Blog / Bertrand Maltaverne
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Ignore Supply Chain Risks… At Your Own Peril!
Despite the general consensus that risk management is important, recent studies have found that many companies still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do… “The Supply Chain stuff is tricky!” – Elon Musk at Code Conference in 2016. When someone like Elon Musk says that something is tricky, it … Continue reading Ignore Supply Chain Risks… At Your Own Peril!
What Is The Cure To The Side Effects Of KPIs?
If there is one topic in business literature that has been covered exhaustively, it is Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). But if you’re not careful, the indicators you set might inadvertently encourage behaviours that can be dramatically damaging… “In 19th-century India, the city of Delhi had a snake problem. A rather large population of cobras slithered … Continue reading What Is The Cure To The Side Effects Of KPIs?
What Can Yoda Teach Us About The Kraljic Matrix?
The Kraljic Matrix revolutionised Procurement in 1983. Now the world looks very different. Is it time for an upgrade? The year was 1983. This was the year that the Internet was created. Bill Gates unleashed Microsoft World on the market. Star Wars Return of the Jedi was playing in the cinema. I was nine. And … Continue reading What Can Yoda Teach Us About The Kraljic Matrix?
Lessons In Risk Management: Unity Is Strength
In a digital future, relationships will continue to matter when it comes to risk management… I recently attended a procurement event, and, over lunch, I had an interesting discussion with other procurement practitioners about supply chain risk management (SCRM). One of the people at the table stated that his organisation was not looking into increasing … Continue reading Lessons In Risk Management: Unity Is Strength
After Saving Costs, Now Is The Time To Save The World!
We, as procurement professionals and as citizens, have a responsibility to take action to tackle the challenge of working sustainably. August 1, 2019: this could be when we reach the “Earth Overshoot Day” this year. For the rest of the year, we will be living on credit. When it comes to natural resources, that is. … Continue reading After Saving Costs, Now Is The Time To Save The World!
Transparency In Supply Chains And Blockchain: What Is The Most Common Trap?
Becoming aware of blockchain’s weak spots is an important first step towards taking full advantage of what the technology really has to offer. Is Blockchain coming of age in 2019? Judging by the first half of 2019, it seems that the blockchain hype is finally deflating and there is an overall consensus that it will … Continue reading Transparency In Supply Chains And Blockchain: What Is The Most Common Trap?
AI and Procurement: Boldly Going Where No Team Has Gone Before?
The battle of “human vs. machine” is raging in Hollywood and, increasingly, in the workplace. What does the future hold for AI? 2001: a space odyssey… Terminator… The Matrix… If you were to believe some of the sci-fi blockbusters, you’d think our future as humans is pretty bleak. They all offer a dystopian view of … Continue reading AI and Procurement: Boldly Going Where No Team Has Gone Before?
Could RPA Make Procurement Jobs More Human?
The new “hot” technology generating hype in 2019 is Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Here’s how it can help procurement… Procurement is, by nature, in the business of relationships. Whether it’s managing suppliers or stakeholders, the success of any procurement organisation relies heavily on building relationships between people. Despite this, many procurement professionals do not have … Continue reading Could RPA Make Procurement Jobs More Human?
“Hey, Procurement…” | The Rise of Chatbots in Supply Management
Procurement tech guru Bertrand Maltaverne explores the benefits, limitations and pitfalls of chatbots in procurement – with some animated examples! “Hey, Siri,…” “Alexa,…” “OK Google,..” Digital assistants are ubiquitous. We talk to them (Siri, Alexa, Cortana, etc.). We chat with them (Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Skype, WeChat, etc.). They are in our phones, in our computers, … Continue reading “Hey, Procurement…” | The Rise of Chatbots in Supply Management
Blockchain Will Not Save The World (At Least Not This Year…)
Blockchain hype has spread like wildfire… But it’s time for a reality check… Don’t— Don’t— Don’t— Don’t— Don’t believe the hype … “Don’t Believe the Hype” is a song by Public Enemy that dates back to 1988 and (if loosely interpreted) carries an important message that can be applied to blockchain technology. Blockchain is almost … Continue reading Blockchain Will Not Save The World (At Least Not This Year…)