Insights

At E&I, we believe in the power of knowledge, and that means ensuring our members have the information they need, to address their most pressing challenges. That’s why we’ve provided you with professional industry Insights from our team experts as easy-to-download and print-friendly materials.

Student Satisfaction & Rising Costs Threaten Higher Ed Institutions

Institutions of higher education face many challenges to their well-being. This infographic provides an illustration of how two of those challenges are impacting colleges, and how Procurement can help to impact these areas.

Gradually & Then Suddenly – A Farewell to Revenue – by Tom Fitzgerald, CEO

Higher education institutions across the board are facing extraordinary challenges in terms of funding. In this article, Tom Fitzgerald, CEO of E&I, discusses the importance of cost stewardship, supply chain management, and collaboration when it comes to achieving financial sustainability in these trying times.

Developing a Scientific Contracting Strategy

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Scientific Contracting Strategy

Like any scientific venture, major decisions—especially financial—require thorough research, planning, and strategy for successful implementation. Before you begin developing a contracting strategy for your scientific purchases, consider these key points recommended by Laura Perin, Vice President of E&I’s Scientific Category.

5 Reasons Why You Should be Using Cooperative Contracts And Two Things You May Be Wrong About – by Tom Fitzgerald, CEO

Given the financial pressure today’s higher ed institutions are facing, collaborative purchasing efforts are more important than ever before. Many institutions don’t realize just how much a purchasing cooperative can help with the procurement process. Cooperatives leverage the combined purchasing volume from many different entities, thereby increasing the purchasing power...

Achieving Financial Sustainability through Procurement Optimization; As Revenues Continue to be Challenged, Higher Ed Institutions Must Focus on Controlling Costs – by Tom Fitzgerald, CEO

As the financial pressure in higher education continues to mount, and revenues continue to be challenged, all higher ed institutions are being forced to look internally to find effective ways to save. The safety net once provided by state funds, appropriations, gifts, high returns and tuition increases have been ripped...

Can’t We All Just Get Along? Why It Pays to Engage the Procurement Department on Campus – by Tom Fitzgerald, CEO

I recently heard about an interesting presentation given by Mike Rulli, Procurement Specialist at the University of Notre Dame. As part of his presentation, Mike detailed the ways in which Notre Dame’s procurement department has forged a successful collaboration with the office of research.

Emerging Trends – Campus Sponsorship: To Engage or Not to Engage

Periodically, there are external changes in the business, legal or political arenas that can impact business operations on college and university campuses. Some, such as a major war or the oil crisis of the 1980’s, impact inventories of needed goods.

How to Give IT Credibility in the C-suite. It isn’t easy changing the C-suite’s view that IT is a “utility” but you can do it over time. – by Keith Fowlkes, Vice President, E&I Technology Category

During my 26-year career in higher education as a technology leader, I often felt as if my teams and I were viewed by faculty and administrators as highly-skilled... plumbers. Not that there is anything bad about being a highly-skilled plumber at all but you don’t think of a plumber as...

Procurement Transformation. Do it to yourself before somebody does it to you. – by Ralph Maier, Vice President, Contracts Operations & Business Development

We live in an ever-changing, technologically-driven world. Just take a look at your personal life. From online shopping and banking, to social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, you probably do things very differently than you did just five years ago. It’s amazing how much has changed.

So You Want to be More Strategic? Start by Asking Yourself These 20 Questions – by Ray T. Jensen, Executive Director, Athletics, Culinary & Travel Category

Many of today’s higher education procurement leaders recognize the importance of moving from a tactical procurement function to a strategic procurement function, and with good reason. As budgets tighten, enrollments decrease, and endowments are stressed, improving procurement practices on campus should be viewed as a compelling area to effect positive...