{"id":8741,"date":"2025-06-11T16:11:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/indirect-purchasing-often-neglected-but-crucial-to-sme-performance\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:25:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:25:03","slug":"indirect-purchasing-often-neglected-but-crucial-to-sme-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/indirect-purchasing-often-neglected-but-crucial-to-sme-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Indirect Purchasing: Often Overlooked, but Crucial to the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies, management efforts naturally focus on so-called \u201cstrategic\u201d procurement: raw materials, production, logistics, or equipment related to the core business. However, indirect purchases<\/b>\u2014often relegated to the background\u2014account for a significant portion of spending\u2014 between 20 and 30 percent.<\/span> <\/span>of total costs\u2014and have a direct impact on profitability, the<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>efficiency, and the resilience of the<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>company.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What is indirect procurement?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Indirect purchases include all goods and services necessary for the smooth operation ofthe company<\/span>but that are not directly related to production or the company\u2019s core service<\/b>. These include, for example: <\/p>

  • Office supplies, computer equipment, and software<\/li>
  • Telecommunications, energy<\/span>, or cleaning services<\/li>
  • Waste management, maintenance, insurance<\/li>
  • Expenses related to vehicles, transportation, or travel<\/li><\/ul>

    These positions, which are<\/span> often scattered<\/span> across<\/span> different departments or filled<\/span> on an ad hoc basis, generally fall outside the scope of an overallprocurement<\/span>strategy. The result: wasted time, scattered costs, and a lack of leverage<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>optimization.<\/b> <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Why Is Indirect Procurement Strategic for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    In an environment marked by economicuncertainty<\/span>,rising<\/span>costs, andsupply chain<\/span>disruptions, managing indirect procurement has become a key driver of sustainable performance<\/b>. Here\u2019s why: <\/p>

    • <\/b>Direct savings, which are often underestimated<\/b>: centralizing, pooling, or renegotiating these expenses can yield savings of 10 to 30 percent<\/b>, without affecting corebusiness operations<\/span>.<\/li>
    • <\/b>Operational time savings<\/b>: By streamlining indirect procurement, teams become more efficient and can focus on their core business.<\/li>
    • <\/b>Risk mitigation<\/b>: selection of reliable suppliers, improved contract management, compliance with standards (GDPR, security, CSR<\/span>, etc.).<\/li>
    • <\/b>A CSR lever<\/b>: Optimizing indirect procurement alsoprovides<\/span>an opportunity<\/span>to incorporate<\/span>responsible criteria (green energy, recycling, local suppliers, ethics, labor rights, etc.<\/span>).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      Why is indirect procurement often overlooked in small and medium-sized businesses?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      In many SMEs, indirect purchases remain poorly identified and unstructured<\/b> , often perceived as secondary to purchases related to production or core business<\/span> activities. Several factors explain this underestimation. First<\/span> , a lack of dedicated resources<\/b> pushes teams to manage these expenses opportunistically, without a real strategy. Second, a vision <\/span><\/b>short-term<\/span> considerations predominate: these positions are considered insignificant and are not treated as performance levers. <\/p>

      Internalorganization<\/span>also plays a role. Indirect procurement is often decentralized<\/b>, spread across different departments or locations, without any consolidation of needs or standardization of practices. Finally, in the sometimes-stressful day-to-day operations of small and medium-sized enterprises, these purchases are frequently made in the<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>urgent<\/b>, without competitive bidding or in-depth analysis. <\/p>

      This lack of structure may seem trivial, but it comes at a real cost: scattered spending, suboptimal conditions, a lack of visibility\u2026 and a loss of<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>opportunities<\/b> to improve thecompany\u2019s<\/span>overall profitability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      How Widoo Helps Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Optimize Their Indirect Purchasing\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      It is<\/span>precisely these challenges that the Widoo model addresses in a concrete way. By joining the network, member companies: <\/p>

      • <\/b>Gain access to collectively negotiated framework agreements<\/b> with local<\/span> suppliers selected for their reliability<\/li>
      • <\/b>Are eligible for<\/b>a<\/b><\/span>a clear methodology and<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>personalized support<\/b> to map out and optimize their spending<\/li>
      • <\/b>Save time<\/b> by outsourcing the sourcing phase, while retaining control over decisions<\/li>
      • <\/b>Achieve sustainable cost savings<\/b> without compromising quality or compliance<\/li><\/ul>

        Inother<\/span>words, Widoo helps turn this often-overlooked area into a real driver of performance.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        In conclusion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Indirect procurement deserves a prominent place in the strategy of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies.<\/b> When managed effectively, it can generate financial gains, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen thecompany\u2019s<\/span>overall resilience.<\/p>

        Rather than simply putting up with them or managing them asthey come<\/span>, we should organize and pool these purchases within<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>a network like Widoo, this<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>is choosing to<\/b>\u2019<\/b><\/span>a more strategic, more effective\u2026 and more stress-free approach.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Although often overlooked, indirect procurement is actually a strategic driver of performance for small and medium-sized businesses. Learn how to structure and optimize it effectively. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"7 Benefits of CSR in a Company","_seopress_titles_desc":"In this article, discover the 7 key benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for your organization.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"Indirect Purchasing: Often Overlooked, but Crucial to the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"Although often overlooked, indirect procurement is actually a strategic driver of performance for small and medium-sized businesses. Learn how to structure and optimize it effectively.","_seopress_social_fb_img":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/flat-lay-office-desk-assortment-with-empty-screen-tablet-1.jpg","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"Indirect Purchasing: Often Overlooked, but Crucial to the Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"Although often overlooked, indirect procurement is actually a strategic driver of performance for small and medium-sized businesses. Learn how to structure and optimize it effectively.","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/flat-lay-office-desk-assortment-with-empty-screen-tablet-1.jpg","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8741"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9621,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8741\/revisions\/9621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widoo.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}