CIPS - open skills course - Developing Contractual Agreements 3rd March 2025

 I am running the CIPS course on Developing Contractual Agreements online on 3rd March.

Assumes no prior knowledge and is relevant to both Public and Private Sector.  At the time of writing all the delegates are from the UK, but it is also applicable to people in other countries.

Hope to see you there.

Full details are here.

Procurement Fundamentals - CIPS 13th January 2025

 Well, I don't have any more open courses in 2024 (but am pretty full up with in-house courses) so here is some information about my first open skills course of 2025.

I shall be running Procurement Fundamentals online on 13th January 2025.  A one day course, giving you (guess what?) the fundamentals of procurement (for both public and private sectors, services and manufacturing).

Hope you will join us.

full details here.

CIPS Procurement Fundamentals - Thursday 25th April 2024

 I shall be running CIPS Procurement Fundamentals course on Thursday 25th April 2024, starting at 8:45am for 9am UK time.

This assumes no knowledge of Procurement so is ideal for new starts or those considering a career in Procurement (you should - it is very interesting).

As always the course will be as interactive as I can make it.

Full details are here.

This interactive training course considers fundamental elements of the procurement process, together with basic tools and techniques used within procurement and supply. It provides a robust grounding in procurement basics and is designed for those in a junior procurement/supply chain role or those new to the discipline. Delivered using learning systems and techniques to develop individual skills

CIPS qualifications training - The Procurement Academy

 Talking about CIPS...  a reminder that I also run three training programmes for The Procurement Academy.  These include Apprenticeship scheme delegates, so the costs might be very low (not my department so I cannot be clear).  I run Level 4 in Leeds and Doncaster, and Level 5 in Leeds/online (it is a hybrid which works surprisingly well)

In the group we run Level 6 in Sheffield (at the moment - looking to do Leeds too), and have training centres in Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham as well as on line.  The other tutors Reg and Mike are VERY experienced, and we have a range of styles so geography permitting we can match you to your preferred learning style.

CIPS have just introduced a new level 4 syllabus, which solves a few of the problems (though I think misses some problems too) and we start to run it next week.

We run rolling programmes, which means you can join at any time of the year - but of course means you dont necessarily start on Module 1.  We work around that to make sure you know everything you need for each module.

Usual format is 1 or 2 days per module (depending on content) and then a study/revision day looking at typical questions and ensuring learning is embedded before the exams.

Fuller details are available here.

CIPS Procurement Fundamentals 25th April 2024

 The next CIPS open skills training I am running after Developing Contracts is Procurement Fundamentals.  Again this is suitable for both public and private sector buyers, and for anyone who wants to understand what procurement is (hint: not just shopping or filling in forms).  No prior knowledge is required.

Full details are here.  Hope to see you there.

CIPS Developing Contractual Agreements - open skills training 6th March 2024

 Sticking with the contracts theme...  I am also delighted to be running some open skills training courses for CIPS online this year.

The first of these is Developing Contractual Agreements on 6th March 2024 - full details are here.

Brief description: "This interactive course is particularly relevant for those who are new to procurement. It will provide an awareness of the essential legal principles governing contracts, not just to solve disputes but more importantly, how to avoid them. It considers issues relating to the setting up of contracts and key contract clauses."

The course is suitable for both public and private sector buyers, and indeed for anyone who wants an insight into contracts whatever their role.

CIPS Strategic Transformation - online - 4/5th October 2022

 I shall be running the CIPS online open training course on Strategic Transformation on 4th and 5th October 2022.  Full details are here.

We are in, to say the least, "interesting times".  And appropriately as well as a lot of tactical activity businesses are trying to re-evaluate their strategic choices.  The disruption of the past few years has lead most people to realise that business as usual refers to a past state of affairs that we are unlikely to revert to.

As an example, Working From Home (WFH) was a rarity and has now become the "new normal".  Of course, historically most people worked from home - factories and offices were new inventions a couple of hundred years ago.  But things changed, and change again, and while sticking with the previous strategy might be the right approach we should review it and check.

Personally, the move to online training has made me re-think how I work.

Hope to see you there, and hear your thoughts as well as discuss how to set and revise appropriate strategies for the future.

CIPS Exam Preparation & Revision Tips - CIPS Yorkshire branch 26th June 2020

I've been invited to run an online seminar for CIPS students at lunchtime on Friday 26th June 2020 (12 till 1:30pm).  It is being organised by CIPS Yorkshire Branch (my home branch), but as far as I know is open to any and all CIPS members studying for exams.

I am running a number of exam training programmes at the moment for The Procurement Academy , so I recognise how worrying the prospect of exams can be - especially if you haven't had to sit one for a number of years.

I don't want to give away too much of what I am going to say (translation: I haven't written it yet) but one thing I will say is "Don't panic".  The stress of exams can turn your mind to jelly as we get a surge of adrenaline that triggers a fight or flight mode, and sometimes just paralyses you into inaction.

It's easy to say relax, but harder to do.  I know.  But breathing helps.  (oh, and revision too)

Booking for this free webinar is here.

CIPS Qualifications training and the Procurement Academy

CIPS are tentatively looking to restart the examination process in July, and then September.  Obviously there are a lot of hoops to jump through before then, but it means students can at least think about studying with purpose.  We do recognise that it is tricky (if useful) to study when you do not know when you will be tested - there is always the worry that you will forget everything.

So, we have started running our CIPS qualification training programmes using Zoom.  It seems to be working OK so far, but not so brilliantly that we won't go back to meeting face to face when we can.  I am working with a L4 group and an L5 group, nominally out of Leeds.  I have adapted to running half day sessions rather than full day sessions, so it takes 2 sessions to cover what we might have done in a single day.  We have other tutors who are still following the full day model - so you have a choice.

We are looking at when the exams are scheduled, and will be looking to support students with additional revision sessions for courses that were postponed in March (it is easy to forget...).  And one advantage of being online is that we can record each session and make them for delegates who would like to review them at leisure.

So, if you do have time on your hands and want to get something out of this lockdown, and are thinking that this is the year you finally tackle CIPS - then check out the Procurement Academy.  We will be delighted if you can join us.

some links on Force Majeure

Force Majeure is a pretty common discussion point at the moment thanks to Covid19.
The folks over at Supply Management magazine, the magazine for CIPS members, has run a number of useful articles that may be helpful.  In particular they point out that the doctrine of frustration may apply if you don't have a Force Majeure clause - or don't have a clause in it that specifically applies to Pandemics.

https://www.cips.org/supply-management/analysis/2020/march/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know-about-force-majeure/

https://www.cips.org/supply-management/analysis/2020/march/coronavirus-ending-contracts-without-force-majeure/

If in doubt, have a look at your contracts - then talk to your Procurement Manager and lawyer  (I'd suggest that way round - it might be cheaper).

online training updates

Well, to be honest update is a little bit optimistic.  What I can tell you is that I shall be running two new online courses - one for CIPS, and one for IChemE - if all goes well in the development.  What I cannot tell you yet is the titles and timings, though we are hoping to run the IChemE course in early June.

More details as things develop - stay in, and stay safe.

Public Procurement

We might now start to get some clarity on the future direction of Public Procurement in the UK.  A shakeup is promised - how much is delivered we shall see.  I hope to be able to share it with you.

I have now finished my run on the CIPS Public Procurement open skills courses.  They are changing the format and will be running 5 or 6 one day training programmes next year in a variety of locations.  I don't know who will be running them but I am sure they will do a good job.

I have really enjoyed running the 3 public procurement days, and so I shall be looking to continue running them in 2020 on a commercial basis with another partner.  Details are being developed, but probably a one day event (or two one day events) in up to 3 locations.

If you have any preferences, or suggestions about how and where we should run these courses, please let me know.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year

The Procurement Academy - Leeds

I have started delivering the new CIPS syllabus for The Procurement Academy in Leeds.
Nice venue - the Novotel.
Some of the delegates are funded by the Apprenticeship levy, so we have a great mix of new and experienced practitioners.

They have a range of courses running in the North and Midlands (and its not me training at all of them - so you can pick the venue and tutor to suit).

Some cohorts starting now, but others after the summer.  So have a look if you want to get CIPS qualifications on the new syllabus.

Introduction to Public Procurement - CIPS - Manchester 2nd July 2019

There are a handful of places left for the next CIPS Introduction to Public Procurement at Manchester airport Radisson on Tuesday 2nd July 2019.

Full booking details are here.

In this course I will deal with the current common UK public procurement processes.

Future courses are in Edinburgh in September, and London in November. 2019

Introduction to Public Sector Procurement.

I am running the Introduction to Public Sector Procurement for CIPS in Manchester on 26th June 2018.  Full details are here.

Next one after that will be Edinburgh on 28th September (adapted to Scottish public procurement regulations, but also suitable for English, Welsh and Northern Irish delegates).  Then 20th November in London.

The last 2 courses will also have a second day going into more detail about some of the less common procurement routes such as Competitive Dialogue - Applying the Public Procurement Regulations.

The London event will also have the third part of the programme - the Future of Public Procurement.

Alternatively you could go for a 3 day course combining all 3 days, with a bit of extra stuff, in the Public Sector Skills Programme which we like to call the Summer school in public procurement - London 7/9 August, Manchester 21-23 August, and Edinburgh 4-6 September.

Hope to see you at some (but not all).

YPO - Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation

Had a good afternoon touring YPO as part of the South Yorkshire CIPS branch.
Very successful and very pleasant organisation.  Looking forward to hearing more about their sustainability drive which is linked to UK Global Sustainable Development Goals.

CIPS Introduction to Public Procurement Bristol 25th April 2018

I shall be running the CIPS Introduction to Public Procurement course in Bristol in April 2018.  The next day is the Applying EU Public Procurement course, which follows on from the Introduction.  This time round we are not following that up with the Future of Public Procurement day, but that will be next run in Manchester in June 2018.  By which time the future of public procurement may have changed from where we are now - or may not.  That one needs regular checking and updating.

This course covers the basics of Public Procurement and so is useful for people joining the Public Sector, joining procurement, wanting a refresher, taking over running a procurement department or trying to sell to the public sector.  Or at least we often have delegates with those backgrounds.  If you are just interested, you are still welcome.

Procurex South 15th March 2018 - London Olympia

So, this is only a week away and I am looking forward to this.  My sessions are in the Winning Tenders Training Zone in the afternoon, so I hope to get to see some of the keynote speakers in the morning, in particular Professor Sue Arrowsmith who will be talking about Brexit and Public Procurement, and Malcolm Harrison who is currently CEO of the Crown Commercial Service, but in the summer will take over the role of CEO of CIPS.  And of course the brilliant Eddie Regan.

That's pretty top notch stuff.  Well, maybe not me.

CIPS Public Procurement courses - Birmingham 20/21/22 February 2018

Next week I am running 3 days in Birmingham for the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, covering UK Public Procurement.  The first day is the Introduction and is fully booked (next one is 25th April in Bristol).  Second one is Applying the Procurement regulations, and the third is the Future of Public Procurement .

3 good days, which can be taken as a block or one at a time - they are as standalone as I can make them.

CIPS Public Sector Skills Programme

CIPS are running a series of Summer schools on Public Sector Procurement.  These 3 days that should give a good grounding in UK Public Procurement, and they expand on the two single day courses we run as open training.

Bravely I am leaving the last session to talk about Brexit.  Wish me luck. 

I shall be running all of them, though CIPS is shy of mentioning that - obviously not wanting to put people off.

Full details are available here.

Dates and venues (non-residential) are;

18-20 July 2017
Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, London

29-31 August 2017
Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport

13-15 September 2017
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh