Procurement Training Archives - Keystone Procurement

Small businesses can win public sector work.

Small businesses can win local public sector work – if you know the system

Many small businesses are missing out on the opportunities to win public sector work in their local communities. I wrote an article for LaoisToday on the great opportunities to win public work in my home county of Laois for those who get to know the system. The approach I described works for…

Donnacha Phelan23rd March 2018

Brexit Business Growth Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 96 – Brexit: the state of play

This week, we are focusing on the state of play in Brexit. Below, we provide a guide to the various scenarios it potentially presents for Irish business. Brexit in context - the state of play Some interesting contextual matters floating around in advance of the next leaders summit in Brussels…

Ross McCarthy10th November 2017

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column Procurement Training

Keystone Column 95 – Growth through Sluamor Consortiums!

This week on the Keystone Column we would like to talk about a project of ours that we're very excited about. We believe that SMEs can expand and compete through cooperative engagements like business consortiums and networks. It makes sense for businesses, particularly micro-businesses and small businesses in so many ways. That is why…

Donnacha Phelan6th November 2017

Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 93 – Getting Value for Money from Suppliers

This week we look at Supplier Relationship Management and why it is used by buyers. It is useful for buyers and suppliers to acquaint themselves with the core principles from time to time. We frequently find ourselves talking with suppliers new to the process who find it difficult to cope…

Ross McCarthy19th October 2017

Bid Management Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 92 – Green Public Procurement in Ireland

Keystone Procurement had the opportunity to attend Green Public Procurement for Growth (GPP4) this week. It is an inter-reg programme being run by the Department of Communications, Climate Change and the Environment to increase the prominence of green procurement in Ireland. It was a very worthwhile event and was extremely…

Ross McCarthy12th October 2017

Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 91 – Risky Procurement Strategy: National Broadband Plan

Last week open-access broadband provider SIRO announced its withdrawal from the Government's National Broadband Plan tender process. SIRO, which is a joint venture between the ESB and Vodafone, said it "cannot develop a competitive business case to justify continued participation" in the tender process. With just two bidders remaining, this raises concerns…

Donnacha Phelan6th October 2017

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column Procurement Training

Keystone Column 90 – Small Firms Can Win Big Legal Tenders

This week, we focus on the legal services sector and how some small legal firms are competing effectively and successfully against the large law firms to win legal tenders. There is no single path to doing so. One route involves differentiation but this can present risks and be a pro-cyclical…

Ross McCarthy2nd October 2017

Bid Management Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Training

Keystone Column 89 – Data Protection & GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force across the EU on the 25th May 2018, replacing the existing data protection framework. It emphasises transparency, security and accountability by data controllers and processors, while at the same time standardising and strengthening the right of European citizens to data…

Donnacha Phelan22nd September 2017

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column Procurement Training

Keystone Column 88 – smart bidding is a growth hack

This week we focus on an Irish technology company called Tenderscout. Tenderscout has developed technology that enables businesses focused on public sector work and growth through public contracts to maximise their chances of winning the work. They contest that their platform is a way to scale through significant but manageable…

Ross McCarthy14th September 2017

Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 87: Disruption from Natural Disasters

Welcome to this week’s column. This week, disruption from natural disasters - managing the risks to supply chains. We're witnessing the massive damage caused to communities and businesses in Texas and Louisiana by Hurricane Harvey and the deluge of wind and water it brought, while here in Ireland the Innisowen peninsula continues its…

Donnacha Phelan3rd September 2017