Welcome to this week’s edition of the Keystone Column containing insights, news and public procurement opportunities that drive companies interested in business growth and procurement sourcing.
Business stories – business growth and procurement sourcing
The Department of Finance was heavily criticised in a recent report for the manner in which it runs its internal procurement sourcing. A lack of audit trails amongst other criticisms was levied against the Department. More can be read on this story here. Clearly, high standards are expected from a department like DFIN and we expect the report will get due attention. This can impact confidence in bid management and tender management practices from the supply side.
Some of the leading thinkers in procurement sourcing have been putting forward their big ideas for the area in the past week. As Ireland has not yet transposed the 2014 directives, companies may be able to glean some potential sources of competitive advantage and business growth for their businesses from anticipating these kinds of changes in their sectors (the UK transitioned to the 2014 EU procurement directives in 2015). Companies focused on business growth and procurement sourcing should keep an eye on these areas.
Trends and insights
This article by McKinsey on inclusive cities offers a counter-perspective to the anti-immigrant bombast of the Brexit campaign in the UK and the Republican party debates in the USA. In the article, the author argues that immigration and inclusivity are key to ensuring the continued productivity of cities. Inclusivity does not simply refer to immigrants however, it also refers to how people are included in a town or city’s life, its social eco-system. As Ireland appears to be set to repeat its previous mistake in pursuing low density development again, there is food for thought here for planners and citizens alike.
Innovation – business growth and procurement sourcing
Retail is ready for a revamp and the opportunities are manifold. We had occasion to read the 2011 Portas Review (Mary Portas has presented business guru programmes in the UK and is a well known Retail expert). What interested us in particular was how many of the findings and recommendations hold for Ireland. Towns are mono-retailed and over retailed by the same retailers. This lack of choice presents significant business growth opportunities for suppliers and retailers. Retail Excellence Ireland has produced interesting research that echoes her findings. It is down to business owners (and aspiring retailers) to take advantage of the gaps created by the development of a monoculture of UK high street stores in Irish towns and cities. Opportunities about for suppliers interested in business growth and procurement sourcing. Shops, especially indepedent stores, need to think about their SKUs and how they can dinstinguish their offer to stay prominent and relevant.
Note: we are in the business growth and procurement sourcing business. We highlight things we like or that are novel or innovative. Innovators should be encouraged.
New public procurement tenders this week
Visit the Keystone website to view our take on the 400+ active public procurement tenders with more than five days until their deadline. There are a vast range of business growth and procurement sourcing opportunities in the following sectors (there are many more sectors than the sample list below):
- Construction and related trades,
- Professional & Advisory Services,
- PR, Media, Advertising and related,
- ICT supplies and services,
- Training,
- Property & facilities management,
- Vehicle & automotive,
- Catering and related services,
- Cleaning and related services,
- Waste Management,
- Maintenance and related services,
- Horticultural supplies & services,
- Research & environmental monitoring,
- Printing, office supplies and related services,
- Trades,
- Medical and scientific research, supplies and services,
- A vast range of other services and supplies.
Businesses interested in any of these public procurement tenders that are unsure of how they can follow-up on these tenders can contact Keystone at any stage. We would be happy to discuss your needs and where they may fit with your business growth and procurement sourcing plans.
Keystone E-Tenders Report Open YTD as at 2104 (by date of publication)
Keystone E-Tenders Report Open YTD as at 2104 (by sector)
Please note, e-tenders often has public procurement opportunities incorrectly categorised so people relying on e-tender alerts could easily miss out on opportunities if they are dependent on it. E-tenders is only as reliable as the people inputting tenders and mistakes are made very frequently. The Keystone Column includes all live tenders posted on e-tenders since January 4th 2016 that have five or more days until their deadline as at 21/04/2016.
