Jon Hansen (PI Window on The World)

PROACTIS, the Wetherby-based provider of spend management solutions, recently completed the reverse takeover of US-based Perfect Commerce, LLC for an aggregate consideration of up to $132.5 million (approximately £102.4 million).

It has been reported that the acquisition will significantly "accelerate PROACTIS’ growth strategy and its geographic footprint" through Perfect Commerce's "global reach" as the latter has operations in the US, UK, and Europe.

But what does this expanded combined footprint really mean?

Joining me today to talk about the new Proactis is CFO Tim Sykes.

During this 30 minute interview, we will focus on the following three key points;

Solution synergyThe new company cultureBiggest challenges and opportunities

Everycs, a data and software engineering company focused on product intelligence, has just joined forces with environmental consultant GreenDelta to connect their Makersite platform with the world's life-cycle data, augment it with other information, and enable faster, distributed collaboration for procurement professionals. 

Joining me today to talk about what this means to the supply industry as a whole is Everycs CEO, Christoph Wilfert.

Today I will be joined by Ivalua’s SVP Sales and Business Development Amol Joshi to talk about the upstart company's big win with the State of Arizona.

Ironically, the use of the term upstart is somewhat deceiving, because Ivalua has been around for 15 years. The moniker, however, is appropriate because the win with Arizona as well as with Cadillac Fairview, US Foods, Honeywell and Credit Suisse are an indication of a seismic shift in the industry. In short, companies like Ivalua are taking the battle to the big boys such as CGI and coming out on top.

During my discussion with Joshi you will learn why.

One top public sector procurement expert suggests that the additional $2 million that Santa Clara County is going to pay to KPMG to review its procurement practice makes absolutely no sense. Or as he put it, there is no amount of service or insight that KPMG – or any consulting firm for that matter, can provide that would come close to justifying not just the additional $2 million, but the total $3.3 million that the County will spend.

In today's segment, I welcome Santa Clara County Executive Jeffrey Smith to talk about these and other concerns relating to the KPMG contract.

The partnership between THOMASNET.com (formerly the Thomas Register), a company that is more than 100 years old, and Dun & Bradstreet (a company that is more than 150 years old) to protect supply chains against disruption due to unforeseen risks, is a potential game changer.

Today I will be joined by THOMASNET President and CEO, Tony Uphoff, to talk about the new partnership focusing on the following three questions;

1. Given the length of time, your respective organizations have been in existence, why form a partnership now?

2. Studies consistently show that while executives acknowledge that their organizations have exposure in terms of supply chain risks, the vast majority have failed to take the appropriate measures to address said risks. Why is this, and how can the new partnership stimulate or facilitate needed executive action?

3. What reaction do you expect to receive from "the service provider" world, some of whom already have a supplier network as part of their offering?

Procurement is a cornerstone of a sound supply chain and overall business strategy. Procurify recognizes the importance of innovation and excellence in the profession and is committed to rewarding those organizations and individuals showing leadership and dedication to driving it forward, impacting their teams, organizations, communities and the world at large.

Today we talk with Procurify's John Rugamas about this new program.

In the introduction to the Global procurement awards, reference is made to recognizing "the importance of innovation and excellence in the profession and is committed to rewarding those organizations and individuals showing leadership and dedication to driving it forward, impacting their teams, organizations, communities and the world at large." I would like to talk about each one of these elements individually.

1, Driving it forward . . . it seems like a fairly straight forward concept, but what does driving it forward actually mean and, how has the premise evolved over the years in terms of procurement's role?

2. From a generational standpoint are the up and coming pros better positioned to have a greater impact in terms of their teams and their organizations on a whole, than did their predecessors? Whether yes or no, please elaborate.

3. Regarding community impact and the world at large, are we talking about social and economic impact beyond the procurement pro's own organization? What skill sets are required to have this greater reach in today's world?

4. In terms of nominees, what are the demographics from which the winners are likely to come? 

5. When everything is said and done, what do you hope will be the end result of The Global Procurement Awards Program? Are you hoping to make this an annual event?

Last month I welcomed to the show Procurious' Tania Seary to talk about the state of our industry and the then upcoming Big Ideas Conference.

Today, I am once again joined by Tania Seary, to not only revisit some of the questions we discussed last time, but to learn about any new revelations that resulted from the event, including their impact on the procurement world.

During this 30 minute segment I will be asking her the following questions:

1. In the last segment we talked about the great generational divide in our profession. What if anything did you learn about how different generations view procurement?

2. Going into the Big Ideas Conference, what did you anticipate would be the top 3 or 4 "hot" topics? What were actually - if they were in fact different - the key discussion points and takeaways?

3. Were there any surprises?

4. Given the abundance of insights and perspectives that were presented and discussed, how can we now turn this information into meaningful action?

5. Will; there be a Big Ideas in 2017, and if there is, what if any changes will you make?

In this advanced briefing of their presentation at the upcoming ISM2016 conference titled "Why Buyers Find it Tough to Connect with SMB Suppliers and What They Can Do About It"?, I am happy to welcome to the show Tom Greco, vice president, THOMASNET.com, and Travis Sherbine, vice president, marketing and product management, THOMASNET.com.

Nicole Verkindt is a frequent commentator on Canadian news outlets CBC's Exchange, "The Round Up", and is a "Dragon" on CBC's "Next Gen Dragons Den" focused on investing in early stage technology start ups.

She is also the founder of OMX (theomx.com), an online platform that helps organizations "buy local" by pushing out opportunities to organizations that match the requirements. The platform also manages and tracks total job creation and economic impact from large projects, primarily large government contracts in the defence, aerospace, energy and infrastructure sectors. 

Today I will be talking with Nicole about OMX, and what it means in terms of public sector procurement.

Today I am pleased to wlecome to the show this year's Top 30 Under 30 Megawatt Winner Amy Georgi to talk about not only her participation in the ThomasNet/ISM Top 30 Program, but also about a profession that is going through a major transformation, and the role GenerationNext professionals will play in shaping the future.

In this regard, I am going to be focusing on the following three areas:

Why did you chose to become procurement professionalsWhere do you see yourself headed in terms of the future, andWhat has being part of the 30 Under 30 program meant to you from both a personal and career standpoint.

Also joining us will be ThomasNet's Kristin Carty, who will share some background information on the Top 30 Under 30 Program.

To learn more about Amy and the other Top 30 Under 30 Winners visit http://30under30.thomasnet.com/

 

Lawsuit Update: A Campaign For Truth @ https://procureinsights.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/lawsuit-update-a-campaign-for-truth/