Proctimise sponsored ProcureCon 2024

Proctimise was a sponsor at the ProcureCon Marketing conference in London.
It was a fantastic experience that we want to share with you all..
**(1)    our key takeaways ...**
**(2)   the key insights from our back to basics roundtable …**

(1) our key takeaways …

**01 - artificial intelligence (Gen AI)**

+            AI is a huge topic with so many potential implications. Discussions are ongoing about how to get to grips with it
+            Start small but start now! In a few months, AI will look different, but now is the time to establish a framework. Be pragmatic and add further topics as you progress.
+            Leverage both AI & human collaboration to create precision-targeted media strategies

**02 - environmental, social (ESG) & diversity**

+            Procurement's role in ESG, sustainability, diversity & accessibility in marketing should be front and centre.
+            Refine your sourcing approaches to champion diversity and sustainability; it will ultimately deliver a greater ROI.
+            Great examples were shared by brands *(e.g. Reckitt)* including the business impact it generates

**03 – we must continue to bring the outside in**

+            Alice Tomlinson *(WFA)* & James Taylor *(Diageo)* highlighted in their Keynote: “You can't gain insight sitting behind a desk.”
+            Events like ProcureCon are crucial for staying in tune with *(& sharing)* market developments.
+            To be effective in procurement, we must stay engaged, informed, and proactive

(2) our roundtable; back to basics…

how can you maximise your ROI & marketing impact when the resources are limited?

01 – be clear on your purpose & strategy

+ Ensure that your team understands the fundamental objectives and strategy of marketing procurement within the broader company context.

+ Clarify the goals, priorities, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that guide their work.

+ By aligning everyone with a clear purpose, you create a sense of direction and motivation that helps individuals prioritise tasks and make decisions that contribute to company objectives.

02 – improve your processes and tools

+ Streamline your procurement processes and provide your team with just the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs effectively.

+ Simplify workflows, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, & leverage technology to automate repetitive tasks wherever possible.

+ By optimising processes and providing appropriate tools, you enable your team to focus their energy on value-added activities and creative problem-solving rather than getting bogged down by administrative burdens.

03 – drive & encourage accountability

+ Empower your team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions autonomously within their areas of responsibility.

+ Encourage initiative, creativity, and innovation by providing a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to experiment and take calculated risks.

+ Regular performance evaluations can help track progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

04 – build better partnerships

+ Instead of spreading your resources thinly across various agencies, focus on building strong relationships with a select few strategic partners.

+ Look for partners who can provide multiple services or products, allowing you to consolidate your procurement efforts.

+ Negotiate longer-term contracts or partnerships that offer favourable terms and pricing & leverage these relationships to gain access to additional resources or benefits.

05 – make faster decisions

+ Use data and analytics to inform procurement decisions and drive strategic insights.

+ Encourage your team to collect, analyse, and interpret relevant data regarding market trends, supplier performance, cost structures, and other key metrics.

+ By making data-driven decisions, you will identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and innovation within your marketing procurement activities, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of your team.

06 – focus on value creation

+ With limited resources, it's crucial to maximise the value you get from every procurement decision.

+ Look for opportunities to optimise your spending by eliminating unnecessary expenses or finding more cost-effective alternatives.

+ Prioritise investments that generate tangible returns or support your overall marketing objectives, ensuring that every procurement decision contributes to your organisation's success.