HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 from SafeSourcing; Your GLOBAL SOURCING PARTNER!

January 1st, 2024

No matter your location or language, the world is not really that big of a place anymore. Consider your global sourcing alternatives more this year than ever before!

 

picture of world

 

If you’d like to learn more about alternative sources of supply offshore or nearshore or anywhere around the world., contact a SafeSourcing customer services account manager to learn more about SafeSourceIt™ our 587,000 global supplier database and let us translate it into increased profits for you.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Offshore, Nearshore, No Shore.

December 28th, 2023

Where are companies looking for products in order to avoid China?

 

Today’s post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc

You might be surprised that during the last year the US increased import of Mexican manufactured goods by nearly 60% according to an article titled Global Trade is Shifting, Not Reversing in a January 3rd issue of the Wall Street Journal by Stephen Wilmot. I wonder how much of that even had to be put on a ship, hmmm? No child labor, hmmm? Quicker delivery times, hmmm? Here’s to North America!

Now, a simple question for all companies that are interested, is how do you find these manufacturers and other suppliers and distributors in North American (US, Mexico, Canada)? The simple answer is to contact SafeSourcing and ask about our  SafeSourceIt™ Global Supplier Database  that includes over 557,000 global vendor/suppliers.

To learn more, please contact a SafeSourcing customer services associate.

References: Wall Street Journal, Stephen Wilmot

 

Twas the day after Christmas!

December 26th, 2023

If there is a poem for The night before Christmas, there has to be one for the day after. ENJOY.

 

Twas the day after Christmas

When all through the land

People were still smiling and happy

Because their holiday had gone just as planned

With malls to be visited and unwanted gifts to return

And exercise to be done and all those extra calories to burn

Most offices are still quiet as their staff s celebrate

While others rush to close out their years business before it’s too late

There’s a new year  coming full of lots of new stuff

We all hope with this congress life doesn’t get any more tough

For businesses public and private and individuals too

Who would all rather focus on what’s exciting and new

Like jobs and raises and a positive end of year review

So on Trump and Pelosi with congress hopefully in tow

Let’s get back to Washington

And end this year with some glow.

Happy Holidays from Safesourcing

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas 2023 and the hope for Peace on Earth.

December 24th, 2023

All of us at SafeSourcing hope you are all able to be safe and with loved ones for the Christmas Holiday.

If you can indentify these folks below, We hope they grant you and yours all of your wishes.
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So, what happens with the evolution of Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Crypto?

December 20th, 2023

It’s a fascinating time to be alive isn't it?

 

Today’s post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc.

Do you need Artificial Intelligence (Ai) to write your business plans for you, or Quantum Computing to come up with your next strategic plan? Will you report your earnings in Crypto like Bitcoin (BTC) or Satoshi instead of dollars?

As we close out 2023, these are some of the questions I ponder as everything in our world evolves at greater than the speed of light. Who knows, maybe I’m strange, but this is a fascinating time to be alive.

I can’t just do my job of running our managed service eProcurement Company SafeSourcing without considering these things. Just imagine when Quantum computing and Ai come together to provide you will all the questions you haven’t asked almost before you think of them. The speed of an Ai layer at quantum speed might just be able to do that. Assume you ask your Ai interface a very logical question on a thought process you are having regarding your product and or process evolution and the Ai interface provides you a very detailed answer and then presupposes your next question and answers it and so on.

If you are a leadership person with the responsibility of maintaining your company’s viability, you have to think how these evolving technologies will impact how you do business. If you don’t you won’t be here.

Here are a few questions that might let you know if you are keeping pace.

  1. What is digital gold?
  2. Who is Satoshi Nakamoto?
  3. What is Satoshi?
  4. What is a Qubit?
  5. How does a Qubit work?
  6. What is the fastest Qunatum computer in the world?
  7. What companies and countries are focused on Quantum computing
  8. Does the Macro financial world impact Crypto in the same way it does the stock market?
  9. What is the temperature of a quantum computer?
  10. How long does it take to settle an international transaction with Bitcoin (BTC)?
  11. How safe will data be at quantum speeds?

If you know all of the answers, congratulations. At SafeSourcing we are looking at all of these technologies so that we continue to be the best provider of eProcurement solutions for our customers.

SafeSourcing is a Procure to Pay Managed Service provider of a number of e-Procurement solutions and associated white glove services that are part of our cloud based SafeSourceIt™ eSourcing suite.

For more information, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Services Associate.

 

Are your fleet drivers both full-time and temporary, prepared for emergencies?

December 19th, 2023

My daughter recently went on a road trip up north!

 

Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

 

My daughter recently went on a road trip up north and it reminded me of this BLOG that I posted a few years ago.  She and a few friends were going to Cleveland to watch an NFL game and they decided to stay the night and visit a few attractions while they were there.  After she left it occurred to me that she does not have an emergency kit in her car.  Luckily, everything went smoothly, and they made it there and back safely.  But keep in mind, if you are going on road trips especially in the winter months, it is a good idea to carry along an emergency kit just in case you run into trouble.

If you have been driving for a while you know that unexpected things can happen.  Most of us spend hours in our cars and don’t think twice about emergencies that can occur while on the road.  These emergencies may not even involve you and your automobile.  With all of the traffic and congestion on the roadways it is possible that you could end up stuck for hours because of bad weather or accidents.  It is important to be prepared and ready for these unexpected problems.  One way to prepare yourself is to have an emergency car kit in all of your vehicles.  These kits can be purchased, or you can make your own kit stocked with all of the necessary items.  These emergencies don’t always happen in convenient places where cell phone service is available, and a tow truck is nearby.  Therefore, you need to be prepared for any conditions that may occur.  Below are some suggested items that you should include in your emergency car kit.

  • Jumper Cables
  • Tool Kit
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Reflective Warning Triangles
  • Tow Strap
  • Foam Tire Sealant
  • Gloves
  • Flashlight
  • Duct Tape
  • Cell Phone Charger
  • Warm Blanket
  • Windshield Ice Scraper
  • Drinking Water
  • Non-Perishable Snacks

If you need help researching emergency kits for your vehicles, feel free to contact SafeSourcing.   We can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which kit meets your needs.  If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

 

 

Do you Embrace Transformative Technology?

December 18th, 2023

Do you know why your company needs to embrace eProcurement?

 

Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Director of HR, and Administration at SafeSourcing.

Do you know why your company needs to embrace eProcurement?

In the fast-paced realm of modern business, efficiency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of success. Enter eProcurement – a revolutionary approach transforming traditional procurement processes into streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective operations. Despite its undeniable advantages, some companies remain hesitant to fully embrace this digital revolution. If you aren’t using a sourcing partner or e Procurement, now is the time to make the switch.

Cutting costs while maintaining quality is the holy grail of business operations. EProcurement enables just that. By assisting in the purchasing processes, working with suppliers, and streamlining spend data, companies can significantly slash costs. Moreover, the transparency in pricing and spend analytics empower businesses to make informed decisions, driving cost savings further.

Healthy supplier relationships are the backbone of a successful business. Partnering with a sourcing partner, like SafeSourcing, can facilitate better communication and collaboration with suppliers. Streamlined order processes, transparent communication, and improved negotiation power contribute to stronger, more beneficial partnerships, fostering mutual growth and reliability.

As businesses grow, scalability becomes paramount. EProcurement systems are inherently scalable, adapting seamlessly to evolving business needs. Whether it is handling increased transaction volumes or expanding supplier networks, these systems evolve with the company, ensuring sustained efficiency and growth.

Beyond the operational benefits, eProcurement aligns with corporate sustainability goals. By reducing paper waste, optimizing transportation routes, and promoting digital processes, companies contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

The advantages of eProcurement are too compelling to ignore and embracing this digital transformation isn’t just a step forward; it’s a leap toward operational excellence, cost savings, and sustainable growth. Now is the time to revolutionize your procurement processes, future-proof your operations, and unlock the immense potential of eProcurement.

For more information on what the SafeSourcing team can offer you, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

On the Twelve Days of e-Procurement Christmas.

December 13th, 2023

It's that time of year again. We know you have all heard the song “The twelve days of Christmas” many times. With that tune playing over and over in your head try substituting the e-procurement lyrics below.

 

It is actually twelve days until Christmas and today’s post is a holiday favorite by our CEO Ron Southard from our SafeSourcing Archives.

  1. On the first day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, a streamlined procurement process.
  2. On the second day of Christmas our e-service provider gave to us, more suppliers to source our goods and services from.
  3. On the third day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, pricing that works for smallest categories.
  4. On the fourth day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, consistent and customized product specifications.
  5. On the fifth day of Christmas our e-procurement service supplier gave to us, more time for other priorities.
  6. On the sixth day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, improved quality in our products and services.
  7. On the seventh day of Christmas our e-procurement service supplier gave to us, better supplier education.
  8. On the eighth day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, a simple award of business process.
  9. On the ninth day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, support for a better carbon footprint.
  10. On the tenth day of Christmas our e-procurement service supplier gave to us, total category e-procurement.
  11. On the eleventh day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, safer products for our customers and planet.
  12. On the twelfth day of Christmas our e-procurement service provider gave to us, a sustainable e-procurement process and improved corporate net earnings.

Now, ask yourself if all of these goals are accomplished on your company’s behalf by your present e-procurement service provider. If n0t, please contact a SafeSourcing customer services account manager.

Continued best wishes for a very Merry Christmas the rest of the 2023 Holiday Season.

Holiday Shipping

December 12th, 2023

The (Saint) Nick of Time

 

Todays timely repost is from our Newsletter Archives and was written by Gayl M Southard former VP of Administration at SafeSourcing Inc.

According to Santa’s Elf Grumpy, many people want to know how Santa makes it around the world in just 24 hours. Some speculate it’s a government conspiracy, its Santa’s magic dust, perhaps Santa rides the magic of Christmas, could it be the theory of Santa-Relativity, the Naughty/Nice Matter/Anti-Matter, time bending, or time warping. There’s only one slight problem, Grumpy can’t tell you how Santa does it. (And he’s not even being grumpy about it!)

Have you heard of time zones? Well, Santa uses them to cheat — on time! He takes advantage of the Earth’s time zones! He starts by delivering presents at the International Date Line and travels west following the Earth’s rotation around the sun. By doing that he gains many, many extra hours of time. Children are actually waking up and opening presents while Santa is still delivering! Did you know that, if you live in the U.S., today is already tomorrow in Australia? Likewise, when Santa is in Australia, it is already yesterday in the U.S. This is a handy trick to know when you’re Santa Claus! So now you know the secrets to Santa delivering presents! And now you know how fast Santa can travel. You even know how Santa gets around the world in one night! Just please don’t tell everyone. I don’t want people appearing and disappearing all over the place like they were Santa Claus delivering all the presents!

If you’d like some help with your procurement or supply chain needs, please contact SafeSourcing. We’ll treat you with the same spirit in which this post is written.

References

Bob Tita, WSJ, 10/28/2021

Retail Contract Leakage. Where does it come from and how can we stop it?

December 7th, 2023

Congratulations, you have used your e-procurement tools effectively and awarded the business to a new supplier!

 

Todays post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc.

How does your organization  now ensure that the award of business is implemented or delivered as awarded so that you indeed receive all of your savings?

This is probably the most difficult part of the entire procurement lifecycle. The first part is to understand your data and where it is kept, that includes understanding what constitutes contract leakage so that you know what you are looking at. Once you have the data needs to be looked at on a regular basis in order to insure leakage is not occurring. This should be at least monthly depending on contract language. Most contract management systems have alerts that can be triggered as frequently as required.

The following list although not all inclusive speaks too many of areas in which contract leakage can occur. This happens in all companies large and small. If you are aware of them, capture them and report on them there is a good possibility of controlling them.

1. Buying without a contract.

2. Expensing something outside of a contract

3. Having multiple contracts in place:

4. Executing a new agreement when one is already in place

5. Paying a price different from the contract

6. Delivery variances

7. Quality specifications variances

8. Making payments at a prices different from the contract

9. Scope creep

10. Invoice discrepancies

11. Missed volume discounts

12. Insurance discrepancies

13. Shipping discrepancies

14. Expired contracts resulting in price uplift

15. Evergreening

16. Overtime Violations

17. Material discrepancies

18. Sub Contractor discrepancies

Don’t  have your team work hard to drive benefits with your procurement solutions and then lose much of what you have gained to contract leakage. Ask your e-procurement solutions provider how they can help or save yourself a lot of time or please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Services Account Manager.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.