Access
the SA coronavirus and Covid-19 resource panel here
BP’s Reid moves on to help others with corporate travel
Alan Reid, well known in the business travel industry in his capacity as BP Southern Africa procurement commodity manager, has left BP to start his own company specialising in a wide range of competencies, including corporate travel management. Read more here...When the service isn’t what you paid for
With the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) having come into effect on 1 April, what happens if a corporate client pays for a service that is not delivered as promised? Hilka Birns investigates. Read more here...A good man
BTN spoke with Alan Reid who looks after the corporate travel programme for BP Southern Africa and learnt about 4x4ing, amazing rescues and the Wild Bean Cafe. Read more here... and here...
PSCM Solutions was formed late in 2010 by Alan Reid, a 20-year Procurement and Supply Chain veteran, who has brought together a small but experienced and dedicated group of professionals. This is the "A Team" of Indirect Procurement (IP), an area not often given as much focus as Direct Procurement, but which is still an area of immense value creation and cost saving. Even more so when considering that any value created in IP generally carries directly to the bottom line of an organization, without the leakage that occurs through the manufacturing and distribution processes.
Whilst many aspects of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management are common, the IP arena of "Services" requires different tactics, experience and skills - it is in this area that PSCM Solutions as a group of experienced Procurement and Business Professionals focuses.
The "Services" commodities are broad and varied; from the simple to the complex and basic to complicated, however history has shown us that this is an area not fully understood and explored so many opportunities exist for value creation and cost savings. Due to the intangible nature, in varying degrees, of Services the contracting, measurement and management of Suppliers presents its own series of challenges.
In an attempt to focus our support to our clients we primarily work in the following areas:
Advertising and Sponsorships
If this commodity group was a 16th century map it would carry the warning "Here there be Dragons" …. An area left alone due to its complexity and multiple facets but PSCM Solutions has many years of experience in Procurement and Advertising Production amongst its Associates so are able to tackle this area very effectively. Previous results have shown savings of up to 30% in advertising production costs without compromising on creative delivery or campaign success. We effectively address Sponsorship as this is often an area of large spend but often with insufficient contracting and measurement of the investment return.
In his recent article on 2011 trends, Chris Moerdyk raised the very issues of increased accountability, transparency, and debunking of the myth in Marketing that "some things cant be measured" - he calls 2011 "The Year of Accountability".
Marketing and Promotions
Many companies invest large sums of money in Marketing and Promotions and it is here where we can make significant contribution; not only in the costs but in viability, value creation and success measurement. As we operate across a broad range of Customers and Suppliers we are able to bring a lot of experience to a project or Client. Be it the procurement of Printing and Give-aways, evaluation of the actual mechanism or sourcing promotional partners, we have the experience in this area.
Travel and Related Services
Travel is probably the most complicated and complex of all commodities but with many years hands-on experience in this area PSCM Solutions are able to assist. Through our affiliation with an international UK-based travel consultancy we are able to support our clients with a global view as well as the latest in evaluation and analytical tools. PSCM Solutions are able to add value to the negotiations with Travel service providers across the spectrum from the TMC to hotels and Car hire or to a TMC wanting to add value to their Clients.
An integrated, complete and comprehensive 'Duty of Care' programme is no longer a 'moral obligation' but a vital requirement in Corporate Travel today. At PSCM Solutions we are proud that, in the past, we were part of the creation and implementation of possibly the most comprehensive programme in South Africa, which locally and globally covered Travel (air, and road), Accommodation, Events (from small to the FWC 2010), Conferences, Medical support, Security, Insurance etc. It is this experience we can offer our Clients.
Human Resource Management
In today's business climate the single biggest cost in this area after internal salaries is Recruitment and in the past we have shown great results by standardizing rates, terms and conditions and thereby reducing costs and complexity.
People Development is a critical aspect of HR in South Africa today but it is also an area where costs are high and often not understood. By using our costing models and tackling this Commodity group we have been able to add value, manage the delivery of these services and reduce costs.
Professional Services
This Commodity Group is almost as bad as Advertising in its complexity, multiple players and spend; with many "industry norms" being cited for costs, terms and conditions. Myths abound due to the knowledge gap generally found between Customer and Service Supplier, and traditionally there is a lack of transparency, responsibility and accountability.
PSCM Solutions adopts a rigorous approach in this area and drills down into the brief; the costs, the deliverables and their measurement; which without doubt adds immense value to our Clients in their ability to understand and manage this area of spend.
Convenience and Forecourt Retail
Three of our associates have over 30 years combined experience in Convenience Retailing, a market sector that is ever changing as it evolves. From Store Design / layout, to Offer Development and Training, PSCM Solutions are able to offer their clients in this sector a wide range of skills and experience. Alan Reid was a pioneer of Bakery and Food Service in this area and is proud to have developed and rolled out The Wild Bean Café for BPSA.
Food Service and Hospitality
Of all sectors of industry it is here that the shortest and most critical supply chain exists and with this comes enormous challenges. The flip side of a challenge is an opportunity for value creation or cost management.
The Food Service industry (suppliers and sellers) require particular measurement and management and PSCM Solutions has many years' experience in HACCP, Food Safety Procedures, product specifications etc., so are able to create, modify or audit all aspects of this.
How to measure customer satisfaction is a perpetual dilemma for operators in this market and PSCM Solutions are able to create and put into place a CRM system for any operation; from small and simple to large and more complex.
6 Aug 2020