CIPS Women in Procurement Speaker Prese… · 1. Frustration with CPO on the category 2. Outwitted...
Transcript of CIPS Women in Procurement Speaker Prese… · 1. Frustration with CPO on the category 2. Outwitted...
CIPS Women in Procurement
November 2017
What I’ve been asked to cover (I may have
changed some of the order)
Background about me
Work experience and current role
Key skills, support and any investments in oneself
Any challenges I’ve had along the way, how these were overcome, lessons learnt, with examples
What support do I need to get there?
Which skills are required?
Advice, recommendations, key tips
My Background
1988 - First job “What’s this area of Marketing that Procurement aren’t working with?”
2003 – Ad agency life 2006 to today– my own Consultancy
Work experience in current and hopefully
last career role
Other stuff Chair of the CIPS Specialist Knowledge Group on Marketing
since it was founded in 2006
Fellow of CIPS
Women in Marketing Award Winner 2013/14 - Best Female
Marketer: Independent Consultant
2017 – 1st entry in Campaign A list (it’s quite a big
Marketing thing)
Avid tweeter on all things marketing procurement (@ 3k
followers)
OR
Skills needed
Skills needed
Relationships with Stakeholders and Agencies is key
Understanding and experience of the supply market
is vital
Ability to use procurement tools and processes with – not
tight and regimented
Creative in all elements of procurement
Skill sets needed
1. Softer skill set
2. Thick skinned
3. High level of Stakeholder Management
4. Creative
5. Quick thinking
6. Proactive
7. Appreciates the win:win set up
8. Takes time to understand the process & ways of working
9. Multi tasker due to category width
10.Can add standard procurement tools to match Marketing
11.Senior Management dialogue
12.Keeps up to date on the market
Challenges
Challenges I’ve faced
1. Frustration with CPO on the category
2. Outwitted by politics & feminine charms / other women I worked with
3. Unsuccessful promotion
4. Lack of female role models
5. Reflecting back whilst preparing this deck!
Challenges I’ve faced – overcome - lessons
1. Frustration with CPO on the category -> tears -> sleep on it
2. Outwitted by politics & feminine charms other women I worked with -> do your job to the best of your ability -> common sense prevails
3. Unsuccessful promotion -> listen to the feedback -> focus on what you are good at and enjoy -> have a career plan
4. Lack of female role models -> may not be in procurement
How do you get the skills?
Push for training – general and specific
Always learn mode – mine is by reading and using social
media
Say yes to different things – tasks, projects, a secondment
Practical experience – getting your hands dirty
Investments in oneself
Support needed – “it’s good to talk”
Advice, recommendations, tips
1. Know what you want and what you can offer
2. Go for your target but be open to serendipity
3. Don’t hide behind technology
4. Find an advocate (it is who you know)
5. Ask great questions
Advice, recommendations, tips
6. Don’t be shy about your achievements
7. Raise your profile
8. Make it personal to build relationships
9. Find a mentor from outside your company
10. Start simple
(with thanks to Jane Barnett and BA High Life magazine)
Advice, recommendations, tips
Advice, recommendations, tips
My last word……being a woman in
procurement has to raise its profile
There needs to be a mentoring programme run ideally by
CIPS
The next CIPS President and or new CEO should be a
woman
There needs to be more encouragement for female school
leavers to choose Procurement as a career (CIPS iBuy) and
also returning Mum’s with flexible working patterns
Positive inclusion on all panels – conference speaking –
think thanks to ensure an equal split of female:male