19 June 2011 | Angeline Albert
Senior purchasing professionals gathered at the launch of a corporate
networking group were told they should get together more to share ideas on how
to meet future challenges.
The Executive Procurement Network (EPN) has been
set up by CIPS in partnership with Cranfield School of Management.
Representatives from the private and public sector were at the university this
week for the launch of the network, which aims to nurture best practice
discussions between CPOs to help them cope with challenges such as commodity
price volatility.
EPN will not only provide a non-competitive forum for procurement leaders to
learn from each other but topics raised at these events will result in relevant
research. This research will be made exclusively available to members for at
least six months before being released elsewhere. There will also be up to six
smaller, work-based research meetings a year hosted at Cranfield or the offices
of member companies.
As a corporate networking group members can sign up six employees and up to
three employees per organisation can attend quarterly forums at the university.
Describing the network, CIPS CEO David Noble said: “With cutting edge research
and access to real case studies, the benefits of this network will be
far-reaching and influential. If you’re a leader in procurement, you should be
part of the network and share your experiences as well as learn from your
peers.”
CIPS plans to have 15 corporate members signed up to the network over the next
year, rising to between 20-30 over the next two years. It is keen to maintain
manageable numbers to achieve quality dialogue and ensure it meets the needs of
all the organisations in it.
Applications from consultants or individuals will not be accepted and CIPS said
applications will “not knowingly be accepted from competitors of any existing
members without their express permission”.
☛ For details about joining EPN email Katie Smart