CFOs gaze at their books seeking more ways to cut costs. CPOs continue strategic sourcing efforts on products or services such as temporary help, janitorial supplies, computer technology and freight in order to squeeze another 15% cost reduction out of their suppliers. With an obvious path and identifiable management, these commodities offer a conduit to reduced spend.
With such an emphasis on control, centralization and cost reduction, why then, do some CFOs and CPOs look at me like a deer in headlights when I highlight disparate spending, decentralized contracts, unmanaged risk, and unmonitored resources in meetings? Why? Because meeting spend is concealed in over 45 SIC codes. Because meeting spend can be split between two or more general ledger codes. Because meeting spend can be paid for by accounts payable, procure-to-pay, P-cards or T&E cards (sometimes all four methods are used for one meeting!) Because meeting spend includes airlines, hotels, destination management companies, meeting management companies, audio visual, production, ground transportation, entertainment, décor, bands, speakers, printing, signage, off-site venues, etc. Because meetings are managed by meeting planners, human resources, marketing, training and development, executive assistants, etc. Because "we have a meeting management technology in place so we must be managing it properly." Because the uneducated trust that the hoteliers and other suppliers' contracts "must" be adequate without making changes. Because meeting planning must be controlled if "we just cut the big meetings and travel." Because there is no clear path.
The trailblazers, who pave the way in this complex environment, must be celebrated! I honor the 2009 twenty Changemakers, as identified by Corporate Meetings and Incentives, who stepped up, peeled back the layers and improved strategic meetings management in their own unique ways. Humbled when I learned that I was included in this honorable list last year, I understand and recognize their accomplishment. Many are my trusted colleagues, mentors and friends.
Congratulations to:
Lee Ann Adams Mikeman, Debbie Andersen, Craig Addis, Lynn Averill, Kim Boriin, Terri Breining, Jeff Calmus, Louann Cashill, Patricia Kerr, Kari Kesler, Susan Lichtenstein, Kathy Lieberman, Rosemary Mueller, Donna Foppoli-Patrick, Angie Pfeifer, Marybeth Roberts, Tom Tolve, Tracey Wilt, Alice Woychik and Dan Young.
Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT
Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more...
Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar
Comments