The Global Marketing Index (GMI) released monthly by Warc shows an upward trend in marketing spending across the world. The GMI stood at 51.7 points in February 2013 and rose to 52.4 points for March 2013. This is the highest GMI reading since April 2012, good news for the worldwide economic situation, and even better…
Even amid continuing worries over instabilities in markets around the world, companies showed a pattern of raising their travel budgets during 2012, and this upward trend looks like it will continue over the long haul according to the new Control Risks Survey released by the International SOS. The report surveyed 300 professionals in human resources,…
It’s unclear whether global instances of procurement fraud are actually on the rise or if law enforcement has just become more vigilant in catching and prosecuting these criminals. Whatever the answer, there have already been many significant cases of procurement fraud identified worldwide in 2013. Here is how you can protect your company and its…
According to a new report issued by Ovum, an independent market analysis firm specializing in keeping track of information technologies, telecommunications, and other industries, global spending on information technologies contracts was lower in 2012 than it has been in a decade. This trend was evident in every major market around the world.
Advances in web technology have opened a door of opportunity for procurement professionals. With an automated procurement system, including pay-to-procure, in-house, and stand-alone marketplaces, e-procurement provides a means for reducing costs, standardizing processes, and more. It’s a tactic being used by government agencies and companies in both private and public sectors.
A newly released survey conducted by INTTRA reveals that e-invoicing could be the driving force behind reducing procurement costs in 2013. The survey focused on high-volume freight forwarders and shippers and includes several major global logistics providers.
The UK horse meat scandal continues to grow as officials investigate deeper. Over the last 7 years, the UK Border Agency has seized over 48 tons of meat entering the country illegally and doesn’t have the resources to control the problem alone. Government representatives are meeting with food industry leaders to reach a solution that…
For two decades, supply chain professionals have focused on reducing costs by trimming the unnecessary fat in their operations. Leaner production processes, lower on-hand inventory levels, and smaller, more frequent shipments created a just-in-time (JIT) supply chain that encouraged globalization. However, the risks and challenges associated with today’s supply chain aren’t always managed with a…
Proper quality assurance measures are critical to reduce the return of goods and services to companies. When there’s an abundance of reverse logistics, it affects a number of facets of the organization, including inventory management, warehousing and storage, financials, and even losses and write-offs when you’re dealing with perishable goods.
Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly common, especially in sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare. Tenders and the procurement process, however, are typically not a collaborative effort. Scotland is changing that as the country prepares to host two major sports events in 2014.