In August 2021 , the Office for National Statistics reported that 18 % of UK businesses were unable to get finished goods , raw materials or services needed from the UK , had to change suppliers or had to find alternative solutions .
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In August 2021 , the Office for National Statistics reported that 18 % of UK businesses were unable to get finished goods , raw materials or services needed from the UK , had to change suppliers or had to find alternative solutions .
many had to adapt their operations and business models , making it challenging to establish trust with new suppliers , especially for smaller companies . The demand for goods and services dropped significantly with the shift to remote work , but post-pandemic , procurement teams gained more credibility and fostered stronger interdepartmental relationships .
The vital lessons Both Samir and Alex offer a different key lesson .
Samir highlights that recent disruptions have underscored procurement ’ s vital role in generating value , from cost savings to safeguarding supply . He notes : “ We ’ ve entered a new economic era characterised by volatility , regionalised supply chains , AI maturity and talent scarcity .”
This shift has led procurement teams to move from a “ just in time ” to a “ just in case ” mindset , focusing on mitigating disruption risks by diversifying their supplier portfolios .
Alex Saric from Ivalua emphasises the continuous challenges posed by “ Black Swan ” events such as COVID-19 , Brexit and the war in Ukraine , which have severely tested procurement functions . He states : “ Black Swan events have left supply continuity on life support .” Successful procurement teams have
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