Purchasing process optimisation - trends for 2019 part I

A well-organised and well-functioning purchasing department has an indisputably positive impact on an organisation's financial performance. The day-to-day work of the buyers allows savings to be generated and risks associated with the area of supply management to be minimised. However, for several years now, huge changes have been observed in the tasks facing purchasing managers and employees. These are aimed, among other things, at transforming purchasing departments into units that create innovation in companies and increase their competitiveness, not only in the area of costs.

Will 2019 bring significant changes to observed trends? Will purchasing departments face a revolution? Or, on the contrary, are we in for a continuation of current developments?

Even greater importance of skilled workers

Attracting, retaining and developing employees will be among the most important challenges facing purchasing managers in the coming year. This is because it turns out that more than half of them are of the opinion that the current preparation of staff does not guarantee the achievement of the objectives set for modern departments responsible for cooperation with suppliers. At the same time, according to a survey conducted by Middlesex University, as many as 74 per cent of employees felt that they had not reached their full potential at work due to a lack of development opportunities. What does this mean for entrepreneurs who want to successfully attract and retain the best employees and meet business goals? Certainly the need to pay more attention to the quality and scope of training programmes.

Improving negotiation skills - negotiation techniques and strategies

Business negotiation is an area that should never be underestimated. Having high-calibre negotiators is always an important piece of the puzzle for companies to gain an edge over their competitors. What does this mean for training departments? Obviously, the need to pay particular attention to the effectiveness of negotiation training and workshops, and to choose the best training companies to achieve the next level of competence in this area. We look forward to working with you.