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"Leadership"
60 seconds interview - Richard Edwards reviews the ELP Forum in Nice
60 seconds interview.
Richard Edwards reviews the ELP Forum in Nice..
For anyone who missed last week's forum in Nice, our news editor, Richard Edwards, gives our readers a taste of what was on offer...
The setting.
Les Promenade Des Anglais is stunning at the best of times, but when you've left a freezing Heathrow in October, it's even more impressive. Throw in one of the finest hotels in France and some late Autumn sun and it's little wonder that delegates were buzzing when they arrived. Those who were lucky enough to have arrived the previous evening also enjoyed a pre-event dinner at the Hotel Negresco - allowing delegates another networking opportunity over some fine food and wine.
The opening.
The theme for the day was Achieving World Class, and in his opening address Christopher Barrat set the tone with some thought-provoking comments. Likening the role of procurement to that of the perfect plumber (you know the one - he turns up on time, finishes on time and charges you the amount he said he would), he told delegates that world class didn't have mean doing anything out of the ordinary, it just meant procurement organisations needed to perform at their optimum level.
The presentations.
Having attracted some of the biggest names in European procurement, the agenda offered something for everyone. From HP's approach to risk management to Seiko Epson's take on CSR, the range of topics covered got a resounding seal of approval. "A good choice of speakers and themes," said Martin Zanhert, FTE Automotive GmbH. Whilst Martin Street at HBOS, said: "The key for me is looking at what's different - this really helps with moving a procurement function forward."
The roundtables.
It's not often that those involved in procurement have an opportunity to sit down with their peers and debate the minutiae of the subjects that really matter. The afternoon's roundtable sessions, which covered topics such as talent management and accelerated outsourcing, offered the chance to do just that.
The solutions showcase.
As well as offering delegates an insight into some of the Europe's most innovative procurement approaches, the ELP Forum also offered solutions providers an ideal platform to show just what they had to offer senior procurement decision makes from across the continent.
In closing.
A glass of wine and an opportunity to talk informally about what the day had to offer was the ideal way to finish ELP's second forum of 2007. And judging by some of these comments I get the feeling that a number of people are already looking forward to next year's awards in London in May.
"The ELP Forum in Nice provided a great opportunity to network and exchange ideas with senior procurement professionals," said Stefan Zeisel, Deutsche Post.
Eduardo Ruibal, Altadis, agreed: "The ELP forum is improving continuously year after year. It is becoming the preferred conference for procurement professionals.
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