Innovation will keep procurement sector vibrant
Sep 22, 2011
AS the procurement sector in Uganda finds its feet, one wonders whether stakeholders are planning for the future needs of the sector?
By Brenda Asiimwe
AS the procurement sector in Uganda finds its feet, one wonders whether stakeholders are planning for the future needs of the sector?
The industry is vibrant and dynamic, so it is crucial for professionals and firms forecast trends and be innovative to keep thriving, Wilberforce Turyamubona, a procurement specialist in Kampala, notes.
But this will depend on whether the stakeholders are prepared to continue reinventing themselves with the necessary skills and good practices.
Practitioners will have to think broadly, globally and have skills in many fields. This could be in sales, marketing, communications, performance management or networking.
Turyamubona says in addition to having the right procurement and supplies management qualifications like CIPS and NEVI, professionals will need leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
He argues that this will help them steer their firms and the sector to greater heights.
“Those professionals who will be able to work well with other departments in their organisation will be the ones to succeed.â€
The synergies created with other units ease work and creates the right-working mindset and environment for innovation, he adds.
He says it will be important for practitioners to learn from the good practices in other countries or sectors to enhance their roles and stay competitive.
Turyamubona, however, observes that for the procurement function to be successful in its roles, it should be understood by all the stakeholders.
“People must be sensitised about procurement procedures and roles played by each stakeholder to understand and appreciate it.
“People might have heard about PPDA, but they do not know its roles; they need to know each stakeholder’s role to be able to differentiate and support them,†he argues.
He says the objective is to ensure easy monitoring of activities in the sector and to ensure value-for-money.
Abraham Nkata, a procurement consultant, says the future of procurement calls for broader skills.
Nkata points out that practitioners will have to be knowledgeable about the fields they are working with.
He says with the rapid rate of technological innovation, professionals will need to do more research to stay up-to-date, innovative and creative. They will also need find out who is joining their segment of the market to beat the competition.
Nkata notes that a true innovator delivers fresh products to the market and welcomes innovation across his business processes, rooting the concept into the company culture.
This will help in cutting costs, serving customers effectively and facilitating growth.
According to Colline Mpaata, a procurement expert, the success of providers in future will depend on whether they can identify, groom and keep talented workers.
“The chief procurement officer’s job will be to attract talent because when you are talent-focused, your organisation can be trusted.â€
He adds that it is vital to identify, attract and motivate talent because this is a brand you can use to win more business, projects and more experts to work with you.
Providers and CEOs will need to know their markets, and be able to analyse and understand the market dynamics on a variety of fronts.
AS the procurement sector in Uganda finds its feet, one wonders whether stakeholders are planning for the future needs of the sector?
The industry is vibrant and dynamic, so it is crucial for professionals and firms forecast trends and be innovative to keep thriving, Wilberforce Turyamubona, a procurement specialist in Kampala, notes.
But this will depend on whether the stakeholders are prepared to continue reinventing themselves with the necessary skills and good practices.
Practitioners will have to think broadly, globally and have skills in many fields. This could be in sales, marketing, communications, performance management or networking.
Turyamubona says in addition to having the right procurement and supplies management qualifications like CIPS and NEVI, professionals will need leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
He argues that this will help them steer their firms and the sector to greater heights.
“Those professionals who will be able to work well with other departments in their organisation will be the ones to succeed.â€
The synergies created with other units ease work and creates the right-working mindset and environment for innovation, he adds.
He says it will be important for practitioners to learn from the good practices in other countries or sectors to enhance their roles and stay competitive.
Turyamubona, however, observes that for the procurement function to be successful in its roles, it should be understood by all the stakeholders.
“People must be sensitised about procurement procedures and roles played by each stakeholder to understand and appreciate it.
“People might have heard about PPDA, but they do not know its roles; they need to know each stakeholder’s role to be able to differentiate and support them,†he argues.
He says the objective is to ensure easy monitoring of activities in the sector and to ensure value-for-money.
Abraham Nkata, a procurement consultant, says the future of procurement calls for broader skills.
Nkata points out that practitioners will have to be knowledgeable about the fields they are working with.
He says with the rapid rate of technological innovation, professionals will need to do more research to stay up-to-date, innovative and creative. They will also need find out who is joining their segment of the market to beat the competition.
Nkata notes that a true innovator delivers fresh products to the market and welcomes innovation across his business processes, rooting the concept into the company culture.
This will help in cutting costs, serving customers effectively and facilitating growth.
According to Colline Mpaata, a procurement expert, the success of providers in future will depend on whether they can identify, groom and keep talented workers.
“The chief procurement officer’s job will be to attract talent because when you are talent-focused, your organisation can be trusted.â€
He adds that it is vital to identify, attract and motivate talent because this is a brand you can use to win more business, projects and more experts to work with you.
Providers and CEOs will need to know their markets, and be able to analyse and understand the market dynamics on a variety of fronts.