Today is the official publication day of our book, Procurement with Purpose – How organisations can change the way they spend money NOW to protect the planet and its people”.
A big thanks to everyone who contributed interviews, ideas and knowledge to the book, and those who have helped us promote it already; see the list below.
If you’re wondering what the book covers, broadly it goes like this.
Section 1 covers the background to procurement with purpose. That starts with how businesses have developed greater awareness of their potential impact on issues wider than their own short-term success and profit. Procurement with purpose is a subset of a wider movement, which encompasses a range of issues identified as “corporate social responsibility” or “sustainable and purposeful business”. The chapters look at exactly why the pace of change is accelerating, and how key stakeholder groups are driving that.
Section 2 moves onto procurement with purpose issues, and how organisations are taking action. What works – and what doesn’t? There are practical suggestions and ideas in terms of how your organisation can understand the issues and contribute to the procurement with purpose movement. We weren’t trying to write a “textbook” but this section includes aspects such as how to incorporate this thinking into supplier selection processes and contracting, or what needs to be done if you are driving significant change that requires supplier collaboration. Through sections 1 and 2, you will also find the “Top Ten Take-Aways”, aimed at highlighting the most important core messages that everyone should bear in mind when implementing procurement with purpose.
Then Section 3 looks more closely at eight key procurement with purpose topics, including climate change the natural world, human rights and diversity. Although these huge topics can’t be covered in every detail, issues are explained with examples of how organisations are addressing them, and suggestions as to how you can make any of these central to your own efforts.
Finally, in Section 4, a standard template format summarises the key points for no less than 25 different procurement with purpose issues, to help you understand each and decide which might be appropriate for your organisation focus. As well as briefly describing the key aspects for each, the section suggests which type of organisation might see each as a priority, and explains potential barriers, as well as some success measures.
We’re operating on a not-for-profit basis, so the best way to buy it is through our publisher’s online bookshop here, https://www.browndogbooks.uk/products/procurement-with-purpose-smith-perera because then more of the revenue goes to us and ultimately charities. But of course there is amazon and other reputable retailers; the e-book is available through a range of e-book channels too. And no, there isn’t an audio book yet. But we are looking at that possibility.
We hope readers both enjoy the book and take something useful from it. And with huge apologies to anyone I have missed, thanks again for their help and contribution in the writing and promotion of the book to;
Alison Smith
Bernhard Raschke
Chris Ayscough
Dave Ingram
David Gigg
David Shields
Deborah Dull
Frank Omare
Herve Le Faou
Jacqui Archer
Jade McSorley
Jim Massey
Jonathan O’Brien
Julie Welsh
Kavita Cooper
Kelly Barner
Mark Smith
Martina Buchhauser
Nancy Clinton
Nandini Basuthakur
Ninian Wilson
Oliver Hurrey
Paul Polizzotto
Phil Ideson
Pierre-Francois Thaler
Russell Picot
Samia Calvet
Sarah Clarke
Sheri Hinish
Stephanie Schmid
Thomas Udesen
Tom Raftery