March, 2011

Supply Chains are indeed the ties that bind us all in a global economy

Last June 23rd I can vividly recall the feelings I had when while sitting at my desk, our region was struck by what turned out to be a 5.0 magnitude earthquake. With the epicenter a mere 25 kilometers from my office, the rolling build-up and corresponding shaking, was tantamount to a jet airplane flying through the building. Needless to say, the above came into a proper context as I witnessed...

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Supply Chain Finance (Part 3): How A Misdirected Overemphasis On Process Undermines Best Value Purchasing

In the previous installment in this series, I talked about the fact that it has became abundantly clear that addressing the challenges that vendors face when they decide to pursue government contracts, is not something that can be solved from the supplier side of the equation. For example, and citing the AMEX study results yet again, on average it takes a supplier 19 1/2 months at a cost of $89K...

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Absence of Truth in Bidding Post Should Get Everyone in the Contracting Pews Standing Up and Shouting AMEN!

IACCM research has revealed widespread concern about the integrity of the bidding and negotiation process. Contracts and Legal practitioners recognize that this is the phase when foundations are laid for future claims and disputes. A recent survey suggests that failure to properly describe, understand or respond to requirements accounts for 40% of failed or troubled contracts. Other data...

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Supply Chain Finance (Part 2) Efficiency Over Financing: A 30 Year Public Sector Executive Provides His Take On Supply Chain Financing

p>No, this is the “cost” of doing business with the government. B2G is NOT for everyone and there are no guarantees that after 19.5 months business will occur. There are resources to help companies long the way, though: PTACs, SBDCs and SCORE are all excellent – see links below. Like any market niche, there are many things you need to learn before you come in (part of that...

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