Supply & Demand Chain Executive recently published the 2008 edition of their »Pros to Know« list, and the one thing that struck me when browsing through the list was the almost total lack of non-Americans present. Surely the fact that S&DCE is a North American trade journal plays a big part in this; but I’m still amazed by the fact that list of pros to know in a function as global and international as sourcing and procurement is dominated by folks from the US.
It’s even more astonishing when you look at the recent development of purchasing in general. In a 2005 interview with General Motors CPO Bo Andersson, Mr. Andersson talks about his organization and I quote: »“If you look at our organization chart, managers come from many different countries and have worked in at least two countries outside their own. «. To him, an international team was essential for succeeding in global trade.
Strangely enough, this sentiment does not resonate in the S&DCE listing. Maybe it’s time for one of the European trade rags to pick up this challenge and make a truly international list of pros to know in purchasing.
