Our News And Insights | 4C Associates

The Case for Change: Procurement Annual Report 2023

In last years’ Procurement Annual Survey we discussed the unprecedented procurement and supply chain challenges facing organisations and provided a series of recommendations on how to reimagine and to reinvent procurement for the future. Whilst supply chain resilience issues caused by the pandemic linger, other challenges have emerged with recent political and macroeconomic events significantly impacting energy and input...

What is Strategic Sourcing? A Complete Guide

This guide introduces strategic sourcing and focuses on how this differs to traditional and tactical sourcing, why it is important for organisations, the benefits it can deliver and how it can be successfully implemented within organisations.

Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Procurement

In the pursuit of responsible business practices, sustainable procurement has emerged as a pivotal concept, intertwining economic efficiency with societal and environmental well-being.

What Is Sustainable Procurement? A Comprehensive Guide

This guide highlights the importance of strategic sustainable procurement to the long-term success of organisations and presents a compelling case with the delivery of consistent financial and environmental benefits.

The Advantages And Benefits Of Sustainable Procurement

Organisations recognise the role that strategic sustainable procurement can play in their long-term success with the delivery of key ethical, environmental and economic objectives when sourcing third-party products and services from suppliers and the extended supply chain.

Facing the Facts – It’s Time to Rethink Clinical Outsourcing

Recently Will Sillar and Rob Aitchison have spent many enjoyable hours talking with some of the most experienced clinical sourcing professionals in the industry about our approach to clinical development sourcing and procurement. We’d like to hear your thoughts and opinions on what’s right, wrong or plain broken within the life science industry’s approach to clinical development outsourcing.

Why Is This the Right Time for a Radical Rethink of the Clinical Outsourcing Model and Approach?

It is two decades since the Pharmaceutical Contract Management Group (PCMG) first highlighted how the approach to outsourcing of the biopharmaceutical industry compared to others, such as IT, automotive, or construction. It concluded that pharma was at least 10 years behind in terms of maturity, vendor relationships, contracting and pricing. Find our why it's time for a radical rethink of...

From Legislation to Action: Navigating the Path to Procurement Excellence

The Procurement Act, which received Royal Assent last year, is set to revolutionize public sector procurement in the UK. It aims to modernize practices, enhance transparency, and prioritize value for money. Key provisions include thorough disclosure of procurement information, making procurement pipelines public, and requiring contracts over £2 million to include at least 3 KPIs. The Act emphasizes contract...

Money in One Hand, Money Out the Other – Cash Choreography

With fluctuating inflation, energy costs and shifting consumer demand, 2024 will be an unusually turbulent economic climate; compressing working capital cycles by optimising the time between paying suppliers and collecting from customers will be vital for companies to maximise liquidity and build resilience no matter which direction markets trend. Forward-thinking companies now take a platform approach to connect O2C and...

If Knowledge is Power, Data is Knowledge

Through procurement reform the UK government are introducing a new digital supplier registration portal. Reform also means more information will need to be available, correct, and shareable, than ever before. This is an opportune moment to make long-lasting changes and implement mechanisms that will transform your supplier data from a disabler to an enabler, with the help of digital...

Do you have a secure supply chain? How well do you really know your suppliers?

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, the significance of a secure and resilient supply chain cannot be overstated. Our 4C Transformative Procurement Survey highlighted that only 38% of respondent had a very good understanding of their first-tier supply base and more worryingly only 21% had only a basic understanding- which raised the question… Do you have a...

Mastering the Robot …. Automate > Innovate > Elevate

The modern business landscape where efficiency and productivity are paramount demands that organisations evolve quickly to survive. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a key tool in this quest, allowing for the rapid automation of repetitive tasks that were once performed by humans. But what is RPA and how might it transform procurement?

How AI Is Revolutionising the Life Sciences Industry

From discovering new drugs to diagnosing diseases, AI is helping scientists and clinicians achieve breakthroughs faster and more efficiently. But AI is not without its challenges. How can we ensure data quality, ethical standards, regulatory compliance and human trust in AI? Find out in this article, where we explore the benefits and risks of AI in the life sciences...

The Blockchain Revolution: Cutting Through the Chain of Uncertainty

In a world where transparency is of utmost importance, trust is the most valuable currency, and middlemen are becoming obsolete. It may seem utopian, but it’s happening now, and all sector and industry leaders are quickly adopting it. Blockchain is here.

Environmental Commitments and Cost Efficiency: One or the Other, or the Best of Both?

Environmental Commitments and Cost Efficiency: One or the Other, or the Best of Both? Find out how to align your cost reduction and environmental commitments with practical tips and real-life examples. Read on and discover how to make your business more sustainable and profitable.

Aligned with Success: Why a Fully Developed Procurement Vision and Strategy Could be Your Key to Growth

Our research in the Transformative Procurement Survey demonstrated that only 6% of organisations had a developed procurement vision and strategy which was fully aligned to all short and long-term business objectives. This may seem alarmingly low, but when you separate functional objectives from those specific to the business, think about your business – do you actually have procurement functional...