Jon Hansen (pi Window On The World)

What is the difference between being strategic as opposed to tactical? Quite often, people confuse strategy and tactics and think the two terms are interchangeable in strategic planning, but they’re not. According to strategy guru Michael Porter, “Competitive strategy is about being different. It means deliberately choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value.” Strategy is the “what” part of the equation and helps you answer the question, “What are we trying to accomplish?” Yet your business design may not be sustainable; you may have trade-offs for how you position your business with customers and competitors. Every business has limited resources and deals with a competitive landscape. The more it does of one thing, the less it can do of another. This concept leads to tactics, or the “how” part of the equation. Your tactics help you answer the question, “How are we going to accomplish our goal?” Ultimately, a good way to think about the difference between the two is that strate

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company’s efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention and coverage as well. GroupRFx, a New Wave company that offers a competitive bidding platform designed to improve the procurement and tendering process, is one such company. Joi

I would once again like to welcome from Buyers Meeting Point to share information of this week's events and news from the world of purchasing, Kelly Barner. NOTE: This week's guest audio is an excerpt from an AT Kearney Procurement & Analytic Solutions podcast. In the excerpt, Kate Hart discusses the need for CPOs to increase their influence in the organization. The entire April 2013 podcast can be found using the link below: http://www.atkearneypas.com/knowledge/podcast.html Be sure to visit the Buyers Meeting Point website @ http://buyersmeetingpoint.com

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company’s efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention and coverage as well. Freightos, a New Wave company that combines a vision for the future of the freight industry with a passion for technology, is one such company. Joining me

I would once again like to welcome from Buyers Meeting Point to share information of this week's events and news from the world of purchasing, Kelly Barner. NOTE: In this week's guest soundbite, Jaime Burkart, a project manager at Source One, revisits their 2013 prediction about the impact of the Affordable Care Act on companies in general and the procurement function in specific. We are also introducing a new feature on the program which focuses on the stories making headlines, as well as provide our take on the M&A activity from this past year including whether or not they have delivered the expected outcomes. Be sure to visit the Buyers Meeting Point website @ http://buyersmeetingpoint.com

I would once again like to welcome from Buyers Meeting Point to share information of this week's events and news from the world of purchasing, Kelly Barner. NOTE: In this week’s guest sound bite, we’ll hear a perspective on procurement from Brent Hodgins, Director of Client Services at Mirren – a firm that helps connect marketing agencies with the resources they need to secure new clients. We are also introducing a new feature on the program which focuses on the stories making headlines, as well as provide our take on the M&A activity from this past year including whether or not they have delivered the expected outcomes. Be sure to visit the Buyers Meeting Point website @ http://buyersmeetingpoint.com NOTE: Here are the links to the referenced posts on Procurement Insights titled “What is Procter & Gamble Thinking?!” and “BREAKING NEWS: Is the acquisition cup half full or half empty: A tale of two takeovers!”

It is that time of year again, when the chill in the air and the warmth in our hearts lead to the lifelong memories of Christmas lights and sugar cookies, stockings hung and the excitement of Santa's imminent arrival. So kids of all ages, both young and old, take a seat by the fire and the twinkling lights of your tree as we celebrate the Festive Season together. Joining us to add something special is author Melinda Elmore who will read an excerpt from her marvelous book Journey To Christmas Creek. We will also be serenaded by Chef John who's music will capture the magic of the Holiday Season.  (Please Note: As this is a Holiday replay the phone lines are not open)

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company’s efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention and coverage as well. MarketDojo, a New Wave company that “is a pioneering software provider that focuses on intuitive, affordable and professional e-Sourcing software,” is one s

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company’s efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention and coverage as well.   cloudBuy, a New Wave company that is “redefining” the marketplace is one such company. Joining me today to talk about cloudBuy and the company's goals a

David Raether went from being part of the writing team for the Roseanne show that Entertainment Weekly called one of the Ten Greatest Writing Rooms in Television History, to living in his van. What is amazing about David's story is that his fall was not the result of addiction or a life of unbridled extravagance that is usually the hallmark of the once rich and famous.  In fact, being the father of eight children with the same wife, David's life did in many ways resemble the domestic bliss of the Connor family . . . and the vast majority of families across the country. This is perhaps the reason why his new book "Tell Me Something, She Said" is hitting a resonating note so many people. The fact is, that what happened to David could (and for many has) become a reality. Joining me to talk about his life and his book is David Raether.

Each week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon EST, April will share with you inspirational insights from God's Word. April is moved by a sincere desire to serve and minister to the needs of others as a speaker and sowing seed through social media and the Blog Talk Radio Network. Despite criticism and even concerns for her personal safety, she continues to press on. This show is a reflection of her faith and her commitment to share God's Word. This week’s episode: Sow Beside All Waters To learn more about April and her ministry visit with her @ Inspiration With April

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company’s efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention and coverage as well. Unimarket, a New Wave company that helps clients to "maximize” their purchasing power, is one such company. Joining me today to talk about Unimarket and th

I would once again like to welcome from Buyers Meeting Point to share information of this week's events and news from the world of purchasing Kelly Barner. NOTE: In this week's guest soundbite we'll get an exclusive advance look into Directworks' 2014 Predictions for direct materials sourcing from Michael Cross, their Senior Manager of Solutions Marketing. Be sure to visit the Buyers Meeting Point website @ http://buyersmeetingpoint.com

Each week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon EST, April will share with you inspirational insights from God's Word. April is moved by a sincere desire to serve and minister to the needs of others as a speaker and sowing seed through social media and the Blog Talk Radio Network. Despite criticism and even concerns for her personal safety, she continues to press on. This show is a reflection of her faith and her commitment to share God's Word. This week’s episode: Sow Beside All Waters To learn more about April and her ministry visit with her @ Inspiration With April

Each week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon EST, April will share with you inspirational insights from God's Word. April is moved by a sincere desire to serve and minister to the needs of others as a speaker and sowing seed through social media and the Blog Talk Radio Network. Despite criticism and even concerns for her personal safety, she continues to press on. This show is a reflection of her faith and her commitment to share God's Word. This week’s episode: Scripture Trumps Feelings To learn more about April and her ministry visit with her @ Inspiration With April

“The sages asked, “Who is mighty? ” and answered, “Those who can control their own emotions and make of an enemy a friend.” The above quote is from Bob Burg’s new book “Adversaries into Allies: Win people over without manipulation or coercion“ Besides being heralded as a must read by such luminaries as Stephen Covey, Burg's book tackles head on the challenges surrounding the growing contentious strife engulfing American society today.  A contentiousness, to which I referred in my March 2011 post "Has America Lost A Sense of Its Own Greatness or, Why Do Americans Hate Each Other?" that seems to leave little room (and tolerance) for differing opinions and ideas. In today's show I am joined by Bob Burg to talk about his book and his approach to how you can turn your biggest adversary into your biggest ally.

I would once again like to welcome from Buyers Meeting Point to share information of this week's events and news from the world of purchasing Kelly Barner. NOTE: In this week’s guest audio, we’ll hear an exclusive clip from the Next Level Purchasing Association’s November member’s only webinar “Making Sense of e- in Sourcing and Procurement:  What Solution Do You Really Need?” in which Sourcing Innovation’s Michael Lamoureux addressed the confusing sea of technologies and how they align with the requirements of each organization. Be sure to visit the Buyers Meeting Point website @ http://buyersmeetingpoint.com Reference Links: Breaking News from Gartner: Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon

Each week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon EST, April will share with you inspirational insights from God's Word. April is moved by a sincere desire to serve and minister to the needs of others as a speaker and sowing seed through social media and the Blog Talk Radio Network. Despite criticism and even concerns for her personal safety, she continues to press on. This show is a reflection of her faith and her commitment to share God's Word. This week’s episode: Scripture Trumps Feelings To learn more about April and her ministry visit with her @ Inspiration With April

Each week on Sundays and Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon EST, April will share with you inspirational insights from God's Word. April is moved by a sincere desire to serve and minister to the needs of others as a speaker and sowing seed through social media and the Blog Talk Radio Network. Despite criticism and even concerns for her personal safety, she continues to press on. This show is a reflection of her faith and her commitment to share God's Word. This week’s episode: My Daily Prayer To learn more about April and her ministry visit with her @ Inspiration With April

Procurement Insights will be launching “A Year in the Life of an eProcurement Start-up” program which will see us over a twelve month period track the progression of a start-up eProcurement software company through a series of blog posts and corresponding radio/TV interviews. The series, which will start January 2014, focuses on the evolution of the start-up’s solution from the development stage through to going live in a production environment, as well as the company's efforts to establish their brand in a highly competitive global marketplace. Needless to say, this will provide an unprecedented look into the next generation of disruptive innovators in the world of procurement. While we could only choose one company for the program, we felt that all of the companies listed in this New Wave 2014 section deserved honorable mention, and coverage as well. Scout, a New Wave company that provides "painless" RFP capability to its clients, is one such company. Joining me today to talk about Scout and the compan