[Mike MacLean]

Thank you, Larry & Chantel; and Everyone in this course.

I greatly appreciate the professionalism and collaborative spirit of this group — it’s been an enriching learning experience!

Best of luck to all and have a safe holiday season.  🙂

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Also love your headings & table of contents Nicole. Was trying to imitate but ran short on time this week.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Looking forward to your feedback.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Nicole, only additional comment is re sentence 1 of page 3 – spell check likely missed as is name of a nasty rare genetic disorder..
“For the Mantario Government RFP Melas for Miles to…”

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Robert, the format you’ve used promotes clarity and is highly effective. And I agree with Nicole that the level of detail seems just right.

Nice work.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Great breakdown Larry! Wasn’t aware of the PESTEL model until now – I’ve been diving into some reading on the topic too. Under Technology, quantum computing could be worth adding, as its potential to reshape data processing and security could have big implications for supply chain management. This weeks announcements re Google’s progress in the field are amazing to say the least: “the new system could solve a mathematical problem that has vexed scientists for decades called random circuit sampling. Willow ran the RCS benchmark in less than five minutes, while the massive Frontier supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratories would theoretically take 10 septillion years (1 followed by 25 zeros). ”

Changes we can’t even think of are coming fast.

Mike

 

[Mike MacLean]

You bring up some great points about the challenges ahead! Balancing trade issues, sustainability goals, and inflation pressures won’t be easy, but it’s definitely going to shape how procurement evolves and will keep the work very very interesting 🙂

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Great post Lorne! The rise of deepfakes and other AI-driven technologies poses serious geopolitical dangers, especially when they are used for malicious purposes like fraud or disinformation. As these technologies become more sophisticated, there will be an increasing need for reliable, verified sources of truth to help distinguish between real and manipulated content, especially in high-stakes scenarios like international relations and security. Cybersecurity will be much bigger business than it already is. But then again, a 2022 pole showed 10% of Americans believe the earth is flat… up from 4% in 2018… So maybe it won’t actually matter.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

I’ve appreciated the training and resources made available on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission commitments, but I think there’s room for more. More ongoing training would likely help deepen my understanding and involvement.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Melissa, I agree, budget constraints and inflation are, and will continue to be, ongoing challenges. Splitting  projects into smaller parts to attract more bids is a smart strategy that can save costs. However, as you mentioned, managing multiple contractors instead of one can increase complexity and require more internal resources for coordination. While this adds challenges, the cost savings that can be achieved (with effective Project Management) can make it well worthwhile!

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Varun, completely agree! Procurement teams must find innovative ways to reduce costs without compromising quality. I think of Canada’s centralized medical drug procurement system successfully showing how bulk purchasing and collaboration can drive down costs while ensuring access to essential medicines. By standardizing practices and working together across agencies, the public sector can achieve significant savings and better value for money. This can be done in so many areas with massive potential for savings and efficiencies.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Rob, i couldn’t agree more with your post. Tech advancements have made procurement faster, but it’s definitely a double-edged sword. Fraud, ransomware, and AI’s complexity keep us on our toes. It is advancing and changing literally by the minute!
In my opinion staying valuable means being more than simply tech users—we need to be tech-savvy strategists who balance innovation with security. Great insights and thanks for the resource!

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

I think supply chain disruptions are one of the biggest threats over the next 5 years. And they are no longer just “what-ifs”—remember the global chaos caused when the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez ? – That was an eye opener just how fragile the network really is. Add geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, pandemics, and shifting trade policies (i.e TARIFFS being flavour of the month) can cause similar headaches, leading to delays, rising costs, and unreliable suppliers. The best defense? Diversifying suppliers, sourcing locally when possible, and having solid backup plans. I have learned in procurement, being ready for the unexpected keeps things running smoothly—even when the world isn’t.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Shawn, you got it! Optical Character Recognition (OCR) turns image into machine readable text.. so even if you are being paper mailed invoices or work orders etc, you can automate the process of cross checking / validating.

Mike

[Mike MacLean]

Hi Melissa, completely understand the smaller center dynamics – but one could also say the opportunity to affect the culture in a positive way is greater in this type of setting. Not always the case though for sure.

Mike

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