Welcome to the first issue of CPO Agenda, a new quarterly global publication for senior procurement executives in larger organisations.
I have to confess that I’ve never been much of a fan of mission statements, as they often seem rather bland and pointless. However, with this being an entirely new venture serving a changing profession, I was persuaded that a brief statement would be useful for two reasons. First, to clarify our aims and beliefs. And second, to have something against which to benchmark the articles we publish or are considering publishing.
So, here goes:
“ CPO Agenda is founded on the belief that purchasing and supply management, when effectively implemented, is a key driver of business success, and that excellence in this discipline produces superior performance and significant value in both public and private-sector organisations. Through objective, insightful and thought-provoking articles and the pursuit of innovative ideas, CPO Agenda will promote this belief and help procurement leaders to realise it in practice.”
We aim to do this through a blend of theory and practical advice written in a readable and easily digestible style, and wrapped up in a smart design that reflects procurement’s growing status and professionalism. Of course, whether we live up to that in this inaugural issue, or indeed in future issues, is ultimately up to you as the reader to judge. But that is what we aspire to achieve.
Over the next 60 pages, our experienced group of practitioner, consultant, academic and journalist contributors discuss a range of business and procurement issues. If there’s a theme to this first issue, it’s about value creation and the way purchasing functions need to be organised and led to maximise their contribution.
Value and leadership are themes we’ll be coming back to during the course of the year, along with other key issues such as performance measurement and change management. Questions to be addressed will include how procurement plays its full part during a takeover or merger; and how it communicates with and influences not only top management, but also institutional shareholders and financial analysts.
If you like what you see in this issue and support our project, there are two things I would ask you to do. The first, and easiest, is to take out an annual subscription. Producing a publication of this quality isn’t cheap, so we need your financial buy-in. As an added incentive, until the end of May you can take advantage of a 20 per cent discount – see the subscription card enclosed or visit our website at www.cpoagenda.com for more information.
The second thing you can do is contribute. It is your ideas and experience that will make CPO Agenda a success, so whether you want to suggest a topic, write an article, debate what you’ve read or offer some feedback, please do get in touch.
Geraint John
geraint.john@cpoagenda.com
