Risky Business breakfast

The NSW region hosted a “Risky Business” breakfast during September. Two expert speakers were on hand to discuss risk from both a business and governance perspective to 30 attendees.

Barry Lacy, Senior Procurement Advisor with the Victorian Department of Infrastructure, and co-author of the CIPSA Risk White Paper, spoke on how identification and management of risk fits within the context of a modern procurement organisation and the wider business context. Catherine Lloyd followed, with a focus on how risk fits within the brave new world of governance and compliance regimes (such as SOX, CLERP9, Basel, etc.). Breakfast attendees grilled both speakers at the conclusion of their talks and again during the conversation phase after the formal portion of the morning was complete.

Both speakers have graciously agreed to make their presentations available to all attendees. These will be forwarded shortly.

Thanks to Boomerang Executive Search and Consulting for sponsoring the event. Boomerang also provided excellent door prizes of Tiffany glassware and a bottle of Champagne!

Melbourne Cup luncheon

The great ‘race that stops a nation’ is nearly upon us and another big response is expected for this year’s Melbourne Cup luncheon. It will again be held at the American Club on Tuesday 7 November. Details will be forwarded shortly. Places will be strictly limited and after the resounding success of last year, make sure you pencil in the date in your diary now. Invitations will be sent out shortly.

CIPS Australia annual conference – still time to register!

This is the last call for registrations for CIPS Australia’s highly anticipated 2nd annual conference 2006. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural conference, this year offers an impressive international and national line-up of speakers on “Innovation”.

If you go to one conference this year, make it the CIPS Australia annual conference. Not only is it a great opportunity to learn practical and relevant information from impressive professionals in the private and public sector, it is also an opportunity to attend workshops, network with over 450 others and collectively build the body of knowledge for our profession. To register, please visit: www.cipsaconferences.com.au

Rejoin CIPS now - Last chance for those who expired in June!

For those of you who haven't yet renewed your CIPS Australia membership, it's your last chance to do so, before a $100 re-joining fee applies (should you decide to re-join in the future). Renewals were due by 30 September 2006.

Whether you receive reimbursement from your employer (see PP7 June 2006, page 9) or claim a personal tax rebate, your membership is excellent value. CIPS Australia is delivering a fantastic growing range of benefits for all members. A member attending one conference and one training course can save over $500 in member discounts alone!

Renew now to make the most of your membership benefits.

Essay competition closes

The CIPS Australia National Essay Competition closed on the 30th September with entries Australia wide. Entries have been collated and sent to the regions for marking and each regional winner will be announced prior to the 2nd annual conference. Each regional winner will receive $1,000. The National winner will be flown to Melbourne to attend the 2nd annual conference as part of their prize which also includes $1,000.

Jim McGuire steps down as Steering Group Chair

After two years as the Chair of the CIPS Australia Steering Group, Jim McGuire is set to step down on 31st December to allow someone else the opportunity to contribute. Jim remains passionate and committed to CIPS Australia, and will assist when possible and when needed as a special advisor. A new Chair is to be appointed within 3 months.

Jim previously held a senior position at the Government of South Australia for six years, before resigning to establish a business assisting clients with strategic supply management. Good luck to Jim with his future endeavours!

Ken James, CEO CIPS has announced his retirement plans

Ken James, Chief Executive of CIPS has announced his retirement plans, stepping down from his full-time post in December 2007. He will remain working on a part-time basis until April 2008 to ensure a smooth transition period with his successor, who will start the role in January 2008. Work to recruit a replacement will start in January 2007.

Ken James has been with the Institute since 1997 when he joined as Business Development Director. In 2000 he was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive, becoming Chief Executive in January 2001.

During his time in post, the Institute has seen significant growth and change. Membership figures have reached a record high, with more than 40,000 members across the world. This makes CIPS the largest institute of its kind. A complete restructure of the CIPS qualifications, the introduction of e-learning into the qualification suite and record exam figures are just some of the highlights achieved in the last six years.

Of course, Ken James was instrumental in establishing CIPS Australia, has visited several times and knows many of our members personally. He will still be around for a while yet, however, and will be attending the conference on 17-18th October.

Open Training Programme 2007

Work has commenced on the executive open training programme for 2007, with over 50 courses in 7 cities to be available. The programme will run from February to November 2007. Ideas for new course and comments are welcome, please email us at info@cipsa.com.au

PP9 out mid-October: A perfect companion to the annual conference

Professional Procurement Issue 9 will be out in mid-October, in time for the CIPS Australia “Innovation” annual conference. The magazine will be a bumper 48 pages, jam packed with topical articles is due out mid October to all members.

Procurement Forum in Mumbai

The Marcus Evans Procurement Forum will provide theoretical concepts and practical applications to procurement professionals on improving service, cutting cost and increasing profit margin. Topics include:

• E-procurement (especuially PSUs)
• Spend management
• Vendor Managed Inventory (a departure from traditional systems in which a manufacturer maintains their distributors' inventory levels. The manufacturer gains access to the distributors' inventory data and generates purchase orders on their behalf.)
• Imports, taxation, tariff
• Supplier Relationship Management – sourcing for supplies, getting supplies on time, commitment towards delivery, pricing of raw material fluctuation
• Inventory Management

The conference will be held on 29 and 30 January 2007 in Mumbai. For further information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com

This conference is not necessarily endorsed by CIPS Australia.

Previous Issues

Issue #1 - December 2005

Issue #2 - February 2006

Issue #3 - March 2006

Issue #4 - April 2006

Issue #5 - May 2006

Issue #6 - June 2006

Issue #7 - July 2006

Issue #8 - August 2006

Issue #9 - September 2006

CIPS Australia Level 10, 520 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: 1300 765 142, Fax: 1300 765 143, Email: info@cipsa.com.au, www.cipsa.com.au

To unsubscribe from this list please click here