How do you leverage social media and online platforms for collaborative procurement networking and learning?

2 Social media platforms

Another way to expand your network and learn from others is to use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. These platforms allow you to follow, connect, and interact with thought leaders, influencers, and practitioners in the procurement field. You can also join groups, participate in discussions, and attend events that are related to your interests and goals. For example, you can follow hashtags like #procurement, #sourcing, or #supplychain on Twitter, or join groups like Procurement Professionals or Sourcing Innovation on LinkedIn.

3 Webinars and podcasts

If you prefer to learn from audio or video content, you can also take advantage of webinars and podcasts that cover various topics and trends in collaborative procurement. Webinars and podcasts are convenient and flexible ways to access expert knowledge, case studies, and best practices from different perspectives and contexts. You can also use them to network with other attendees, speakers, and hosts, and ask questions or share your opinions. Some examples of webinars and podcasts for collaborative procurement are The Art of Procurement, The Procurement Podcast, and The Sourcing Hero.

4 Online courses and certifications

If you want to deepen your skills and knowledge in collaborative procurement, you can also enroll in online courses and certifications that are designed to help you master the concepts, tools, and techniques of this practice. Online courses and certifications can help you gain credibility, recognition, and confidence in your procurement career. They can also help you connect with other learners, instructors, and mentors who can support your learning journey. Some examples of online courses and certifications for collaborative procurement are The Collaborative Procurement Partnership, The Certified Professional in Supply Management, and The Certified Collaborative Leader.

5 Collaboration software and tools

Finally, you can also use collaboration software and tools to facilitate and enhance your collaborative procurement activities. Collaboration software and tools can help you communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with your internal and external partners more effectively and efficiently. They can also help you manage your projects, documents, contracts, and data more securely and transparently. Some examples of collaboration software and tools for collaborative procurement are Coupa, Ariba, and Procurify.