
Cultivating a meaningful relationship with your suppliers can be difficult at first, but when accomplished, the effort can produce positive and lasting growth opportunities for both companies. Taking steps to get to this point, though, takes care and mutual respect. Recently at ProcureCon Indirect East, I had the privilege of listening in to “Providing The White Glove Treatment To Your Suppliers,” a panel moderated by Joseph Richardson, president and CEO of Professional Purchasing Partners. During the session, Richardson challenged the audience to think beyond a simple checklist for managing their supplier relationships, encouraging them to instead seek a true change in mindset and a willingness to develop flexible for each supplier their company worked with.
It’s 2017 — Here Are 5 Key Areas Procurement Needs to Pay Attention To

Happy New Year, Spend Matters readers!
No crystal ball could have prepared us for the smorgasbord of change that this past year presented.
So, how should those of us in the supply chain and procurement sphere be preparing for the next 365 days? What should be top of mind? Read on to find out.
Infographic: Accomplishing Supply Chain Visibility Through MRO-as-a-Service
A few weeks ago, we published a four-part series focused on how maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) is a significant — yet often overlooked — business function in the supply chain. Authored by Michael Lamoureux, research analyst, and Pierre Mitchell, chief research officer, the series explores how this ignored category is abundant with possibilities for cost savings and overall supply chain improvements, especially when using a managed service provider model that works in the product supply chain in your approach.
Pabst Brewing Company Acquired by Russia’s Oasis Beverages, Oracle’s CEO Larry Ellison Steps Down, Home Depot Sees Major Card Breach
There’s a blue ribbon on it for a reason, right? Russia’s Oasis Beverages announced this week that it will be acquiring the American brewing company Pabst Blue Ribbon. Forget Target’s card breach during the holidays, Home Depot has said that 56 million cards may have been compromised in the past five months. Afternoon Coffee brings you the latest news in supply chain and procurement.
Pizza Hut Announces New ‘Skinny Slice’, Uber to Recruit Military Veterans, ConAgra Foods’ Profits Jump
All college freshman rejoice -- Pizza Hut is testing out some “skinny slice” pizzas! Truth be told, not much is different about the new pizzas: the crust is a bit thinner, there are fewer toppings and less cheese is applied. So basically instead of eating three slices of Pizza Hut’s regular pizza, you’ll be eating six “skinny” slices. ConAgra Foods, producers of brands such as Egg Beaters and Crunch ‘n Munch, announced that its fiscal first-quarter earnings more than tripled. Afternoon Coffee brings you the latest news in supply chain and procurement.
NASA Partners with Boeing, SpaceX to Build ‘Space Taxis’, Kohl’s Hiring Holiday Workers, General Mills to Streamline and Save
Kohl’s plans to hire big for the holidays. The company said it will hire more than 67,000 workers this holiday season, an increase of about 34% from last year. Tip your housekeeper… Marriott has announced a new tipping program that it is launching at its hotels—and it is not sitting well with many of its customers. Afternoon Coffee brings you the latest news in supply chain and procurement.
Coca-Cola’s Surge is Back, Sears Borrows From Chief Executive, Wal-Mart’s Chief Spokesman Resigns
Coca-Cola’s Surge is back—all 90s kids rejoice! After more than a decade since the popular drink was discontinued, a Facebook group called “SURGE Movement” has prompted Coca-Cola to stock Amazon’s virtual shelves with 12-packs. Sears Holdings is turning to its chief executive, Edward S. Lampert, for financial assistance. The company plans to borrow $400 million from the billionaire. Afternoon Coffee brings you the latest news in supply chain and procurement.
Apple’s iPhone 6 Preorder Issues Continue; Hedge Fund Plans to Fix Olive Garden
Apple’s iPhone 6 preorders started today and while the ordering process was smooth for many, there have been a few hiccups. Meanwhile, more than 1 million Kidde residential smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been recalled because of a defect that could cause them to fail. Afternoon Coffee brings you the latest news in supply chain and procurement.
Friday Latte: Mobile Technology Struggles, Apple, Nestle's Ice Mountain Water, and Coca-Cola
Struggles in technology Mobile revolution, economy trip up tech giants -- (Reuters) - Mobile may be the future for technology, but even with the worldwide […]
Afternoon Coffee: Macy's New Brands; Twitter Silences Group; Google's Chromebook; Yelp's New Alerts
Macy's hearts Millennials Macy's Unveils First Phase for Millennials -- Macy's today detailed the first phase of the retailer's implementation of its Millennial initiative by […]
Afternoon Coffee: Nike drops Lance Armstrong; New Kindle Tool from Amazon; Target to Match Prices
Woah. Armstrong Is Dropped by Nike as He Quits Role With His Charity -- A week after the United States Anti-Doping Agency made public its […]