More supply chain predictions

March 27th, 2008 at 06:10am David Bush - Iasta

ELP, who recently changed their name to build a more global presence, ran a series of short interviews of UK based supply management pros. I was particularly intrigued by the discussion with, Christopher Barrat- Director, The Greystone Partnership, who took a very pragmatic and realistic approach to the future of procurement.

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If you want to make predictions on the weather then its statistically true that most likely conditions tomorrow will be broadly the same as today- providing you don’t get on a plane and fly to Barbados.
At the macro level, business conditions within the space of one year are not going to change very much. The dollar may get a little stronger with the end of Bush closer, and oil may get a little cheaper with minuscule improvements in Middle East security, but there will be no seismic change.

Likewise for procurement, the broad canvas will be in the same colors. We will seek more influences, more skills, more value, more leadership, more corporate social responsibility, and none of this will be new. The skill is to make the business equivalent of getting on the plane to Barbados. If you want your predictions to come true than you have to make it happen yourself.

My predictions for this year, is that it will work out exactly the way you intended. The challenge is getting your intention-your true intention aligned in the direction you really want to go in.

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Ahh, some sage advice with a dose of realism. I have heard so many war stories of grand plans that fall short, it is nice to hear a prediction that is not Pollyanna. I would reckon that Barrat has seen his share of crumbled regimes.

Entry Filed under: General, Interviews