When you are tasked with developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) it is tempting to find a template that has been used in the past in order to get things moving quickly. The problem with this method is that the "boiler plate" templates used in the past were likely designed for a very different situation than yours and designed to satisfy needs that may not parallel your company's needs. It can result in "boiling the ocean", collecting a lot of information that is irrelevant to your situation, and not getting the information you really need to make the right supplier selection decision. 

Core list and rewrites are a major aspect of sourcing indirect spend. Some would even say that this is the main place to optimize savings year after year. Eager to learn more? Read on to find out everything you need to know about core list development and rewrites. 

Eliminating upward margin creep with suppliers can both provide lasting savings and enable longer-term agreements to be signed confidently. It is not as difficult as you many think to accomplish such a feat; all you have to do is commit to create strategic relationships with suppliers. You can do this in 5 steps: 

Mission: to build a global category approach at the request of one of our members.

With our member's total spend in the US and Europe exceeding $3 million annually, they were seeking savings that expanded over the span of many borders. 

Indirect spend has found itself on the back burner of many industries savings opportunities. However, there is plenty of savings to be had if you know how to manage it. 

What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and how does it pertain to group purchasing organizations (GPO)? Savings don't have to end after your initial purchase.