Is the price of beef affecting your summer?

July 29th, 2025

Summers here and with that a lot of us like to hang outside and do a lot of grilling.

 

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

Summers here and with that a lot of us like to hang outside and do a lot of grilling.  If you are one of the people that enjoy grilling, you may have noticed the price of beef is reaching record high prices.  The average price for a pound of ground beef just before the Fourth of July was $6.67 a pound, which is about seventy cents more than May and 50 percent more than five years ago.  One of the main factors behind the rising prices is the shrinking cattle population.  According to experts, the national herd has declined to around eighty-seven million, which is the lowest recorded since 1951.  Part of the problem is the prolonged droughts which devastated grazing pastures in the cattle producing states such as Nebraska, Texas, and Kansas.  These droughts have forced many farmers to cull their herds which account for the lower population.   Another issue that also affected the cattle is growing cases of the New World Screwworm which is a parasitic fly whose maggots burrow into and feed on the flesh of the cattle.  This led to the halts of imports from Mexico to the U.S., but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently stated that some of the ports could reopen soon.  Unfortunately, the USDA predicts that cattle prices will remain elevated into 2026, which means the retail beef prices probably won’t drop for several years. Even with the high prices, it remains Americans’ second-favorite choice of meat, according to the USDA, with nearly fifty-seven pounds of it being consumed per person annually. Until the prices start to come down you may want to look into some of the following options to reduce your costs.

  • Choose the Right Cuts
  • Buy Whole Cuts and Trim Yourself
  • Stretch your Meat with Fillers
  • Buy in Bulk and Freeze
  • Consider other Grilling Options like Chicken and Pork
  • Make your own Rubs and Sauces

If you need help sourcing items for your company, feel free to contact SafeSourcing.   We can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which company and product 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.

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Procurement and Artificial Intelligence (Ai)

July 28th, 2025

Strategic eProcurement Planning: A Roadmap to Smarter Purchasing

 

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

Procurement and many other industries are undergoing a radical transformation, thanks to artificial intelligence. Specifically, procurement has been able to utilize ai tools in its sown unique way. In fact, procurement is now becoming a strategic driver of value and innovation with AI tools lending an ability  to play a central role in this evolution. From automating routine tasks to enabling predictive analytics and strategic sourcing, AI helps procurement teams save time, reduce costs, and make smarter decisions.

AI can analyze large datasets to uncover hidden patterns in spending. These tools consolidate data across departments, identify maverick spend, and highlight opportunities for savings. These tools can offer ai-powered spend analytics and can combine machine learning and data cleansing for added insight. AI tools continuously monitor supplier performance, financial health, geopolitical risks, and compliance issues. They can alert procurement professionals to potential disruptions before they happen.

Ai can also assist in other ways. Reviewing contracts manually is time-consuming, but AI tools can read and extract key terms, flag risky clauses, and ensure compliance with internal policies and regulations. These tools can assist in contract visibility and risk mitigation along with contract management.

AI may also lend a hand in supplier selection based on price, quality, lead time, and other variables, while some ai tools even simulate negotiation scenarios and recommend optimal outcomes. AI chatbots, virtual assistants, and robotic process automation can handle customer facing questions, purchase requisitions, invoice processing, and some follow-ups.

While AI tools offer major advantages, implementation can be complex. Organizations must ensure high-quality data, employee training, and system integration. Ethical AI use, transparency, and change management are also key concerns.

AI tools in procurement are not just a trend; they’re a necessity for organizations that want to stay competitive in a data-driven world. Whether you’re aiming to boost efficiency, reduce risk, or gain deeper insights, AI can empower procurement teams to deliver more strategic value than ever before. The future of procurement is intelligent and it’s happening now.

For more information on how the SafeSourcing can help your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

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Prompts developed correctly are critical to benefiting from AI tool usage Part II.

June 23rd, 2025

Once you develop a great prompt, what do you do with it?

 

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

During a recent post titled “Prompts developed correctly are critical to benefiting from AI tool usage Part I,” we discussed the use of AI tools and how to write a quality prompt in order to take advantage of what AI has to offer. We also discussed the importance of deep industry expertise when doing so. Simply stated, if you don’t know, how can you ask or evaluate.

There are a large number of generative AI models that you may be familiar with like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, Bard, Bing Chat and Gemini. These are all Large Language Model (LLM) based AI tools, our SafeSourcing process for developing your prompt strategy is largely the same for each.

To begin with, maintaining a reusable prompt library is critical to benefiting from these tools. It contains all of your learning so that you are not always starting over but creating an iterative process. Once that is in place, and certainly it will be tailored to how you work so your format will be framed to begin with. This will continue to evolve as you share learning with others and develop a company focused library.

Here are ten examples of how to build and build upon your prompts. Unfortunately, I am not including the SafeSourcing secret sauce. You can contact us for that information. This will however get you started.

  1. Use a Structured Prompting Framework
    1. Break complex requests into clearly labeled sections.
  2. Define Context and Assumptions Explicitly
    1. The more context you provide upfront, the less need for clarification or guesswork.
  3. Incorporate Examples into Prompts
    1. When you expect a certain format or style, include an example:
  4. Create and Maintain a Prompt Library
    1. Organize prompts by use case (e.g., Company Research, Supplier Sourcing, Market Intelligence, etc.)
  5. Chain Tasks for Complex Workflows
    1. Break larger jobs into sequenced prompts.
  6. Version Your Prompts
    1. As your tasks evolve, keep versions of your prompts.
      1. What worked for one version may not for another.
  7. Anticipate Model Limitations
    1. Data cutoff for static knowledge (e.g., knowledge base date of last update).
  8. Use Feedback Loops
    1. Build internal validation process.
  9. Automate with Custom Tools or Templates
    1. Use tools like Python scripts to wrap and execute prompts automatically.
  10. Train your team in Prompting
    1. If others in your organization use AI tools, consider developing a short prompting style guide:
      1. Standardize outputs.
      2. Avoid misuse.
      3. Improves collaboration.

SafeSourcing is a Procurement as a Service (PaaS)  provider of a number of e-Procurement solutions and associated white glove services that are part of our PaaS offered SafeSourceIt™ eSourcing suite. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the experience, and we have the AI prompts that deliver results.

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

 

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Prompts developed correctly are critical to benefiting from AI tool usage Part I of II

June 19th, 2025

I was Prompted to write this for you!

 

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

We have all heard about the impact that AI will have on jobs in the future. For some of us that time is now, for others maybe down the road a bit.

I have personally been using AI tools since they first became available. The speed at which it helps with all types of work is amazing. The tools are becoming better, smarter, faster, and more accurate every day. However, a caveat is that if you are trying to solve a business problem and have no experience in the industry or business area you are prompting to, you may create more issues than you solve for your company and your customers, because you do not know the right questions to ask to begin with. Experience does count even in the AI space.

In the procurement space where I work, there are many people blogging and writing about how to correctly use eRFX tools. Questions abound about the proper use of an RFI’s, RFP’s and RFQ’s. You may even have a desk full of finished examples of these processes. The question is, have you written one, supported one, evaluated one. If the answer is yes, have you done so across multiple industries? Have you delivered the final results  through a written executive summary that recommends award scenarios  and next steps required to proceed to a contract.

If the answer to any of the above is yes, then maybe you can write a Prompt that will deliver clean results in a usable format that may save your business time and save your customer money and potentially process improvement. If the answer is no, how can you write a good Prompt  to begin with and how will you know if the answers being provided by your AI tool of choice are correct.

Once you develop a great Prompt, what do you do with it? That’s a question we’ll answer tomorrow in Part II.

SafeSourcing is a Procurement as a Service (PaaS)  provider of a number of e-Procurement solutions and associated white glove services that are part of our PaaS offered SafeSourceIt™ eSourcing suite. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the experience, and we have the AI prompts that deliver results.

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

 

 

 

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Procurement and Smarter Purchasing!

June 17th, 2025

Strategic eProcurement Planning: A Roadmap to Smarter Purchasing

 

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

In today’s business environment, eProcurement is no longer luxury but rather a necessity. But jumping in without a plan can lead to disjointed systems, inconsistent compliance, and missed savings. That’s why eProcurement planning is critical for organizations aiming to streamline purchasing, enhance transparency, and drive long-term value.

The process of designing, coordinating, and implementing an effective e-procurement strategy involves evaluating current procurement workflows, identifying technological needs, aligning stakeholders, and setting measurable objectives for automation and improvement. This ensures that the technology is integrated into the broader supply chain and business objectives.

First, an organization should begin with a thorough review of existing procurement practices, including manual processes, bottlenecks, supplier relationships, and current spend visibility. This baseline is essential for identifying pain points and setting goals. Procurement doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Involving finance, IT, legal, and departmental users in planning helps secure buy-in and ensures the solution meets cross-functional needs.

Next is to determine whether your goals are to reduce spend, shorten procurement cycles, or increase supplier diversity, establishing clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will help measure progress and ROI. Choosing an e-sourcing platform and partner, like SafeSourcing, that supports your goal and considers features like e-sourcing, catalog management, approval workflows, and integration with existing ERP or finance system is essential to the success of the project.

A thoughtful eProcurement plan sets the foundation for a successful transformation. When done right, it aligns people, processes, and technology to unlock procurement’s full potential. Whether you’re modernizing a legacy system or implementing eProcurement for the first time, planning is what turns automation into advantage. By approaching eProcurement with strategy and structure, companies not only digitize purchasing — they empower it.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help with your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk-Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

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Memorial Day Observance 2025

May 27th, 2025

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, to honor those who have died in military service of our Country.

 

Today’s post is from our archives at SafeSourcing Inc.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

memorialday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The article below is sited from: http://www.cute-calendar.com/event/memorial-day/5719-usa.html

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31st in 2021). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day; the poppy’s significance to Memorial Day is the result of the John McCrae poem “In Flanders Fields.”

In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest-standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. The Coca-Cola 600 has been held later the same day since 1961. (From: Wikipedia, license: CCA-SA)

Whether you are observing Memorial Day by volunteering your time placing flags on the graves of soldiers, volunteering your time to spend with wounded soldiers, or are just spending family quality time together, we at SafeSourcing wish you a safe and memory making Memorial Day.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help with your business needs,  or information on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

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If you’re development team is working with Ai, here are some shortcuts that might help!

May 16th, 2025

Are you utilizing the Visual Code Studio application shortcuts?  

 

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

If you have been following my BLOGs you will know that I have done a couple on shortcut options available in applications that we use in our work environment.  Recently I have been getting up to speed on the computer language Python.  Python is a language that is used by a lot of professionals that are working with AI and would like to make their applications more powerful by utilizing AI.  While learning this language I found that the editor that I like the best so far is Visual Code Studio (VS Code).  VS Code is a free, lightweight, powerful source code editor that was created by Microsoft and can be used for a wide range of programming languages and development tasks.  Vs Code like other Integrated Development Environments (IDE) provides many features and conveniences found in other IDEs such as syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, version control and debugging tools.  If you’re like me and spend a lot of time using VS Code, you could save some time and be more efficient by learning some of the built-in shortcuts.  These shortcuts are used by clicking a combination of the keyboard keys.  One of the things that I do most is click save before running the code in the IDE.  This can be done by using the shortcut “CTLR+S.”  You can then run the code in by using the shortcut “CTRL+F5”.  Like I’ve said in past BLOGs, memorizing the available keyboard shortcuts will make you more efficient because you don’t have to remove your hands from the keyboard to use the mouse.  Below are some other shortcuts that can be used.

VS Code Shortcuts:

  • Ctrl+K Ctrl+S – Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Ctrl+X – Cut Line (empty selection)
  • Ctrl+C – Copy Line (empty selection)
  • Ctrl+P – Quick Open, Go to File…
  • Ctrl+Shift+K – Delete Line
  • Ctrl+Enter – Insert Line Below
  • Ctrl+Shift+Enter – Insert Line Above
  • Home / End – Go to Beginning/End of Line
  • Ctrl+Home – Go to Beginning of File
  • Ctrl+End – Go to End of File
  • Ctrl+N – New File
  • Ctrl+O – Open File…
  • Ctrl+S – Save
  • Ctrl+Shift+S – Save As…
  • Ctrl+K S – Save All
  • Ctrl+F4 – Close
  • Ctrl+K Ctrl+W – Close All

Interested in learning how SafeSourcing can help your company run more efficiently?  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.

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Roof Leaks and other Repair and Maintenance Projects

April 22nd, 2025

If you’ve never had a roof leak in your home or business...

 

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

I have been reposting this BLOG from a while back because when this was written we had our leak fixed or at least we thought we did.  A few months after having the work completed, we noticed another wet spot and realized that the work we had done did not take care of the issue.  Luckily, we did not patch the small hole or paint the stained areas around the leak.  Now we are looking for another company to come out and do the job correctly.  It just shows how important it is to research the companies carefully and vet them appropriately before hiring them.

If you’ve never had a roof leak in your home or business, then you don’t know how frustrating it is to look up and see a brown spot or spots on your ceiling.  If this is not taken care of immediately it can end up costing you a lot of money.  Eventually the ceiling where the spot is located will break open and the water will leak through.  It is also common for untreated leaks to lead to a serious mold or mildew problems.  This doesn’t only affect the area of the leak, but the spores caused by the leak can end up passing through your HVAC system and could lead to serious health issues for people with allergies, asthma or compromised immune systems.  If you see these water spots on your ceiling you should find a reputable roofing company to come out as soon as possible so that they can inspect your roof and make the appropriate fixes.  They will also do a full inspection of the roof and make sure that any other potential problems are taken care of as well.  Below are some of the common reasons for leaky roofs.

  • Improperly Driven Nails
  • Pipe Boot Failures
  • Debris in Gutters
  • Improperly Installed Skylights
  • Worn Out Collars around Gas Vents
  • Worn Out Flashing

If you think that your business may have roofs that are leaking or in need of repair or replacement, contact SafeSourcing.  We can gather all the necessary information and help you decide which company best meets your maintenance and repair 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.

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Procurement and Tariff Increases

April 18th, 2025

Tariffs, essentially taxes on imported goods, directly increase the cost of affected items. So now what?

 

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

In an ever-challenged economy, procurement professionals are no strangers to volatility. One of the most impactful—and unpredictable—variables in recent years has been the rise in tariffs. Whether due to trade disputes, geopolitical tensions, or efforts to protect domestic industries, tariff increases are reshaping how organizations approach procurement.

Tariffs, essentially taxes on imported goods, directly increase the cost of affected items. For procurement teams, this can quickly escalate total spend, especially if critical materials or components are sourced internationally. Tariff-related cost hikes can blow through carefully planned budgets, especially for long-term contracts negotiated before tariff changes. Suppliers in tariff-affected regions may raise their prices or pass on additional costs to buyers. Frequent changes in trade policy make it difficult to forecast and plan procurement strategies with confidence.

To mitigate the impact of tariff increases, procurement professionals can adopt more agile and strategic approaches. Relying too heavily on suppliers from a single country or region increases vulnerability. Diversification helps reduce exposure to tariffs and supply chain disruption. For instance, if tariffs rise on goods from China, sourcing alternatives in Vietnam, India, or Mexico could offer relief. Some organizations are reevaluating their global sourcing strategies altogether. Bringing production closer to home—or at least to regions with favorable trade agreements—can reduce tariff exposure and shorten lead times.

Changing markets reinforce the need for changing contracts as well. Many companies are renegotiating terms to include clauses that account for tariff changes, allowing for cost-sharing or pricing adjustments in response to policy shifts. Focusing on purchase price alone is no longer sufficient. Procurement leaders must also factor in tariffs, shipping costs, lead times, and risk factors—to evaluate the full cost of sourcing decisions.

Tariffs are just one of many forces reshaping global procurement, but their impact is profound. With the right strategies in place, procurement partners, like SafeSourcing, can help your organization not only weather the storm but also thrive.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk-Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

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March 20th, 2025

Did you know that SafeSpendAnalysis™ from SafeSourcing is a world class spend cube plus?

 

Eprocurement and Spend Analysis!

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

Is your organization looking to optimize costs and improve efficiency? Many businesses today are always on the lookout to save money and streamline efficiency whenever they can. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through eProcurement and strategic spend analysis. By leveraging digital procurement solutions and analyzing company spend, organizations can enhance transparency, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions that contribute to long-term success.

Understanding company spend is crucial for making informed procurement decisions. Spend analysis involves collecting, categorizing, and reviewing procurement data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities. Spend analysis helps businesses identify excessive or redundant expenses. By understanding where money is being spent, companies can negotiate better contracts with suppliers, consolidate purchases, and eliminate wasteful spending. A comprehensive spend analysis allows organizations to assess supplier performance and identify the most cost-effective and reliable vendors. This can lead to better contract terms and stronger supplier relationships.

Unmonitored spending can lead to non-compliance with procurement policies and expose companies to risks such as fraud or regulatory penalties. Spend analysis ensures that procurement activities align with company policies and industry regulations.

With access to accurate procurement data, businesses can make strategic purchasing decisions based on historical trends and real-time insights. This ensures that procurement aligns with overall business goals and budgetary constraints.

eProcurement and spend analysis are essential tools for modern businesses looking to optimize their procurement operations. By embracing eprocurement solutions and leveraging data-driven insights, companies can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance overall financial health. Organizations that prioritize these strategies will be better positioned for growth, profitability, and long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

For more information on how the SafeSourcing can help your e-procurement needs, or on our Risk Free trial program or our spend cube SafeSpendAnalysis™, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

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