Blog

Procurement Office Development

Considering Outcomes (Not Just Outputs) Through Your KPIs

You’ve been getting complaints that the floors in the procurement office are too sticky. As the administrator of the MRO contract that includes services for your building, you bring up the issue at your next meeting with the supplier. The supplier representative assures you that the floors aren’t sticky. Not only that, but she provides you with a list of data points showing how many times the floors have been mopped, how many total hours the staff have spent mopping, and how many bottles of cleaner they’ve used. You run through the building to show the data to your coworkers, proving to them that the floor isn’t sticky. When you’re done, you muscle your way back to your office, leaving a trail of your shoes and then your socks as they cling to the floor behind you. What’s wrong with this picture?  

Read more “Considering Outcomes (Not Just Outputs) Through Your KPIs” →

Procurement Office Development

Making a Difference with Supplier Diversity

Much has been written about measuring the performance and impacts of supplier diversity initiatives in the private sector.  But how much of that can apply to public procurement where the profit motive is not a factor?  Pulse is here to help with tips for examining your supplier diversity program.

Read more “Making a Difference with Supplier Diversity” →

Contract Administration & Management

The Care and Keeping of Contracts 

For public procurement professionals whose job duties include contract administration, it can be tempting to leave contracts alone unless – or more accurately: until – there is an issue. Increasingly, however, procurement offices are recognizing the value of utilizing contract administration best practices to improve their relationships with suppliers and increase the value of their contracts. 

Read more “The Care and Keeping of Contracts “ →

Data Analytics

Does Your Data Work for You?

One undeniable result of today’s digital environment is that we now find ourselves immensely and overwhelmingly surrounded…by data. Forward-thinking offices are turning their analysis inwards, using data to track and improve procurement performance.  How are you using the data your office collects?  Pulse is here with a look at 3 award-winning examples of how data can work for you.  

 

Read more “Does Your Data Work for You?” →
Procurement Office Development

Talent Management in a Changing World  

The post-pandemic way of life has shown us one thing: employees are essential to the success of any organization.   As people continue to assess their priorities and leave their jobs for new opportunities, agencies are beginning to understand the importance of employee satisfaction and workplace culture.    Read more “Talent Management in a Changing World  “ →
Professional Development

Training and Certification: A Better Value for Everyone 

A 2015 academic study found nearly 3 out of 4 public procurement managers were more likely to hire someone with a procurement certification.  A 2018 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics concluded that persons with a professional certificate or license earned nearly one-third more than those without, including a weekly median salary difference of 12.4% for office and administrative support occupations. There are plenty more reasons why you should consider continuing education and why your office should value it.  Read more “Training and Certification: A Better Value for Everyone “ →