visibility into their own data. The need for better access to real-time, accurate information is more urgent than ever. Imagine what your procurement strategy could look like if you had instant insights into where every penny was being spent—across all departments, suppliers, and regions. This isn’t just about cutting costs (though that’s important too). It’s about leveraging data to unlock value, mitigate risk, and align your procurement spend with your company’s broader strategic goals. When you have better data, you can negotiate better terms, consolidate suppliers, and drive greater efficiencies—ultimately, delivering more value to the business. So, here’s the question: How are you using spend analysis to optimise your procurement strategy? Are you able to access real-time data, or are there barriers holding you back? #SpendAnalysis #Procurement #DataDrivenDecisions #SourcingStrategy #SupplyChain #BusinessGrowth #RealTimeData Rob Hall Matt Jarvis Harry Dow-Chapman ☁️James Anderson ☁️Juanjo Cerdan

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🌟 Career Growth in Procurement 🌟 I came across this insightful post today, and I couldn't agree more! In the ever-evolving world of procurement, having the right tools to guide your career path is essential. 🎯 This particular resource is an excellent way to assess your current skill set and identify opportunities for growth. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced professional like myself, having a roadmap can make all the difference. 🚀 Take the time to reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement, and seek out the opportunities that align with your career aspirations. After all, the procurement world is full of exciting possibilities! 📈 #Procurement #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Sourcing #StrategicSourcing #SkillsDevelopment #SupplyChain

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In this interview with Stephanie Laurent, MCIPS we celebrate remarkable female leadership, spotlighting inspiring women who have made substantial contributions to their industries. Stephanie highlights the importance of diverse perspectives and emphasizes the positive impact female leaders bring to teams and organizations. Thank you for sharing such insightful insights Stephanie 🤝 🔥 🙏 Check out the full piece to learn more about Stephanie's accomplishments 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF7ThGpt #femaleleaders #procurement #supplychain

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Do you network with sales people as well as procurement people? It’s a really valuable thing to do. Try it… Ideally find someone who’s not in your industry or not selling a product you need to invest in any time soon. So it can be as open as possible. Strike up a conversation about things like… how they try and shape deals, what thier motivations are, what’s important to them, what tactics they use etc. Give it a go you will learn loads, and they will too if you reciprocate.

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The future is Agentic. Humans and AI working side by side We’re working towards a future where every manufacturer has an army of AI agents supporting their people In fact It will be more like each person has their own AI assistant That means their capacity increases 3-5x And every repetitive non value added task taken care of by an AI I can see a day in the next 12 months where every user of Kavida.ai starts their morning by having a 5 minute chat with their AI assistant Morning Agenda: - They tell the AI what to do for the day - The AI brings up exceptions and key decisions to make

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A few years back I stepped in as the first Procurement pro in an organisation. Three pieces of advice if you’re building from scratch (+free link to my webinar): 1. Don’t underestimate the foundations: - good supplier spend data - contract visibility and control - create a clear and appropriate policy 2. Don’t template a standardised Procurement approach before you understand the business: - speak with people (this is not a desk job) - understand the pain points - then understand the key risks and value you can bring Build a Procurement environment that is right sized and appropriate to deliver what the business actually needs. 3. Don’t take yourself too seriously: - Build a fun environment where people want to work with you - Put everything into perspective. Progress over perfection - Take breaks and look after your mental health. In the words of REM “Life is bigger, it’s bigger than you and you are not me” ________ What tips would you give? Let me know in the comments. 👇 Found this helpful? Tomorrow 7pm BST I'm delivering a FREE webinar all about Procurement Soft Skills mastery. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eQtWDGZE

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Most Procurement Pros are stuck in their own head Fixated by - savings delivery - compliance - contracts - data Procurement success is so much more that this. It relies upon our ability • to control impulse • to build understanding • to build trust I love the quote from Daniel Goleman: “Leadership is not domination, but the art of persuading people to work toward a common goal” It doesn’t matter what level you are at in your Procurement career, we all have to lead in an organisation. Yet if we take more time to build trust and understanding (rapport) the moment we meet a stakeholder… The impact is game changing. Most Procurement pros forget to take this approach 👇 Be in the 10% that do and your stakeholder influence will 10x Do you agree? ____________ P.S. I originally wore my Radiohead ‘Paranoid Android’ T-shirt to record this. I always try to do it in one take but had to re record this one as the text totally messed with the captions! Radiohead ‘Ok Computer’ = top 3 album of all time. Tell me what album beats it? 😊

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Spotify is a University for Procurement But it’s hard to cut through the noise. Top 8 channels worth a subscribe: 1. The Procurement Software Podcast https://lnkd.in/ew_2DSPR "Procuretech" is a game changer. A key enabler and driver of rapid change in the profession. But where do you start? James Meads has you covered with all the answers here. 2. The Procurement Show https://lnkd.in/e6486pYS Hosted by procurement expert Jonathan O'Brien who has trained me twice (I was that bad the first time), this show tackles the more interesting bits of Procurement. The most recent episode was a fascinating insight into Gender Equality in the Supply Chain, well worth a listen. 3. The Way We Source https://lnkd.in/eJX7kz5H What a show! Interviewing at its best. Hosted by Kodiak Hub, this is where professionals, tech vendors, researchers and people they find inspiring are interviewed (no idea how I landed an interview here...). Covers Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Sustainability. 4. The Source Refresh Podcast https://lnkd.in/ecpbTanu I love the focus on interviews with small businesses in this one. Host Chandhrika gets the lowdown on their supply chains, their support systems and what keeps them moving in today's dynamic world. 5. Talent Talks https://lnkd.in/eSU6u4GF So good I've appeared on this show a record 3 times! Martin Smith interviews Procurement leaders in large corporations across the UK and he provides plenty of tips on how to build a network too. 6. Spotlight on Procurement https://lnkd.in/eeScHXTC Short but insightful 20-25min commuter friendly insights helpful for anyone buying goods and services. Efficio consulting run this podcast really well. They've never invited me on though. That's okay. I'm busy... 7. The Procurement Conversation https://lnkd.in/enizWC4F These always feel like proper intimate conversations. Rich Sains has a way of making his guests feel at ease as he explores the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Procurement today and in the future. 8. Let's Talk Supply Chain https://lnkd.in/earrhvmJ When I met Sarah Barnes-Humphrey last year, her energy was infectious. If you really want to geek out on supply chain, learn about best practices, changes in the industry and hot topics in supply chain, this is the place to be. Has this helped? What have I missed? P.S. for more free content subscribe to my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eXWjbkFS

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Is it time to stop using the term “soft skills” and start recognising these traits as just as critical for Procurement success as any other? Find out more in our latest post: https://lnkd.in/gAZWbinF #Procurement #SupplyChain #SoftSkills

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Is procurement a better career for extroverts or introverts? At first, it might seem that procurement’s relationship-heavy nature makes it better suited for extroverts. Aligning with stakeholders and creating lasting supplier relationships requires a lot of social bandwidth. On the other hand, introverts can be more suited to the analytical and evaluative nature of other equally critical tasks, like strategic planning or research and analytics. Let’s take a deeper look at how both extroverts and introverts can positively impact a team and how you can utilize both to build an exceptional function. Extroverts excel at: - Relationship Building - Negotiation - Stakeholder Relationships - Team Collaboration Introverts excel at: - Analytical Work - Strategic Planning - Vendor Evaluation - Supplier Research - Process Improvement Note that while the skills mentioned are often highlighted as strengths of extroverts and introverts, respectively, it’s important to recognize that these skills are not exclusive to either personality type. Both bring unique and valuable contributions to procurement, and many professionals end up falling somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I’m curious what you think, though. Leave a comment, and let’s chat. #Procurement #ProcurementLeaders #Introverts #Extroverts

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📣 Building a Data Strategy for Procurement  - A must 🎧 LISTEN podcast 🎥 Some of the highlights from the podcast with Susan Walsh, Founder at The Classification Guru. 🔌 How do you see the importance of data strategy in a procurement’s role?  🎯 What advice can you offer to the procurement leaders on how to build a more “clean” and “structured” data, so that they can be beneficial for supporting the spend-management and other purposes in procurement’s role? 🔋 What are key success factors in building a data strategy? ⚡ Many leaders say that the future of procurement is data driven. What are your thoughts on this ? Do you see any correlation with building a data strategy which we’re talking about?   🎙️ Listen to the full episode https://lnkd.in/grjsPR_K Credit: VCARE Academy and BICARA Supply Chain, The Podcast #supplychain #logistics #leadership #certification #sustainability #futureofbusiness #SupplyChainInnovation #FutureofLogistics #manufacturing #supplychain #ai #blockchain #machinelearning #robotics #sales #forecasting #supplychain #logistics #manufacturing #production #inventorycontrol #warehousing #sustainability #circulareconomy #demandplanning #ddmrp #salesandoperationsplanning

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The 37 Top Procurement Podcasts. You just can't make this stuff up. Have a listen to all 37 - I bet you'll prefer Procurement Says No. Or your money back. https://lnkd.in/eqtNhWWz

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LinkedIn advocates of the principles and values you have seen me demonstrate time and time again. Below is a recent webinar I did with SiliconANGLE & theCUBE and Persistent Systems to share insights to provide a different perspective on the value procurement brings. Barath Narayanan S S was excellent to share from his lens while I shared from my lens and Shelly DeMotte Kramer was a great facilitator. I am very thankful to share the story of my grandfather and what he has meant in my career as well, thank you Shelly for asking the question. Over last 3+ months I have done many webinars - to show the many dimensions of the procurement function and change the paradigm in how procurement can be a strategic enabler - people I interact with every day internally or external with supply base see the value we are trying to achieve and hope the insights and thoughts shared through these webinars allow a larger audience as well to think differently and further enhance the value you are trying to generate. Always open to any comments good/bad on what is shared on this approach to raise awareness/insights. #procurementiscool #procurementinsights #makingprocurementcool #diversitybreedsdiversity

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