If it’s not the inflation numbers scaring you, it’s the hiring numbers. Or is it the weak dollar? Retail numbers? Fuel costs? Pick your individual poison or mix them all together in a perfect economic storm…one way or another your business is likely either looking to grow revenues or cut costs. But obviously in a [more]

[Read more →]

A lot of ink has been spilled in attempts to diagnose the recent run up in steel prices. Purchasing.com recently put the blame squarely on the raw materials cost push and strong global demand. Certainly raw material factors are still the primary contributor to the sharp rise in steel prices (iron ore costs up 65% [more]

[Read more →]

I spent most of last week at the annual IACCM Americas conference in Scottsdale. The “Collaborate to Innovate” theme was a great way to frame the discussions, which included globalization, risk management, organizational delivery models, and the impacts of automation and technology on contracting and contract negotiation methodologies. Lots of networking, best practices, success stories [more]

[Read more →]

If you paid $300 million to a company run by a 22 year old CEO and his certified massage therapist VP, would you double check to make sure you got what you paid for? Heck if I ordered a pizza from a couple of characters like that I would look inside the box before ever [more]

[Read more →]

About a month ago I had dinner with the head of supply chain for one of the world’s most recognized food service brands. We weren’t even through the salad course when he lit into me about previous Supply Excellence posts encouraging buyers to consider alternative fuels, materials, and lighting methods.
“Next time you’re at one of [more]

[Read more →]